VFR750/Storm crossbreed race bike project.

[fabiostar]

busy man poppers..

[popkat]

I have 1 week to get this bike finished so I can take it to the Endurance legends meeting at Donington, it's going to be a tall order to get it done, there's lots to do still and I have lots of work on too so time's the problem but i'll have a go..

Here's a few pictures of the new pipe which I think look ace, from the Y piece back it's all hand made, also pic of the fork brace I got from StormyRob and Mac... you may notice some other details in the pictures, like relocated CDI, rear brake etc.. when it's complete i'll take some more pictures of it. Unfortunately there will be no time for any paint so it'll be gelcoat white and the original white on the tank, It's a shame as naff looking bodywork doesn't show off all the work that's gone in to it..

[Wicky]

Does the top box carry extra fuel for the endurance event...

[popkat]

Does the top box carry extra fuel for the endurance event...

In flight fuelling, hadn't thought of that. I'm not in the endurance race though (too soon for the bike as it's untested), just hoping to get on the track day sessions over the weekend.

The picture was taken at the workshop where the pipe was made, the top box is on a VFR800 he had in to make a new end can.


.

[grumpyfrog]

Pure weld porn.
Nice brace on the front.

[fabiostar]

love the look of that pipework....the seat, is that a RS250 unit?

[popkat]

the seat, is that a RS250 unit?

No it's a VFR race unit, pain in the butt to fit, I've had to make up a base pan to bolt to the subframe as it sits well above the frame rails and the fit around the tank isn't great. I had the option of a different unit that kept the stock seat, I now wish I'd gone with that option. Got to stick with this one now as I've put a lot of time in and the other option isn't cheap.


.

[agentpineapple]

looking good malc, love the welds on the linkpipe...

[sirch345]

Every little bit more is a step closer to finishing the linkpipe looks good I agree,

Chris.

[popkat]

Well I got the bike finished, a week of 14 hour days, work then VFR. I was knackered but got it finished at 1pm on Friday, quick test ride on the road just to make sure it was ok then loaded up and headed off to Donington for the Endurance legends weekend.

I wasn't booked in to the track day sessions but was going anyway with a friend so thought I'd see if I could get in when I got there. As luck would have it I got in once the first session had passed (someone had a problem and pulled out), first session was wet anyway and didn't fancy SuperCorsa's in the wet

I had a contingency plan though as I'd loaded the Storm in the van..

2nd session (my first) the track was still damp, wet in places but a dry line which was quite narrow at times.. I dropped the tyre pressures in the storm a bit and jumped on it, It has Metzeler M7rr tyres and I thought it could be a good try for these in the damp as When I race the VFR the series doesn't allow wets.. Unfortunately the Storm didn't feel great, it was ok but I wasn't confident on it, It was cold and the tyres didn't seem to warm, but maybe it was just me. I also had new boots and gloves on, the boots were digging in my ankles and had limited movement, the knuckle protection on the gloves was really painful everytime I braked. I was going fairly quick but just wasn't feeling it on the Storm. (after this I put my old gloves and boots on)

I was talking to a friend who was racing in the endurance event on a GSXR750 and they tried the Metzelers in their morning practice when it was completely wet track, he was happy with them and praised them, also he said the guy who's won all the races this year in CRMC has them on his FZ750, as said it seems it was me and the tyres appear to be good.


On to the VFR... Wow, it felt awesome straight away, the track had dried but was still cold (about 12 degree's), gave it two and a half laps before going for it a bit, sorry to say this but it made the Storm feel like a bus, this VFR is nimble and quick, seems as fast as the Storm if not faster, certainly faster in the corners and much better on the brakes. there was lots of traffic but I got a few clear laps and was just trying to improve myself as the bike didn't even need a tweak.

Sunday was much better weather, first session was sunny but still cold (9.30am), the 2nd session (last of the weekend) was about 18 degree's, the tyres warmed quick and I got some clear laps to start with and was really starting to get in to it, going faster every lap until I caught traffic. think I lapped almost everyone out there This thing feels like a proper race bike, It feels more like my old CBR race bike back in the 90's than the proddy stuff I raced in 2012/13/14

All in all the bike is better than I expected, I'm well pleased with it and it's been worth all the hard work, I even had a smile on my face !.
now to race it, unfortunately I might have to wait until August and the Donington classic festival, It seems earlier meetings are full although I will make a call to see if I can get in to Mallory in 2 weeks time (not hopeful though)..


.

[popkat]

The bike has complete Firestorm front end including yokes which reduce the offset, CBR600 front calipers, firestorm rear wheel and brake, It still has VFR rear master cylinder and feels a bit wooden, but the fronts are good enough that the back is hardly needed.. I weighed the bike at the start of the project and with 8 litres of fuel it tipped the scales at 226kg with a rear bias, after all the work I weighed it with the same fuel load and it came in at 196kg with front bias, 100kg front 96kg rear. My target was 20kg so to get 30kg was a nice surprise, I could also lose another kg by changing steel bolts for ally ones and making a lighter exhaust bracket.


.

[macdee]

all your hard work seems to be paying off popkat
hopefully an opening will appear for you

[AMCQ46]

Result, sounded perfect. Although when you say smiling I knew this is all made up

[MacV2]

Well done Malc O'Pop, glad you got some laps in after all that hard work...

However...''I even had a smile on my face !. '' without photgraphic proof we cannot take this at your word...

[Watty]

Sounds like you are reaping the benefits of all your hard work mate