Does any one know if the VTR front end (steering stem, triple tree) fits on a 1998 VFR 800? I know the forks are the same diamter, I used VTR forks, calipers and master cylinder but the triple clamps are wider on the VFR so the calipers have to be shimmed in and that gives a little shudder under braking. If the triple tree does fit, does any one have a set to sell?

 

I think it does, if you measure the steering stem that should tell you. If you get measurements of the vfr I could do the same with the vtr one that I have for sale. Or PM or ask for help from superbling as he has owned both. If you find out for sure let me know, I have upper and lower triples and clip-ons from a '98 I put gsxr usd forks on.

 

Thanks for the reply. What does the steering stem measure and how much do you want for your parts?

 

I'm about 90% sure they bolt right on if they utilize the same head bearings.

The VFR, however, uses very raked out steering compared to the rest of the honda sport line. They are in the 25 degree area whereas all others including the VTR are in the 24's. The good news is the VTR is one of, if not, the closest.

steering angle/ trail
98VFR/ 25.5 / 100
02VFR / 25.5 / 95
98VTR / 24.9 / 97
02F4i / 24.0/ 96

As you can see, both generations of VFR utilize the same rake but their trails are different. They achieve this with different off-sets in the triples construction. For the same head angle: less triple offset gives it more trail and more trail equals more stability.

If I've thought this out correctly, the VTR triples will give you less trail so steering should be quickened. How much? Don't know until you try it!

If the new triples provide too much change (quick or slow), sliding the forks up or down can compensate; however, will you have enough tube length to accomplish this if you need to slide them down the triples (slow down steering) would be my only concern.

 

I'll try to get the measurments tonight and I'll get back to you later.

 

Superbling,
thanks for all the great info. Also, I was considering putting an RC51 front on my 2001 VTR and putting the VTR front on the VFR, any thoughts? Does the RC51 front fit the VTR? I this too much work for too little gain?

 

It will fit but you'll need the whole front end, wheel and rotors, clip-ons etc... Is it worth it? That depends on what you want out of it. I put gsxr forks and calipers with 954 triples and rc51 wheel and rotors and I love the results. The cost of a 320mm rotor kit for the hawk is about the same money I spent on my whole frontend with the 320mm rotors.