R1 bits morphed into an RD

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LC Cnd
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R1 bits morphed into an RD

#1 Post by LC Cnd » Tue Oct 25, 2016 11:36 am

Considering taking an R1 suspension/braking system to create a hybrid. Note the swing arm and triple tree need mods 4 this to occur. What is the least evasive welding options for the steering collar? Appears I will need to remove the current RD one and replace it say with a steel CBR600 collar as the R1 has aluminum steering system. I was hoping to not have to re-jig the steering but I believe there are no other option weld in a new(old) one to accommodate R1 front forks.

RuZty
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Re: R1 bits morphed into an RD

#2 Post by RuZty » Tue Oct 25, 2016 12:30 pm

LC Cnd wrote:What is the least evasive welding options for the steering collar?
Bigger welders are generally less evasive :smt002
I assume you mean the steering stem? What is the issue with using the aluminum R1 stem? Have you looked at R6 parts? The fork tubes are a couple of mm smaller diameter and better suited to a smaller bike. The swingarm will be a lot of work and will require welding and machining to accommodate the RD shock arrangement.
You need to compare dimensions between the standard stem and the one you want to use, length, bearing ID, OD and thickness and look at what bearings are available (AllBalls) to fit the stem into the frame without machining anything if possible. Then you need to look at the length and figure out how much longer the new stem is and if it has room to accommodate the bearings at the spacing the frame needs and whether you will need a spacer under the lower bearing. You will also need to modify the steering stops to work with the frame.
You can also shorten the stem to make it work (a more elegant solution) but you want to use a welder that you can trust if you can't do it yourself. I had RGVSteve shorten one for me and he put new steering stops on it as well for a very reasonable price. It might also be possible to press the R1/R6 stem out and cut a new snap ring groove and shorten it on the bottom end if you don't need to take too much out.
If your stock steering stem is not welded into the lower triple you might be able to use it. I was helping someone on the 500 board with a swap and IIRC we found that the 500 stem could be pressed into the late R6 lower clamp and use the existing RZ bearings to fit a 3MA frame.

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2smoke
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Re: R1 bits morphed into an RD

#3 Post by 2smoke » Tue Oct 25, 2016 6:53 pm

R1 pieces are a bad choice. Cheap maybe, but too wide and long for the narrow lc.
I suggest norbos lc crazy forum for ideas. Tons of lc customs to see what works. Easiest and most popular seems to be the rgv250 swap front and rear but there are many others.
Colin
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Re: R1 bits morphed into an RD

#4 Post by MK » Wed Oct 26, 2016 4:39 am

I have used the “old“ R6 classic fork.
The stem had to be pressed out, welded, machined, shortened and pressed back in place.
Length, Spring rate, damping is perfect.
Bye
Martin

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JonW
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Re: R1 bits morphed into an RD

#5 Post by JonW » Wed Oct 26, 2016 5:23 am

yeah lots of people say the R1 forks are too hard for out bikes and the R6 is fine. Bizarrely i found the R6 forks quite hard on the R6 and less forgiving riding fast over rutted roads when i back to back compared the R1 and R6 in 2001, but twiddling might have helped, I was just riding fast cross country.
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82 RD350LC decapitation project
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LC Cnd
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Re: R1 bits morphed into an RD

#6 Post by LC Cnd » Wed Oct 26, 2016 12:46 pm

Well, here's the dealio: have access to a wrecked R1 for free. But free may not be free at all at this point. Jon if the opprotunity availed itself again hybrid wise, would you R6 or R1? The other option is just go straight stock again.

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Re: R1 bits morphed into an RD

#7 Post by JonW » Wed Oct 26, 2016 6:58 pm

Thats an interesting one... I would probably go R1 just cos id have the bits, id have to work out or pay to have the springs and valving redone tho so it wont be free in the end.

The reason lots of people use RGV stuff is that its pretty much right for our bikes (fit and also performance) and that cuts down on the costs overall. Ie. there is more to the conversions than the initial struggle of the headstock fittings and lock stops etc.

Well.... If i was doing it again Id do it with someting else, I already have 2 bikes with the RGV setup. The r6 stuff looks more old school as its RWU.... id go for something very modern with radial brakes i think next time round. It would be more effort, but for me, as I guess people already know, the more work and engineering that needs solutioning, the more rewarding it is in the end... plus if no one else has done it then its all the better. My RGV LC421 may be pretty tame (almost boring) these days to newbies who probably think 'oh another guy on the rgv/athena bandwagon', but while im not claiming im any kind of innovator with those parts it was one of the first to be written up and put on the web. Tho since those building blocks ive innovated with the details of course. That said, my RZ350 with RGV parts was conceived just because I really liked the work others had done with the early RZs and wanted to do a sleek fat tyred RZ with the spare parts I had (the bike started as a just bare frame), and was started so as to be a quick build... ahem. LOL

If the R1 stuff isnt free then dont get it, how about that? :D
80 XT500 Supermoto!
81 RD350LC Resto
82 RD421LC Hybrid
82 RD350LC decapitation project
82 RD250LC JDM '251LC' YPVS
83 RZ350 Resto
84 RZ500 Resto
85 RZ350 F1 Resto
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LC Cnd
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Re: R1 bits morphed into an RD

#8 Post by LC Cnd » Wed Oct 26, 2016 11:19 pm

I get the sense RVG 1st place (rare in Canada but not the UK interestingly), R6 second and R1 a long 3rd.

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Re: R1 bits morphed into an RD

#9 Post by Hooligan » Thu Oct 27, 2016 2:12 am

Why don't you buy my endlessly delayed LC hybrid project from me? It has an R1 front end and a very trick custom alum swingarm with an SV650 rear wheel. Most of the really difficult and expensive parts are done. Just needs the final fiddling and details sorted out to make it work.

Image

Image

The tank is a minty Jap market unit that is entirely rust free and nearly perfect. Bodywork is very good original. Motor is ready to go back together with rebuilt crank and new bores and pistons. I have an absolute shit ton of money into this thing and will sell to a good home for roughly 1/3 of what I've put into it.
'82 RD350LC in '81 colours, OEM pipes, UNI filters
'85 FZ750

LC Cnd
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Re: R1 bits morphed into an RD

#10 Post by LC Cnd » Fri Oct 28, 2016 1:27 pm

Nicely done rolling frame just simply don't have the room with all I have stored in my garage for the current project. Read your thread, on the other side of the pond, and it has me pondering if 2 years plus might be the time line on this project. It appears your so close to completion you could almost smell the smoke!

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Re: R1 bits morphed into an RD

#11 Post by Hooligan » Fri Oct 28, 2016 4:10 pm

My primary problem is I have 5 other bikes that need to be ridden and taken care of. Not to mention the rest of life as we know it.

Over the winter I think I'm gonna assemble the motor as it is all ready to go and I did two others this summer so at least I know how to do it now. ;) The bike has been in my basement for the last 10 years so it either needs to get completed or get sold.
'82 RD350LC in '81 colours, OEM pipes, UNI filters
'85 FZ750

LC Cnd
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Re: R1 bits morphed into an RD

#12 Post by LC Cnd » Thu Nov 10, 2016 12:30 pm

Does anyone have the fork off set measurements to install a R1 forks into an RD? Like Jon, the more challenging a situation is, the more apt I'm willing to give a whirl until the money runs out and I have to save up for the next effort. Research shows that Alls Balls 22-1012 conversion kit is needed. Races need to be adjusted. I'm learning that the swing arm is the real challange but I do have access to a press, aluminium stock, tig/gas welder (and a bit of cash...bit).

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Zedixe13
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Re: R1 bits morphed into an RD

#13 Post by Zedixe13 » Thu Nov 10, 2016 6:13 pm

LC Cnd wrote:I get the sense RVG 1st place (rare in Canada but not the UK interestingly), R6 second and R1 a long 3rd.
I'm checking the adds all the time and I never saw an RGV250 for sale here .

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Re: R1 bits morphed into an RD

#14 Post by Zedixe13 » Thu Nov 10, 2016 6:23 pm

http://litetek.co/Guide_USD_ForkDatabase.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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JonW
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Re: R1 bits morphed into an RD

#15 Post by JonW » Thu Nov 10, 2016 7:02 pm

OMFG I love you Zedixe! where has that link been all my life?!?!

EDITED: actually found a few bits i dont agree with and some of its a bit simplified as there are more models of some bikes, and... there are too many question marks... but one day if they keep adding to it, this will be wonderful.
Last edited by JonW on Fri Nov 11, 2016 2:41 am, edited 1 time in total.
80 XT500 Supermoto!
81 RD350LC Resto
82 RD421LC Hybrid
82 RD350LC decapitation project
82 RD250LC JDM '251LC' YPVS
83 RZ350 Resto
84 RZ500 Resto
85 RZ350 F1 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Hybrid

Like Watches? www.PloProf.com & www.DeskDivers.com

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