71602 plumber

Hey Ben,

Thanks for the kind words! I have had a 30 year love affair with these motorcycles, and being a Tool and Die Maker by trade has allowed me to fab up some really interesting upgrades for these bikes. If they work, I offer them to the other forum members. If they don't, then I don't waste your time selling you something that I wouldn't run on my own First Gens. I have two. I never have been a big fan of "Putting Lipstick on a Pig"! So to speak. So with that being said, let's get to the issue at hand. 

With you having an 83'VR, the Anti-Dives on the front of your bike are Hydraulic, and require two additional brake lines to complete the S.S. Line Set Upgrade. It's not a problem, I can make up the lines, BUT if this were MY motorcycle, I would find a set of front forks from a 1986 to 1993 MKII Venture for two reasons. #1 is these MKII forks have electric Anti-Dives and you would not need the additional brake lines, and #2 because of the 100mm spacing of the caliper mounts, (Instead of the 80mm spacing on your MKI forks) this opens you up to mounting 4 piston Yamaha R1 calipers on the front of your 83'VR! I also offer a set of Block Off Plates that do away with the Anti-Dives all together when combined with the Progressive fork springs which tighten up the sloppy front end of these motorcycles nicely. As always Ben, the choice to do ANY of these upgrades is solely up to you! But it makes sense to bring the suspension and braking of this bike into the 21st century in my opinion. As I said, I'll sell you anything you want, but I want you to have ALL of the information to make a wise decision about the direction you are going with your bike. If any of this sounds interesting Ben, lets chat some more and get a game plan together before you start buying parts. I sorta' jumped the gun and assumed that you are handy with a wrench, and are going to be putting these parts on yourself. If this is not the case, let me know, and we can scale down the mods to fit your ability and go easy on your pocketbook. Having a bike shop do Anything to your 38 year old motorcycle is going to cause you to dig deep into your wallet, so keep that in mind. I attached a pic of the R1 calipers on my 87'VR! I have front forks if you can't find any.

Thanks again for your interest, and The Kind Words, and let's keep in touch!

Earl

Good afternoon my friend. Sorry about the delayed response but between work and the holidays I haven't had much me time. Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge with me, I assure you your effort is not in vain. I am not quite ready to start on the front end  although it won't be long. Right now I'm trying to get my start button to do it's thing.  I've downloaded the wiring diagrams as well as the service manual and have been reading every post I can find having to do with starting it with the button. I am in the process of taking the clutch safety switch apart and cleaning it right now. Hopefully this will do it. When I get this out of the way I plan on buying tires and then tubes, springs, calipers and electric dampers. I will be in contact

             Thanks again 

                              Ben.

Hey Ben,

Happy New Year to you! If your bike won't start, then fixing the front end is "pulling the donkey with the cart"! So to speak. Your bike has been waiting 39 years to have someone upgrade the front forks, it can wait a bit longer. When you are ready Ben, I will be here. Hopefully with some new upgrades for the First Gens. I plan to retire in June, and already have my Machine Shop set up in my Pole Barn on my property. I am looking forward to machining in my own shop instead of "working for the man"! Even if I don't make the kind of money I used to, it will be a pleasure to work for myself for a change.

Let me know when I can help,

Earl