Anti-squeal shims

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

The problem initially arose when re-fitting the rear wheel. This is always a PITA on the VFR (in fact on most bikes) as you are juggling spacers, chain adjuster blocks, sprocket and chain and brake caliper mounts while trying to get everything lined up and insert the spindle. So when the shim fell out halfway through it was definitely a case of 'fuck it'.

But with everything in place it was the work of a few seconds to unscrew the rear caliper pin, rotate the caliper away from the mounting bracket, insert the shim and then lower the caliper and brake pads back onto the shim and bracket and remount the caliper pin. In fact doing it probably took as long as typing this paragraph.

So it's all done and this little storm in a tea cup is over. Thanks to all who commented.

I remember similar with my CB400SF which has the same caliper

[mangocrazy]

You need a more modern VFR with a SSSA.

To solve a minor issue with a brake caliper? I think not...

I'm simply not a fan of SSSA's. I know they make removal/fitting of a rear wheel simpler, but they come with their own issues - extra weight for a similar level of swingarm rigidity, cost, extra frame bracing for the twisting loads being applied and (in the specific case of the VFR) problems with corrosion affecting the chain adjustment mechanism. I owned a new 1996 FT for a couple of years and it just didn't do it for me. The engine was slightly flat compared to my 1989 FK and the extra weight was very noticeable. So I sold it and bought a secondhand (ten year old) 1988 FJ and it's the bike I still have.

If money were no object and I could get it past my wife I'd buy a V4 Tuono, but I can't see that being an option. She'd take one look at the excuse for a pillion seat and I'd be persona non grata...

[Mr. Dazzle]

All my favourite bikes have been SSSA Speed Triple, 996, VFR750 (RC36)....

[mangocrazy]

All my favourite bikes have been SSSA Speed Triple, 996, VFR750 (RC36)....

I realise that I'm in a minority with my views on SSSAs, most people love 'em. Most people assumed that as I owned a Ducati 888 SP3 in the early 90s, that I'd trade it in for a 916 when they appeared. I actually preferred the brutal look of the 888 SP compared to the much 'prettier' 916, and the 916's SSSA sealed the deal. I kept the 888 and still have it, although it hasn't turned a wheel in 5 years.

The Mk2 RC36 was a very pretty bike though.

[A_morti]

With that type of caliper, you should be able to insert the sliding pin next to #10, then pivot the caliper and pads down over the shim #10 to meet the rear sliding pin/bolt #22. If you can't, might be due to the non OEM caliper and swing arm combination.

Anyway, once you get the hang of that you reduce a lot of complication when trying to reassemble the back end.

If you're still trying to lift the wheel in to place, you're making life harder than it needs to be. Scrabble around the garage, find a plank or tool box of whatever that fits nicely under the tyre when the bike is on the centre stand or paddock stand. Use that to line up the wheel when reassembling.

[mangocrazy]

With that type of caliper, you should be able to insert the sliding pin next to #10, then pivot the caliper and pads down over the shim #10 to meet the rear sliding pin/bolt #22. If you can't, might be due to the non OEM caliper and swing arm combination.

If you read this thread you'll see that is what I did. Took no time at all.

Anyway, once you get the hang of that you reduce a lot of complication when trying to reassemble the back end.

How long does it take to get the hang of it? Is over 55 years of owning and working on motorbikes enough, do you think?

If you're still trying to lift the wheel in to place, you're making life harder than it needs to be. Scrabble around the garage, find a plank or tool box of whatever that fits nicely under the tyre when the bike is on the centre stand or paddock stand. Use that to line up the wheel when reassembling.

I'm not trying to lift the wheel in place. That would be foolish. I'm using an Abba Skylift stand with hydraulic lifting/lowering to line the wheel up. Pieces of wood are so yesterday.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

Those Honda back ends are arses, I can normally get a back wheel in no problems, the CB400 took ages.

[Count Steer]

With that type of caliper, you should be able to insert the sliding pin next to #10, then pivot the caliper and pads down over the shim #10 to meet the rear sliding pin/bolt #22. If you can't, might be due to the non OEM caliper and swing arm combination.

If you read this thread you'll see that is what I did. Took no time at all.

Anyway, once you get the hang of that you reduce a lot of complication when trying to reassemble the back end.

How long does it take to get the hang of it? Is over 55 years of owning and working on motorbikes enough, do you think?

If you're still trying to lift the wheel in to place, you're making life harder than it needs to be. Scrabble around the garage, find a plank or tool box of whatever that fits nicely under the tyre when the bike is on the centre stand or paddock stand. Use that to line up the wheel when reassembling.

I'm not trying to lift the wheel in place. That would be foolish. I'm using an Abba Skylift stand with hydraulic lifting/lowering to line the wheel up. Pieces of wood are so yesterday.

........and thankyou for your interest....

[Mr. Dazzle]

The Mk2 RC36 was a very pretty bike though.

Mine was an RC36a, which i assume is a Mk2.

N reg, some rather inappropriate "RTA" letters in the plate Fortunately I don't believe in luck.

[mangocrazy]

The Mk2 RC36 was a very pretty bike though.

Mine was an RC36a, which i assume is a Mk2.

N reg, some rather inappropriate "RTA" letters in the plate Fortunately I don't believe in luck.

Ah, yours was the lard-ass of the VFR750 line-up...

The one that most people seem to regard as the best looking of the VFR750s was the later RC36 with the NACA style ducts on the fairing. But they all look better than the later VFR800s...

[Mr. Dazzle]

Mine had NACA ducts. I'm saying its an RC36a cause that's what it said on the frame plate.

Astute observers might note this is a picture of Druid's old VFR. I bought it off Mad Ax who bought it off Druid.

Superb bike, totally without fault (other than brake pads which didn't work when wet, which I've mentioned before) I only got rid cause inheriting a load of other bikes forced my hand!

[mangocrazy]

Mine had NACA ducts. I'm saying its an RC36a cause that's what it said on the frame plate.

Astute observers might note this is a picture of Druid's old VFR. I bought it off Mad Ax who bought it off Druid.

Superb bike, totally without fault (other than brake pads which didn't work when wet, which I've mentioned before) I only got rid cause inheriting a load of other bikes forced my hand!

Yeah that's the one. In which case it was the one where Honda actually reduced the weight by about 7kg compared to the previous (lard-ass) model. Looks like you had VTR1000 fork lowers and opposed piston 4 pot calipers as well.

[Mr. Dazzle]

It did...plus a stainless steel exhaust, adjusted valve clearance and new rear shock. All the ball ache jobs you want someone else (ahem, Druid) to do.

[mangocrazy]

It did...plus a stainless steel exhaust, adjusted valve clearance and new rear shock. All the ball ache jobs you want someone else (ahem, Druid) to do.

Ya shoulda kept it. One of the best bikes the big H ever made...

[KungFooBob]

T'was a loss leader, Honda lost money on everyone they sold.

[mangocrazy]

T'was a loss leader, Honda lost money on everyone they sold.

Yup. Build quality was exceptional and R&D must have cost a king's ransom. No coincidence that Honda quietly dropped the gear driven cams in the early 2000s.

[Mr. Dazzle]

Even my 1989 CB1 400cc bike had gear driven cams (and a crazy cam whine).

The only other bike I've seen which seemed as well put together as the VFR was my Dad's 954cc Fireblade (2002 I think). He rode it as a commuter every day for 3 years and it still looked brand new when he sold it. I've heard that the Blackbird went one step further again with build quality but I've never known someone with one.

[mangocrazy]

Even my 1989 CB1 400cc bike had gear driven cams (and a crazy cam whine).

The only other bike I've seen which seemed as well put together as the VFR was my Dad's 954cc Fireblade (2002 I think). He rode it as a commuter every day for 3 years and it still looked brand new when he sold it. I've heard that the Blackbird went one step further again with build quality but I've never known someone with one.

I'm not an IL4 kinda guy, but I was sorely tempted by the 954 Blade. Seem to recall it was many magazine's Bike of the Year.

[KungFooBob]

954's weren't as good as the earlier Blades, thinner paint to save weight etc... Mate picks one up from Honda UK HQ and the panels were all different shades of yellow.

My 98 Blade was the last of the quality Hondas.

[Mr. Dazzle]

His was blue/white though which made it the best looking blade evererer.