revtothelimit - motorbike forum

So, with the RVF400 all nicely MOTd. All fitted with new chain and sprockets and sticky new rubber.
Guy at the MOT station as he was wheeling it is said he loves the little bike and told me it would pass before the test just by looking at her. that was nice of him to say.

So, onto the Thundercat..... its a bit rough and ready just now, so attention now focused on her, especially since shes blown a fork seal and there's fork oil getting all over my brake caliper...

So this week ive bought new fork stanchions (to be fitted with new fork/dust seals), new YSS rear shock, new chain and sprockets kit, R6 front calipers to replace existing and sending away rear caliper to be refurbished - all that so far. Will get the swingarm and the wheels powder coated over winter.
Let the fitting fun of all that begin!! I will get the forks done by someone else as dont have the tools tho.

Yeah, I could have sold it as is for the price i paid, but I actually kinda like it.... and if I bin it, its not too much £££ heartache

The RVF400 is a bit special, we didn't officially get them in the UK and the Japanese built them to a great standard with no expense spared. Well worth keeping nice.

The Chundercat was a bit of a stop gap that ended up as an unloved (by the masses) shopping bike. It's admirable that you want to save it, but I can't help thinking there's more deserving stuff out there?

I loved the ThunderCat - always wanted the silver and orange one

Thundercats are really good bikes, better than the same age CBR600, but they look weird, if Yamaha had kept the FZR600R bodywork on it it might have sold better.

KungFooBob wrote: Thu Jul 06, 2023 9:00 pm The Chundercat was a bit of a stop gap that ended up as an unloved (by the masses) shopping bike. It's admirable that you want to save it, but I can't help thinking there's more deserving stuff out there?

The problem i have is theres nothing out there, especially new/newer, that excites me.
I had a look at the Triumph 400 discussed here, and it looks interesting but underpowered.
Im finding myself looking at older bikes just now in all fairness. late 70s and early 80s. I can see myself ambling round country lanes with my open face helmet and goggles on.
Maybe its just my age.....

The 'Cat is a 1999, and only cost £800. The bits ive bought total £800 and will be fitting most myself. In the past year the Cat has been spectacularly reliable, and i do a 80 mile commute on it occasionally and its very frugal/practical. No sign of the dreaded 2nd gear problem, and the front sprocket nut has been replaced before

So the way i see it is (not including time) the bike all fixed is worth around £2-2.5k so im still 'up'. leaves some money in the bank if i do see something which piques my interest!

Also as i stay near Knockhill, she'll be going to track days hopefully soon - obviously not the first choice to track day on but thats all part of the challenge innit.

Ace things... loved mine... smooth as silk and very little between the Cat and a gsxr-600. They fly along nicely and are proper comfortable.

I never owned a Thundercat, but always quite fancied one. They sat in the sweet spot as far as I could see - more than enough go, comfortable, handled well and had good brakes. They're very popular with the LC crowd, who cannibalise them for forks, wheels and brakes.

SSS wrote: Fri Jul 07, 2023 8:51 am
Also as i stay near Knockhill, she'll be going to track days hopefully soon - obviously not the first choice to track day on but thats all part of the challenge innit.

Back in the 90's my mate raced one.
One memorable occasion at Aintree midweek test day the oil filter let go.My mate crashed at high speed on the back straight (It's a long straight at Aintree).Along with his dad,they had been playing around with the jetting.As my mate got dragged into the ambulance,his dad asked him 'How's it running at the top end',no mention of the missing oil filter

I had a thundercat for a year or two, brilliant bikes, very confidence inspiring.

Bought a new leather one piece. Came today.
I have a textile 2 piece just now, zips together and it fits me fine. Ordered a 36 suit. My god, it drowns me. Theres no amount of back protector or clothes padding gonna make that puppy fit. Why do they only make short and fat not short and skinny.......

Looks like im going to have to buy a set of childrens leathers (im 5'5", 36 chest, 29 waist and 56kg). At least there isnt any VAT on childrens clothes

SSS wrote: Fri Jul 07, 2023 3:31 pm
Looks like im going to have to buy a set of childrens leathers (im 5'5", 36 chest, 29 waist and 56kg). At least there isnt any VAT on childrens clothes

Brrring! Brrrring! Hello, you don't know me, I work for quite a large team, but have you considered a job in motorcycle racing?

Thundercats are not go, unless I wheelie everywhere. The front forks are off ready for the overhaul with new stanchions, oil seals, dust seals etc.
After yesterdays front paddock stand little problem. What problem?





And this is the Thundercat all upgraded and finished. Street-fightered....... Whaddya think?

Fork stanchions replaced
R6 front calipers fitted
New chain and sprockets fitted

Went to fit the new rear YSS shock. Hmmm Need to remove the seat undertray. When i started, bolts started shearing. stopped after 2 out of 4. Dont need the trauma just now in the middle of summer (such as it is). Winter job. In fact i'll give it to someone else to do!

Tyres fitted are 6 years old. Bridgestone BT-016. Going to get them changed for either BT-090 (same as RVF - incidentally RVF and TZF share same tyre size) or again with BT-016s.
However open to what others use/recommend, that sweet spot between road/commute and sticky enough for track. BT-090s are sticky and dont last long, but i know them.

Recommendations please!!

I used BT016s for a while as track only tyres as I got a set free and they were fine at inters pace on my R6. They are also cheap I believe so stick with them if you are happy with them.

Obviously there are new versions the S21, S22.

You can get the pilot power 2CT cheap as well.

I didn't used to be a Michelin fan,but they make great road rubber these days. Road 6s are the latest,but any of the previous numbers will do nicely and be cheaper.

I got a pair of the older Michelin Roads - purely as there wasn't much stock during lockdown & I'm actually very happy with them. And yes, quite cheap too which was a bonus.

I was going to add these in my previous post but cant seem to edit it.

R6 caliper (R6 caliper more powerful and one billet, not 2 halves with a link pipe)


New DID X Ring chain and sprockets


New YSS Rear shock waiting to be fitted (gutted not on yet)


Shiney new stanchions. Oil free zone


Still looks ratty though

My Fazer 600 is basically the same bike in a different frock .....blue spot calipers are excellent and mine has braided lines fitted which i am impressed with matched with sbs pads

I havent tracked it yet as i have the Ducati for play time but in 25,000 miles all year round in the last 3 years its just been the usual consumable tyres, fuel, chains and sprockets, brake pads and a battery. Headstock bearings have now notched but at 46,000 miles not a surprise so they have been bought and on the to do list

Whare and what price for the stanchions. Mine are well fecked

@SSS keep an eye on the braided lines. I've had before where road salt gets between the stainless line and the aluminium end fitting and splits them apart.