Honda CBR600F4i Tuning - good idea?

[Fozzie]

Not race tuning before I get a complaint

Basically im getting a new bike at Christmas as a present to myself but I'm keeping the CBR.

Don't know why after over a year and 12,000 miles I cant let the bugger go.

However I have my niggles with it, which are:

1. I hate fat bubbly bums on a bike (and girls) and mine has one big ass. It doesnt match its angular face

2. The engine while able to outrun anything barring other sports bike of the same size and higher develops nothing down low.

3. The colour is a bit drab

4. The suspension isnt responsive enough, Ive taken the direction markers off the tyre but it starts to feel too soft when cornering hard as its a sports tourer.

5. The cam chain tensioner despite "knowitalls" telling me it only goes once keeps on ticking away after a few thousand miles

My solution so far, coming this Christmas when I relieve it of service.

1. Streetfighter it... No not make it naked, a street fighter never had to be! I will be fitting a GSXR600 or 750 tail end from a K4-5 onto it. Buying a subframe for my bike then modifying it to fit the fairings and seat so I can sell the existing subframe and seat.

2. This is where I have problems, I know how to roughly power up something but remappping is a new territory. Ive read how to make maps and so on but I will let a pro do it but with the existing system is it possible to get it to run smooth through the bottom end leading to its usual 110BHP?

3. I am thinking of painting it the white and black of the F-sport BUT then having the wheels painted limited edition blue.

4. Want a nitron rear shock and a CBR954 front end

5. Can I make a manual cam chain tensioner rather than use a hydraulic one? I know some use them over in the states but dont know if its a good idea or not.

So my main questions are,

1. Is it wise to use a front end off another bike? I am getting the suspension set up once its all on by a pro who will teach me in turn.

2. Is it possible to remap and make an engine behave that much differently?

3. Anyone suggest any better colour schemes?

Oh and to add, I now have my own garage, which im converting to a workshop, and I have access to workshops with welding and cnc equipment and fabrication is something im half good at

[uk190]

Not race tuning before I get a complaint

Basically im getting a new bike at Christmas as a present to myself but I'm keeping the CBR.

Don't know why after over a year and 12,000 miles I cant let the bugger go.

However I have my niggles with it, which are:

1. I hate fat bubbly bums on a bike (and girls) and mine has one big ass. It doesnt match its angular face

2. The engine while able to outrun anything barring other sports bike of the same size and higher develops nothing down low.

3. The colour is a bit drab

4. The suspension isnt responsive enough, Ive taken the direction markers off the tyre but it starts to feel too soft when cornering hard as its a sports tourer.

5. The cam chain tensioner despite "knowitalls" telling me it only goes once keeps on ticking away after a few thousand miles

My solution so far, coming this Christmas when I relieve it of service.

1. Streetfighter it... No not make it naked, a street fighter never had to be! I will be fitting a GSXR600 or 750 tail end from a K4-5 onto it. Buying a subframe for my bike then modifying it to fit the fairings and seat so I can sell the existing subframe and seat.

2. This is where I have problems, I know how to roughly power up something but remappping is a new territory. Ive read how to make maps and so on but I will let a pro do it but with the existing system is it possible to get it to run smooth through the bottom end leading to its usual 110BHP?

3. I am thinking of painting it the white and black of the F-sport BUT then having the wheels painted limited edition blue.

4. Want a nitron rear shock and a CBR954 front end

5. Can I make a manual cam chain tensioner rather than use a hydraulic one? I know some use them over in the states but dont know if its a good idea or not.

So my main questions are,

1. Is it wise to use a front end off another bike? I am getting the suspension set up once its all on by a pro who will teach me in turn.

2. Is it possible to remap and make an engine behave that much differently?

3. Anyone suggest any better colour schemes?

Oh and to add, I now have my own garage, which im converting to a workshop, and I have access to workshops with welding and cnc equipment and fabrication is something im half good at

 

you opening a can o worms mate. why do you think that there are so many unfinished projects floating about on ebay etc?..

rebuilding a bike to the extent your talking is a job full of unseen problems and little niff naff tasks that take ages and cost loads. it wont be cheap either. think money pit and you'll be close. either sell the F and get a RR as a better starting point. no engine or suspension mods needed. or go all in and turn the F into a cracking fighter. billet yokes, the whole lot. dont attempt to build a custom one off unless you have planned it to the smallest detail and costed it all up.

but to answer your main questions.

1. you may need to have the donor stem re machined or your cbr stem pressed into the donor yokes or whole new yokes. the steering geometry will also now change depending on fork length. oh, dont forget fork spring/damping rates, cbr600 weigh less and have less rate than heavier and harder ridden blades. changing yokes in itself can be a pain; different key mount sizes, clock mounts, bars and controls and cable legths, clearance issues etc.

2. cbr600f is a daft starting bike for tuning. you'll struggle to get anywhere near a decent power level comapred to a standard RR. same with the suspension. buy a tatty RR with a sound motor and tart it up.

3. satin black.

and BTW, i have the complete front end off a RSV Mille that i might sell. including wheel, brembo brakes, forks, bars, yokes and controls etc.

[Fozzie]

Luckily I wont even embark on a project unless Im absolutely sure I can do it within reason!

Yeah the 954 stem would have to be turned down for me.

Then the clearance between the bars and trim fairings becomes and issue so new higher clipons would have to be made.

The engine I think just needs a remap, I'm happy with it as its only 8BHP down on an RR.

I just want a better powerband down low, the bike has been unchanged since 2001 so likely as anything its mapping is from then and so could be improved theoretically.

It will have satin black on it dont worry, just white and blue as well

If not f**k it, I'll get a written off 600RR!

[Voodoo]

You know better than that Fozzie, best way to get low down grunt is just get a bigger capacity bike.

You could spend thousands just to end up with a bike that'll only go as good as a 750, when you could just go out and buy a 1000cc that'll have miles more grunt and cost less.

[Fozzie]

I suppose, there is no replacement for displacement

I often wondered with the Hornet being a lot more smooth and powerful down low and the Hannspree I had being also very smooth and powerful down low whether or not I could iron out the noticeable deadness of the 600F.

I may just go for a CBR954RR or 600RR... Preferably a lower mileage but tatty one as I go overboard with modding. And my current CBR is too modded to give up on now so I will just do it up however I can within my means then hopefully have a good example of one for another year before upgrading!

[megawatt]

A lot of knowledgeable people believe the 954 is the best Blade of the lot!!!

[Fozzie]

I like the look of the 954 as it looks sporty and fun with all the zest of a 1000cc but with a bit of practicality thrown in so Im sold with it being my next bike