Here is the story thus far!
I have had an interest in motorcycles (all makes and models, I don't judge!) for quite a while. Scouring the various used vehicle sources for a good buy had become somewhat of an obsession in the last few years. I had more-or-less decided that I was going to get a 1989 Yamaha FZR400 as my first bike. I loved the big bug-eyed look of the side-by-side headlights. After waiting about 4 years for one to show up at a good price (my idea of one at least), I finally decided I had waited long enough. I found and bought my current bike, a 1985 Honda VF500F, for $900 CAD.It required a little work to get it certified (new fork seals and rear tire with recommendation of changing the chain, sprockets and footpegs) but once it was legal I rode it to and from work everyday for the next 3 months, rain or shine. I only put it away because the last day or two I rode it, snow was starting to fall and stay on the ground. Though it wasn't my first choice but it's really grown on me. I particularly like that being a V4, it is something a little different than most current bikes, especially bikes with a similar displacement.
Since before I even owned the bike, I have been interested in CARB to EFI conversions. Since getting it on the road, it has had a couple issues so I am hoping to kill two birds with one stone here. One, I can hopefully resolve some of the issues. Two, I have a project to work on.
Here is where I currently stand:
- The engine is living in my basement.
- I have a set of 2008 Honda CBR600RR throttle bodies with the main injectors (normally, these are paired with a set of shower injectors). The CBR is an I4 but the throttle bodies can be separated in the middle - more on that below.
- I bought a partially populated Jaguar from Impregacy and received it in the mail yesterday.
- I am hoping to have a timing sprocket made up for the cam sensing in the next day or two but I am hoping that someone here can shed some light on some specifics about that.
- I should be able to use the existing VR sensors on crank (RPM?), Temp, TPS (came with throttle bodies)
Here are EFI related the tasks I am currently foreseeing. I expect this list will grow much larger:
- Figure out what all I need to finish building the Jaguar, order the parts, populate.
- Figure out what I need for the cam position sensor. I was thinking a 36-1 sprocket but Impregacy mentioned that the 36-1 may only be used for crank position.
I am planning to put the sprocket between where the timing chain comes up and one of the lobes (Timing sprocket is in the middle) so space is very limited. Maybe 1/3" - 1/2". I have not measured yet. Are there any pickups that anyone would recommend? - Figure out a setup for the throttle bodies. Splitting them leaves one side without throttle cables. I MAY do some kind of a throttle by wire system as I don't have the equipment to do any proper custom fabrication work and don't want to spend the money to have it done for me. I am however pretty decent (imo) at writing firmware and use stepper motors fairly regularly so I am looking to that as a possible option. Having a TPS should be able to alleviate any worry about the steppers not being where they "think" they are as well so it should be easier than normal.
- I need to figure out the O2 sensor - The exhaust 4-2; Does this matter or am I going to be getting skewed data as a result of this? Again, any recommendations for sensors would be appreciated.
- Figure out MAP sensor.
- Figure out how to interface with IAC valve
- ...Figure out everything else. :S
- Near
- Think of a new way to display speed and RPM, among other things. I accidentally broke the needle off my speedometer while trying to figure out how it worked / playing with it.
- Far
- Possibly rework exhaust
- Remove two-up seat. Possibly shorten whole rear end. Figure out new seating setup.
- Farther
- Single-sided swing arm (vfr or speed triple seems most economical)
- Front end swap
- Farthest (possibly never)
- Boost?
- Boost control?