Rebuild of 2000 Honda RC51 / VTR 1000R SP1 Ducati slayer.

I rescued and rebuilt a rather sad RC51. In fact, I rebuilt it twice. I refurbished the forks and shock and had the frame and wheels powder coated. I then properly installed the Yamaha R6/R1 wheels it came with. The front wheel installation job included making spiders to adapt RC51 rotors to the Yamaha wheel with the correct brake caliper offset. I fitted Edwards like fairings from KING having blanked headlight apertures. They look very smart I think. I show how I made it road legal, using pod headlights. The second time, the job included rebuilding the engine and gearbox, having realised that it was down on power. I bought JE pistons and had the bores stripped, Nicasil plated and honed for new 11.1:1 pistons.The job was completed with break in and PC6 tuning on a dynamometer.

[@bluevanmani]

Fantastic machine one of my mates had this in the same colours. Well done on a great build 👍

[@984francis]

Thanks 👍

[@chuckstrickland2027]

Very nicely done.
Thank you

[@Bladerunner954]

Really good video where you get a good idea of the bike and its technique. I myself find great joy in rebuilding motorcycles.

[@984francis]

Thank you

[@damiondavid536]

Interesting rebuild, was it a conscious decision to use an SP2 rear subframe or was that what was already fitted ? I smiled at the axle being used as a flywheel puller.I see you are running stick coils as opposed to the OEM coils that mount to the frame & subframe

[@984francis]

It was not a conscious choice. It was the better the two I have. I realized it was slightly different but not that it is SP2. Thanks.

[@damiondavid536]

@@984francis I couldnt quite tell from initial view but perhaps the remains of the OEM rear fender were SP1 and may not line up with the SP2 rear subframe, where the ECM sits on an SP2 is beside the battery, whereas on an SP1 it sits under the pillion seat area

[@984francis]

@@damiondavid536 I made do the best I could with what I had. (Hence persevering with the Yamaha wheels.) I love these bikes but I don’t know the model year variations at all. The “remains”😬 of the undertail is actually two sets of remains joined together. So the bike is not authentic and never will be, but perhaps, over time, I will clean up some details. The PC6 is by the battery. Yes stick coils. I’m capable of repairing the coil driver but hopefully won’t have to. Thanks for your interest.

[@RustyBasterd]

Great Video!, I just picked up a sp1 rc51 this past weekend. I am looking forward to tearing it down and cleaning it all up. I was wondering did you need any specialty tools to disassemble the motor? The previous owner threw a chain and I need to replace the motor or the case, the front sprocket cover mounting points were damaged. So the clutch slave cylinder cant be mounted properly. Other than that just updating hoses and brake lines for the most part. I also ride track at CMP and VIR from time to time, maybe ill see you out there at some point.

[@984francis]

It’s good at work arounds so I didn’t use anything commercial. I used an angle grinder to make tools for the castle nuts (frame bolts) and swingarm pivot. It’s a huge job.

[@984francis]

It really is a big job because what you’re really talking about is replacing the whole engine except the internals because you if you’re replace one part half of the crank case you have to do the top part which of course includes the cylinders so I’d suggest that you do a compression leak down test on the engine you’ve gotten see how good the cylinders are if they’re good, I would see if you can find an artist with a tick welder to repair it from the outsideI think that’s entirely possible depending on what damage is like otherwise a replacement engine is probably the way to go