Why so many RGV based Hybrids.

[philmill]

So hopefully I'll be starting my own Hybrid project soon, having looked through the pages of bikes on here I notice that the RGV seems to be a very popular choice for both ends, is there any reason for that? it seems certainly the RGV forks aren't very common, nor are swinging arms. Having looked at doing mods on a RD500 I notice the popular choices for that bike is R1 USD forks ands a lot of R6 for swing arms and forks. Maybe I'm being dumb but I wonder why, I didn't think there was so much difference is fork lengths on 350 and 500 so that shoulder be a reason. 
Does it mean R6 or R1 parts done work on the 350? I already have yokes from an R6 and a swinging arm that I believe is R6, I'll post some pictures of this later and hopefully somebody can confirm that is it R6.

All comments welcome... hopefully they won't be proving just how stupid i am 

[cb250g5]

I believe that RGV powervalves were poor from the factory, and them failing meant bits dropped into the cylinders & comprehensively writing the engines off. So back in the day, when 2 strokes weren't stupidly expensive, there were plenty of engine-less doner bikes around, so the front & rear ends were cheap.

[midlifecrisisrd]

Hi

RGV is so common due to the ease of fitting and the fact that the fork length is similar and from a lightweight bike.

The problem with an r1 and to an extent the r6 is that the bike weights are so different.

An r1 with fluids is about 200kg so would be a harsh ride on an LC or YPVS

No point trying to give something better handling and making it worse

Steve

[midlifecrisisrd]

Would also agree with the above answer

RGV bits may be expensive now but not always

My first set of forks were 100 and the swingarm was 70

Steve

[Tobyjugs]

I use conventional r6 forks on my LC and they are fine on the road but if used hard on a track i think they are on the verge of being soft. I'm a little bit on the heavy side.

[dusty350]

Rgv parts were plentiful and, once upon a time, good value. They look good in an Lc/pv too. without being too "over the top" Front end fits in really easily, and you can retain standard clocks and ignition barrel too. Brakes are a huge improvement over stock, and 17 inch wheel means lots of modern tyre choice. Cable speedo drive makes life easy, and you can fit risers easily enough as the top yoke is flat. You can fit 6 pots too if you want to be different, and all sorts of wavy discs. Forks can be upgraded with different springs as well. Forks are the right length to work well too. Rear swingarms are about 4" longer than an Lc - I personally think an Rgv arm suits a pv better than an Lc for looks, but can be fitted to either bike without too much hassle. Again, 17" rubber and chain alignment isn't usually a problem. The fact lots of hybrids use Rgv parts means it's tried and tested, so anyone attempting it for the first time has lots of reference material to help them.

Dusty

[philmill]

Thanks guys, I can see the sense in all the comments. The RGV yokes sound interesting, I guess if I got some USD forks with same diameters I could use those. My R6 ones will be kept for something. I do wonder if the 500LC is that much different, if not some of stuff noted on their website may be useful for this project. the bike is a 31K that I'll be collecting early in the new year. Anybody used R6 swinging Arms?

Could anybody tell me what length YPVS forks are? I a lot of info on fork lengths taken from the 500 project idea so I can see what options are possible. I do not want to make the thing too OTT, something usable is more important, I can modify more like many as i go.

Thanks. Phil

[jessy03]

You can fit ZX6 forks in to the rgv yokes I guess you can fit any wheels with spacers etc...


www.flickr.com/gp/157569945@N05/z8B9q8

www.flickr.com/gp/157569945@N05/y5yB78

[jessy03]

Some info here

litetek.co/Guide_USD_ForkDatabase.html

[philmill]

Thanks Jessy, I'd seen that link to the forks info, it is helpful, shame more people aren't adding info. I had thought about Kawasaki forks, looking at bikes that ran USD forks of a similar size, the ZXR400 came to mind, lots of running gear available but maybe too long.

[dusty350]

Gsxr400 wheels are a good swap for Rgv wheels. Think the forks are near as dammit too.

Dusty

[spondon440]

Dec 19, 2017 13:27:51 GMT 1 philmill said:

Thanks Jessy, I'd seen that link to the forks info, it is helpful, shame more people aren't adding info. I had thought about Kawasaki forks, looking at bikes that ran USD forks of a similar size, the ZXR400 came to mind, lots of running gear available but maybe too long.

I have zxr400 forks and front wheel fitted to my Spondon, they are fitted in a pair of my rgv billet yokes, I fitted all of it as they are on a zxr400, no spacer changes or anything, its avery good frontend and they are plentifull and cheap, the 4 pot calipers are also available as pattern items at £100 each brand new with pads.

Andy

[spondon440]

Dec 19, 2017 14:47:46 GMT 1 dusty350 said:

Gsxr400 wheels are a good swap for Rgv wheels. Think the forks are near as dammit too.

Dusty

They are but are as rare as rocking horse shit.

[kevm]

Im just starting my build, having looked at loads of hybrids i wanted something thats been done before so its easier and less hassle but defo not 3 spoke wheels and the RGV bannana type swingarm.

So i bought a Honda NC29 complete for £300 stripped the wheels and swingarm off then sold what was left for £250 :-)

NK Racing convert the NC29 swingarm so the whole rear end is a bolt in job inc wheel and brakes.

Spondon is sorting the yokes for the front end im using GSXR1000K3 forks with radial mount calipers off a R6 or R1.

[morgy]

I got a set of RGV Yokes for sale as i just bought a set of CNC'd ones off Spondon440 if your after a set....

[philmill]

Hi Andy, any idea how difficult the ZXR yokes would be to fit? of if any other yokes will be usable? Thanks.

[philmill]

Opps and which model ZXR, L or H??

[1966baz]

Another easyish option is 3xv or belgarda front end which goes straight in and 2ma rear with belgarda wheel. This option almost keeps the wheel base standard which I prefer.

[1966baz]

Jan 7, 2018 15:36:36 GMT 1 1966baz said:

Another easyish option is 3xv or belgarda front end which goes straight in and 2ma rear with belgarda wheel. This option almost keeps the wheel base standard which I prefer.

Meant to say, this applies to YPVS models.

[philmill]

Thanks, I'll look at that, I too prefer the stand wheelbase, i think they look a bit strange with a long swinging arm, but I'd like the look of a different arm, it is a 31k I'm doing, well once I get bits sorted....

[dusty350]

A Belgarda rear wheel will fit into a standard pv swingarm with minimal work too😉

Dusty

[dusty350]

DSCN3094 by David Miller, on Flickr

DSCN3095 by David Miller, on Flickr

Dusty

[dusty350]

Final fit of Belgarda wheel into Pv swingarm;

DSCN3549 by David Miller, on Flickr

Dusty

[philmill]

Looks great.. forks look liken they were meant to be there

[marrcel]

Why a rod to the footrest ?
I m trying to fit brake bracket to the slots of the pv swinger. Maybe i have to alter the slot. Waiting for a szr sprocket hub now.
Which collars did you use for wheel alignment? And chain alignment?

[dusty350]

Hi
That's a torque arm/rod that goes to a mount on the swingarm. Pic makes it look like it's going to the footrest but it isn't. If you do this set up you need to remove the standard Ypvs carrier boss off the inside of the swingarm, chop the Belgarda carrier around a bit -removing the slotted part on that, and then add a tab so you can use a torque arm for the carrier. I used an Rd400 wheel spacer (coz I had one in a spares box !) on the sprocket side and it all worked really well. A really simple mod with no machining involved at all. I may have some more pics somewhere if you need them.

Dusty

[marrcel]

Interesting! I have a 31k 1983 swinger with different axel adjusters.
I will try to match the slotted part to the swinger.

Fz1 front now. Lookes badass with 43mm legs

[marrcel]

[dusty350]

Hi
If you are using a Tzr125r Belgarda caliper carrier, You will struggle to mate that to the stock pv carrier boss that is on the inside of the swingarm. That's why I had to chop it off and do the torque arm mod.

Dusty

[marrcel]

Jan 9, 2018 20:58:47 GMT 1 dusty350 said:

Hi
If you are using a Tzr125r Belgarda caliper carrier, You will struggle to mate that to the stock pv carrier boss that is on the inside of the swingarm. That's why I had to chop it off and do the torque arm mod.

Dusty

Yes i noticed that. It is even worse than i thougt. The thing is that the swingarm is not paralel. The carrier boss should be for axel travel for chain length adjustment. I have to choose between the rod mod and the boss mod. Here some pics.