Honda SLR650/Dominator question

[Richard 003]

We've just replaced Jane's stolen SLR650 with another one:

http://oscarthecat.fotopic.net/p41664287.html

At least, I think it's another one ;-) Full story to follow.

However, while draining the oil just now, I noticed something that struck me as peculiar, still more so that I never noticed it on the previous SLR. The bottom front engine mount, behind the bash plate, has no bolt through it, and no visible means of attachment to the frame:

http://oscarthecat.fotopic.net/p42007751.html

The other lower front mount a few inches above it is secured in the usual way to the mounting plates attached to the frame. The same engine in my GB650, and the 500 version in my XBR, have a mounting plate and a bolt in both places.

Could any SLR oir DOminator owner (Pat?) comment on whether Honda just didn't bother using this mounting point on the RFVC engine in this frame, or has something odd happened, and I'm missing some mounting plates?


Regards
Richard

[Ken]

I think you must have a diferent frame there to my Dommi. On the dommi well my 1990 one there is a bolt a long one with spacers each side.. Give me you email and I will send a copy of the parts page.

Ken

[Richard 003]

I think you must have a diferent frame there to my Dommi. On the dommi well my 1990 one there is a bolt a long one with spacers each side.. Give me you email and I will send a copy of the parts page.

Ken

richard [at] oscarthecat.freeserve.co.uk

My GB looks the same as you describe. On the frame on this SLR, however, there is nowhere for such a bolt to mount to. Possibly the SLR frame differs from the NX.

[Richard 003]

I've been trying to research this on the Internet for most of the evening, and I've found the following picture:

http://w1.bikepics.com/pics/2005/10/24/bikepics-453733-full.jpg

appears to show the mounting hole in question, either empty or with a plug in it - but not attached to the frame by any kind of plate. Is it possible that Honda built the SLR so much down to a price, that they chose not to bother using one of the mounts in the RFVC engine casing? No wonder the bloody things vibrate. Any SLR owners here care to have a look at their bike, and comment?

[Ken]

Does your frame have any mounting holes behind the skid plate

ken

I've been trying to research this on the Internet for most of the evening, and I've found the following picture:

http://w1.bikepics.com/pics/2005/10/24/bikepics-453733-full.jpg

appears to show the mounting hole in question, either empty or with a plug in it - but not attached to the frame by any kind of plate. Is it possible that Honda built the SLR so much down to a price, that they chose not to bother using one of the mounts in the RFVC engine casing? No wonder the bloody things vibrate. Any SLR owners here care to have a look at their bike, and comment?

[Richard 003]

Does your frame have any mounting holes behind the skid plate

ken

No, and I think I've answered my own question, with this picture found on the Internet:

http://w2.bikepics.com/pics/2006/10/...10099-full.jpg

Honda didn't use that engine mounting hole when they put the RFVC engine in the SLR. Either because the big wide bar of a frame member under the engine made it unnecessary, or because they couldn't be bothered.

It looks quite feasible to add mounting lugs to the frame at that point, knock up a couple of spacers and put a bolt through. Probably not worth doing, though - I  think the difference is that other RFVC-engined models (NX650, GB500, XBR500) have two frame rails under the engine, and the bolt through that engine plate helps pull eveything together. The SLR has a bl00dy great rectangular girder, so it's probably unnecessary. Looks untidy though ;-)

[ken]

You can bet if Honda thought it needed a front mount it would have one. It may  be something to do with not letting the engine virbrations go through the frame. i know when mine came loose it shook the bike to bits

Ken

Does your frame have any mounting holes behind the skid plate

ken

No, and I think I've answered my own question, with this picture found on the Internet:

http://w2.bikepics.com/pics/2006/10/...10099-full.jpg

Honda didn't use that engine mounting hole when they put the RFVC engine in the SLR. Either because the big wide bar of a frame member under the engine made it unnecessary, or because they couldn't be bothered.

It looks quite feasible to add mounting lugs to the frame at that point, knock up a couple of spacers and put a bolt through. Probably not worth doing, though - I  think the difference is that other RFVC-engined models (NX650, GB500, XBR500) have two frame rails under the engine, and the bolt through that engine plate helps pull eveything together. The SLR has a bl00dy great rectangular girder, so it's probably unnecessary. Looks untidy though ;-)