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Longer lower legs on inverted forks OK?
- WPBill
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18 Dec 2008 15:57 #253429
by WPBill
You can only be young once, but you can be immature forever!
Kamakura JAPAN, 1975 Z1B (x2, both in storage)
Longer lower legs on inverted forks OK? was created by WPBill
Folks: I have a GSXR 1000 front end (less wheel and trees) waiting to be grafted onto a Z1 someday. I am concerned about ride height and geometry. Looking at a couple threads in the Projects side, there is real concern the shorter gixxer forks would make the front end too low. Just brainstorming for a bit, what are the pros and cons of simply ordering longer lower tubes from Franks?
For example, I wonder if longer lower legs would apply too much leverage for the seals, etc, to deal with under full braking conditions.
I see the logic in sourcing a longer front end like from a ZX-9, but I got the gixxer stuff from a friend of mine and know these forks are in great shape. Nor do I want to lower the rear end to bring geometry back to spec.
I did a search here, but nothing seemed to address my specific question about putting longer lower legs on inverted forks.
I'm not too worried about the reduced turning radius, the bike will sport a full fairing which would probably reduce turning radius anyway.
For example, I wonder if longer lower legs would apply too much leverage for the seals, etc, to deal with under full braking conditions.
I see the logic in sourcing a longer front end like from a ZX-9, but I got the gixxer stuff from a friend of mine and know these forks are in great shape. Nor do I want to lower the rear end to bring geometry back to spec.
I did a search here, but nothing seemed to address my specific question about putting longer lower legs on inverted forks.
I'm not too worried about the reduced turning radius, the bike will sport a full fairing which would probably reduce turning radius anyway.
You can only be young once, but you can be immature forever!
Kamakura JAPAN, 1975 Z1B (x2, both in storage)
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- Z1109R Fin
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18 Dec 2008 23:35 #253497
by Z1109R Fin
Z1000R ´83...Slightly modified...
Replied by Z1109R Fin on topic Longer lower legs on inverted forks OK?
I got ´98 GSXR1100 USD front in my ´83 ELR. No problems in geometry but it sits lower than stock. Ground clearance can be an issue when trying to find headers that stack the pipes in line. Didn´t find any so I had to make my own...
But what I´m wondering is that simply getting longer tubes won´t be that easy. The whole mechanism inside the tubes is very precisely the right lenght so you cannot just put longer tubes. Doing so might mean modding the inside parts and thats another story. Or am I wrong? I took mine totally apart so I know whats inside of them.
But what I´m wondering is that simply getting longer tubes won´t be that easy. The whole mechanism inside the tubes is very precisely the right lenght so you cannot just put longer tubes. Doing so might mean modding the inside parts and thats another story. Or am I wrong? I took mine totally apart so I know whats inside of them.
Z1000R ´83...Slightly modified...
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- 531blackbanshee
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19 Dec 2008 11:16 #253562
by 531blackbanshee
skiatook,oklahoma 1980 z1r,1978 kz 1000 z1r x 3,
1976 kz 900 x 3
i make what i can,and save the rest!
billybiltit.blogspot.com/
www.kzrider.com/forum/5-chassis/325862-triple-tree-custom-work
kzrider.com/forum/5-chassis/294594-frame-bracing?limitstart=0
Replied by 531blackbanshee on topic Longer lower legs on inverted forks OK?
i would think that longer tubes and appropriate spacers would make the whole thing work just like stock with a lil more clearance.
give it a whirl and report back :ohmy: .
give it a whirl and report back :ohmy: .
skiatook,oklahoma 1980 z1r,1978 kz 1000 z1r x 3,
1976 kz 900 x 3
i make what i can,and save the rest!
billybiltit.blogspot.com/
www.kzrider.com/forum/5-chassis/325862-triple-tree-custom-work
kzrider.com/forum/5-chassis/294594-frame-bracing?limitstart=0
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- mark1122
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19 Dec 2008 13:39 #253571
by mark1122
76 KZ, frame gusset work,1200CC.Ported by Larry Cavanaugh, 1.5mm.over intakes, Carron Pipe, ZRX12 rear end, and seat,96zx9 front end.
01 CBR600F4i Track bike.
Cobourg, Ont. Can.
~ ~ ~_@
~ ~ _- \,
~ (k) / (z)
Replied by mark1122 on topic Longer lower legs on inverted forks OK?
I chose the zx9 forks for this reason. Since then i have seen many with shorter forks and there dosent seem to be any major problems. even with the rearends jacked up higher,as many guys do with the zrx11 arms.
I lowered the rear to be more level . it steers quicker than stock but not fast like a sport bike. I think it could use a lot less rake. i dont have any stability issues at full speed.
I supose the lack of clearance is somewhat like the smaller turning radius. Not rally a big deal.
I lowered the rear to be more level . it steers quicker than stock but not fast like a sport bike. I think it could use a lot less rake. i dont have any stability issues at full speed.
I supose the lack of clearance is somewhat like the smaller turning radius. Not rally a big deal.
76 KZ, frame gusset work,1200CC.Ported by Larry Cavanaugh, 1.5mm.over intakes, Carron Pipe, ZRX12 rear end, and seat,96zx9 front end.
01 CBR600F4i Track bike.
Cobourg, Ont. Can.
~ ~ ~_@
~ ~ _- \,
~ (k) / (z)
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- steell
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20 Dec 2008 07:28 #253652
by steell
KD9JUR
Replied by steell on topic Longer lower legs on inverted forks OK?
You could use stepped fork clamps to raise the front end, problem is that's not something you can buy off the shelf. You would need to find yourself a good machinist willing to work with you to design and build it.
Check out the front end swaps forum on 750turbo.com.
Check out the front end swaps forum on 750turbo.com.
KD9JUR
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- Bad Kaw
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- Flying Squirell
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20 Dec 2008 07:29 - 20 Dec 2008 07:30 #253653
by Bad Kaw
78 Kawasaki Z1R
81 Kawasaki KZ1000J (mods)
82 Kawasaki ELR Clone (1000 J)
82 Kawasaki KZ750R1/GPz750 ELR-ed
70 Kawasaki KV75
83 Honda CB1100F (few mods)
79 Suzuki GS1000 (rolling frame / project / junk)
84 Suzuki GS1150ES (modified project)
83 Yamaha XJ900R (project / junk)
Replied by Bad Kaw on topic Longer lower legs on inverted forks OK?
9R forks will work (as we all have attested) and your forks will work. Best thing to do is to get them installed, then if it's too low you can do the lengthened tubes, or have a "gull wing" triple tree cut as several have done. Appropriate spacers inside the internals would address most issues, plus a good suspension shop can navigate those minor issues for you. The Europeans do it all the time in the Streetfighters magazine. Just remember that the more a modification is a 'bolt on' the less work and money you're going to have to drop.
78 Kawasaki Z1R
81 Kawasaki KZ1000J (mods)
82 Kawasaki ELR Clone (1000 J)
82 Kawasaki KZ750R1/GPz750 ELR-ed
70 Kawasaki KV75
83 Honda CB1100F (few mods)
79 Suzuki GS1000 (rolling frame / project / junk)
84 Suzuki GS1150ES (modified project)
83 Yamaha XJ900R (project / junk)
Last edit: 20 Dec 2008 07:30 by Bad Kaw.
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- StreetfighterKz
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20 Dec 2008 08:37 #253664
by StreetfighterKz
1978 z1000 Streetfighter
1976 z900 Stripfighter (work in progress)
1983 Gpz750 Resto-Mod
1989 Vmax
Replied by StreetfighterKz on topic Longer lower legs on inverted forks OK?
steell wrote:
I can't remember exact fork sizes but compare the fork tube sizes between the Gsxr1000 and the CBR929/954. I think the forks interchange and the CBR uses a stepped yoke to gain up to an 1" or so.
You'll need both the upper and lower clamps from the CBR as the offset and fork spacing is different from the Gsxr.
Later, Doug
You could use stepped fork clamps to raise the front end, problem is that's not something you can buy off the shelf.
I can't remember exact fork sizes but compare the fork tube sizes between the Gsxr1000 and the CBR929/954. I think the forks interchange and the CBR uses a stepped yoke to gain up to an 1" or so.
You'll need both the upper and lower clamps from the CBR as the offset and fork spacing is different from the Gsxr.
Later, Doug
1978 z1000 Streetfighter
1976 z900 Stripfighter (work in progress)
1983 Gpz750 Resto-Mod
1989 Vmax
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- WPBill
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20 Dec 2008 12:21 #253707
by WPBill
You can only be young once, but you can be immature forever!
Kamakura JAPAN, 1975 Z1B (x2, both in storage)
Replied by WPBill on topic Longer lower legs on inverted forks OK?
Thanks for all the help, folks. Now I have some more options. Plus, I've bookmarked that 750turbo forum, lots of info there, will slowly digest over time.
You can only be young once, but you can be immature forever!
Kamakura JAPAN, 1975 Z1B (x2, both in storage)
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- steell
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20 Dec 2008 18:16 - 20 Dec 2008 18:17 #253747
by steell
KD9JUR
Replied by steell on topic Longer lower legs on inverted forks OK?
Did I mention that 750turbo.com is my hero's (Lorcan, also a member at KZR) website? 211 mph on a GPz750 Turbo :woohoo:
I'm trying to talk my Nephew into doing a Bonneville assault with his GPz750 Turbo and me as the rider :evil: :evil:
I'm trying to talk my Nephew into doing a Bonneville assault with his GPz750 Turbo and me as the rider :evil: :evil:
KD9JUR
Last edit: 20 Dec 2008 18:17 by steell.
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