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Thoughts on R1 Front end swap

Posted: Fri Dec 04, 2009 6:01 pm
by jpcarneal
Hello fellow Fizzers,

I found an entire R1 front end, including wheel, etc. It's about 1 inch shorter than my current setup (unloaded, so probably 1.5-2 inches shorter loaded). Also, the delta distance between triple trees is about 2 inches. But the springs are probably stiffer, which will cut the effect somewhat.

Usually, a shorter fork will drop the front end, which steepens the steering angle and reduces the trail, both resulting in increased "flickability" and decreased "stability."

1) Any thoughts on how this would affect steering geometry?
2) Would I need to similarly upgrade the rear shock for balancing the suspension?

FYI, I've seen the WIKI on front end swaps. Didn't really talk about handling though.

Thanks for the input. Cheers.

Re: Thoughts on R1 Front end swap

Posted: Fri Dec 04, 2009 7:50 pm
by yamaha_george
Hi,
suggest if you realy want to know how much difference to the steerability the R1 front end will make you could go to Tony Foale's site where he has programs for comparing such things.

PS please put your location in the details area it helps when / if you need parts or a source of parts at any time :-}

Re: Thoughts on R1 Front end swap

Posted: Sat Dec 05, 2009 1:45 am
by shredex
5 words

AMAZING

Image

Re: Thoughts on R1 Front end swap

Posted: Sat Dec 05, 2009 9:23 am
by cad600
jpcarneal wrote:Usually, a shorter fork will drop the front end, which steepens the steering angle and reduces the trail, both resulting in increased "flickability" and decreased "stability."
Do you race? I ask because I think those are the only people who will notice the negatives with a swap like this. I've put the '06 R6 forks on mine and love it. It did help with tip in and flickability, but I think it increased stability. I had the stock forks set up for my bike before I changed and love the R6 set up much more. I would go ahead and find an upgraded shock for the rear as that will help as well.

Re: Thoughts on R1 Front end swap

Posted: Sat Dec 05, 2009 12:12 pm
by yamaha_george
cad600 wrote:
jpcarneal wrote:Usually, a shorter fork will drop the front end, which steepens the steering angle and reduces the trail, both resulting in increased "flickability" and decreased "stability."
Do you race? I ask because I think those are the only people who will notice the negatives with a swap like this. I've put the '06 R6 forks on mine and love it. It did help with tip in and flickability, but I think it increased stability. I had the stock forks set up for my bike before I changed and love the R6 set up much more. I would go ahead and find an upgraded shock for the rear as that will help as well.

Hi,
well if you do go for another front end for the bike be aware that steering stem changes are a very easy if you use the old racers trick of rod front ends rather than special steering stems or re-pressed steering stems .

see the following threads :-

viewtopic.php?f=19&t=2596&p=28628&hilit ... ems#p28628

viewtopic.php?f=30&t=1950&p=27679&hilit ... ems#p27679

viewtopic.php?f=30&t=1674&p=17366&hilit ... ems#p17366

HTH

Re: Thoughts on R1 Front end swap

Posted: Sat Dec 05, 2009 12:39 pm
by mrfreeze5
I just did it for looks :thumbsup:

Re: Thoughts on R1 Front end swap

Posted: Sat Dec 05, 2009 2:38 pm
by shredex
mrfreeze5 wrote:I just did it for looks :thumbsup:
guilty here too.
but the difference is awesome

youll love the usd forks

Re: Thoughts on R1 Front end swap

Posted: Tue Dec 08, 2009 10:04 am
by fzraudun
Is there anyone here who makes custom upper triples for conversions? Since the fzr stem will be a bit skinny for a R1 upper and it will move when braking etc. At least I had that problem with my gsxr forks and just wrapped the stem with some thin metal, but I'd like a better fix.

And go for USD forks! They look great! :cheers:

Re: Thoughts on R1 Front end swap

Posted: Tue Dec 08, 2009 10:13 am
by yamaha_george
fzraudun wrote:Is there anyone here who makes custom upper triples for conversions? Since the fzr stem will be a bit skinny for a R1 upper and it will move when braking etc. At least I had that problem with my gsxr forks and just wrapped the stem with some thin metal, but I'd like a better fix.

And go for USD forks! They look great! :cheers:
FZRAudun
If you read my last post in this discussion you will find the answer to your problem of movement under braking with the wrong steering stem . I can assure you that NO racer would allow any such movement on the steering head which is why that solution is so good. Nerd

Re: Thoughts on R1 Front end swap

Posted: Tue Dec 08, 2009 10:17 am
by cad600
fzraudun wrote:Is there anyone here who makes custom upper triples for conversions? Since the fzr stem will be a bit skinny for a R1 upper and it will move when braking etc. At least I had that problem with my gsxr forks and just wrapped the stem with some thin metal, but I'd like a better fix.

And go for USD forks! They look great! :cheers:
Yes, but the top triple can be handled with a simple bushing. I had the bottom triple custom made to take the FZR steering stem and the R6 forks. Modking did the work for me and he is capable of making top triples as well. The other option as George pointed out, is to use a threaded rod method. A couple of bushings need to be made to take up slack at the bearing and the rest is available at most hardware stores.

Re: Thoughts on R1 Front end swap

Posted: Tue Dec 08, 2009 12:12 pm
by mrfreeze5
shredex wrote:
mrfreeze5 wrote:I just did it for looks :thumbsup:
guilty here too.
but the difference is awesome

youll love the usd forks

I was totally kidding bonkonhead . I got them black just for looks, everything else was an upgrade.

Re: Thoughts on R1 Front end swap

Posted: Tue Dec 08, 2009 11:42 pm
by shredex
mrfreeze5 wrote:

I was totally kidding bonkonhead . I got them black just for looks, everything else was an upgrade.
im still guilty. :whistle :cheers:

Re: Thoughts on R1 Front end swap

Posted: Wed Dec 09, 2009 6:03 am
by yamaha_george
shredex wrote:
mrfreeze5 wrote:

I was totally kidding bonkonhead . I got them black just for looks, everything else was an upgrade.
im still guilty. :whistle :cheers:
Yes so the Sherrif said LoL

Re: Thoughts on R1 Front end swap

Posted: Wed Dec 09, 2009 8:57 am
by cad600
yamaha_george wrote:
shredex wrote:
mrfreeze5 wrote:

I was totally kidding bonkonhead . I got them black just for looks, everything else was an upgrade.
im still guilty. :whistle :cheers:
Yes so the Sherrif said LoL
:Kick WOOT :udaman LOL2

Thanks George. I haven't laughed like that in a long time now.