which way to go with my forks?

[buzzawak]

Which way to go, your input requested.
I am looking at improving the front end on my 89 fzr600.
Currently I have the standard 38mm forks which I have already invested some money in, had the tubes straightened, rechromed and new seals.

Do I

a) new bushes, Racetech springs and gold valve? (are people happy with the results and don't feel they need more)
b) Total fork transplant, triplet conversion? (was worth the effort and out does the Racetech upgrade option)

[pefrey]

What do you use the bike for? Racing, street riding?

[delvryboy]

I went for the springs and emulators. Very happy with the performance and less than half the cost.

However, an R1 set up looks bad ass.....

[Nunya_Binnez]

However, an R1 set up looks bad ass.....

I went with just the recommended spring from Racetech and 15w oil. In my case the emulators are overkill.

NDB

[buzzawak]

What do you use the bike for? Racing, street riding?

Silly me, should have stated the use in the first place.
I head up a riding group here in Australia called Newcastle/Hunter Sports bike Riders. http://www.nhsbr.net
We go out on a Sunday most weeks and look for the best twisties we can find. Will often do between 250km - 400km in a day.
The roads here can be a bit rough and I am finding the FZR forks are not soaking up the bumps. (the front end just doesn't feel planted)

[gre3nskeeper]

I went for a YZF600r front end. I am quite pleased with the dampening characteristics of the set-up. The front end instills much more confidence now when leaned over and provides better feedback to what the front tire is doing.
The advantage of the YZF is that it is a straight swap and it has external adjustability for rebound compression and preload.

[taggy]

think the upside down rgv forks fit aswell but you need to move the steering stops from front to back.

[buzzawak]

Thanks guys for the replies.
I have never done a fork conversion so have been doing some reading and trying to get my head around what is involved.

I have broken down the "fork conversion" in to three categories or processes.
This in order of effort to do.

1) Fork transplant: fork tubes that are the same size as the FZR (in this case 38mm)
2) Triplet transplant: Upper and lower Triplet that has the same bearing shell size OD, length and stem length as the FZR
3) FZR Triplet Stem transplant: Upper and/or lower Triplet has a DIFFERENT bearing shell size OD, length and/or stem length as the FZR

So this leads me on to the topic of Rake and Trail.
So are people taking into consideration changes to these values when picking a new front end or doesn't it matter that much ?

[taggy]

as long as you maintain the length between headstock and spindle i.e keep it the same as stock (you might have to adjust the amout of fork showing through the yokes) it should have the same angle from the headstock as this is fixed and the stem runs centrally through it. only adding or removing length from standard fork length would affect it. well at least that's how i see it!

[Nunya_Binnez]

as long as you maintain the length between headstock and spindle i.e keep it the same as stock (you might have to adjust the amout of fork showing through the yokes) it should have the same angle from the headstock as this is fixed and the stem runs centrally through it. only adding or removing length from standard fork length would affect it. well at least that's how i see it!

Not usually an issue, but if the spindle holes in the forks are offset to the fore or aft (more common in MX) the trail would be affected. Additionally if the replacement triples are configured such that the forks are not at the same angle as the steering stem, rake/trail would be affected.

Either case is not likely, but it should be mentioned nonetheless.

NDB

[pefrey]

Next question, what do you mean by "imroving the front end"? Are you trying to improve feel? Grip? Looks? A combination of all 3?

Because you are doing "spirited" street riding, it's extremely difficult to dial in any front end. On a track you can do a few laps, make some changes, do a few more laps, make changes, do more laps etc. You do this for every track. You can't possibly tune your forks for every street.

Do you know how or why to adjust a suspension? Can you look at the wear on your tires or run through a corner and know if you need to adjust rebound or compression damping? Can you tell if it is front or rear that needs adjusting?

With all that said, the FZR600 has a good front end for street riding. Put in some emulators, proper springs, set the preload properly and adjust the fork oil weight and level and you've got a great front end for the street and a good one for the track. The PIA is that it's not easy to make adjustments which is more of a problem for track riding.

IMO the best bang for the buck is putting on a YZF600 front end. You will need the entire front end except the ignition.

[reelrazor]

Which way to go with forks?

I usually like them to be in front, for the most part.

I find it distressing to say the least, when they aren't.

[buzzawak]

Which way to go with forks?
I usually like them to be in front, for the most part.
I find it distressing to say the least, when they aren't.

[buzzawak]

Next question, what do you mean by "imroving the front end"? Are you trying to improve feel? Grip? Looks? A combination of all 3?

Because you are doing "spirited" street riding, it's extremely difficult to dial in any front end. On a track you can do a few laps, make some changes, do a few more laps, make changes, do more laps etc. You do this for every track. You can't possibly tune your forks for every street.
Do you know how or why to adjust a suspension? Can you look at the wear on your tires or run through a corner and know if you need to adjust rebound or compression damping? Can you tell if it is front or rear that needs adjusting?

With all that said, the FZR600 has a good front end for street riding. Put in some emulators, proper springs, set the preload properly and adjust the fork oil weight and level and you've got a great front end for the street and a good one for the track. The PIA is that it's not easy to make adjustments which is more of a problem for track riding.

IMO the best bang for the buck is putting on a YZF600 front end. You will need the entire front end except the ignition.

Its the FEEL, The FEEL, (and if it looks better that is a added bonus) Can't feel a bloody thing, getting no feedback from the front.
Since I have done the R6 shock conversion and fixed up the spring rate the back end is great. (know exactly what its doing)

[pefrey]

You can't go wrong with either upgrading your current forks (springs, emulators etc) or bolting on a YZF600 front end. Any other mod is more work with no better results. Unless of course you get your jollies modding stuff, or want the bling of USD forks and whatnot.