Please discuss with me my options... GSXR forks? (long)
 

Well...

I find myself with a bit of a problem :? Coombest and I discussed this briefly last night, but I wanted to open it up to general discussion. Boys and girls, I need your advice and experience.


I bought my Naked K3 new in November 2003, and it's given me many pleasurable miles since (and some unpleasurable ones).

In that time, I've taken it apart, put it back together again, and fiddled with it more than most. I've changed the bodywork, uprated the fork springs, fitted a Gixxer shock, not to mention fiddling with aftermarket exhausts and filters.

Yesterday marked 2 years since I had my spill, which rather upset my bike a bit. Things have never really been the same with it since then, and while it still rides well, it's just not quite right. At the time the forks were a bit twisted. Some help from Dr Rictus and Professor Squid, along with a trip to Maidstone Motorliners pretty much fixed this, but the conventional methods just don't seem to have fixed it properly.

Yesterday, after taking it for a spin, enough was enough. Up it went on to the paddock stand, and out came the string - wrapped around the wheels, and aligned to see if they were straight. The good news is that they are (I think) still inline. However, the bad news is that the front is still twisted. It may only be a little bit, but by the time you measure from the grips on the bars, it's plenty enough to feel when you're riding.

I've had the forks out of the yokes a couple of times since the accident; once to take to Maidstone M'liners for checking and straightening, and once to replace the springs and oil. So the wheel's been off, the forks have been out of the yokes etc. But I've never had the yokes out for examination.

So... here's my problem. I have to fix this somehow.

What more can I do to repair the front of the bike? Forks out again at the least I expect... but what can I do about the yokes and straightening the whole front end.

Indeed, what can I do to check the geometry of the bike as a whole rather than relying on a twangy bit of string?

The other option, which is rather more long term, is to take a much bigger plunge entirely. Yes, I'm afraid it's Gixxer front end conversion. I know, it's expensive. I know it will probably take a long time, and that there are quite a few parts involved. But, what the hell - why not! :D

Some on here have walked this road already, and perhaps others have contemplated it at some point. As I understand, the Gixxer front end will attach directly to the Pointy frame using the Gixxer yokes and stem. The steering lock will work, and the lock/ignition units are the same. The wheel and axles are different, so all that needs to come from the Gixxer too. Oh yes, and then there are brake calipers and the master cylinder etc; and the front mud guard. The only thing that the doesn't work - is the speedo.

For those that have done this kind of conversion - is it worth it? Are the differences a significant improvement? Should I even bother?

So... thoughts please. Do I just fix my existing front end once and for all. Or do I take the road less travelled, and start amassing the parts required for the front end conversion?

forks out and put the fork bottom in a vice (gently) or on a flat surface and rotate the fork stanction to see if it's true. Any bends will mean a raising and dropping at the end of the fork. Check the yokes move smoothly and that the headraces aren't stiff, loose or notched.

Now pop the yokes off (it's only another bolt or 2 at this point anyway) and see if they appear straight putting them on a perfectly flat surface, if not another pop along to maidstone motoliner can help with any of the above :wink:

Just a thought, sure the pro's will be along in a bit.

GSXR front end :twisted: you know you want to.

Yes, I know... that's the problem! :lol:

I'm going down the usd front end conversion just bought all the bits I need off the forum for sale section, Waiting for the bits to arrive can't wait to get started!!!! Go on go for it you know you want to :thumbsup:

Do it mate go GSXR front end its fantastically better than stock even with uprated springs. The front end feels so much more composed, less budget and handles a lot better.

Shop carefully and its not expensive either with RWU forks or USD type GSXR forks.

Speedo will work with a conversion kit form the SV race shop a doddle to fit.

All bolts straight in and as long as you get the right yokes the steering stops and ignition lock work.

If you want a set of yokes to start you off I have some GSXR 600 RWU type ones spare I'll let you have cheap!


Its the best mod you will do to the bike, a little more tricky if you have a naked but nothing drilling the new top yoke wont sort.

When i did my conversion it ended up costing me only £87 (-powder coating both wheels)....................... 8)


Do the conversion, sell the other bits, even the duff ones (people still buy broken bits :wink: but do tell them its broken) and you'll be suprised at how much you get back :wink:

What speedo pick up are you using???????????

The hall effect pick up one from the SVRace shop, remember to ask them NICELY to mark it as gift, else you'll get stung for tax :wink:



Oh and it was £72 not £87 :oops: my bad

Thanks for the encouragement...

Have done some more research, and I think it's a realistic option. Really just a question of obtaining the right parts.

Will hold a few more conversations in the meantime I think. For those who've done this, please keep posting as many comments as you can think of :D

Thank you!