New Front End on GSX1200

[Inazuma]

Hi Guys,
I'm starting a project on my GSX1200y 2001.
I'd always like the look of USD front ends on cafe racer builds, but had put it in the to hard basket until now.
After the second fork seal being stripped out (over 6 months) on one fork by a bad stone chip and the olther with rust and pitting up the top I figure I might as well up grade properly as it will cost a bit to replace like for like anyway.
I had figured looking for GSXR1000 front end would be the best/easier but they are the best of$1000 landed from the states, has anyone had any experience in a front end swap? Is there a good front end that will do the job nicely without such a high initial outlay?
Obviously some, probably of lot modifications will need to happen so getting the right front end for a good price would be nice.
Any ideas and advice greatly appreciated
Thanks

[AllanB]

Is a grand the entire front end including wheel aldn brakes? If so that not to sad. It's a decent swap.

Given the GSXR end will no doubt be shorter also look for a Bussa front end off Ebay - be less popular so possibly cheaper.

[Inazuma]

That's just the forks and triple clamps.

[mulletman]

Trader tin1212 on trade me may have parts for you and he's a decent guy.

[SVboy]

Should be an excellent project. A member here put custom ohlins rear shocks on his. I can't remember what he did to the front. Emulators and weight matched springs perhaps?

[AllanB]

Should be an excellent project. A member here put custom ohlins rear shocks on his. I can't remember what he did to the front. Emulators and weight matched springs perhaps?

Good point here - Robert Taylor can probably flash up your existing front end for less and it will be custom set and I'd propose better than a stock un-fettled thou swap.

[98tls]

Fwiw bought a set of k5 GSXR forks from over the ditch for $500 had some shims and caliper spacers made and bolted them on the front end of my 98 TL1000,work great/look great and the later radial calipers are far better than anything i could do with the oem ones or the 6 pot Busa ones i tried.Years ago i posted a fork swap chart on here with every conceivable measurement which was done by the bloke that made my shims and spacers in England,will see if i can hunt it out.

[98tls]

Few pics fwiw....

[SVboy]

Rogson of this forum is very knowledgable on Inazumas. He gave me the jet sizes, needle sizes and air cleaner type to really derestrict and clean up the carburation. Easy to do and what a difference!

[actungbaby]

Trader tin1212 on trade me may have parts for you and he's a decent guy.

Yep and mrhondas tm also both in chch greater area . delt with both

onto it both of them great prices

[F5 Dave]

So of course you will need an LVV certificate to be legal after. Suspension can be replaced (based on car shocks) but everything attached will pose issues.

[AllanB]

So of course you will need an LVV certificate to be legal after. Suspension can be replaced (based on car shocks) but everything attached will pose issues.


It's a motorcycle - unlikely anyone that stops you for a inspection or documentation check will know the difference.

You insurance company may get a bit loose in the rear about mods though without a cert.

Burt never had these problems..........


Q: what certification is required for racing motorcycles? If I rock up with some hybrid I've tacked together in the shed do they start sweating?

[nzspokes]

What ever you get will be too short so you will either need fork extenders or custom crowns. Anywhere from $500 to 1k.

[AllanB]

What ever you get will be too short so you will either need fork extenders or custom crowns. Anywhere from $500 to 1k.

That's why I thought a Busa front end would be worth measuring as it would be longer than a GSXR. Fancy top triple claim with stepped sections for the top clamps will do it. Agree re price as there are off the shelf ones ex internet that fall in your $ range.

[F5 Dave]

It's a motorcycle - unlikely anyone that stops you for a inspection or documentation check will know the difference.

You insurance company may get a bit loose in the rear about mods though without a cert.

Burt never had these problems..........


Q: what certification is required for racing motorcycles? If I rock up with some hybrid I've tacked together in the shed do they start sweating?
An insurance
assessor will have a keen eye but you also will have to get past wof dude.

[pete376403]

I've put a KX USD fork onto a KLR and its passed WOFs ok

Used the standard KLR wheel, disk, caliper and master cyl.