Ducati Monster Forum

I have researched this to death and I am just looking for some reassurance.  I currently have the S2R 800 (Dark) nonadjustable crappy forks and I have considered the GSXR swap and Superbike forks, but it sounds like the easiest route to take is just get some S4R forks and bolt them right on.  Is that right?  no shims, no spacers just bolt em up?  Any reason why more people aren't doing it this way?  Sounds too easy.

Yes, it's the easiest to just bolt on S4R/S4 or Monster "S" forks as they're fully adjustable and direct replacements, as long as they're from a 2000 or newer bike. So no other parts are "needed".

Except possibly the axle as the one from your bike doesn't have holes drilled into it and the ones for the fully adj stables do.  This is so you can stick a wrench in from underneath to adjust the damping.

It's also a perfect time to have the forks correctly vavled/sprung for you as well (make sure you do this!)

HTH

Don't forget that the superbike and s4r might have radial brake calipers. You won't be able to re-use your stock axial calipers.

I sold my Showa's off of an S4R to a guy who put them on his S2R 800, he also fitted the discs and (non radial) calipers.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Ducati-monster-Showa-fork-new-SALE-PRICE_W0QQitemZ270303744177QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Motorcycle_Parts_Accessories?hash=item270303744177&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A570%7C66%3A3%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318#ebayphotohostingWould (http://cgi.ebay.com/Ducati-monster-Showa-fork-new-SALE-PRICE_W0QQitemZ270303744177QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Motorcycle_Parts_Accessories?hash=item270303744177&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A570%7C66%3A3%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318#ebayphotohostingWould) these work?

Techincally yes, BUT the caliper mount spacing is for the older-older style 40mm mount calipers.

I believe the S2R caliper mounts (and post 2000?) are 65mm (again, I think).

Wouldn't it be easier/cheaper to just get new internals for the stock forks?

I just did this on my S2R800.  I used SBK forks from a 2005 749 dark.  They are fully adjustable Showa's with the compression, rebound and preload on the top, no need to worry about the bottom adjustment as there isn't anything to adjust at the bottom of the forks.  They aren't the best adjustable forks but light years ahead of the non adjustable stockers.  Here are the parts and considerations required to make this work:

1.  Speedymoto top triple.  As the SBK are 53mm and the stock are 50 at the top and 54 at the bottom I elected not to mill out the top triple but replace it and use a shim for the bottom.  The quality of the speedymoto stuff is second to none.  I was also installing clipons but elected to get the top triple with the holes predrilled for the stock handle bars should I ever want to switch back.

2.  Shims for the stock brake calipers.  The stock brakes on the S2R800 are ok, not bad, but just ok.  If I had the budget I would have replace them.  Next on to do list

3.  Front fender.  The  monster fender doesn't fit on the SBK forks.

I had the work done at a shop and couldn't be happier with the results

Doesn't quite work that way.

Maybe not cheaper, but it can work that way:

http://www.carpimoto.com/content/prod/l_EN/s_1_Home/fi_17_Matris/pr_28217_Matris_Fork_Cartridge_Kit_for_Ducati_Monster_400_05__620__800_03_04_750_900ie_2002_S2R_800.htm (http://www.carpimoto.com/content/prod/l_EN/s_1_Home/fi_17_Matris/pr_28217_Matris_Fork_Cartridge_Kit_for_Ducati_Monster_400_05__620__800_03_04_750_900ie_2002_S2R_800.htm)

BK

Did you do this mod?  ^^^^

Yep.  Works good.  I had a thread on TOB last year and another here about a week ago rolled into a brake upgrade report.

BK

[ edit - some pics here:  http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=14993.msg260101#msg260101 ]

 [thumbsup]

Most people go with SBK forks because there are more of them around than s4r and usually cheaper to get on ebay

i used a set of 2002 998 forks.  I intially wanted a set from an S4R, but they are pretty rare on the used market place (I searched for 4 months and couldn't find a decent set).  Other than having my top triple milled, shimming the bottom triple, and having two holes drilled through my axle drilled so that I could make adjustments from the bottom, EVERYTHING bolted right up.  Entire project can be done in one day if you order your shims, and get your top triple milled and axle drilled in advance.  Also, get a buddy to help (a second set of hands makes some things easier). 

Good Luck. [beer]