Ducati Monster Forum

Scenario: 06' S2R 800. Cheapskate mods. I can't afford $2500 plus for Olhins.
What is easier, cheaper, best results. Get some Ducati s4r or superbike forks or do the gsxr swap?

I've read about and have already got some gsxr forks for under $300. But some questions about how easy it would be to change them and how the end result would be are stopping me from continuing. It's been said that the gsxr are just too harsh. I know nothing about whats involved in a Ducati to Ducati swap. Help me decide.

As you may have already read, the GSXR forks will require some custom machined bits to make it fit. It includes spacers for the rotors, axle, and a shim kit for the forks.

 Also as you mentioned they are over sprung and will need the correct springs installed. the S4r forks will mount right up without any fitment issues. The Superbike forks on the other hand......... [roll]

An S4R/S2R1k fork swap will be a direct swap.

You might also pick up something in my thread:

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=9046.0

I like the sound of a direct swap. Cost is my biggest factor, then labor. The gsxr forks seem to be the cheapest route, but the most work. And the thought of fabin up some spacers does make me nervous. I could sell my gsxr forks and hope to find a good deal on s4r forks. Another reason for the swap would be adjustability, so having my forks re-sprung isn't an option for me.
 

How much you want for the GSXR forks? I have a set of S2R1000 forks that are racetech spring/valve equiped (1.0 kg/mm), but im looking to get a fork that has radial brakes.

Are those silver showas? What rider weight is ideal for the 1.0 spring rate? I'm pretty sure your race tech work alone is worth more than these shocks. You do know you'd have to get these gsxr forks redone too?

Yea, but its worth it if i can get Radial brakes and gold forks! Springs are only $120.

My race tech setup costs me $600 bones installed. And i would sell it for around to the same price since its $300 worth of parts on a $350 fork.

I have 1 kg/mm for 165lbs. It is considered very stiff i think since racetech recommends .85 kg/mm for my weight. I've also lost about 10lbs since i got them installed so i need to get them tuned a bit to adjust for the weight lost. Either way, im still looking for GSXR2004+ forks for a decent price. Im watching an ebay auction for a 999showa rear shock right now too.

One thing to keep in mind that unless you are the "perfect" factory rider weight (160-175#, I may be wrong on this though) you'll want to "spring" (LOL!!) for the correct setup for your weight no matter what forks you go with (stock or otherwise)

One nice thing about GSXR forks is you get radial bling right out of the gate, which is always nice [moto]

Adam

my ass. S2R factory weight is 160. That shit was terrible. Its for pansys who ride at 25mph. lol its always undersprung IMHO.

Yeah, I was talking about SBK or GSXR forks, not the nonadjustable pogo sticks that come on the 800  [laugh]

Adam

I hate to ask a stupid question,,,, but,, wtf are radial brakes ? Its to early in the morn for me to do a search  :)

They are better and they are in your garage.
 
(Not an expert, but I think they are better because of the way they are mounted in relation to the axle - maybe something to do with distribution of the forces applied. I hate to admit it, but I don't really know. Just one of those things you pick up from the older kids and accept without questions asked.)

the calipers on radial mounted brakes have better rigidty that normal (axial) mounted calipers.

Pogo Sticks. That's exactly what they feel like.

I didn't factor in the benefits of the radial brakes on the gsxr and s4r forks. Correct me of I'm wrong, but wouldn't I have to get new calipers and rotors if I went with radial brake forks? 

the brake caliper is mounted with the bolts on the forward plane (in direction to the movement of the brake rotor).

you have 320mm rotors and radial mount brembo's...with radial masters...it's consider a magnificent set up, some reviews state that the next step which is the monoblock caliper bodies w/ 330mm rotors of the 1098s is just too powerful...but then I think skill level probably comes into play.

yes. but its worth it.

Question, would i be bale to use my stock rotors on a GSXR600 forks with gsxr radial brakes?

GSX-Rs have smaller size rotors, so (off the top of my head)...no with out more modifications.

I believe you can get spacers (that go between the caliper and the mount) to use larger rotors.

Similar to:
(http://www.moto-racing.co.uk/ccp51/media/images/product_detail/Brembo%20Spacer%20Kit.jpg)

Oh, makes sense, i would need 20mm spacers since GSXRs are 300mm and mine are 320. I bet i could do this for less than 100 bucks after parts acquisition! Im still pissed of that i missed out on the ebay 999 shock for $59. I was too busy working and lost track of time. :/ thanks man!

calipers and possibly lines... it might be possible to shim the rotors?

I picked-up my '02 998 Ti-N coated forks on FeeBay for about $400.  I spent another $400 to have them serviced (which you could do yourself if are  so inclined).  Did the install myself.  Only mods needed were having my top triple bored to 53mm, buying a shim kit from Moto-wheels ($25) for the lower triple, and $85 bar risers from GenMar so that the handlebar can clear the emulators.  I now have my clip-ons and will install them this week.  Results thus far (riding with the stock handle bars)?  Between these forks and the S4R shock out back, the bike is completely transformed!!!!  Plus the forks look totally bad-ass!!!

By popular request:
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk201/rockaduc/100_1495.jpg

How are we supposed to know?  [evil] Is it rude to ask for pictures?

it's required. nothing exists w/o pictures  ;D

+1

But.....GSXR forks have no soul....

LOL, I hope you're kidding - you know most Ducs have Showa forks right?

Adam

Showa has soul  [thumbsup]

Marzocchi forks must have soul right?  They're an Italian Co. 

If that's the case, why do people remove soul (Marzocchi forks) when given the opportunity?

Ohlins is a Swedish Co., do they have soul?

Well, I hear if you fill any fork with EVOO instead of fork oil the passion and rich motoring heritage of italy will be at your command!  ;D

Adam
*not Adak

Some people perfer a 5w oil such has EEVOO. Remember the oil might end up boiling, so you should get lasagna fork seals to absorb any leaks.

Marzoccihi forks do not have soul. It is a common misconception that just because it is italian it has soul. Marzoccihi forks only have soul in the right fork, and to qualify for soul status, you must be 100% soul.


Fried Chicken wings, mashpotatoes and corn on the cob all have soul. But it cannot be considered a "soul" dish unless it is served altogether. hope this helps.

 [laugh] I had to google EVOO.  [laugh]

And fantastic translators
http://www.showa1.com/en/


Better than the old Hyosung website, but still will put a large smile upon your face  ;D

I'm not sure, but I think you would need 10mm spacers. Half the difference in diameter sizes.

This is what I've got from the thread so far.
Radial brakes: Do it!
Installation & labor vs price: Still neck and neck.
Results/Performance: Both would be definite improvements. I wouldn't have to rebuild forks from a S4R, and I would on the gsxr.

Conclusion for me anyway. I will continue to build the gsxr forks I already have, but keep an eye out for a good deal on S4R forks. Keep in mind this is a budget build for me. If I had stupid money I'd get these from Marzocchi, but since I'm just stupid with no money it's ebayin I will go.
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3046/2775869024_4831e68145.jpg)

If your looking for S4R forks, i basically have them. If you are looking for S4Rs forks, then look away. lol

S4R still ran 3 way showas, abiet, it had TiN coatings and still only had regular brakes. S4RT has showas with Radial mounts. Both forks will need to be rebuilt. GSXR will be cheaper since the valving on it is better ( assumption ). The S4R are sprung for "180lbs" so ive heard. Again, those numbers are usually still shy of what would make the bike handle incredibly well.

I ASSumed all the S4R forks has the radials. He Man, your right  the base model has regular brakes. All 2008 versions of the S4R have radials.

As I said before, and part of the reason for the thread, the gsxr swap involves making spacers on your own . And kinda hoping you do it right. That makes me a bit nervous.  :-\

AS far as the shims go, im not going to do them. I live in NYC, and ironically, in Brooklyn....Sunset Park, also deemed Industrial Park for its massive factories (and the fact that there is a huge link to the past, rail roads on city streets from the old docks) so getting someone to machine me something is as simple as walking down the block, knockinig on a shop and going "excuse me sir, could you machine some small bits for me?"

Hell, i just looked online, i cna make my own. I can buy 12" of a round alluminum bar for less than 10 bucks. Cut 20mm. drill appropriate sized hole. BAM spacer.

I just came  :D

Why do people do GSXR fork swaps?  Gixxers are the anti-Ducati!  [cheeky]

Don't you need shims for the rotors also?

Those i will have someone make for me. im wondering if anyone on this board is willing to make a complete set of shims for me...

There was a guy on TOB that did it, and offered selling copies of his shim kit.

TOB is so hard to navigate now, but this is close:
http://www.ducatimonster.org/forums/accessories-mods/150508-put-gsx-r-forks-my-s2r.html

That is the thread that got me to buy my gsxr forks in the first place. I was thinking about sending Qfactor a pm to see if he still makes the components. There would be a total of four different parts to be made, plus grinding down the stock gsxr axle. I have access to a small and simple cnc machine, but I'd almost feel more comfortable outsourcing it to someone with more experience in that field.

The addition of radial brake calipers has also been a big part of this mod. After doing a few searches for parts I have found that I can get a set of used Tokico radial calipers for under $100.00. In fact I can't even find any over $100. Now if I wanted to stay "Brand loyal", like I want to, and get Brembos I'm looking at closer to $500.00 used, if I can find them, and $1000.00 new. RBX of the original thread used the Tokico parts, and I've heard that they are very good brakes. Any opinions?

 The Tokico calipers on the GSXRs are 100mm so replaceing them with the Brembos will not work as they are 108mm. Brembo does make a set of the 100mm but be prepared to spend around $1000 for them as noted above.

 Qfactor was one of the members who was making the spacers/shims. I would pm him as he did a really nice job on a set for an install I did last year.



I'm not sure where you got the idea that the GSXR axle needs "grinding down" but it's not true. When I did Jewcati's GSXR fork swap last year we used the stock GSXR axle and the spacers that Q made. No machining of the GSXR axle was required.



 These forks are absolutely beautiful. I was looking into doing a set last year but I couldn't get the vendor to give me any tech support as they are not model specific and need custom spacers etc. to make them work.

I've got a complete 07 gsxr1k front end FS.  If I decide I have enough time, I'll fit it to my monster.  Pending me liking it, my S4Rt front end complete w/radial brembo's will be FS.

The gsxr's forks are nice, being 3 way adjustable (high/low speed comp and rebound).  Once rebuilt/revalved, they should be as good as anything really.

I've had the front end set up for 2 1/2 yrs and still loving it.  Using the Brembo radial master cylinders is a must to take advantage of the brake set up.
RBX did a good post last year on how to do this mod on the DML.

(http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr214/terrapete1/Picture337.jpg)

Thanks for the input guys. I've got a pretty good plan now. As for the axle grinding thing, I'm not too sure where I got that either. I saw those 100mm brembos for about a G on motowheels, too high for me. I still can't believe Ducati put these forks on my bike in the first place. If this wasn't my first bike and I knew any better I would have sprung for the s2r1000 at least.

terrapete, the bike looks great. Its your PDF of the spacers I have refered to. And its rbx write up that made me buy these gsxr forks in the first place. I started this thread to assure myself of my decision.

The radial calipers fitted to the 999R and the 1098 are 100mm, in fact I have not seen 108mm on a Ducati.
I seem to remember that Moto Wheels or was it Yoyodyne had shims for the lower triples.

I have a set of 100mm 4 pad Bembo's surplus to requirement as I just got the 1098 monoblock type.

Hmm very interesting. Most of the calipers in Motowheels European section are 108mm, but your right those bikes you mentioned are 100mm. So what are those crappy stock brembos, that your probably just gonna toss in the trash anyway, worth to you, if someone was interested in them?  [roll]