Caliper rubbing rotor...using mix'n'match Ducati parts. UPDATE w/ ride.

[BastrdHK]

Shim it.  That is the easiest, reversible option other than just riding it out.  Good luck!

Oh, and you know where to find me when you get it sorted.  The vinyl will look good on those forks before Laguna 

[dlearl476]

I really would like to keep it as is and ride it around easily until I'm confident things work. 

The first sign of trouble will be a leaking fork seal.  If that happens, something's up.

I wish I could put an end to your worries, but I can't.  Only you can assess the risk for yourself.  http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=Showa+fork+failure&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8.

[b.]

...so we also found that the caliper on the questionable side is pretty damn close to hitting the spokes on the wheel.  If for some reason these make contact during a ride, I'd eff myself up pretty bad.  It seems that this fork's minute bend is magnified with all the other parts mounted up.  I'm really questioning other alignment issues and future damage I could be causing...not to mention dlearl476's last post downright scared the shit outta me.

I just don't feel good about riding with them.  I've contacted the place I bought them from regarding a return since the part is damaged.  I hope there's no issues getting a refund.     The stock forks will be going back on and I'll be back on the hunt for better front suspension.  Dammit.   

Thx all for the help. 

[dlearl476]

Dude, I'm sorry I posted that, but I had to.  As bad as I feel about your wasted time and effort, imagine how I'd feel if I said "WTF, just ride it." (which, fwiw, is what I'd probably do. But then I go riding off-road in the desert by myself if that's any indication I my level of intelligence. )  and then I hear you had an accident.   

by way of a disclaimer, those F650 Showas are "built to a cost" i.e. cheap, and probably nowhere near the quality that Ducati puts on their bikes.  There is talk in some circles that it was a defect in manufacture.  (I don't know how deep you went, but IIRC that catastrophic failure has happened in about ten bikes, not accident related, and almost all of the bikes were ridden, fully loaded, off-road or on very bad roads like the Al-Can highway)

If you can't get your money back (I think it's doubtful, ime with used part vendors) one thing you CAN do: take off the fork lower and take it to a machine shop that does work on racing cars and bikes, have them "magnaflux" it.  That will reveal if there are any invisible cracks in the casting that could eventually fail. 

[b.]

No sweat, dude.  I asked for this kind of information to help me make a decision.  I already have a shop in mind in case this return doesn't work out, but if the vendor doesn't honor his return policy then I'm going to my CC company next.