Stock monster top triple needs machining

[The Mad King Pepe']

Hello all!

A question for the locals, I just got a pair of 53mm superbike forks for my monster. I've followed threads on tech and accessories & mods and I understand I need spacers for the stock bottom triple and machining for the top.

My question for you is: do you have a place in the DC area you could recommend to me to have the top triple machined?

Thanks in advance, I'll post pics when the work's done.

[zooom]

talk to Donnie at Ducpond in Winchester,VA or to Alex at RAM Cycles in Rockville, MD.

[The Mad King Pepe']

talk to Donnie at Ducpond in Winchester,VA or to Alex at RAM Cycles in Rockville, MD.

Thanks, I've heard many good things about Donnie, but I'll check with Alex first since RAM cycles is much closer.

Here's a pic from ebay (hope it works):

[zooom]

are you staying with handlebars or are you going to clip-on's?...if the latter...you won't need anything but new steering head bearings if you are getting that whole shooting match.

also, FWIW, before putting them in, have the seals inspected and possibly replaced and maybe have the springs done and set-up for your weight while you have them out...it'd save you some hassle and trouble down the road!!!

[The Mad King Pepe']

are you staying with handlebars or are you going to clip-on's?...if the latter...you won't need anything but new steering head bearings if you are getting that whole shooting match.

also, FWIW, before putting them in, have the seals inspected and possibly replaced and maybe have the springs done and set-up for your weight while you have them out...it'd save you some hassle and trouble down the road!!!

First of all thanks for your help!

Secondly, from reading around the forum I thought I could NOT use the triples from a 748/916 on a Monster (2001 M750). Also what do you mean by "new steering head bearings", and could I use the current bearings from the Monster with the 748 triple?

I'm also shopping for a rear shock, but the problem with my bike is that it uses the old 'wishbone' like suspension ark. And this really limits my options. Suggestions?

Anyway once I have both front and rear, I'll definitely have them both re-sprung for my weight and cleaned up.

[zooom]

First of all thanks for your help!

Secondly, from reading around the forum I thought I could NOT use the triples from a 748/916 on a Monster (2001 M750). Also what do you mean by "new steering head bearings", and could I use the current bearings from the Monster with the 748 triple?

I'm also shopping for a rear shock, but the problem with my bike is that it uses the old 'wishbone' like suspension ark. And this really limits my options. Suggestions?

Anyway once I have both front and rear, I'll definitely have them both re-sprung for my weight and cleaned up.

as far as the steering head bearings, that stem that goes from the top triple to the lower goes through the steering head on the frame, and those bearings on the upper and lower of it are the steering head bearings...always nice to run new ones as the previous bike may not have been lubed or tensioned properly over it's life and therefore have undue wear or scoring or other issues...so it is best to make them fresh so that they work best in your bike.

unless there is a clearance issue in lock to lock turning, I was pretty sure you could use a SBK triple if you are going to clip-on's....I could be wrong on that, but it would come down to lock to lock turning clearance if anything...most times people want the adjustable forks and still have handlebars and therefore end up having to get a different top triple or milling/modifying their stocker in some variant fashion because a SBK top triple isn't designed or easily modified to be able to use bars on it.

as far as rear shocks are concerned...I have 1 stocker and an MHE900 rear shock and I think an ST rear shock with remote resovoir( I have to check on the 3rd) sitting at home that I'd be willing to let go for stupid cheap since I got the swedish boinger for my 98 M900 track bike....you could easily have one of em serviced and set-up for yourself...

[The Mad King Pepe']

as far as the steering head bearings, that stem that goes from the top triple to the lower goes through the steering head on the frame, and those bearings on the upper and lower of it are the steering head bearings...always nice to run new ones as the previous bike may not have been lubed or tensioned properly over it's life and therefore have undue wear or scoring or other issues...so it is best to make them fresh so that they work best in your bike.

unless there is a clearance issue in lock to lock turning, I was pretty sure you could use a SBK triple if you are going to clip-on's....I could be wrong on that, but it would come down to lock to lock turning clearance if anything...most times people want the adjustable forks and still have handlebars and therefore end up having to get a different top triple or milling/modifying their stocker in some variant fashion because a SBK top triple isn't designed or easily modified to be able to use bars on it.

as far as rear shocks are concerned...I have 1 stocker and an MHE900 rear shock and I think an ST rear shock with remote resovoir( I have to check on the 3rd) sitting at home that I'd be willing to let go for stupid cheap since I got the swedish boinger for my 98 M900 track bike....you could easily have one of em serviced and set-up for yourself...

I'm tempted by clip-ons,  but my wrists couldn't take it. Especially since this bike is my daily commuter. I'm looking into bar risers for the Monster which should take care of the clearance issues.

I bought a rear Showa that came off a 749 on eBay before winter and tried mounting it on the Monster but without success. I removed the crankcase breather containers and all that crap, but the reservoir on the shock is in the way, so I can't bolt it on. The clearance between the bottom of the shock and the swingarm was also tight, so it would have been a bad fit.

Not a big deal since I'll put the 'new' shock from the 749 on my 748 and see if that one can fit in the monster. The angle at which the reservoir is attached to the shock is different in the one on the 748, so it might be possible. Let me know if you can find the ST rear shock with remove reservoir since it might be a good fit for the monster.

I talked with Alex @ RamCycles yesterday. I'll send him some pics of my current triple and what I got off eBay to give him an idea of my setup and we'll have a chat. He seems pretty competent and knowledgeable.

Thanks again for your help!

[ducrider45]

Look around the "net" for the rear shock from a 2000 M900Sie  . It will be what you are looking for. Also any after market shock for a 2001 or older Monster will due. You may be able to find one from this board. I sold one a while back.

[The Mad King Pepe']

Look around the "net" for the rear shock from a 2000 M900Sie  . It will be what you are looking for. Also any after market shock for a 2001 or older Monster will due. You may be able to find one from this board. I sold one a while back.

Thanks, I had originally hoped that I could 'upgrade' to a shock from a more recent bike on my Monster, not sure if that is possible without changing swing-arm, link and rocker to an 2002+ model. I wonder if the frame would even accept it...

I haven't seen a lot of after market shocks for 2001 or older Monsters. Although I've been looking mostly on eBay... Maybe I'm a cheap bastard, but I don't like spending big $$$ on these things. I'm not racing, the roads around here suck and my sensibility is "fine-tuned" to potholes and speed bumps  .

[zooom]

that's why I suggested buying my old stocker and you have it rehabbed and made better than new and rock that thing for less!

[The Mad King Pepe']

that's why I suggested buying my old stocker and you have it rehabbed and made better than new and rock that thing for less!

Thanks zooom, but stock for stock I'll just go ahead and fix up my own. What I'm interested in is a "cheap" upgrade, like a Showa or the ST with separate reservoir you mentioned.

[The Mad King Pepe']

are you staying with handlebars or are you going to clip-on's?...if the latter...you won't need anything but new steering head bearings if you are getting that whole shooting match.

the man in brown dropped off the forks today, naturally the first thing I did was to try and put them on the bike. I have 53mm clip-ons on my 748 so I figured I'd take those off and see how they feel.

well ... long story short, aside from the bearings the forks don't fit with the top triple from a 748 (or 749 for that matter). the bracket where the steering shock mounts on the triple can't fit because of the key switch bracket. one or the other would have to go.

not a big deal, but I was hoping on riding to work tomorrow with the new forks on.      The forks came with both upper and lower triple, so I'm thinking of modifying (cutting) the top to fit. I'd like to try clipons on the monster, although I'm pretty sure my wrists wouldn't be happy about it and I'd have to go back to handle bars.

Cheers.