696 front suspension talk

[junior varsity]

Huge difference in buying new parts from dealer vs. used parts on eBay. See also Gotham Cycles.

[chisel]

That is true.

However, if I'm going to do some research and development, I'm not sure I'd want to spend a load of cash at the dealer on stuff that may not work. I haven't heard any conclusive information about what possible configurations of aftermarket forks / front end components would work in concert.

I'm thinking that maybe I could attempt to find cheap used parts, get them in a working config, sell them after achieving proper fitment if they are sub-par or rebuild them, then buy new parts from the dealer to finish out the job if necessary.

Not sure about this approach as I've never done it. Just an idea I'm toying with...

[Raux]

i'm working on a solution. will let you know if it works

[chisel]

Awesome! Thanks Raux. Good luck with your solution.

[Raux]

in the meantime... indyducati.com has adjusted the stock forks on a 696.

one of our own is fixing his 696 up nicely for track use.

http://www.indyducati.com/articles/view.asp?id=264

[chisel]

Good read. Definitely something I'd like to try. Sadly, I'm not 100% confident of how to revalve my fork. I think I should study up more. Still looking forward to seeing what you might come up with, Raux.

[cduarte]

I bet that you could easily adapt mid-2000 gsxr forks to the 696 as they have radial brake mounts, and are very inexpensive used. There are many of them on ebay.

[Raux]

well just an update.

the older monster forks specifically the s*r forks are too short for the new monster. it would lower the 696 an inch.

the lowers are different as well. the new radial showa lowers use the side valve for the adjustability, the older forks used the bolt at the bottom.

back to the drawing board.

[junior varsity]

older older showas, which would work for you - 3-way adj showas, had back side adjusters for the valve on the lower, not through the axle. they were not radial mounts for brakes though.

just don't want you to chance it and find another dead end.

[junior varsity]

well just an update.

the older monster forks specifically the s*r forks are too short for the new monster. it would lower the 696 an inch.

the lowers are different as well. the new radial showa lowers use the side valve for the adjustability, the older forks used the bolt at the bottom.

back to the drawing board.

wait, lower it an inch? Are you sure? I'm staring at a 696 right now, and the forks stick out above the triple nearly an inch... perhaps those older forks would sit flush with that triple.

[Raux]

the older showa superbike forks (which i found for an Aprilia) did have the rear adjusters, but all the monster showa adjustables i saw had it in the axle area. also i supposed 30mm would lower it to the stock triple. it's a drooped triple, but i have a new flat triple. so i lost that already.

[DoWorkSon]

Why not just do the fork upgrade that has already been done/proven to work using the 1098 forks?

i.e....
http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=36913.0

[junior varsity]

the older showa superbike forks (which i found for an Aprilia) did have the rear adjusters, but all the monster showa adjustables i saw had it in the axle area. also i supposed 30mm would lower it to the stock triple. it's a drooped triple, but i have a new flat triple. so i lost that already.

Look for the older 40mm mount forks. Also, SS forks were longer than M forks, iirc

[Raux]

i was thinking about the ss forks. the issue with the lowers is the valve for the adjustable. the newer showas have a place for the valve on the side.

yea the 848/1098/late 999 forks would be the best solution but the most expensive. i have 2 weeks to get this together and the money is for the trip to WDW.

at this point if i can't figure something out for the forks with the stuff at the shop, i won't have a way to get to WDW.

[junior varsity]

why is the location of the valve adjustment an issue? You are losing me there.