R1 Forks on a 695

[Wonked]

I am thinking about swapping my stock, non-adjustable Marchozzi (sp?) forks with forks off an R1. These to be exact: http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/mcy/1473144985.html

A) Assuming the damage to that one fork is cosmetic (it appears as though it is), do you guys think this is a good deal?
B) Would you just assume that I'd have major fitment problems? I'm concerned I'd need a new wheel, rotors, etc.

I've read a lot about suspension mods, but the 695 was around for so little a time, there's not much content about that bike in particular.

[cduarte]

you'd be better off with superbike forks or ST forks.

[stopintime]

Getting new/better forks for the 695 is a very good idea I did on my S2R 800, from the same as on the 695 and it's a transformed bike.

I'm no expert, but do you really know what you're up against with the R1 forks? You mention some issues which you probably won't figure out how to overcome before you try - maybe not even then. It would be cool if they were in good condition and everything bolted right up, but that's not very likely, is it?

Chris Saraceni at Desmotion offered another DMF'er a set of direct replacement S2R 1000 forks for around $550 - black anodized, new seals, springs and oil to match your weight. You can call him or look for similar offers.

Good luck anyway, you won't regret upgrading

[Ducatl]

Nice to see so many Atlanta riders popping up these days

About the forks though...

-Monster triples are 50mm at the top clamp and 54mm at the bottom clamp so you'd need to check this.
-The 695 has a 25mm axle IIRC so if this is different it's going to require something to get them to work.
-Brake caliper spacing, Brake rotor spacing and wheel spacing are probably all different so this will require spacers.
-It's unlikely that the length of the forks happens to be the same so this would need to be checked

There's more, lots more, it's not all that simple to go swapping front ends.  It could be made easier by buying and using R1 axle, brake calipers, brake rotors and wheel.  A GSXR swap or something 50/54 with radial calipers would be a lot easier, or an SBK swap like the previous post.

[cduarte]

here's a set on ebay that will bolt right on...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/DUCATI-ST3S-FRONT-FORKS_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem3efa4f34f0QQitemZ270487467248QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

[Wonked]

I'm fully aware that I'd only be buying the front end, and  while someone else did the work. I'll probably watch that ST3 auction, though it's more than I want to spend at the moment (being cheap and having good suspension are probably totally incompatible). I may just have Ducshop work with the forks I have (springs/oil, etc) and call it a day for now.

As it is, I just bought a KTM Superduke headlight, and will be getting rid of the stock headlight over the weekend, as well as installing clip ons. I'm optimistic that with the clip ons I'll notice enough of a significantly improved front-end feel to hold off on the forks.

Ducati, I've been monitoring your other thread, and enjoying all of your mods. Maybe we could ride together sometime?

[Wonked]

So I've sourced some inexpensive S2R1000 forks/triple tree. Does anyone know if that's a bolt on swap? Also, you think $300 is a fair price for good condition stuff?

[cduarte]

yes, that's a great price, you don't need the triple trees though, the S2R1000 forks will bolt right on.

[Wonked]

I picked up those S2R1000 forks, (for $250, I might add) from a guy on Craigslist. While I have a great bunch of tools, I wouldn't say I'm overly mechanically inclined. Is the swap out something that a novice can do, or should I take it all somewhere?

[He Man]

if you have no way to suspend the front, you have to take it somewhere. you need to hang the bike up pretty high to get that fork off. (distance from top to bottom triple) plus im pretty sure your rotor bolts will need a mean rattle gun, or theyll strip and youll need to find drill/slot/heat/tap them out.

[cduarte]

there's no need to remove the rotors to change the forks. If you have the ability to remove the front wheel, you can change the forks, it's not rocket science. You can either use a front wheel stand, or hang the bike from rafters using straps. The way I did it was as follows:

1 hang bike from straps
2 remove front wheel, fender, making sure to use zip ties to suspend the calipers once removed from the rotors
3 remove one fork leg, and replace with new one, and use your axle to ensure that the new fork leg is aligned with the other
4 repeat step 3 with 2nd leg again ensuring that your axle lines up
5 reinstall front wheel, calipers and fender
6 tighten all fasteners to factory torque
7 ensure that front brake functions properly
8 go ride it...

[He Man]

im only assuming if you are going to switch forks your going to go for bigger brakes too... if you go with bigger brakes youll need new rotors. im not sure how it would work with stock rotors/brakes with R1 forks.

[Ducatl]

If you can suspend the front it's pretty straight forward.  To do it properly you'll need a torque wrench and just a other various but more common tools.  If you don't have one let me know and I might be able to help you out if you're nearby... It's really not something you should have to pay for.

We should def. Ride sometime, there are others here and other meets in the area that i'd like to get more involved with as well.

[Buckethead]

im only assuming if you are going to switch forks your going to go for bigger brakes too... if you go with bigger brakes youll need new rotors. im not sure how it would work with stock rotors/brakes with R1 forks.

I picked up those S2R1000 forks, (for $250, I might add) from a guy on Craigslist. While I have a great bunch of tools, I wouldn't say I'm overly mechanically inclined. Is the swap out something that a novice can do, or should I take it all somewhere?

S2R 1k forks. Old brakes will work with the new forks.

[He Man]

Ahh, i didnt realize he bought s2r1k forks. i was talking about the R1 forks. my bad