SBK (748) triple clamp fitment questions - non. adj. steering head

[junior varsity]

I have a non-adjustable steering head 748 - I have no triples, so I would like to get some so I can then get forks, and later a wheel, and eventually, have a completed front end.

Since I have no triples at all, I thought I would look into both OEM and aftermarket setups. What are my options? Will the triples from any other superbike bolt right up?

Am I limited to 916/996/998/748 triples?

Or am I limited further to only 748 non-adj. steering head triples?


Please educate me, I have no experience here. If you know of aftermarket triple vendors that have a fitment for this frame, shout 'em out.

[1KDS]

I have no FHE with the aftermarket triples.
You are limited to lowers that are made for the non-eccentric headstocks as the steering stops are different.  Uppers from a 749/999 have different damper mounts, I believe the 848/1098/1198 is different also.  The stem *should* be the same length throughout these three generations.  I have an eccentric lower from a 748 and 1098 and they are the same part number, so I imagine the middle gen is the same as well.

[junior varsity]

Talked to DucShop, they said some 848 triples would work.

Going to peek up the skirt of a 848 at the shop and see what's going on.

[junior varsity]

Not sure if that will affect damper mounting or not. Seems like it could still bolt up

[1KDS]

Yeah, they look the same as far as the damper mounting but I'm not sure if the frame tabs are in the same place with respect to the head tube, but this could be easily figured out...Calling 1098 owners...calling bobspapa

[junior varsity]

Well, if that's on an 848/1098, here's a comparison shot of a 996:



Seems to be near identical.

[1KDS]

Yep, I think you're on to something here.

[suzyj]

Do you lot mind?  Some of us are trying to not buy superbikes, you know.

[junior varsity]

fear not. this is for a late 748 bare frame that's getting an air-cooled 900 2v motor.

[1KDS]

I may have to take back what I said earlier about the cross-compatibility across the model ranges.  I do have a 1098 lower and 748 lower (for the eccentric head) that have the same part number stamped on them.  However the 1098 piece does not work with the 748 head tube.  The steering stop tabs on the 1098 lower have an adjustable screw that contacts the stop on the frame, the 748 piece has non-adjustable tabs.  When fitting the 1098 unit, the screws contact lower than the tabs on the 748 unit, it's so far off that the tab hits the lower pinch bolt tube before the screw contacts the stop tab on the frame.  I'm not sure if any of this correlates to the fixed head tube but I thought I would post to clear up what I posted earlier.