696 fork swap help

[K-Style]

Meh. I'm still sticking with handlebars. The BOOM theory didn't sway me. 
My forks don't have much sticking above the fork cap. Combined with the clevis this is the way for me to go (for now anyway).

[tiger_one]

You guys are gonna cost me a lot of money.  Pick up a used 09 696 for my wife, tomorrow hopefully.

[Link]

You guys are gonna cost me a lot of money.  Pick up a used 09 696 for my wife, tomorrow hopefully.

Your screwed ! (no pun intended) I started modding the GF bike with a tail tidy xmas gift & it hasn't stopped yet. The 696 is a nice bike & now after the fork mod it's a great little bike your wife is gonna have a blast & you'll fun modding it out & riding it if She let's you. The Gf spent 7.5K for it I probably spent close to 3.5K on mods & there's still some stuff I want to do it.

[tiger_one]

Yeah, I can't wait.  I have some challenges to start, she is like 26.5" IS, so I plan to back off the preload on the shock probably to end of threads and raise the forks 1" (looks to be about the max).  30% sag will get it almost 2" off the 30.3".

If still too stiff (she is 130 lbs), it appears the OEM spring (85n) off my MTS will work to soften it some more.  Before all that tho, I will be FORCED to break it in.  Only 385 miles used.  She is gonna love this bike after selling the F650GS twin (13,000+ miles).

I will start a thread on the lowering mods if I am able to pull it off without making it a straight line cruiser.  Need an air shock, drop to mount and redlight stops, then pump up to normal for riding.

[Raux]

check out the female rider section, they have a few tips on lowering the bike over there.

[tiger_one]

Okay will do.  Pulled the stock spring and installed my MTS1200 OEM after cutting it down by about 3/8".  This shock is 85kg I believe.  It is wrong length, but I trimmed some just to see if it is closer to the right spring rate.  It did change the static to less, but rider sag is like 1/8" less so hurt me on lowering the bike but probably better rate. I am about to go test ride it.

600 miles now (started with 385 miles) and the motor is starting to loosen up and run pretty good.  Who needs more than 6k rpm on this bike anyway, LOL?

The forks are really firm and need probably less dampening.  Anyone changed out the 7.5 wt for 5 or less?

update:  Okay, after test ride on some bumps and 50 - 60 mph stuff, rate is slightly better for me, but way too stiff for a 130lb rider.  Looks like I will be trying to find something in the area of 65 or 70 kg and 170mm.

[Raux]

oooo you haven't hit above 6k yet ?

you get a kick in the pants when that happens.

[tiger_one]

Really likeing this bike.  Wife cannot or will not attempt to ride till I get it sorted so she can get lower than her toes.  We took it for a spin yesterday 2up just to whet her appetite, suspension was pretty good 2up but I scraped my boot once.  I have another seat, will cut it down an 1" today for her to test.  I don't want to go lower than 2" at the most on the suspension, I'm at about 1-1/2" now.

She had found the Honda 750rs which is a sportster clone (2.8 gallon tank) and fits her like a glove, so this bike came just in time.  LOL

Does anyone know the rate of the stock fork springs?  I decided to slow down a bit and at least try to get the correct spring weight for her before going with the 848 mod, give the OEM forks a chance to suffice for her at least.  She will not be riding as hard as most, just needs some better feel and compliance.

I still have the Tiger 1050 OEM fork springs rated .60 kg/mm but it has 150mm travel where the 696 only has 120mm so doubt they will be the same.

[Raux]

you may have issues on the 696 forks
they have 2 different size springs and only one damper.

[tiger_one]

The more I hear about the forks the more I wonder what Ducati was thinking, must be the new wave.

Traxxion cartridges are like $1200, anyone done those?  Way more than I ever was thinking about putting into this bike, but it sure does deserve good suspension, runs addictively.

[asherrick]

If you search you'll find some threads about using the forks from the 848/1098/1198. In fact, I think Raux has done this. If you source the parts on the used market you should be able to do it for less than $1,200.

[Link]

The more I hear about the forks the more I wonder what Ducati was thinking, must be the new wave.

Traxxion cartridges are like $1200, anyone done those?  Way more than I ever was thinking about putting into this bike, but it sure does deserve good suspension, runs addictively.

Used 848 forks                             400.00
spacers & boring top triple            150.00
Race tech springs & re valve of      300.00
848 forks


The best 850.00 spent. The Traxxion stuff is prob. real good but I don't think the stock forks would ever be as good as the re-valved 848 forks.

[tiger_one]

I am looking at the 848 forks for sure, and I have a mill and boring bar, also a clunker lathe that can do spacers.  Revalving and springs will need also.

If I can get the shock compliant, will decide on the forks next.  Need to get her on the bike so I can get some feedback on how she feels about it.  Being lowered it is sorta like her ninja250r, only on steroids and 1st gear is not a grandma gear.

[Raux]

Actually.. .the 848 fork may not be the best solution for you.
You are trying to lower the bike. Unless you go with clipons, the 848 would never fit  under your handlebar.

You might want to look at older Monster forks. They are shorter than the 696 forks.

The only issue will be brake mounts. You can either use the older brake calipers or upgrade the lowers with radial mounts from Style and Performance or modify the stock 696 to fit the older fork lowers. (kind of hard unless you have a machine shop)

I had purchased a used set of S4R forks that unfortunately were a bit too damaged. That's when I noticed the length issue.

[tiger_one]

Exactly why I have been slow to jump.  Link put his at 400mm, I measured mine (low as I think I dare go) and they would have to match 375mm, and he has a lot of stickout (preload backed off not withstanding).  I have 38mm risers, and she is still stretched out to reach the bars, may have to change bars (and cables) in the future anyway.

A real machinist would take the 848s and cut the internals to fit the 696 forks, assuming the ID is the same.  But, my 1943 Monarch doesn't hold close enough tolerances to do any precision turning.  LOL