916 Forks Questions - 96 M900

[dropstharockalot]

a m, thanks for the detailed tutorial. 

I'm really looking at it from the standpoint of a quick, low-cost, low-hassle project... In the long run (funds permitting), I'm going to be looking at substantial wheel upgrades and fork upgrades, so I'm hesitant to do a lot of purchasing or modifying for what I was hoping was an inexpensive interim solution.  It sounded a lot more attractive when I was just looking at a couple bucks for machining and shims... instead of a new wheel, axle, speedo sensor, etc...

I'll weigh my options this weekend... the fork's not going anywhere, and they seem to be pretty plentiful in the various marketplaces if it does.

Thanks to everyone for all the help, and if anyone has anything else to add please keep posting!

[junior varsity]

i agree - get correct wheel/axle/speedo-drive.   Its really not very expensive on the eBays either to find these items on the cheap.   Then again, if you have to buy a wheel anyhoo, why not upgrade? 

[dropstharockalot]

You will need to bore/shim your triples, or order a set for that purpose (53/53 for 916 showa forks).

OK, wait - I put the caliper on my stock fork tube last night, and it was 53mm (+/-) at the bottom triple clamp... Is the stock monster triple 54mm or larger at the bottom?  Wouldn't that mean I could just have the top clamp bore to out 53mm?

[junior varsity]

OK, wait - I put the caliper on my stock fork tube last night, and it was 53mm (+/-) at the bottom triple clamp... Is the stock monster triple 54mm or larger at the bottom?  Wouldn't that mean I could just have the top clamp bore to out 53mm?

Prooooove it. Digital calipers? Make sure they are zeroed. You aren't going to have stock forks with a 53mm diameter at the lower triple. Least I don't think such things existed. Take photos of your setup, in the event you do have a 53mm diameter fork at the lower triple...and a hollow front axle...leading me to believe you already have SBK forks.

having messed with these things for a bit, i'd do budget calcs like this:

machine shop to bore/shim triples, or get the IMA ones done up for SBK forks and get the benefits of the beefier lower triple at the same time. they are revising the MOD1 design over the summer and it will be improved come Autumn, so use that as a reason not to rush. (MOD1 is the right one for your frame Monster 94-01).

the forks - which determine which wheel specifications you'll use, the axle, and the brake caliper mounts.  when you get 'em, you can budget for the correct springs for your weight with gear, making the sag-setting process do able. If you've got the jingle, also a good time to do a valve kit in those puppies and finish it off with fresh fork fluid. the fork choice determines the axle selection. if you pick 749/999, its a different axle, and 848/1098/1198/SF is a different axle. Those two axle sizes & the wheels they correspond to also force you to find another way to spin the speedometer or replace it (but that's mo' $$$).

wheel/wheels - you could do just an oem used front to get along for awhile, or order up a set of performance wheels. You'll be perusing the parts catalogs as though you have a 2000 era Monster - 25mm axle hole and 6-bolt rotor pattern.


You kind of have a lot of options. You can jump to 848 forks and get the advantages of modern radial brake caliper fork-bottoms, but that means you have to buy modern radial brake calipers (really not too bad if you get the 2-piece design, such as on the 848 and others - heck, same stuff is standard on bmw's top spec sbk, the s1000rr). The 848 (or even 1098/1198 forks which have the DLC coated sliders) forks require that style axle, and the 5-bolt rotor wheels, and the oem spacers to center wheel between axles. Then you gotta get the 5-bolt rotors. Gotta come up with a new speedometer solution. Some of this stuff is pretty easy to find on eBay if you are looking, and piecing together over time.

The straightforward tried-n-true method is easier for a lot of reasons, but if you can be patient and are willing to spread it out over time, you can get something more modern if that interests you.  Note that some of the most top-shelf fancy fork/brake combos use the 916 era components, some of which is already on your bike: The 40mm caliper mounts (Brembo's race-level billet and billet monoblock non-radial brakes are 40mm mount, not the later 65mm mount, hence the existance of the adapter plates and ohlins fork caliper mount brackets). That's to say that for "good" stuff, you don't have to get tomorrow's technology, but you may find that its easier to get the more current stuff for x or y reasons.

[ducpainter]

His forks are non adjustable with a 17mm axle...they can't be SBK.

His calipers could however, suck.

[junior varsity]

oh yes, that is right - i just reread the earlier posts where he measured the hex head side of the axle, which makes you think it is much bigger than it is.

[dropstharockalot]

His calipers could however, suck.

Harbor Freight, baby!


So, yeah.  Maybe it's time to see if my buddy across the street has a better set in his collection.




///prolly just user error... herp derp derp

[uglyducky]

hey drops.  there was just a set of top and bottom triples on ebay, bored to 53mm and for your bike - the ima's am was talking about.  they didn't sell but i think he may relist them.  http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230588239975&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEDWX%3AIT#ht_500wt_1182 - auction's ended and i hit him up to see how much loot he was lookin for.  said he wanted $500 - maybe you could talk some sense into him. 

[dropstharockalot]

hey drops.  there was just a set of top and bottom triples on ebay, bored to 53mm and for your bike - the ima's am was talking about.  they didn't sell but i think he may relist them.  http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230588239975&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEDWX%3AIT#ht_500wt_1182 - auction's ended and i hit him up to see how much loot he was lookin for.  said he wanted $500 - maybe you could talk some sense into him. 

You keep on being this nice to me, and I may just have to book your band out here during MotoGP...




///$500 is well outside of what I'm looking to get into at this point, but I'll keep an eye out.

[dropstharockalot]

My confusion, now with pics!

Top triple - non-adjustable caps, 50mm.

Top by bignookoo, on Flickr

Bottom triple - 53mm.

Bottom by bignookoo, on Flickr

Solid axle, 17mm... but what's that silver ring around it - possible spacer? There's only the one on the left side, not one on the right...

Axle by bignookoo, on Flickr

[ducpainter]

The piece on the bottom is a threaded insert. It's held in by the pinch bolts. That's the piece xarlo is waiting for to use the forks with a stock axle.

I see 53+ at the bottom triple. What does the readout say?

[dropstharockalot]

The piece on the bottom is a threaded insert. It's held in by the pinch bolts. That's the piece xarlo is waiting for to use the forks with a stock axle.

Ah... so what's the o/d on the threaded insert?

I see 53+ at the bottom triple. What does the readout say?

53.89mm

[junior varsity]

54mm

[ducpainter]

Ah... so what's the o/d on the threaded insert?

53.89mm

I don't know. I believe it's smaller than 25 mm. You should be able to get a 'pretty close' with your calipers.

I think xarlo is waiting for a custom unit.

+1...that's 54mm.

[uglyducky]

You keep on being this nice to me, and I may just have to book your band out here during MotoGP...




///$500 is well outside of what I'm looking to get into at this point, but I'll keep an eye out.

i agree, way too much seeing as though they are +- $400 new.  either way, they look sweet as hell.  would'nt hurt droppin him a line with a realistic offer.