Front fork replace or Catridge for 696

[Zulu]

I am looking to get catridge or change the front fork for better suspension on my monster 696. I am not sure if someone had done it or there was a discussion about it here. The only thing I could find googlin is the following :

http://www.evolutionsuspension.com/parts/

If someone has done from above source or may be even have done something different and could give some advice, would be awesome.

Also, if anyone knows if I can may be use other bikes front forks/suspension into monster 696?


 

[Slide Panda]

Forks:
PJs parts can get Matris items. Matris makes cartridges that should work.

There's Traxxion Dynamics AK-20s
http://www.traxxion.com/AK-20AxxionCartridgeKit.aspx
- They don't list the 696, but give a call. The forks on the 696 are probably the same works as some other older Ducs.

There's that option you list... but you'll notice that they are installing used parts from the GSXR. Though they have probably been serviced and check out, that would lead me with some trepidation

[booger]

Least amount of hassle would be to call Öhlins and see how much it would cost to have them retrofit with 3-way adjustable internals. Someone here did that very thing with their cheap nonadjustable stock forks. Also GP suspension in Portland, Oregon. Those are the only two places I know of that can make the stock forks work well. 

[Link]

The sure fire way is to get some 848/1098 forks and put them on the 696. It works real well and those forks are very good.
 Here's a link on how it's done  http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=46205.0

[asherrick]

I remember reading a thread awhile back that a company was offering an upgrade kit in the neighborhood of $1,000-1,200. You had to send your forks out to them so they could modify them.

The problem with the SBK fork upgrade is that you have to change a lot of parts, most notably the front wheel. And if it were me, I'd have to replace the back one, too, so it matched.

[Raux]

I remember reading a thread awhile back that a company was offering an upgrade kit in the neighborhood of $1,000-1,200. You had to send your forks out to them so they could modify them.

The problem with the SBK fork upgrade is that you have to change a lot of parts, most notably the front wheel. And if it were me, I'd have to replace the back one, too, so it matched.

you don't have to change the front wheel, just the brake rotor offset

[asherrick]

you don't have to change the front wheel, just the brake rotor offset

Oops, my bad! Spreading more bad information...

[tiger_one]

I just finished with the 848 mod for my wife's 696.  I modified the OEM forks before starting on the 848 mod, and found that with some trial and error you can get the OEMs pretty good. 

My wife is short and light (130 lbs) so I had to lower and weaken.  6kg/mm springs were a tad weak but worked.  One 6kg/mm spring (Tiger 1050) in left fork and one 7kg/mm in right is about right for her.  The 7kg/mm (from SV650) is perfect fit in 848 with no mods to spacers, with preload backed all the way out for her weight.  Yielded 33mm rider sag and 18mm static.  Fork oil level at 155mm (no springs or spacer and fully collapsed fork).

For the OEMs the only thing you can do is get the correct spring rate in there and change preload spacer length and oil weight. 

[booger]

Everyone still seems to think that fork swaps are the only answer for the nonadjustable forks. That's no longer true, at least two members here have gotten their stock forks converted to fully 3-way adjustable.

Here's one example: http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=35761.msg643116#msg643116

Another member sent his 696 or 796 forks to Öhlins and they basically did the same thing. It used to be that one had to swap out the forks entirely and deal with a lot of switching of parts, machining of spacers, lower triple shims, boring of top triples, etc. but that is no longer the case. It's not cheap to retrofit the OEM nonadjustable forks but it certainly is quicker and easier.

[Slide Panda]

From above

http://www.gpsuspension.com/
http://www.gpsuspension.com/news/newsstory.php?story=62

[Zulu]

Thank you all for feed backs and suggestions.

I tried calling every where and talked to some people and so far this is my finding.

http://www.evolutionsuspension.com/parts/ : Is out because it costs $800 plus another $200 for labor and parts are used.

Pj Parts (Matrix) - Called Pj , he said he have nothing for 696

http://www.traxxion.com/AK-20AxxionCartridgeKit.aspx: - Is on short list, they said they have catridge for 696, but the forks have to be sent to them and they will make custom catridge , depending on the weight and riding style and such . Quote : $1400 installed

Ohlins : is a no go , the guy said they have done few forks before for monster 696, and the cost ran around $2000, He did gave me info on the company who they did for and said they might have build something out of the prototype catridge.

GPsuspension: Thanks to sad panda, as the link states its $1400 installed.

I am prolly gonna stay away from for swap, as I probably could get forks for ~500 , but I have to do other stuffs, and I do not have a garage to work on or tools. And athe cost might run close if not more to the catridge.

Thanks every one for all the advices, I am going to call few more places and update if I happen to come across any new info on catridges.

[Raux]

here

http://cgi.ebay.com/Ducati-OHLINS-Shock-Absorber-Monster-796-1100-1100s-/350478665135?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item519a2805af


and this is from another forum... but I think they may have been picked up for that Monster Randy at Bellisimoto is building

"Originally Posted by smurfsky101 
I actually have a fresh, mint set right now (from a 2009 Monster 1100s) - i can send photos if you'd like.
Where are you located?
I'm new to this forum but my established ebay id is kristie8510, i've got (i think) 100% feedback, my paypal account is sterling, etc.

I'm located in Harrisonburg, VA

Make me an offer on the forks!
571 332 0095

"

[asherrick]

From above

http://www.gpsuspension.com/
http://www.gpsuspension.com/news/newsstory.php?story=62

Yep, that's the one I had seen before. Thanks for posting.

[asherrick]

here

http://cgi.ebay.com/Ducati-OHLINS-Shock-Absorber-Monster-796-1100-1100s-/350478665135?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item519a2805af

Is the Ohlins rear shock from the M1100S the same as the Ohlins upgrade shock that Ducati sells for the M696? I thought there was something different with the shock mount or something. I may as well apologize now in the event that I'm spreading even more misinformation.

[Raux]

Is the Ohlins rear shock from the M1100S the same as the Ohlins upgrade shock that Ducati sells for the M696? I thought there was something different with the shock mount or something. I may as well apologize now in the event that I'm spreading even more misinformation.

same shock on the 696/796/1100. There is a mounting clevis between the subframe and frame that varies from bike to bike to give it different ride heights. I changed my 696 to raise it to the level of an 1100 while using the same shock. So yes, an 1100S Ohlins will work on a 696.

in the picture on the one for sale, they kept that clevis on the shock.