Yet another SBK fork mod. (Also my build and other random stuff thread)

[freeclimbmtb]

Got a box in the mail yesterday...


Nice to see they were carefully packed...


Superbike forks!  1098S/1198S/1198R 1198SP Ohlins! (I dont know exactly what they came off of, but the dealer lists the part number fitting all'o'dem.


Only visible defects are some slight marring to the blue finish up top, and a tiny ding on the fork top cap on one side.  Oh, and a Virginia state inspection sticker that ive invested 2 hours so far into, and am about 50% done removing...(any tricks?)


Now heres the bad news.  They measure up at about an inch taller than my stock forks ('11 M796) and the tubes come in at 53mm top, and 56mm bottom.  I believe most of the sbk conversions are 53mm/53mm.  Which counts out buying an off the shelf conversion triple.

I hit my bike real quick with the calipers and they look like 54 at the bottom with the stock triple...and I can see a shim in there, so Im going to get another factory 796 bottom half and have it punched out (im not too worried about loosing 1-2mm)  And will probably have my speedy moto top punched out to 53mm (unless someone wants to help me offset the cost of a new one!  )

I wont know what kind of shinanagins im in for as far as brake spacing and axle woes until i get it all torn apart, but I know at least I have 5 bolts rotors...so Ive got some options...(maybe even 10mm caliper spacers and SBK rotors?  hmm...who knows!)

[corey]

i've not heard of anyone boring out a bottom triple...
i'm just a hack job weekend wrench, but i would consult with wiser minds before you move forward with that plan...
a top triple is one thing, but a bottom triple i think is a different ballgame when it comes to structural integrity...

[Raux]

You'll also need to check the front fender mounts. sorry, just thought about it.

[freeclimbmtb]

You'll also need to check the front fender mounts. sorry, just thought about it.

I was thinking about that, bolt spacing is the same top to botom, Its side to side that Id be worried about.  And that I wont know until I really dig into the project.  I've got a big crack in my fender anyway, so maybe I'll just throw a SBK fender on it too.  Maybe CF...

Raux...thoughts on punching out the botom triple?  Like I said, with that shim in there, it only looks like I would have to take about 1mm of material out.

[Raux]

well, you know me. I'm all about getting the correct part and not messing with another.
ie, I don't use spacers on rotors, didn't just get a 50 bored to 53 top, didn't shim a 54 to 53 lower.

Take a look at IMA, Style & Performance and a few others to see if you can get a complete upper/lower/steering stem in ergal for a good price, put on needle bearings and get a complete front end. that way you can always just go back to stock.

IMA have the best prices I've heard and the dollar buying power is good right now.

[freeclimbmtb]

This might be the way to go...


Ducati 1198-1098-848 Carbon Fiber Monster Style Front Fender By CDT

http://www.motovationusa.com/mvstore/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=758

[Raux]

I would go with sbk style as it protects the lowers better

[freeclimbmtb]

I had similar thoughts.  Although I did just have another brainwave, I need a way of holding on to/routing the ABS wire.  BLAST!

[BMiller]

FWIW, when I removed the inspection sticker off my last set of black R1 forks....I used one of those paint roller scrapers (putty blade would work too) and after hitting the sticker with the hair dryer (no heat gun) for a few minutes, I just scraped it off....didn't hurt the finish at all.  I would suggest against an actual sharp blade such as a razor or using one of the mentioned methods if the tip is damaged in any way.  After I just used paint thinner on a rag and the leftover residue came right off.  Make sure to wash the paint thinner off after as well.

That is just how I did it the last time and wondered why I didn't do it the time before....which took me hours.  YRMV

[junior varsity]

Now heres the bad news.  They measure up at about an inch taller than my stock forks ('11 M796) and the tubes come in at 53mm top, and 56mm bottom.  I believe most of the sbk conversions are 53mm/53mm.  Which counts out buying an off the shelf conversion triple.

I hit my bike real quick with the calipers and they look like 54 at the bottom with the stock triple...and I can see a shim in there, so Im going to get another factory 796 bottom half and have it punched out (im not too worried about loosing 1-2mm)  And will probably have my speedy moto top punched out to 53mm (unless someone wants to help me offset the cost of a new one!  )

I wont know what kind of shinanagins im in for as far as brake spacing and axle woes until i get it all torn apart, but I know at least I have 5 bolts rotors...so Ive got some options...(maybe even 10mm caliper spacers and SBK rotors?  hmm...who knows!)

No bad news at all.  Uh... off the shelf triples for this are no problem.   contact IMA Special Parts.   These (53/56 triples for Monsters) are part of standard production on the MOD2evo line-up (and the predecessor MOD2).     You can do a clipons-only type top triple or a standard bar-riser type top triple too. 

[Raux]

For the sticker use wd40

[freeclimbmtb]

No bad news at all.  Uh... off the shelf triples for this are no problem.   contact IMA Special Parts.   These (53/56 triples for Monsters) are part of standard production on the MOD2evo line-up (and the predecessor MOD2).     You can do a clipons-only type top triple or a standard bar-riser type top triple too. 

Ive got the page up on the next tab, and an email sent an hour ago to make SURE I'm getting what I need before I place an order.  Also, they actually make a part to fit the NEW GENERATION monster unlike speedymoto as I found out the hard way.  Their stuff looks like EXACTLY what I want for my bike, and the triple will be ordered today pending a response.

Glad Raux (and JV) mentioned these...my stomach knot subsided a little.


As for the sticker, WD40 didnt touch it, heat gun on low didnt touch it, alcohol/thinners didnt touch it.

The only luck I've had was clamping the tube in the vise (with an inch of padding...breathe fellas, breathe) and when soaked liberally in goo gone gel, scraping at it with a chunk of super hard plastic. (incidentally its a piece of roof rack that I filed an edge onto.)  Its taking FOREVER, but it IS working.

[Duck-Stew]

Just finished a bike that got 53/56 999R Ohlins FG forks.

IMA is the only vendor I found that makes a lower that'll safely handle the 56mm bore (and they'll come 56mm from IMA so that's a plus).

The IMA triples were a drop-in for my project bike.

[freeclimbmtb]

Got my email response.

HOLY CRAP IMA ha my buisiness for here on out.

Incredibly indepth reply, I think I would be hard pressed to think of a question he didnt already give me the answer to!

he even offered to find out what rotor spacers I'll need and include them with the order.  

The only downside is apparently the whole of Italy takes the summer off...so im looking at september before he can get the order shipped.  Guess that means I'll have to spend the summer RIDING    Oh well



Next order of business:  Find clipons (one piece) that will let me use my coffin master cylinders without the spacers.  (they work...but they are more of a bandaid than a solution.  they move the whole assembly out too far so my clutch switch no longer engages...so if i stall it, i have to flounder around and find neutral.)  Also since ive got taller forks, I can sling the clipons over the triple vice under it with risers.

Thoughts on the clipon front?

[Raux]

The woodcraft with the extra long bar option they have should work.

http://www.woodcraft-cfm.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=13-4105