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

[Raux]

Perfect.  Thanks Howie! 

Turns out my little bottle of gloss black model paint is dried up.  I hit the bolts with a few blasts of brake parts cleaner to get any oil off, then 2 coats of gloss black rustoleum that I had lying around last night.  Also gave the wheels a good cleaning as well as the brake rotors and ABS wheel.  Chased the threads on the rotor bolt holes too, just to clean out any old thread locker. 

The IMA package is tracked as on the truck for delivery...but its shipped FedEx Home Delivery with Direct Signature Required.  So basically FedEx expects me to be home from 9am to 8pm to sign in person or I have to drive 45 minutes to the distribution center to pick it up in person.  At least they make it easy. 

I remember back in the day my father used to order stuff and have it shipped to his work...wish I could get away with that, but unfortunately, 5000 people in a gated secure facility kinda kills the chances of getting boxes shipped to my desk.

Thats the final straw.  Im quitting my job and opening a climbing gym in the abandoned brick building in downtown Portsmouth just so I can get packages delivered to me at work!

(Really though, that is a life goal)


Back to the bike though. 

Since I dont have my rotor spacers yet, I am contemplating other options. 

I started compiling a chart of what should work:



So rotors from an 848, 1100s, or newer S4Rs, as well as any 749 or 999 should all work... 

998R had 6bolt 15mm offset

[ajw85]

Perfect.  Thanks Howie! 

Turns out my little bottle of gloss black model paint is dried up.  I hit the bolts with a few blasts of brake parts cleaner to get any oil off, then 2 coats of gloss black rustoleum that I had lying around last night.  Also gave the wheels a good cleaning as well as the brake rotors and ABS wheel.  Chased the threads on the rotor bolt holes too, just to clean out any old thread locker. 

The IMA package is tracked as on the truck for delivery...but its shipped FedEx Home Delivery with Direct Signature Required.  So basically FedEx expects me to be home from 9am to 8pm to sign in person or I have to drive 45 minutes to the distribution center to pick it up in person.  At least they make it easy. 

I remember back in the day my father used to order stuff and have it shipped to his work...wish I could get away with that, but unfortunately, 5000 people in a gated secure facility kinda kills the chances of getting boxes shipped to my desk.

Thats the final straw.  Im quitting my job and opening a climbing gym in the abandoned brick building in downtown Portsmouth just so I can get packages delivered to me at work!

(Really though, that is a life goal)


Back to the bike though. 

Since I dont have my rotor spacers yet, I am contemplating other options. 

I started compiling a chart of what should work:



So rotors from an 848, 1100s, or newer S4Rs, as well as any 749 or 999 should all work... 

This should be put in the FAQ or some sort of definitive fork upgrade guide.

[freeclimbmtb]

998R had 6bolt 15mm offset

Thanks!  Ill update my chart.  (and keep em coming...I want to get a comprehensive guide together...wheels, forks, anything someone might want to source.)

[Raux]

the SFS has the 330s? wow

btw... AFAIK if you want to run 330s all you need is the 5mm spacers and longer bolts for the radial calipers.

[freeclimbmtb]

the SFS has the 330s? wow

I believe it does...there were rotors for sale that were listed as compatible with all those bikes.  The list isnt verified 100% accurate, and certainly is open for improvement and/or update. 

btw... AFAIK if you want to run 330s all you need is the 5mm spacers and longer bolts for the radial calipers.

I looked into this option too, if I go to a lighter, forged wheel, I may still do it, but the increased rotating mass and increased gyro effect will sacrafice handling only to make the braking more suicidal...not really worth it for me.  Id rather be able to throw it around than used the hard on the throttle hard on the brakes liter bike method...



(This coming from someone with absolutely no first hand track experience...so take it with a grain of salt.)

(I am doing track day(s) this summer though I SWEAR TO GOD)

[DarkMonster620]

FWIW, the Monster gen1/2, ST series with 25mm axle front wheels are compatible with Gen2 M696/796, for the rear, Monster Gen1/2 is compatible with M696 . . . same bolt pattern, spacing . . .

[freeclimbmtb]

This should be put in the FAQ or some sort of definitive fork upgrade guide.

Thats my intention.  Ive got one for forks too, but its barely started.

[freeclimbmtb]

Well, just like I said, those idiots tried to get a signature at 11:45 in the morning on a package marked Home Delivery.  Guess I need factor in the cost of using sick leave when I order things so I can be there to pick them up.  Better still, when I called customer service and asked if I could meet the truck back at the distribution center after work, they said no, there is absolutely no way of getting the package tonight.  So I told them to deliver it to one of the fedex stores tomorrow so I can get it after work.

I guess this should be taken as a lesson, NEVER again accept FedEx as a means of shipping when ordering something. 

[Howie]

I like to keep all my stock parts 'just in case'

I might use one of the fork legs to club squirrels if I run out of pellets though.  Thats about all that fork is good for. 










(why do you ask)

  

[junior varsity]

IMA ships with the full value declared for insurance purposes, because of this they require signature for delivery.  Your situation is unique in that you cannot have it delivered to work.  You should be able to have it "left at local FedEx station for pickup" though after first delivery.

IMA does not use UPS because of their higher price and they are the only shipper that has "lost" a package thus far.  (Not counting international shipments which occasionally "disappear" on their way to Australia, New Zealand, UK, Japan, etc...)

[freeclimbmtb]

IMA ships with the full value declared for insurance purposes, because of this they require signature for delivery.  Your situation is unique in that you cannot have it delivered to work.  You should be able to have it "left at local FedEx station for pickup" though after first delivery.

IMA does not use UPS because of their higher price and they are the only shipper that has "lost" a package thus far.  (Not counting international shipments which occasionally "disappear" on their way to Australia, New Zealand, UK, Japan, etc...)

Yeah, I cant fault IMA, I blame myself for not asking the question when I worked out the shipping and billing details.  (I was just venting because I was pissed at myself for not making sure)  I will pay $20 to ship a package UPS even if they offer free shipping with FedEx.  I have had nothing but resounding negative experiences with FedEx.  I have never once had something shipped by them that went off without some sort of issue.  UPS on the other hand, I have had nothing but success with.  For instance if they attempt a delivery and Im not home, but then they drive past an hour later on the other side of the route and see a car in the drive way, they make a second attempt.  I've also flagged the driver down and gotten packages when they missed me.  Also, I can call UPS and pick the package up the same night at the distribution center when the truck gets back.  FedEx said "there is absolutely no way you can get your package today"  With a service like "FedEx HOME delivery" that makes delivery attpempts "durring normal business hours" its almost like they are counting on people being layed off. 

Just me and my experience(s).  I don't like dealing with companies as inflexable and unaccomodating as they are, thats all.

ANYWAY.  As long as it actually makes it there, I will be picking the box up from the local store after work.  Hopefully will make some progress tonight!

[junior varsity]

I'll let Milli know she needs to click the "evening" checkbox (even though its an extra expense) on the FedEx Home Delivery service in the future.  You'd have had those things long ago had there not been a miscommunication between the US-side and the Italian-side re: fork bores - there's a new process in place now that is designed to eliminate such miscommunications and ensure more prompt delivery times.  IMA (both US and Italian sides) have a definite delivery 'trouble' period between our US Thanksgiving Holiday and New Year's Day with various holidays on both sides, vacation times, and so forth.  But as above, we are working on a more streamlined processing method AND the US side is building up a significant inventory of the commonly ordered products (though we are still a touch short-handed).

[freeclimbmtb]

I blame winter in general, I know thats why I'm grumpy.  I know full well that I'm going to be impressed and happy with the parts, and it will be well worth the wait.  But when I find myself without something to keep me busy...I tend to find things to complain about.  Im trying to work on it.

But like you said, Im kind of a unique situation where I don't have the option of shipping stuff to work.  So more than likely...I'm going to be the only one to complain about it!  Don't go changing a system just because of me. 

[junior varsity]

If there's a way to improve, I know IMA wants, at least, to affirmatively reject it for a specified reason after investigating it, rather than not looking into at all and continuing business-as-usual.

They've invested quite a bit into the research and design of the parts, use only top quality materials (7075) and operate on really low profit margins to bring customers a great product at a very reasonable price.   Making sure the "getting-it-into-your-paws" aspect is at least satisfactory is a must.  

The US shop is still pretty short-handed though, and with winter - you a prime example - the modding bug is really grabbing a hold of folks in the northern hemisphere.  IMA Special Parts N.A. has a huge email and phone-call backlog right now that's slowly getting worked through (for the most part, people have been friendly and patient with Milli as she gets to them).  The winter-modding bug has certainly bitten me this year since my other winter-hobby (shooting) is hard to purchase consumables for currently.  (So like you, I'm doing a bit of suspension work on one of my bikes: I'm putting Ohlins-valved Ducati SBK forks on my SportClassic GT1000 using clear anodized IMA triple clamps with special headlight-bracketry to fit to OEM bits; originally I was going to retrofit the fancy Ohlins cartridges from Andreani Group in the OEM forks but decided that this new plan was arguably better, all things considered.  I'm still trying to figure out which rear shocks to get... there are a few, from budget options up to Ohlins.  I don't know much about Bitubo's quality/performance, and others have suggested go 'cheap' with YSS, Hagon or Ikon...  If anyone has opinions, PM me).  

End thread-jack.


Also, I'm excited about your build's progress.  Pics are always great.

[freeclimbmtb]

If there's a way to improve, I know IMA wants, at least, to affirmatively reject it for a specified reason after investigating it, rather than not looking into at all and continuing business-as-usual.

Thats all I ask!

I'm still trying to figure out which rear shocks to get... there are a few, from budget options up to Ohlins.  I don't know much about Bitubo's quality/performance, and others have suggested go 'cheap' with YSS, Hagon or Ikon...  If anyone has opinions, PM me).  

End thread-jack.

I'm looking into alternatives to the go-to M696/796/1100 solution (Ohlins DU-737) as well...not because its a bad solution...but I'm clearly not one that goes with the easy solution.  Actually trying to see if I can find a remote reservoir shock that I can retrofit...I can ask my suspension guy about the GT1000 and see what his thoughts are.  I know my local shop owner rides one.

No worries about thread jacking...I would be the biggest hipocrite on DMF if I got mad about it.