CBR600 front forks on GS500E?

[hhlragnarok]

it seems like a easy swap for the stock forks of GS500E, also I heard that the CBR600 f1 use 2.75" rim and need a clip on bar....

1. F1 generation includes 87-90, right?

2.is there a way to keep the stock rim, brake and handlebar after swap?

3. is the CBR600 forks adjustable?

4. are there other choices other than CBR600?

Thanks guys

[Twism86]

With enough time and work any fork will fit. Some are easier then others. Modern GSXR forks with with stem mods. Katana forks are good option as I think they are the easiest. Im not sure about the years but mid 90s perhaps? You will likely need a wheel to match the fork, which will get you a bigger tire and hopefully dual rotors so its good for that.

[werase643]

1  yes
2  why and yes,yes,yes
3  about as adjustable as a gs fork
4  yes

you could just swap the CBR F1 forks/wheel/brakes/fender into the GS tripple and get dual rotors and a little bit better brakes

you could mod a CBRF2 front wheel(3.5x17...120/70x17) but you will probably loose the speedo drive

you could install the F1 forks make spacers for the GS axle, make a caliper spacer...but why?

you could modify a katana600/750 front end to fit and several others, but it AIN'T BOLT ON !!!!
and you will have issues with steering stops/gauge mounting/headlight mounting/ handlebar interference with the tank

about the easiest and kewlest is a RGV250 USD front end....but most of us are never going to even see a RGV in person. there are probably only 50-100 in the US that were gray market imports

[Twism86]

Is that the RGV with regular or up sidedown forks?

[werase643]

wish I would have kept my VJ23 .... USD.....UpSideDown

[scratch]

BMW F650 forks are 37mm.

[hhlragnarok]

the stock spring rate of the GS seems to be 0.594kg/mm，CBR600 is 0.8kg/mm(not confirmed), anybody know about the katana, RGV250, BMW650 that u guys mentioned?

I'm trying to figure out the cheapest and easiest way to get my front suspension upgraded: stiffer, fits two rotor, adjustable.....if nothing comes up, I would probably just get new springs for the stock fork....

[joshr08]

may not be cheapest but easyiest by far would just be get a better fe on a new bike.

[scratch]

If we only knew what the spring free length was for the CBR600 and the BMW F650, then we'd know if they would fit.  Of course, I will have to measure my springs and spacers while I still have them out, so we know how long ours are.

[werase643]

I installed CBR F1 progressive springs in a gs fork set....about 1994
they worked

just get a set of heavier springs
brake pads and SS brake line
about 200 for everything

[hhlragnarok]

I installed CBR F1 progressive springs in a gs fork set....about 1994
they worked

just get a set of heavier springs
brake pads and SS brake line
about 200 for everything

so u use the CBR wheel?  and u keep the stock GS handlebar? stock CBR springs are not stiff enough?

[werase643]

I did almost all options that I have described at one time or another
I built race bikes....so gauges/HL tabs were not important to me
I used cbr forks in GS tripples.... I was probably the first to do this
friend had a cbr front end  and I bought a GS with AFU forks and I needed to get it rolling.
sold the bike to the guy I got the F1 front end from.....
and I kept the prog springs out of it


I have done F1 swap/kat 600/750 swap/ gsxr 750 RSU and USD/ RF900

another cheepish option is a FZR400/600 complete front end or even an R-6 or YZF600

back to reality.... spend the 200 bucks and pimp the stock front end

[Adfalchius]

It's not finished yet, but we put a '89 CBR600 front end on my 95 GS.  I bought the whole bike off of craigslist- used what I wanted, then sold the rest.  If you decide to go with the older years, it might be cheaper for you to do the same rather than buy the individual parts off ebay.  I still have to fiddle with the clipons and gauges.  I'll post pictures of the end product in a couple of weeks.

[hhlragnarok]

It's not finished yet, but we put a '89 CBR600 front end on my 95 GS.  I bought the whole bike off of craigslist- used what I wanted, then sold the rest.  If you decide to go with the older years, it might be cheaper for you to do the same rather than buy the individual parts off ebay.  I still have to fiddle with the clipons and gauges.  I'll post pictures of the end product in a couple of weeks.

Interesting, please do update ur progress and pics, looking forward to see that.

[Janx101]

BMW F650 forks are 37mm.

oooh... and BMW make a GS too.... its like... twilight zone!

must be a sign!

[Adfalchius]

There's still a lot to do, but here's a picture of my build so far.



A closer shot of the CBR front end.



I initially had a handlebar top triple that I had powdercoated along with the frame/wheels, etc.  I planned to use the CBR stock clipons but still run a short tube through the holders to mount a gps unit.  However, I'm having issues with everything fitting (guages, brake lines, etc).  So the quick temporary fix (which may become permanent because I'm loving the look), was to stick on a GS 89 clipon setup.  If I decide to keep that setup, I'll powdercoat it along with a few other bits and pieces on the bike.  My other option I was going to try, as suggested, was to place the CBR clipons below the triple.  I think it would have fit if I filed down the headlight brackets.  Don't know for sure as we didn't mock it up.



I might lower it a little more just because I'm a shorty.  The R6 shock and the corbin seat don't help either- but they sure do look sweet. 
These are just quick pics I took- I'll take better ones in direct sunlight if you need them.  If you have more questions, best direct them to BaltimoreGS- he's the brains of this operation!

-Kay

[hhlragnarok]

turn signals looks cool,........in the end I got the GSXR600 front end, the wheel is on the way, so hopefully I can put them on in two weeks, will update pics when done....

[werase643]

what yr gsxr front end?

already converted?

[hhlragnarok]

what yr gsxr front end?

already converted?

not yet, waiting for the wheel in shipping....hopefully start working on it this weekend..