Ive been doing some research on this for a little while and wanted to further my knowledge. I know the progressive springs are a major benefit but if I keep it im doing clip-ons too so spending that much on the stock equipment to just end up swapping it out is a waste of money.
What are you paying for a complete GSXR front end and is it that much better than stock with progressive springs. Does the GSXR swap change the rake/trail specs and if so in what way, negative or positive? reducing a degree or 2 isnt a problem for me as im more into the twisty backroads than going fast.
Im not worried about fabbing headlight brackets or attaching the guages as Im going to clip-ons anyway and dont mind making parts. My plan for the clip-ons was to slide the forks up another 1/2" and mount them above the triple by removing the stock handlebar/guage bracket. I also plan on swapping the swing arm and rear wheel for GSXR parts and possibly the shock too eventually.
Yes Ive been reading/searching here as well as members personal sites such as Pantablo500 ect.
Thanks
you like tinkering, dont you? In my opinion, you will benefit from the gsxr front end only if you are a racer and are trying to keep within the 500cc (or lightweight twins) racing category.Its a simple 15 minutes for the progressives vs a weekend or longer for the front end swap.
Check ebay for front ends (search gsxr front end or gsxr forks, then click completed items to see what they sold for). I think you'll be shocked how much you'll end up spending on the front end. Progressives will run you $60 give or take.
You cant use your gs speedo with the gsxr front wheel/forks becuase the sensor pickup is vastly different-no, its not something you can fab up either. You cant use the gsxr instrument cluster and have a working tack because the sensor for that is vastly different too. I suppose you could keep the gs tach and install a bicycle computer to read speed (then you wont have a night light for the speedo). You can see how it will get complicated in a hurry. Doable? Yes. Worth it? not in my book.
Plan on spending a minimum of $300-$500 for a set of inverted gsxr forks. Then there is the wheel, rotors, calipers and triples. I think D-Day said he has $800 in his.
The biggest difference/improvement between the stock forks vs. anything else isn't damping, its fork flex.
The GS's 37mm tubes are ok for learning to ride and mellow street riding, but when pushed hard, they tend to bend and twist. If the GS is all you know or you have come off an older bike it may not be noticeable but it is VERY obvious if you jump from a bike with stiffer front suspension to a stock GS.
The good news is that you don't HAVE to go to a GSXR front end to improve it. Even going to a 41mm Katana or SV front end is a big improvement even though they are pretty much the same damping rod design. Of course an inverted fork looks sexier and is better, especally in the adjustability department, but they cost much more.
Btw- aftermarket clipons and headlight brackets are available for a range of tube diameters without needing to be fabbed up.
88-95 gsxr forks are the easiest
elec tach....3 wires!
mechanical speedo
and the guages look kewl
my next street GS will have an 89 GSXR upper fairing mounted to the frame with the GSXR fairing stay
along with....a 4.5 rear
gsxr shock
and this SWEET C.F. solo tail I robbed from some chump in S.C.
bribe him with $$$$ to get your own.....
note: gsxr swingarm is a serious PITA fab
you might consider buying a GSXR off of e bay....taking the parts
you need and breaking it down and selling it on e bay
you might get most of your $ back that way and get free/cheap front end
Quote from: werase64388-95 gsxr forks are the easiest
elec tach....3 wires!
mechanical speedo
and the guages look kewl
my next street GS will have an 89 GSXR upper fairing mounted to the frame with the GSXR fairing stay
along with....a 4.5 rear
gsxr shock
and this SWEET C.F. solo tail I robbed from some chump in S.C.
bribe him with $$$$ to get your own.....
note: gsxr swingarm is a serious PITA fab
you might consider buying a GSXR off of e bay....taking the parts
you need and breaking it down and selling it on e bay
you might get most of your $ back that way and get free/cheap front end
Ummm...if you're going to take all those parts of a gixxer, why not just...I don't know...maybe...ride the gixxer??? :?
i have.....
spent the last hr of an endurance race at WFO
when we were done....the rotors were WARPED!!!!!
tires shot
scuffed up....
and sold it AS IS the next day at the track
for what friend paid for it 6 months prev.
if i want to ride a GSXR....i'll ride my gsxr
if i want to build a GS....i'll build a GS
if i want to build a GSXR...i'll build a GSXR....
already built it....87 GSXR 750 with 93 GSXR USD and 5.5 x17 rear tire
Fox shock
on loan to a friend for the past 5 yrs....
i swap out with him once in a while for a ride on the SV
he also wants another GS for the street
since we are building his katana600 racebike
ya know an ex-Suzuki cup $$$ Katana 600 engine in a 89 GSXR750 chassis....CLUBMAN LEGAL.....!!!!! :mrgreen:
for the $
Dgyver has the right idea with e-bay
get a katana600/750 front end
88-97 i think
get forks
tripples
brake system
and a pair of rotors
then use the GS500 wheel and fender
I must admit I have a problem with trying to re-engineer things and doing it the difficult way but what can I say :dunno:
Thanks for the responses! The info/advice is definatly helpfull, Ill keep my eyes peeled for a good deal on the GSXR parts but Im thinking the stock fork with new springs will suit my needs just fine as im not a racer by any means.
Bringing up fork flex got me thinking... I am sure the forks flex in all dirrections but would the most noticeable improvement be related to axle flex? If so a brace above the tire similar to the stock fender mount except much more ridged would help alot, no?
Again thanks
copy the fender bracket in 1/4... 3/8 AL ....instant fork brace
the forks will do all sorts of weird things.... but mostly on stopping....they will flex rearward towards the engine.