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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: V8Pinto on January 11, 2006, 03:04:33 PM

Title: Early GSXR Front End Conversion
Post by: V8Pinto on January 11, 2006, 03:04:33 PM
I bought a set of forks/triples to do a GSXR conversion on my GS.  I didn't realize that the early GSXR's had 18" rims though...  My forks have the 15mm axle so that makes them 85-86 750/1100 per this chart:

http://www.gixxer.com/wheelchart.htm

I'm going to install a 91ish front wheel and rotors but what do I do about the calipers?  How do I identify which rotor diameter my forks are setup for?  Or are the forks even different....  Is the extra 10mm just made up with caliper relocation?

I realize that I should have gone with a later front end (89 and up) but it's too late now.  Unless I come across a later complete front end on the really really cheap I am going with this one.

Thanks.
Title: Re: Early GSXR Front End Conversion
Post by: makenzie71 on January 11, 2006, 04:31:47 PM
Why such old forks?  Why not shoot for the early 90's 750 inverted forks?
Title: Re: Early GSXR Front End Conversion
Post by: mastrind on January 11, 2006, 04:52:16 PM
I'm not sure how much really/really cheap is...for information purposes I just bought an almost complete front end from an 02 gsx-r 750 for $310 shipped....all it needs is a set of calipers, which I've located and have enroute....

....if this is the price range you're looking for, then just keep scouring ebay....I found a seller who didn' t know how to list very well, and got a pretty good deal....total cost of the conversion will be about $420.....as there are some speedo issues...
Title: Re: Early GSXR Front End Conversion
Post by: dgyver on January 11, 2006, 05:18:21 PM
Are these USD or conventional forks?

If they are the ones I am thinking of, the stem is basically the same as the GS except longer.

I would check the part numbers for the fork tubes to see if they are different. MrCycles.com should have older bikes listed.

You could always make a bracket and use most any caliper or rotor you want.
Title: Re: Early GSXR Front End Conversion
Post by: mastrind on January 11, 2006, 05:23:16 PM
these are USD forks.....but don't worry...they're not going on a GS.... O0
Title: Re: Early GSXR Front End Conversion
Post by: dgyver on January 11, 2006, 05:39:27 PM
I should have been clearer, I was referring to V8Pinto's post .
Title: Re: Early GSXR Front End Conversion
Post by: mastrind on January 11, 2006, 05:43:54 PM
oh.....I get it.....


























j/k....congrats on 3k posts....
Title: Re: Early GSXR Front End Conversion
Post by: V8Pinto on January 11, 2006, 06:27:24 PM
Quote from: dgyver on January 11, 2006, 05:18:21 PM
Are these USD or conventional forks?

If they are the ones I am thinking of, the stem is basically the same as the GS except longer.

I would check the part numbers for the fork tubes to see if they are different. MrCycles.com should have older bikes listed.

You could always make a bracket and use most any caliper or rotor you want.


They are conventional with the old school anti-dive (which I think looks pretty cool even if it is not very functional).  Is the 91 GSXR rim lacking a speedo drive?  Think I remember reading this in other posts.

To answer the other member about the inverted forks, yeah I would like the inverted forks, but I got this front end cheap (I should have waited until I had done more research but the "buy" impulse got the best of me). 

I'm not a knee dragger so I wouldn't use all the benefits of the inverted forks.  I just tinker with stuff...and I want a GSXR front end  O0

Title: Re: Early GSXR Front End Conversion
Post by: dgyver on January 11, 2006, 08:54:07 PM
According to the 86-88 & 89-92 1100 service manuals, there is a speedo pick-up on the front wheel. As for the 750, I only have the 93-95 service manual. It does have a wheel pickup as well but are USD.
Title: Re: Early GSXR Front End Conversion
Post by: V8Pinto on January 11, 2006, 11:27:57 PM
Ok so I misunderstood what I read elsewhere on the site then.  It's not that the GSXR lacks a speedo pickup, it's just that it's not mechanical - right? 

Thanks for the info Dgyver - very helpful.
Title: Re: Early GSXR Front End Conversion
Post by: makenzie71 on January 11, 2006, 11:28:53 PM
As I understand it they're mechanical up until 1997....that is, for the 750.  The 600 was likely still mechanical until later.  I just know that 97+ GSXR750 guages will interchange with TL1000 guages, and the TL speedo is sensor driven.
Title: Re: Early GSXR Front End Conversion
Post by: dgyver on January 12, 2006, 07:56:02 PM
Quote from: V8Pinto on January 11, 2006, 11:27:57 PM
Ok so I misunderstood what I read elsewhere on the site then.  It's not that the GSXR lacks a speedo pickup, it's just that it's not mechanical - right? 

Thanks for the info Dgyver - very helpful.

No problem.

From the picture in the manual, it is a mechanical pickup that uses a cable to the speedo. Looks just like the GS.
Title: Re: Early GSXR Front End Conversion
Post by: werase643 on January 13, 2006, 05:31:56 PM
isn't a GS axle a 15mm....
why not use the GS rim with a set of katana or set of GS rotors
Title: Re: Early GSXR Front End Conversion
Post by: V8Pinto on January 13, 2006, 11:45:13 PM
Quote from: werase643 on January 13, 2006, 05:31:56 PM
isn't a GS axle a 15mm....
why not use the GS rim with a set of katana or set of GS rotors

Well that sounds like a "get my butt to the garage" project....  Now I can't wait for morning!
Title: Re: Early GSXR Front End Conversion
Post by: SV Devon on January 20, 2006, 12:22:34 AM
saw this and thought of you....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1989-Suzuki-GSXR1100-front-end-GSXR-GSXR750_W0QQitemZ4605061553QQcategoryZ35592QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Title: Re: Early GSXR Front End Conversion
Post by: SV Devon on January 20, 2006, 10:07:40 AM
....just gonna bump this back up...
Title: Re: Early GSXR Front End Conversion
Post by: V8Pinto on January 20, 2006, 10:19:33 AM
Thanks!
Title: Re: Early GSXR Front End Conversion
Post by: SV Devon on January 20, 2006, 02:11:26 PM
glad I could finally offer some real insight into this thread  :thumb:....just keep us posted as to how it all works  out....