Yeah I know I am not even close to finishing my GS project but am already thinking and aquiring parts for my next project, a Hard Tail convereted HD Sporty based loosely on this bike.
(http://inlinethumb52.webshots.com/46003/2234557160073478356S600x600Q85.jpg)
First question, I purchased the below set of HD Fat Boy rims, and while I am not at my garage right now I'm a bit curious and bored at work and would like to know if anyone can reccomend or knows what size tires, specifically a Knobby oriented tire would fit on these rims? Are knobbies even available in these sizes? Front and Rear?
(http://inlinethumb14.webshots.com/44749/2281111200073478356S600x600Q85.jpg)
Secondly, I'd like to use a modern front end off of a wrecked and or parted out Rice Rocket, speciffically a set of USD Forks, probably off of a GIXXER but any modern day ones would acheive the "Look" I'm after, with that in mind how hard is it to have these modern day USD forks "Cut Down", what would the cost be like? I'm not even sure I would need to do this, just trying to work out some rudimentary ideas and issues in my head while I'm wasting time at work.
Lastly, I have a basic understanding of what it takes to adapt 1 make of forks to a different brand of frame/neck however if anyone has some good practical exeprience or advice, I'd appreciate it. What would it entail to put these on a Sporty frame? I'd suspect I'd need the Stem, both upper and lower clamps and some type of spacers bushings?
(http://images.motorcycleparts2u.com/parts-photos-1002/mp2u018203-2007-suzuki-gsxr-750-forks.jpg)
Thanks Guys and Gals for the replies.
I wouldn't put knobbies on GSXR forks ... why, knobbies imply you are goign to be runnign and jumping over tree trunks and rocks, and the GSXR forks dont have the travel needed to accomodate that.
I dont even know about cutting them down, I'm gonna guess though that it will not be easy.
Cool.
Buddha.
Quote from: The Buddha on May 11, 2011, 07:48:23 AM
I wouldn't put knobbies on GSXR forks ... why, knobbies imply you are goign to be runnign and jumping over tree trunks and rocks, and the GSXR forks dont have the travel needed to accomodate that.
I dont even know about cutting them down, I'm gonna guess though that it will not be easy.
Cool.
Buddha.
Knobbies will be purley asthetic and I did not mean to imply that I would be using them for their designated purpose, just chasing a certian look. Do they even make knobby tires big enough for those rims?
I know in the dirt bike world there are shops that can lower suspensions, front and rear and was hoping there was the same available for street forks, wouldnt see why not?
K fry, you're begining to worry me.
Cool.
Buddha.
Quote from: The Buddha on May 11, 2011, 11:50:41 AM
K fry, you're begining to worry me.
Cool.
Buddha.
I never claimed to be mentally stable...Why do you think I work in the Psychiatric field, transference of therapy.
Rims are 16" x 3"
I would guess 4wheeler tires would fit.
Quote from: scratch on May 11, 2011, 04:44:47 PM
Rims are 16" x 3"
I would guess 4wheeler tires would fit.
Hum.... :embarrassed:
These may work....
(http://www.carpartjim.com/media/11/a20792a12aaac6db44942a_m.JPG)
Check our www.denniskirk.com for their dual sport tires. But I don't think they will have anything that wide.
rear i believe is a 17", front is a 16" can use any tire that will fit an HD with teh FL designation. fatboy is FLSTF FL = wheel size , ST= softtail , F = fatboy. cant use fx. or xl
Forks can be lowered, so you're going to make the ride really harsh though because sportbike suspensions are already stiff, and you're going to have to make them even more so. Depending on the forks it might be easier to slip them through the triples a little, or they may even work at their normal length. I wouldn't think sportbike forks would really be that much longer than normal cruiser forks. I know sportsbikes sit taller, but cruisers usually have more rake so I bet they're pretty close.
I bet you can find wheels if you look around. Even if they're not full on off road tires there are enough dual sport tires and everything else out there now that'll give you a similar look and might even be better for a street bike. The one thing that would take a little bit of crafting would probably be the axle. I bet the hole through the HD rims is way smaller than the gsxr axle so you'll have to make adapters or a new axle.
tt-four, thanks for the advice.
I too thought that it might be more benifical and easier to just slide the fork tubes up in the top triple clamp, perhaps an inch or so. And your right about them being stiffer/harsher to begin with but with my thoughts on this next project I'm kinda throwing out most conventions and concessions to comfort or practicality for something "I" think looks cool.
I havent done a complete search yet but I'm sure to come up with a suitable tire, where I think my issues will come is placing the rim and fatter tire within the confines of the Gixxer forks, not sure how wide that space is with the stock triple clamps? Again though I am so early in this stage I'm only running thoughts through my head and will do a ton of research prior to purchasing anything.
I have local HD orientated machine shop that would be able to fab up spacers/axle to fit the HD Mag to the Jap forks, and I'm sure they could also adapt/creat some types of spacers sleeves to get the stem to fit the neck.
All pie in the sky stuff at this point, all I have are the rims, still hitting swap meets and craigslist, currently looking for a Sporster Frame with Title or a cheap complete bike.
But keep the ideas and tips and thoughts coming, keeps the brain active and thinking.
What size are those wheels Fry? I've been looking at 16" dual sport tires for a while and the biggest I can come up with are 120/90 (good for a 2.15" wide wheel). If they are 17", that would open all sorts of possibilities.
They are I think 3" wide, haven't looked at them in a while, probably 16"x3"
Quote from: Fry on May 12, 2011, 05:41:06 AM
tt-four, thanks for the advice.
I too thought that it might be more benifical and easier to just slide the fork tubes up in the top triple clamp, perhaps an inch or so. And your right about them being stiffer/harsher to begin with but with my thoughts on this next project I'm kinda throwing out most conventions and concessions to comfort or practicality for something "I" think looks cool.
I havent done a complete search yet but I'm sure to come up with a suitable tire, where I think my issues will come is placing the rim and fatter tire within the confines of the Gixxer forks, not sure how wide that space is with the stock triple clamps? Again though I am so early in this stage I'm only running thoughts through my head and will do a ton of research prior to purchasing anything.
I have local HD orientated machine shop that would be able to fab up spacers/axle to fit the HD Mag to the Jap forks, and I'm sure they could also adapt/creat some types of spacers sleeves to get the stem to fit the neck.
All pie in the sky stuff at this point, all I have are the rims, still hitting swap meets and craigslist, currently looking for a Sporster Frame with Title or a cheap complete bike.
But keep the ideas and tips and thoughts coming, keeps the brain active and thinking.
maybe, but youd have to use the sportie powertrain as well. because they title the engine/trans as well as the frame
Yeah I plan on using the Sportie engine as well, so I guess I am looking for a complete bike, running or not.
On second thought, and I know each and every state has their own laws governing this type of stuff, how would one go about buying a frame with tile yet no motor, build a bike, and then try to title/register it? Lots of stripped frames on e-bay right now, cash burning a whole in my pocket.
Title goes with the frame, most states dont feature the engine number in the title, CA is one state that does, however the engine number isn't used for anything, its just there.
Cool.
Buddha.
Quote from: The Buddha on May 13, 2011, 06:22:53 AM
Title goes with the frame, most states dont feature the engine number in the title, CA is one state that does, however the engine number isn't used for anything, its just there.
Cool.
Buddha.
but harley davidson uses the engine and case numbers in the vin/titles. swapping the engine out of a harley will ruin hte title. IF cop is really being a bastard. ill have to find the paperwork in the 5k plus pages of notes i took from MMI. its covered in there. there is a provision in most if not all locations, you can upgrade the engine but have to pull the cases, harley takes them destroys them, and you get a new set with same numbers stamped on it. BTW fry. that sportie engine pull the heads off. take cylinders and pistons from a 1340 ( up to) place them on it. then put original heads back on. instant bumpup. hell if you were close by, id do it for you so it could be warrantied by HD
(http://www.chopperexchange.com/productimages/normal/61720.jpg) i had 1340 cylinders and pistons on the 883 rods, and stock heads. briefly had a supercharger on it. but mods ;) could be removed for warranty work inside an hours time. except for the engine. i had the receipts of my work so it was covered by the motor company. teh supercharger setup wasnt tho. so it had to coem off. supercharger came off of a 1340 i rigged it to be driven by teh crankcase . not hard to do. at all. the cylinders and pistons came from an HD swap meet. maybe 100 in it. a carb from same engine 15. and gaskets for base and valvecover and heads. etc. not much at all. still have a few HD parts in my toolbox from last time i worked on it. 5 years ago lol.
Quote from: yamahonkawazuki on May 13, 2011, 08:54:03 PM
Quote from: The Buddha on May 13, 2011, 06:22:53 AM
Title goes with the frame, most states dont feature the engine number in the title, CA is one state that does, however the engine number isn't used for anything, its just there.
Cool.
Buddha.
but harley davidson uses the engine and case numbers in the vin/titles. swapping the engine out of a harley will ruin hte title. IF cop is really being a bastard. ill have to find the paperwork in the 5k plus pages of notes i took from MMI. its covered in there. there is a provision in most if not all locations, you can upgrade the engine but have to pull the cases, harley takes them destroys them, and you get a new set with same numbers stamped on it. BTW fry. that sportie engine pull the heads off. take cylinders and pistons from a 1340 ( up to) place them on it. then put original heads back on. instant bumpup. hell if you were close by, id do it for you so it could be warrantied by HD
Thanks for the info. on the vin stuff and motor parts stuff, Im sure I will be talking to you again about doing motor work when I get to that point.
i mean its really no crime to swap engines out. no one is going to look THAT close at it. if tag says, ( for example) 2003 harley davidson sportster 883) theyll be like meh ok ity is and move on however if it said that and tag was on a gixxer lol. course attitude helps. my gs. came with a titled frame. but teh parts were on the untitled frame. but it matched as far as everythign else. i still had the alabama tag on it. rode it in 5 patriot guard escorts only downside to unitized engine /trans construction is this. replacing trans is a bit of a pita. but many repairs can be done without pulling engine. it weighs aroudn 150-200lbs ive carried them. you can do an upper end overhaul with enigne in bike