Hi all, I have a 1992 GS500 with a bent front fork and was wondering if i would be able to swap it with a 1994 Busa front end/fork? I'm sure with a skilled mechanic, they can make anything fit. But I would like to know how much work would be involved in a swap as such?

Thanks in advance,
Jackson

Are you asking because you already have a Hayabusa front fork laying around?

I know I've seen one guy with a GS500 who put on a GSXR front end so at least we know it works.

Yes, a fellow rider offered the piece from his scrap bike so that's the reason I'm asking.

I've see it done many different ways, it's not really all that hard. However you may change the steering geometry and that could be dangerous


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Quote from: Jcee on June 14, 2014, 03:37:21 PM
Yes, a fellow rider offered the piece from his scrap bike so that's the reason I'm asking.

Get some clarification because there was no Hayabusa in 1994 unless you're talking about a predecessor liter bike from that time.

As far as Hayabusa vs GS500 goes with regards to the steering geometry:

GS500 Rake = 25 degrees
GSX1300R Rake = 24.2 degrees
Trail on both bikes is right around 3.8 inches.

So not a drastic(?) change in geometry, but there's a lot more that needs to be done.

I don't know about a 94 front end, but 02-06ish (I think) 600/750/1000/1300 front ends are more or less the same, and should be easy swaps.

My rim is from a busa, forks from a 600, tree and clamps I believe are also 600, brake calipers and rotors are from a 1000. Still using the gs master, but it's really not up to the task of twin discs.

Handling isn't crazy different, it is quicker though.

Ohh, gsxr front end with gsxr clipons sucks! I'm piecing together parts to install handlebars so I can ride more then 20 minutes without <everything> going numb.

Quote from: desync0 on June 14, 2014, 04:56:03 PM
I don't know about a 94 front end, but 02-06ish (I think) 600/750/1000/1300 front ends are more or less the same, and should be easy swaps.

My rim is from a busa, forks from a 600, tree and clamps I believe are also 600, brake calipers and rotors are from a 1000. Still using the gs master, but it's really not up to the task of twin discs.

Handling isn't crazy different, it is quicker though.

Ohh, gsxr front end with gsxr clipons sucks! I'm piecing together parts to install handlebars so I can ride more then 20 minutes without <nuts on bike.. and mine> going numb.

Lol! Ya, I can tolerate the hands and arms going numb, but the motogp tuck needed to reach the clips ons on a seat not designed for it, leaves other things numb that I really don't want going numb =P

Rake is in the frame - in the steering neck ... unless the front end is longer or shorter ...
The trail - well unless the axle is set in front of or behind the fork leg, it also is in the frame. Unless the length of course is different.
Busa has the axle in the center of the leg, just like the GS, so its not offset ...
All the rest of the parameters are all frame as well ... only the fork length is in the fork.

So - Slap a busa FE on a GS frame and set them to the same height with you on it, all the parameters will be just as before.

BTW Busa fender makes for a comically kitted out GS ... think 1923 cessna and look at the busa's front fender ...

Cool.
Buddha.

Buddha, you are forgetting about the triple tree offset (distance from the steering stem). That can effect trail as well.

The 600/1k fender looks decent....

http://desync0.com/stuff/gs500-feswap-nofairing.jpg

Looks a lot better with all the fairings but I can't find a current pic.

To the OP: check the steering stem bearings to see of they are the same (or at least on Allsballs website for a conversion kit). If the stem bearings are identical, then look at the steering stem length and make sure it's the same (or slightly longer). If the Busa stem won't work for whatever reason you might be able press the GS stem into the Busa triple tree......but make sure the GS stem will work with the Busa triple clamp. After all that, you'll probably have to modify the steering stop and ignition lock.

It's easy enough for a track bike. Have a machinist install the GS500 stem into the Busa triple clamps. You'll want a press-out stem from a so-equipped GS; welded is more of a pain to remove.

For a street bike, you'll need a replacement for the headlights, signals and insturment cluster. You'll want to use the busa clip-ons, and you'll want the busa master cylinder, brakes, etc. The GS500 controls can be fit to the Busa clip-ons, but little else will be compatible.

To be honest, I do not recommend performing a fork swap on a street bike. There's too mush stuff to deal with.

It's great for a track-bike, though.

For the lower we used the stock 600 bearing with the 500 bearing race removed, the top was scrounged up at a local bearing shop, I forget the dimensions.

I'm using all GS controls (gsxr master is smart though, GS master feels a bit squishy) on inverted gsxr clipons. I had to swap to an aftermarket cluster since gsxr's don't have cable driven speedos. Headlights and signals are all stock.

The OP will probably have the same cluster problem, but honestly it was an easy swap. The steering stops and ignition lock will NOT line up. Not even close. I'm not concerned about the ignition, I only have what I spent on the fe swap in the bike, bike itself was free, if it's stolen it's an excuse for a new bike lol

I think most people press the GS stem in to gsxr tripples, IIRC it needs a small shim.

Thanks for all the replies, so it seems like it is doable, but I am not sure if it's worth the work since it's going to be kept as a street bike.

I asked for some advice on a local forum and was told I could bend the forks back if they haven't been kinked. I am going to look into that first since that might be the cheapest option.

Also as an alternative, I could look for another GS500 front end, are all the models of GS500 the same?
I was offered a GS500 front end on the local forum, but the guy mentioned it fits only 99-09 (mine's a 92).

Quote from: Big Rich on June 14, 2014, 06:43:17 PM
Buddha, you are forgetting about the triple tree offset (distance from the steering stem). That can effect trail as well.

Correct ... sorry. The GS is a wee bit more than a busa, but in these things measurements are in the order of millimeters, so if its enough to eyeball, its enough to make a difference in the feel.
Cool.
Buddha.

I don't see why any year front end GS500 would not fit on any other year GS500... Front ends are essentially the same... slight change in the fork design and components, but measurements and geometry are the same...  Bout the only thing I could think of that really changed was how the forks were designed as far as getting them apart (older models easier than the newer disassemble), springs/spacers are a lil different (actually slightly better)... then more cosmetic type things were added like fork seal/damper shield thingy added later, and reflectors have their own mount on forks... none of these would stop anyone from swapping front ends between models years with any more work than same year model swap... certainly much easier than swapping forks from a completely different bike!

- Bboy

Thanks for the reply BBoy.

We are going to see if the front forks can be bent back first as the bike is at a friend's house and we haven't had a good look at it after the accident. If it's not fixable then we will swap it out with another front end.

If the fork tubes are bent, I'd send them to a frame specialist. There's a gentleman in California by the name Gerry Piazza who can fix em. It's not something I'd try to do myself.

GS forks bend easy. Kat 600 forks on a GS break the upper or lower triples easy. The frame usually isn't bent ...
Of course I have seen 1 of those too ...
Cool.
Buddha.