What year forks (USD and non-USD) will directly bolt up to my 86? If it helps, I currently have '88 wheels and plan to keep them and the rotors that are installed. I'm not adverse to changing wheel bearings and spacers. Thanks!

true bolt-on are from the oil-coolers:

88-92 750
89-92 1100

some slight modifications are from the water-coolers:

92-93 600
93-95 750
94-98 1100

the 750's have the bars under the top triple clamp, whereas the 1100's have the bars above the top triple. 750's are the more desirable and appropriate fit for the first genertion bikes. but, i have seen first gen's with 1100 front-ends.

i will have some front-end parts for sale in about a month or so, if you are not in any hurry. PM me if interested.

Marko and I were talking about this tonight. If you decide to go with USD's the top clamp will need some modification. I've done a few of them now and have it down pat. If you go this route and need one done let me know.

can this conversion also be done woth the 01 gixxer forks ?
also keeping the 18 inchers?

Thanks guys! I think the USD forks I've got in the attic are 92 750s. I got them many years ago. I polished one of the tubes, the other is still the machined/anodized finish. I don't really feel like tearing the other tube down and polishing it (I'd really prefer anodized). I've also got a one off fork brace on my 86 forks. If I were to install the 92 forks, I wouldn't be able to use that cool piece. The USDs would perform better, especially if they were reworked by traxxion or lindeman. Decisions, decisions.

AV8R, Thanks. I'll let you know what my plans are for the forks. I don't know if I'm going to install them, but if I do, I'm sure I'll need some work done to the ignition bracket.

Tdi,

Send me some photos of your tubes, I may be willing to polish the other one for you so you can use them on your bike. I'm not big on taking money (though I don't necessarily have an aversion to it either), and would rather do trades in work or parts. If you are interested shoot me a PM and we'll work something out.

As far as using your 18 inchers on any of the later front ends, it is really more trouble than it is worth. It's best to stay completely stock, or just plain modify the shit out of it. Half assing it won't get you anywhere. Since you already have the tubes and clamps, most of the cost associated with the conversion is done and if you resell the tubes as they are you'll get less for them becuase of the half polish, half anodize thing. I'd run them myself if I were you along with 17 inch wheels. It's real good improvement in ride and handling.

Moprblms,

As far as I know, the newer 1K tubes will work, but you'll need to have the triple modified (your stem pressed into the later model clamps), and your stops on the frame will need to be changed. As far as using the 18 inchers on there, the axle diameter of the newer tubes is bigger so something would have to be done about that, and then the brake mounts would have to be changed also. Again, I would just use the front end complete with the 17 inch wheels if I were going that route.

thanks av8r you have always been a big help
I e mailed the people you told me about the pastics for my bike got in contact with the guy I think from sweden must have pissed him off when I asked to send me pick to the parts he was going to sell me go figure :scratch

Yeah, I asked for a photo too and never got a response. Not sure about that, but others have done business with him now and haven't had any problems. I think Hypersport just got a tank form him.

Yeah, I asked for a photo too and never got a response. Not sure about that, but others have done business with him now and haven't had any problems. I think Hypersport just got a tank form him.
well I really needed one part that he said he had Im thinking about emailing him with a different address or maybe thats just tempting fate the things you do for your gixxer lol:D

..the things you do for your gixxer lol:D

Yeah, tell me about it. :scared

Yes, I received the tank from Benny and had no problems, tank looked great! Only pic was from the ebay listing.

hey hyper how did you pay was it an ebay (pay-pal)auction or you just emailed him

It doesn't sound like the 1100 forks are being discussed but if you do go that route remember as was mentioned they are top mount and I think clearance by your mirrors/fairing on a first gen will be an issue.

A nice upgrade. Keep the old you can always go back.

Good luck:cheers

The forks are fine, it's the upper triple clamp that's an issue with the 1100. If you just use the 750 upper clamp, you won't have a problem, but the 750 forks themselves were actually better than the 1100 from what I hear.

Just in case the forks in my attic are from a water cooled bike (circa 93-95), What minor modifications would I have to perform? Thanks again.

That is exactly what I am running on mine. You have to modify the upper triple, and use a lower from a 91. The modification to the 93-95 lower is more trouble than it is worth, but you could cut the steering stops off and weld one to the center to make it work.

I am running the forks and lower triple from a 95, with a lower from a 91. To that I have the front wheel and rotors from a 91 bolted up. I haven't ridden any other combos, but from where I'm sitting, it's a damn fine ride. There is one little thing though - my forks are supposed to have Ohlins internals, but since I didn't take them apart I can't verify if it is just the springs or if it has valving as well. It was a damn good deal so I honestly didn't even care if it was stock.

If it were me, I'd look for a 91 lower clamp and use the USD's. Nothing beats a pair of sexy legs - well at least on a bike anyway. :D

The forks are fine, it's the upper triple clamp that's an issue with the 1100. If you just use the 750 upper clamp, you won't have a problem, but the 750 forks themselves were actually better than the 1100 from what I hear.

Just a FYI......The forks from the 11 are bigger. Off the top of my head, 11 upper is 52mm and the lower is 56mm, the 7 upper is 50mm and the lower is 54mm. No swaping yokes between 7 and 11.

Cheers

Yes, you are correct, the 1100 forks are bigger, and heavier too. That was why I said the 750 forks are better. You can use the 1100 forks though and the handlebar problem would be fixed with the use of the 750 clamp but as you noted since the tubes are of a larger diameter, the clamps would need modification. Basically, you would bore the top and bottom clamps out 2mm larger. I have not heard of anyone doing this because again, it wouldn't make sense since the 750 forks are better. This is commonly done on the CB900/1100F's though to fit CBR900RR forks that are 41mm in the stock 39mm clamps.

i can vouch for av8er's expertise with modifying the top triple clamps to fit the first generation ignition switch; excellent! :punk he has modified most of my top triples.

fightin-ry; you are correct that the 1100's fork tube diameter are bigger than the 750's. fwiw; the 95-98 1100's also have bigger tube diameter than the pre-95 1100's.