This thread is meant to be general info dump on doing a front end swap to modern upside down racing forks and/or wheels. Anyone who has additional info, post it in the replies. Please correct me if I'm wrong, I am not an engineer and got to swap my forks with help from someone who builds racing bikes. I did a lot of research for my particular swap, because I couldn't find anything on the forum for what I wanted to do.
Make sure you check if your rake, trail and other parts of the geometry are still within rideable limits!
Parts are expensive where I live so I wanted to be sure that I got what I needed before I ordered a bunch of parts that I couldn't use.
This is the general suspension and forks FAQ (does this belong there?) http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=370.0Last spring I swapped my '77 CB750 F1 front end out for a set of '05 ZX6R Ninja upside down forks. The reason I went for the Ninja forks was that I didn't want to mess with making the Ninja wheel fit another set of forks. I chose the Ninja wheel for the looks, so the forks were a natural choice.
This my build so far:
(
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=133411.0)
CompatibilityAlan has made the most comprehensible collection of swap info I have found in my search:
https://sites.google.com/site/alansdocuments/I found a thread that has compatibility info about swaps between different models of bikes, along with forks sizes for different models. This also lists
steering stem bearing sizeshttp://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=18092.0http://www.clubchopper.com/forums/metric-chopper-talk/77043-jap-bikes-fork-tube-sizes-neck-bearings-axle-diameters.htmlhttp://www.customfighters.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29199When swapping the forks, you might as well swap the bearings. This is a guide to installing these bearings:
http://www.stephenbottcher.net/Honda/tapered.htmThis thread goes into specs on the different years and frames:
http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=45379.0Spoke wheelsThe threads that got me started on my search were Industrial Cafe's 750 with GSXR forks (
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=63784.0) and Squirley's 550 build (
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=63784.0)
They both use spoke wheels with an adaptor hub on the front. For info on that swap, check the forums. Swapping it out like this means you need to figure out what hub fits the forks you'll use, along with rotors and callipers.
Not having to do this with matching wheels and forks was a reason I chose my set up, along with liking the look a lot more than spoke wheels.
Industrial Cafe goes into using the GSXR triple trees with a CB750 steering stem. Regardless of the type of swap you're doing, this needs to be done (alternative is a custom steering stem, but requires the same steps). I had a custom one made, since I had custom triples made. I'll take some decent close-up shots of that when I get it everything back when the fenders are done.
Squirley says he started with a front end to build the bike around. This requires tons of fab, like a hub he made, but makes it so you can make it to exact spec and looks.
Epskate uses the original triple from the sport bike and makes the rest fit:
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=102261.0Elan used a HD front hub and GSXR forks:
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=79833.msg1375926#msg1375926Modern front wheel and/or front fork infoThese threads go into either making modern cast wheel work with original forks, specifically the CBR F2 and F3 wheels, or other options for forks like the R6. This requires fabrication to make it all fit: spacers, calliper mounts, etc.
http://www.caferacer.net/forum/technical/5795-modern-sportbike-forks-wheels-cb750.htmlhttp://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=99470.0http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=22395.0http://www.cb750.com/threads/180-New-Guy-Suspension-Questionhttp://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=99068.msg1133048#msg1133048http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=113011.msg1364918#msg1364918http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=34920.0http://www.fireblades.org/forums/honda-fireblade/103010-17-front-wheel-conversion-cbr-900rr-1999-a.htmlRC51 SP1 swap:
http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/index.php/topic/56297-another-inverted-fork-conversion-6th-gen/This is the swap I've done, but with an '09 ER6N swing arm:
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=68041.0The ER6N has the same wheels a the ZX6R, just with a different rating (from what I could find).
More info on making a different steering stem work:
http://www.xs650.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10383AlanF. makes his CBR F2 (?) wheels fit his original swing arm and an updated front with a spacer.
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=46082.0More wheel options for a GSXR fork:
http://www.svrider.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-35903.htmlHere is a lot of model specific info for dimension, rotor sizes and other sport bike measurements.
http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/index.php/topic/10129-swiffers-new-front-end/jpfrk2001 has a diagram with all the specs on front forks from different makes and brands.
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132472Handlebar option instead of clip-ons and regular bars:
http://www.sportbikes.net/forums/performance-customizing/296339-my-vfr800-w-rc51-front-end-2.htmlRear wheel swapThis thread goes into swapping the rear wheel. This isn't easy because of the original swing arm dimensions varying between models. My F model had a longer and wider arm over a K, but narrower than a Bol d'Or.
There's info on using the original and swapping out the swing arm to mount a modern wheel.
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=82206.0This thread goes into using DOHC arms in SOHC frames. Some of the DOHC arms fit the modern wheels.
http://hondachopper.yuku.com/topic/35439/t/Swingarm-I-m-Skrewed.html#.VGogtZPF_mV This is one of the inspirations for my bike, most likely a Bol d'Or donor bike, since the wheel fits the original arm.
http://www.stinkyfab.com/blog/?p=310I used an '04 ZX6R rear swing arm with the '05 wheel. I needed some spacers for the axle and calliper mount, but the rest fits like a glove. There is no modification to the frame or swing arm to make it fit. I went for the '04 swing arm because it's a simple box construction, where the '05 is one of those high tech looking ones. I got a chance to measure the width of the pivot point at a local Kawa dealer.
I gained about 4"/10cm of extra length, which in turn sorted out my rake and trail.
I'm running a 160/60/17 Michelin PilotRoad 4 because I will ride this all year and need some serious rain grip. Wanted a dual sport tire, but they don't go over 150. The wheel I'm using would NOT fit the original swing arm, it would mean lengthening the swing arm and possibly widening it.
This thread has all the numbers on the
front and rear wheel bearing sizes for the Zx6r/ZX10R:
http://www.zx-10r.net/forum/showthread.php?t=54599My machineshop guy used the ZX6R axle and made it into a spacer/sleeve for the original axle. This means I don't have to make new spacers, use oddball bearings and keep my frame as is.
A list of
rear axle diameters:
http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=20952.0SprocketsChanging wheels means changing sprockets a lot of the time, along with a possible offset. The CB's used different types of sprockets and chains for different models as far as I could work out. My '78 CB750 F2 engine (most likely the F1 a well) uses a 630 chain, while my new '05 ZX6R wheel runs a 520 sprocket.
The wheel sprocket is brand new, so I will go off that to save some money. The chain is also lighter and quieter from what I've read. I will need to grind down the sprocket carrier to make up for some of the offset (0,43"/11mm). Make sure the chains clears your tire and swing arm before you start grinding!
The front sprocket needed to be replaced regardless, but it now also needs an offset. Honda used the same sprocket axle on a lot of different models with different offsets and chain sizes. Using a stock, and therefore cheaper, sprocket of a different model makes up for the rest of the offset and chain size.
Changing wheel sizes and sprockets will have an effect on how your bike performs compared to the original, effectively gearing the bike up or down. This causes power, top speed, acceleration and fuel efficiency to drop or peak.
www.gearingcommander.com is a site where you can select your original bike, insert the specs for the current set up and get an idea of the effects of changes to your bikes performance.
If I use my new rear sprocket and I go up 1 tooth on the front the performance will stay almost the same.
I will post a site that lists all the front sprocket axle diameters later on, as I can't find it right now.