89 GSXR front end with 18" wheel?

[slayer61]

So, my next project will involve grafting a complete front end from a 1989 GSXR front end onto my GS1100es... but, as I have Astralites, I want to keep the 18" front wheel. Has anybody done this swap using an 18" wheel? Does the fender clear the wheel/tire combo?

 

[Guest]

Have not done it with an 89 front end but did do it with a 86 front end , and it was a direct fit bolt on with the 18" gixxer front wheel

 

[posplayr]

Nice parts on that ESD. So your looking to put the 89 1100 RSU forks and keep your existing wheels,calipers and rotors?

Are you running 15mm axles? You might be able to bump up to a bigger diameter axle with a bearing swamp. I know the 88 GSXR 1100 was 17mm, not sure about the 89. You have an option with 750/1100 triple clamps, but I would probably stick with the 1100 forks.

I have also done the 88 GSXR 1100 front on an ED. First time I did braze-on's to use the stock ED/ESD fender. The last time I used a 1st gen GSXR fender.

 

[slayer61]

Bingo! I want my wheels and brakes on 89 GSXR forks as they are the longest and RWU. Now that I think about it... all I need to do if it doesn't clear is shim up the brace and fender with the appropriate spacers and I'm golden! Thanks for the input guys!

 

[jwhelan65]

Subscribed....

 

[slayer61]

Step 1 complete

Step 1 complete

Well, let the games begin. I have purchased my major components from eBay. Next task will be to get them rebuilt and re-sprung for my fat ass. more updates to follow, I'm sure! Paul

 

[slayer61]

Step Two

Step Two

Forks have been placed in the capable hands of Race Tech for a complete overhaul and a revalve/respring.

 

[steve murdoch]

You win the lottery?
Just jealous...RaceTech is great.

 

[slayer61]

You win the lottery?
Just jealous...RaceTech is great.

No lottery Steve. We have a bonus program at work that pays out quarterly for having a reliable machine. If we are making electricity we get our bonus. It's like free money! Paul

 

[John Kat]

The GSXR 1100 RSU forks are a little short in my opinion
Having 18" wheels will help for sure.
To regain the lost clearance, I used Bandit 1200 fork legs in GSXR triples.
I also modified a GSXR 1100 fork to take a 15 mm spindle to accomodate GSXR 1100 G wheels or even GS 1000 spoked wheels
Here are some pics:
GS 1000 S with GSXR K forks

Katana 1100 with GSXR triples and Bandit legs

The trick to get a 15 mm spindle in a GSXR or Bandit fork

With a 19 inch wheel in place

 

[slayer61]

John,
Thanks for all your tips and info, but I have the 1989 version of the forks so they are as long as they get. They are about 29.5" from the axle to the top of the forks. My original set are set at 30" from axle to top of triple clamp. I think all will be good. Paul

 

[John Kat]

I had measured the fork legs as follows:
GS 1000: 775 mm
GSXR 1100 RSU: 745 mm
Bandit 1200: 775 mm
That's with the fork legs fully extended of course
The good news with shorter forks is that for every inch lower, you loose 1? of rake making the bike nimbler.
The bad news is obvious: the bike could touch down in the twisties

 

[slayer61]

Parts hunt continues

Parts hunt continues

There are some very tidy fork braces available on the bay... but they are all Bandit stuff.

example.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BANDIT-SUZU...10?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item48546bc546

So, my question is... are they interchangeable with the GSXR units? Or is a Bandit a Bandit, and a GSXR a GSXR with respect to fork braces? Thanks, Paul

 

[posplayr]

There are some very tidy fork braces available on the bay... but they are all Bandit stuff.

example.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BANDIT-SUZU...10?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item48546bc546

So, my question is... are they interchangeable with the GSXR units? Or is a Bandit a Bandit, and a GSXR a GSXR with respect to fork braces? Thanks, Paul

It is also only 3mm thick

 

[John Kat]

There are some very tidy fork braces available on the bay... but they are all Bandit stuff.

example.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BANDIT-SUZU...10?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item48546bc546

So, my question is... are they interchangeable with the GSXR units? Or is a Bandit a Bandit, and a GSXR a GSXR with respect to fork braces? Thanks, Paul

This is part is in fact the bracket that holds the front mudguard.
The dimension is the same between the Bandit phase 1 and GSXR 1100 K.
I can't garantee for the other model years.

 

[slayer61]

Thanks for that John. Good to know and much appreciated. Paul

 

[slayer61]

Update!

Update!

Forks are back from RaceTech and I have purchased a second lower triple to be machined and added to the original unit to make the forks ultra stiff! Pictures to follow once some real progress is made.

 

[posplayr]

Forks are back from RaceTech and I have purchased a second lower triple to be machined and added to the original unit to make the forks ultra stiff! Pictures to follow once some real progress is made.

See picture of an aftermarket 1st gen GSXR fork brace . It is 0.50" thick vs. the stock 3mm (0.12").

 

[slayer61]

See picture of an aftermarket 1st gen GSXR fork brace . It is 0.50" thick vs. the stock 3mm (0.12").

Well that is very interesting... where does this aftermarket fork brace come from?

God my English teacher would be appalled!

From where does this aftermarket brace come?
Paul

 

[posplayr]

Well that is very interesting... where does this aftermarket fork brace come from?

God my English teacher would be appalled!

From where does this aftermarket brace come?
Paul

Not quite unobtainium, as this is my second one but not sure where you could get one . Just throwing that out there that the aftermarket braces were made quite a bit beefier than the OEM fender mount. You could use the idea to get a new one made up. It is basically flat stock with the stock fender brace outline and holes countersunk for the fork mounts.