Huge thanks to Muddybuddy for his advice on this mod and to Robbus for bringing his mod to my attention
Another year, another suspension mod
Some of you may be aware of my previous efforts for improving the Fazer 600’s back-end suspension:
http://foc-u.co.uk/index.php/topic,8167.0.html Also re-working the front-end with Cartridge Emulators:
http://foc-u.co.uk/index.php/topic,8366.0.html I had considered replacing the whole unsatisfactory front-end in June 2013 when I downsized back to the 600 but as I wanted to retain the standard speedometer unit without any TPS error messages, I was forced to go the Emulator route on the standard forks. But thanks to Muddybuddy’s findings, I've finally succeeded with a front-end transplant.
Cynics will say it doesn't look much different than standard...and that was actually my intention: a stealth mod. I felt that gold bling USD forks would not suit the retro-looking boxeye model.
This mod was not cheap as I also had to use a differing 3.5’ front wheel (from R1/R6/XJR1300). Total cost would have been around £400 if I’d not already had the front wheel left over from my previous Fazer 1000 R6 front-end swap :
http://fazer1000.yuku.com/reply/23677/Re-R6-forks-nonUSD-for-Gen1 Having said that, the only other cartridge forks that fit (Thundercat) also require additional parts, so that front-end conversion isn't cheap either ... assuming you can now find a set of T'cat forks! By contrast, while sourcing parts for this swap on Ebay, there were around 18 pairs of 5EB / 5SL forks for sale in UK / Europe.
Differences to standard are: 43mm cartridge forks with separate compression and rebound adjusters. Heavier rate FZ-8 fork springs. Thicker / stronger / deeper yokes and a larger diameter front wheel spindle for increased rigidity. Wider 3.5inch front rim, which allows either a 120/70 or 120/60 tyre to fit without distorting its profile (standard 600 rim is three inches and effectively ‘pinches’ a 120/70 tyre out of shape). Different Yokes (I think boring the original 41mm yokes out 2mm would be dangerous) and Risers, although again they're not too obvious. Basically, everything North of the headstock has been replaced, except the brake lines & calipers (and even they're off an XJR1300).
Enormous gratitude to Saint Muddybuddy for his speed sensor breakthrough. Now we can pretty much fit any front-end to our auld Fazers
Still to test in anger, even this new front-end still won’t cope with snow
And yes, I know the mudguard is a different colour for the moment!