Inverted fork conversion

[old3]

Bugger.

I just tore the front end off to mess around with it and scope things out. I will need to either adapt the 300's steel stem to the GSXR parts which will involve boring bigger holes in the triples, or I can have the GSXR aluminum stem lengthened about an inch.

Second issue, the body parts surrounding the forks will likely be too close to stay intact. Cutting or gutting the fairing will be necessary to my eye here. I'm not oppose to a naked or 1/4 faired design, but I don't think I want to chop it up. The GSXR/CBR triples are almost 2" wider.

Third, not as big a deal, the steering stop on the frame will need to be cut a lot to allow the new triples to have full steering range. It might even need to be reinforced as it will be so small and is pretty chinzy already.

The bearings on the GSXR triples are close but do not match the ones in the bike, so the hope of it just slipping on has been erased!

I threw it together again with the stock forks. I might be looking for a Ninjette stem/lower triple to use as a template if anyone has one laying around. They welded it to the triple?

[choneofakind]

Forgive my density, but is the stem not always physically stuck to the bottom triple? That's how it is on mtb's and this is the only motorcycle I've owned...

[old3]

On most it is a press fit. On the 300/250 it is pressed and the welded at the bottom edge. To remove it will require grinding off the weld and it should pop right out, might need a press to push it out.

I wasn't ready to destroy my lower triple just yet and be 100% committed to this if it means the fairings are going to have to go. I'll find another stem and convert the new fork's triples and go from there.

[choneofakind]

Interesting. I never would have thought of press fitting the stem to the triples. I'm betting that's how MTB forks are too. Thanks for that! Always learning.

[old3]

Slight progress!

I grabbed a used 2012 Ninja 250 lower triple and stem off ebay at a great price. When it arrives, I plan to eyeball the possibility of boring it out to fit the GSXR 41mm forks in the 37mm holes. I'm doubting that is an option and fully expect to be grinding the weld off the stem and pressing it out to fit it on the CBR or GSXR triples.

Hey, I said it was only slight progress!

[mania]

I am starting to think that Equinox USD forks with the type of bar you liked (Z style )
was a good deal at 300 bucks
Even if the internals needed upgrading which I am not sure they did.
But I know it would be a risk to try

[old3]

I'm tending to agree with you now! If I could go back it probably would have been money better spent. Live and learn I guess. If this is too much I may just revisit that option. For now I'm in this far, can't hurt to play with it a lil more.

If nothing else, the CBR legs have an incredible range of adjustment just by compressing them in my garage against the floor. Supple and soft to full comp that is hard for me to even move. Dramatic differences from each extreme. The GSXR forks are less range but still should be excellent to work with.

Who knows, maybe after I get the stem it will just fall together?

Seriously, if I can bolt in the triples, the rest is easy.

[BlownWideOpen]

Where does one aquire those Equinox forks? I tried searching the company on the sticker but no response as of yet.

[old3]

I'm working on getting a set myself. I'll post up when I hear back about shipping to the USA. I decided to bail on the conversion nightmare and if the guts on these suck, I'll have my suspension guy convert them to another batch of parts from a WP or Japanese fork next winter.

[choneofakind]

Dude. Why not just buy a middleweight bike and neuter the throttle map so it puts out 70 hp and has a nice fat torque curve? It would be cheaper, would blow away this 300, and get you the suspension and frame you actually want.

[old3]

Rotational mass.

Race a 125cc MX bike then race a 450.

It is all about the ride dynamics. These 250s and 300s handle well despite their crappy running gear because of their inherent strengths, a major one is low rotational mass in the engines.

[choneofakind]

...okkaaayy

But you're riding street at a non-race pace.

[old3]

Originally Posted by choneofakind

...okkaaayy

But you're riding street at a non-race pace.

And off road in gymkhana drills. Still, even on the street I'm turning it left/right/left. It is the same sensations as when you turn it anywhere else. Same feedback, feel, experience basically. I love riding my competition sumoto on the street too.

Difference is, I can push the tires to a safe and controlled point on the street, on a ZX10 I can't push anything safely on the street. Heavy and cumbersome to steer at street speeds.

[choneofakind]

Yeah I see how angular momentum plays a part here, but I feel like all your issues with things like frame and suspension would be gone if you took a 600 and neutered it. Idk. I guess I would have to weigh the parts in a brand new I4 600 engine and compare to the 250/300 to really know how much of a difference there is in rotating weight...

[rojoracing53]

Rotational weight of the bigger motor makes a huge difference.

[old3]

Originally Posted by choneofakind

Yeah I see how angular momentum plays a part here, but I feel like all your issues with things like frame and suspension would be gone if you took a 600 and neutered it. Idk. I guess I would have to weigh the parts in a brand new I4 600 engine and compare to the 250/300 to really know how much of a difference there is in rotating weight...

I can/have neutered all my bikes with my wrist. Not the same thing, believe me. I jump on my KTM 530/610cc EXC dressed as a supermoto and the Ninja feels like a clumsy fat pig with flat tires.

I'd solo ride a 125 if there were any available here in the states. I recently wrote both Aprilia and Derbi about importing a 125cc 4t SS bike, 15 HP I think? I don't care as long as it can be ridden and experienced. They have no plans to bring these lil beauties over though. Shame, probably around 20 HP with basic stuff to open them up.

[old3]

264 pounds ready to ride with a tank of gas! Over 100 lbs. lighter than a 300!!!

[mania]

Originally Posted by old3

264 pounds ready to ride with a tank of gas! Over 100 lbs. lighter than a 300!!!

I would so love to own that

Now why cant we have more sport bikes like this available?
Power to weight ( lightweight ) is where my grin is & this would be a big grin I'm sure

+ look at the build quality it oozes

[old3]

You've got a better chance that here in the USA. I'm a guy who still likes to scream around on a 50, and I had my worst racing injury on a KLX140 supermoto! I love the tiny bikes, but the level of sophistication on these must be so high. I'm sure it is a jewel of a bike.

The Derbi looks to be slightly nicer but I'd take either for back road scratching!

Neither company has any plans (or interest I guess), in bringing them here. Too bad.

[BlownWideOpen]

Well I've got a hold of the company, and they told me these would be 870 shipped to Canada, Shipping is 200 dollars more than the actual cost of the forks itself, ouch. I'll have to pass on these.

[old3]

I'm trying another place too. I was right around $900 which would be OK if I knew they were awesome, like if they were Ohlins or KYB or a major brand fork. Gambling that much to end up with a moped fork is my big fear.

I'll post up if I find a decent shipping price from another company.

How is it N. America/Europe doesn't have a single vendor for these parts, and everything else they sell over there for the lil bikes???

[BlownWideOpen]

From what I've heard, the tax on larger bikes is outrageous, so they are forced into buying these little bikes. So vendors capitalize on that and make lots of parts for the bikes. Shame is that they're made in the farthest countries.

[sharky nrk]

Originally Posted by old3

264 pounds ready to ride with a tank of gas! Over 100 lbs. lighter than a 300!!!

^^ you don't want this guy, you want the older 125, the new one is a four stroke 125, the old a two stroke

[rojoracing53]

Its simple people all I want is a 400cc V4 with 16k redline, alloy chassis and supersport grade components for 8k.

[choneofakind]

Lol, I'd probably pay like 10-12k for something like that. Basically just a ninjette-sized Aprillia RSV, right?!?!

[rojoracing53]

Originally Posted by choneofakind

Lol, I'd probably pay like 10-12k for something like that. Basically just a ninjette-sized Aprillia RSV, right?!?!

Basically yeah.

[choneofakind]

I don't think I've ever heard a V4 that small. I bet it's wonderful.

[old3]

I'll take the thumper. I've been thru the 2t thing, fun back then, now not so much. The 4t would be fine with me. The SM wheelies at will. I just want a planted, quality mini SS.

[mania]

Originally Posted by BlownWideOpen

From what I've heard, the tax on larger bikes is outrageous, so they are forced into buying these little bikes. So vendors capitalize on that and make lots of parts for the bikes. Shame is that they're made in the farthest countries.

That is true about the tax & big bikes. The RR types from 600cc & up are priced at about double US retail. Add to that the fact that most here make small incomes ( min wage is about $9 a day ) & there it is.

Also with millions of scooters here a CBR150/250 or the ninja250/300 does seem like a big bike to many. But still many do pay the high prices & buy Ducatis, R1's & a few others that are imported here. Given the roads etc I am perfectly happy with the 250/300 size here. Sometimes I want to tell the folks here dying for bigger/higher priced how good they have it & to not fall for marketing hype.

[mania]

Originally Posted by old3

You've got a better chance that here in the USA. I'm a guy who still likes to scream around on a 50, and I had my worst racing injury on a KLX140 supermoto! I love the tiny bikes, but the level of sophistication on these must be so high. I'm sure it is a jewel of a bike.

The Derbi looks to be slightly nicer but I'd take either for back road scratching!

Neither company has any plans (or interest I guess), in bringing them here. Too bad.

Maybe you will get a chance soon with the new YZF's?
Looks like Yamaha is really upping their game on the small bikes.
This 125 has USD, Radial mount front caliper, weight 309lbs full
Hope this carries over to their new 250 too.
Actually hope this thinking spreads to all of the big four & we see more good
small bikes.
http://blog.motorcycle.com/2014/02/1...ounced-europe/