01 vs. 04 forks

[keister]

hopefully quick question for the collective - will 04 front forks fit/work in an 01 triple tree? the parts appear the same in the online fiche just want to be a bit more sure before purchasing

don't really care about upgrading the forks - should be able to, if i want, with my old forks.

any info would be appreciated

keith - regular lurker...hehehe

[ZrexRich]

Yes

[ZREX MIKE]

You can use any year of forks on a ZRX. The triples are different from the 1100 to 1200, but as long as you have a complete set, they are interchangeable as well. I have '99 forks on my '05.

[keister]

thanks for the rapid replies and as said by others - this place rocks.

[KWICK]

- this place rocks.

No it doesn't...not here anyway...I've got RaceTech internals

[smokinjryan]

the triples are different from 1100 to 1200??? is this true?? I didn't think so. The only thing I thought was different was the fork leg circumference for the fork brace.

[KWICK]

the triples are different from 1100 to 1200??? is this true?? I didn't think so. The only thing I thought was different was the fork leg circumference for the fork brace.

The triple "sets" will interchange, but the geometry is different between the 11 & 12. The forks will fit. An upper from an 1100 will not mate with a lower from a 1200 and verse-visa

[DaddyDave]

what geometry exactly was changed? As I had a 1100 that was "Aftershocked" out, I now have to figure these 02' 1200 forks out.

[KWICK]

what geometry exactly was changed? As I had a 1100 that was "Aftershocked" out, I now have to figure these 02' 1200 forks out.

The steering angle is steeper/quicker on the 1100

[keister]

No it doesn't...not here anyway...I've got RaceTech internals

ok,so you're rock......solid.... perhaps one day when i grow i too can be

[chuckc]

The steering angle is steeper/quicker on the 1100

Where did you get that info?

[chuckc]

As far as I know, there are three kinds of forks on the ZRXes:

All 1100's
2001 & 2002 1200's
2003 and later 1200's


They are all the same size on the outside, so they can be interchanged.

Early 1200's may be the same inside as the 1100's, but the early 1200's have fork protectors, making the outside different, but still interchangeable. But fork braces won't interchange 1100/1200.

[KWICK]

Where did you get that info?

If you have two sets of triples and a couple of fork legs, you can see the difference when you try to mix the triple sets and slip it all together.

...or I make it up, Ewe choose....

[chuckc]

Is the rake angle IN THE TRIPLES different? Or is the difference in the head?

[ZREX MIKE]

Is the rake angle IN THE TRIPLES different? Or is the difference in the head?

Only the offset is different in the triples.

[chuckc]

Only the offset is different in the triples.

Offset? As opposed to rake angle?

[ZREX MIKE]

Offset? As opposed to rake angle?

The rake angle is set by the frame on the ZRX. The triples don't add or subtract from the rake in the steering head. The offset (the perpendicular distance from the steering pivot to the axle) changes the trail.

[KWICK]

There "may" be a difference in the head angle of the frame...the rear ride height is different, which will change that also.

But

When you take an 1100 bottom triple and a 1200 top triple, you cannot insert a pair of fork legs and get the stem to go thru the hole. They are just plain different angles/offsets/rakes/whatever.

[chuckc]

The rake angle is set by the frame on the ZRX.

Not on the ZRX, but it is possible to change rake angle (on some motorcycles) with the triple tree. I was just asking for clarification. Thanks.

[ZREX MIKE]

Not on the ZRX, but it is possible to change rake angle (on some motorcycles) with the triple tree. I was just asking for clarification. Thanks.

And don't forget the aftermarket guys with their adjustable triples. That gives us the ability to screw things up on a whole new level.

[chuckc]

adjustable triples

Now there's an idea. Imagine setting the forks for a long ride to the hill country, then dialing out some rake once you arrive.

[DaddyDave]

Not on the ZRX, but it is possible to change rake angle (on some motorcycles) with the triple tree. I was just asking for clarification. Thanks.

That's why I asked, what exactly changed= rake, trail, offset? I just know this puppy seems much more stable stock than the old 1100 did stock. (Fixed w/later mods of course.)

It's so stable now I doubt I will need a steering damper for some time. Or, maybe I'm just not riding hard enough yet? Hmmm...

[smokinjryan]

The steering angle is steeper/quicker on the 1100

that's why the 1100 handle better!!

[KWICK]

that's why the 1100 handle better!!

Yup, and that is why I still own my 1100.

[exesspeed]

Offset? As opposed to rake angle?

What he said


That’s the one, as far as i know it’s the offset, that’s why you can’t use an 1100 lower with a 1200 upper,

I really can’t see the Head angle being determined by the yolks that would be a Frame measurement (head angle)

Ive had adjustable triple trees, and you still couldn’t alter the head angle just the offset, if you adjusted the top of my adjustable with a 5 mm shim you had to use a 5mm shim in the lower.

May be some one makes some that will alter the head angle, but I don’t know of any, any who im pretty damn sure it’s the off set that’s the diff between 11 and 12 zrx Tripples.


exess

[Dave Ditner]

There might be 4. 1) All 1100s. 2) 2001 and 02 1200s 3J) 2003 the difference being no adjustment "clicks" on either end, just the 90 degree rotation if you count it out, but you can put race tech kits in them and 4) 2004 and 05. with different internals.

As far as I know, there are three kinds of forks on the ZRXes:

All 1100's
2001 & 2002 1200's
2003 and later 1200's


They are all the same size on the outside, so they can be interchanged.

Early 1200's may be the same inside as the 1100's, but the early 1200's have fork protectors, making the outside different, but still interchangeable. But fork braces won't interchange 1100/1200.

[sillyhillbilly]

the triples are different from 1100 to 1200??? is this true?? I didn't think so. The only thing I thought was different was the fork leg circumference for the fork brace.

then your thinking wrong
the included offset angle thats bored into the tripple trees is different fromm 1100 to 1200, so if you have an 11oo bottom and a 1200 top you CANT get the forks to go into both tripples, unless you break alot of sumthing

[sillyhillbilly]

Where did you get that info?

right out of the oem manuals, its in the specs in the front of the books

[sillyhillbilly]

Not on the ZRX, but it is possible to change rake angle (on some motorcycles) with the triple tree. I was just asking for clarification. Thanks.

per 1100 Oem manual in the general specs
Caster ( rake angle) 25 deg's
trail 104 mm 4.09 inches see too much trail below

per 1200 oem pg 1-9

caster ( rake angle ) 25 degrees
trail 106 mm 4.17 inches, see too much trail below

Your front suspension geometry is defined by the following six variables which are defined as:

OFFSET: Centerline of the top steering neck to the centerline of the top of the fork tubes.

RAKE: The angle in degrees of the steering neck from the vertical cord.

FORK LENGTH: The distance between the top of the fork tubes to the centerline of the axle.

DIAMETER: The diameter of the front tire.

TRAIL: The distance defined by the vertical line from axle to ground and the intersection of centerline of the steering neck and ground.

RAKED TRIPLE TREES: In order to bring trail figures back into line, triple trees with raked steering stems can be used. Usually adjustable in 3, 5, 7 degrees of rake.


HOW TO MEASURE CORRECT TRAIL

Raise the bike to an upright position, using a tape measure, hold the tape straight down from the front axle to the floor. Put a mark on the floor at that point. Then place the tape parallel to the steering neck, following the angle of the steering neck all the way up to the floor. Put a mark here also. Now measure the distance between the two marks and you have your trail measurement. It should read between 2 and 4 inches. Note: If your bike is equipped with a rear suspension, have someone sit on the seat when you make the measurements to simulate your actual riding condition.

TOO LITTLE OR NEGATIVE TRAIL

With too little or negative trail (steering axle mark behind the front axle mark), the bike will handle with unbelievable ease at low speeds, but will be completely out of balance at high speed. It will easily develop a fatal high-speed wobble. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS!

NORMAL TRAIL

Normal trail is somewhere between 2 and 4 inches. The bike will handle easily at both high and low speeds. Flowing smoothly through curves without swaying or wobbling. If you use a very fat rear tire, you should keep the trail as close to 4 inches as possible.

TOO MUCH TRAIL

If the trail is more than 4 inches the bike will handle sluggishly at high speeds. It will seem almost too steady. You will have trouble balancing the bike at lower speeds or on winding roads. It will feel generally sluggish and clumsy.


now is it clear as mud???????