Fork Swap (ZX-14)

[Kawi Vandal]

For the ZX14 fork swap, just the fork legs is about 45-48oz off. The lower triple is a few ounces heavier than stock, the upper is a few ounces lighter. Spacers and such add a few ounces. Best guess is at least a 2lb weight loss due to this mod. Also, I used ZX10 calipers and found that I lost another 6 oz over the stock calipers and bolts. Last thing is this requires new brake lines. I haven't weighed them yet, but my guess is another 8oz off for the hoses and splitter.

For the record I didn't do this for the weight loss, I did it to improve the suspension. But I'm not going to complain about weight loss as a benefit.

[SilvrexSC]

Pics or it didn't happen.

[Kawi Vandal]

Definitely not done yet. Still working on fender brackets to put the GSXR fender on (the ZX14 fender makes me ) and hoping to have the ignition and headlight back on tomorrow. That bracket I do have. Then I still need to make the handle bar clamps, or get them made. Not for sure yet, I may change the design to have the whole lower out of 1 piece and keep the stock upper ZRX handlebar clamp. Hopefully I can get them made though by the time the lines arrive. Anyways, here's the proof.

[Mojo Risin']

I hope the zx10 calipers are 08 or newer

[Kawi Vandal]

I hope the zx10 calipers are 08 or newer

Yeah, that one is a long story. Bought a set off ebay that were for 07-08 ZX6, ZX14. Turns out they were 06-07 ZX10's. Sent them back and got a set of '10 ZX10 calipers. Ok, maybe it wasn't a long story. Anyways, best 13.00 I've spent was sending them back. As for the calipers, I understand in '11 that kawi changed it to having all 4 piston's the same size. Not sure if it has to do with the ABS, but figured I'd go with pre-ABS for my bike.

[Mojo Risin']

Got a black gen3 zx10 fender if you need it

[Kawi Vandal]

Got a black gen3 zx10 fender if you need it

It will probably be easier than the GSXR fender. I'll look at in on bike pics and let you know.

[skandix]

Looking good. Well worth the effort.

[Kawi Vandal]

I got the steering stop adjusted, mounted up the headlight and ignition, and checked my valve clearances today. Plotted some more on my handlebar mount. Still trying to figure out the cheapest-best way to do this. It starts at drilling holes in the top triple for the stock mounts (cheapest), manual machining some basic mounts (<80.00), getting stock clipons (<100.00), manual machining some nicer mounts (<200.00), sending our for some real nice CNC'ed mounts (I don't want to think about how much this would cost, but starting at 500.00 and going up).

Anyways, it was a productive day and here's hoping that I get the mounts figured out and manufactured in time to put on the brake lines, bleed 'em, and start riding again. That and I need to swap out my rear axle for the reduced weight one that I made .

Thanks for the help and the compliments.

[Downunder]

I got the steering stop adjusted, mounted up the headlight and ignition, and checked my valve clearances today. Plotted some more on my handlebar mount. Still trying to figure out the cheapest-best way to do this. It starts at drilling holes in the top triple for the stock mounts (cheapest), manual machining some basic mounts (<80.00), getting stock clipons (<100.00), manual machining some nicer mounts (<200.00), sending our for some real nice CNC'ed mounts (I don't want to think about how much this would cost, but starting at 500.00 and going up).

Anyways, it was a productive day and here's hoping that I get the mounts figured out and manufactured in time to put on the brake lines, bleed 'em, and start riding again. That and I need to swap out my rear axle for the reduced weight one that I made .

Thanks for the help and the compliments.

LSL do a whole ZX14 custom top triple with risers and a bar and brake lines for $550. Gets rave reviews on the zx14 sites. But drilling and putting a set of $50 risers on does sound a lot more economical.

[knedgr]

LSL do a whole ZX14 custom top triple with risers and a bar and brake lines for $550. Gets rave reviews on the zx14 sites.

I've got this set up on my 14 with ZRX handlebars. Love it.

[Kawi Vandal]

I thought about the LSL triple, but that is more than I paid for the rest of the swap. I'm thinking that I can get a blank handle bar clamp water jetted out and then do the finish machining myself for under 150.00. I'm going to try to find out tomorrow what it would cost. I'd have them water jet out the spacers underneath to get the clamps above the triple and use the clip on mount points, and then just bolt them up, sand/file it to blend the surfaces. Also, this makes it possible for me to use the spacers to set the bar height, and I can swap out a spacer if I want to make a new one that has a damper mount or a gauge mount or both. The damper would be installed how the ZX10 damper is. I would just need to weld a post to the top of the frame. Definitely not as hidden as I would like, but a lot lighter than other mount options.

[Kawi Vandal]

Ok, decided to design my own and get it water jetted and finish machined. We'll see how it turned out. Also found that only a 22" hose is needed for the crossover on the front brakes. Otherwise I found a full pdf manual over on ZXforums and got everything but the front wheel buttoned up tight Just waiting on the clamp.

[DaddyDave]

LSL do a whole ZX14 custom top triple with risers and a bar and brake lines for $550. Gets rave reviews on the zx14 sites. But drilling and putting a set of $50 risers on does sound a lot more economical.

I'd like to do the whole banana myself. Brakes & all...need a standard tube handlebar mount so people can do bars/bend of their own taste. I think a "complete" kit would sell like gangbusters man. Are the forks slightly shorter? Ground clearance is a concern to me so losing some height is a BIG deal for some riders (not for most) me thinks.

[Kawi Vandal]

They are a little shorter. I'm going to try with eccentrics flipped. If it is too twitchy I'll switch back to the stock eccentric position until I can mount a damper. My brother just got a CNC mill so I've been discussing the clamp idea with him and about producing a batch of 5 to adapt the ZX14 triple to use bars without having to make an entirely new triple. When I get mine finished I'll post some pictures.

[DaddyDave]

They are a little shorter. I'm going to try with eccentrics flipped. If it is too twitchy I'll switch back to the stock eccentric position until I can mount a damper. My brother just got a CNC mill so I've been discussing the clamp idea with him and about producing a batch of 5 to adapt the ZX14 triple to use bars without having to make an entirely new triple. When I get mine finished I'll post some pictures.

was gonna say, if the top triple is sturdy enough, 4 holes in the top & away you go!

(assuming your using handlebar type brackets/mounts.) You can then always change the type mount (Greg Couch's, etc.) for additional=adjustable heights.)

[Kawi Vandal]

That would be the lightest option. It looks like it might handle that, but by using the clipon mount holes and bridging the triple it makes the top triple that much stiffer. Also I'm using the left spacer as a mount for my speedo, and the right will be the mount point for a damper from a ZX10 if I decide to use a steering damper.

[Kawi Vandal]

So, got it back from the waterjet, machined it out, and got it bolted on. Now I'm thinking it is a little too tall, it is comfortable but not quite what I like, so I may remake it 0.5" shorter. Good news though it would then be out of 1" thick material. The spacers are out of 0.16" and 0.375", I did this to have a speedo bracket and leave room for a damper mount. It handled fine with the eccentrics flipped on a quick ride around tonight. Tomorrow will let me know if it is good with them up or if I need to flip them again and get a damper.

[Kawi Vandal]

It's been a while, but I can say with a 180 tire on the rear rim and eccentrics flipped it handled 120+ just fine. When I put the 190 tire on the 6" rear rim I flipped the eccentrics back and am amazed at how it handles. Bars are still a little high. I've got the blank for the lower bars, just need to make it. But it is nice with the higher mounts, makes for a reasonably comfortable commuter and still gives room to duck down under the wind. I would guess the bar mounts are about the same height as stock. Anyways, for the new mount I'm debating going to a 1 1/8" bars or just the 7/8".

But for the ride report, they handle just fine. .

[DaddyDave]

pics pics pics!