Bolt-On R6 Fork Upgrade

[skooter65]

It's just me, putting out feelers again (I seem to do this often...my bad)

There's going to be a handful of leftover parts after my upgrade to ZX6 forks this winter. The stock forks are already sold, and the triple tree's and front calipers are listed for sale in the classified section. I suspect that the calipers and triples will fetch very little interest as the calipers do not directly bolt to the older models which would like upgrading.

So, my real question is, How much interest would there be in a direct bolt-on R6 adjustable fork conversion. I am thinking that i would buy a set of R6 forks, have all the necessary spacers and fender mounts fabricated, and sell them along with the calipers as a kit.

So...would anyone be interested in something like this or, am I wasting my time???


Thank you all!

-Scott-

 

[yoshiki]

i would be very much interested if its the inverted forks with radial calipers. do drop me a pm if that's the case.

 

[LERecords]

it all comes down to cost.. and the price has to be realistic.. consider that the spacers and brake spacers (not the fender tabs) were something like $65 a kit back in the day, people might not be that interested if they are going to run at say $150-200.. i got an email the other day from someone wanting the specs and when they gave them to a machinest, the guy told him it would be $200 for the set.. just keep it in mind :thumbup:

 

[skooter65]

i would be very much interested if its the inverted forks with radial calipers. do drop me a pm if that's the case.

Yoshiki, For now it would be the standard 2003-2004 R6 forks to go with the stock 2007 FZ6 brake calipers & triple tree. I would mainly be doing this for a project for myself and to help someone out that may not have the resources to do all of the custom parts themselves.

However, with the ZX6R USD fork conversion that I am currently doing, I am having two of each part made. When I am finished with all of the work for my own; I was going to offer a kit for someone else if you are interested.

it all comes down to cost.. and the price has to be realistic.. consider that the spacers and brake spacers (not the fender tabs) were something like $65 a kit back in the day, people might not be that interested if they are going to run at say $150-200.. i got an email the other day from someone wanting the specs and when they gave them to a machinest, the guy told him it would be $200 for the set.. just keep it in mind :thumbup:

LERecords, I think yo are absolutely right with the cost. Fabrication costs for custom, one-off parts has risen significantly in the past few years. If I go through with this, I will likely try to pass the costs through directly, with a small up-charge for my labor and shipping.

 

[Gcontroller]

It's just me, putting out feelers again (I seem to do this often...my bad)

There's going to be a handful of leftover parts after my upgrade to ZX6 forks this winter. The stock forks are already sold, and the triple tree's and front calipers are listed for sale in the classified section. I suspect that the calipers and triples will fetch very little interest as the calipers do not directly bolt to the older models which would like upgrading.

So, my real question is, How much interest would there be in a direct bolt-on R6 adjustable fork conversion. I am thinking that i would buy a set of R6 forks, have all the necessary spacers and fender mounts fabricated, and sell them along with the calipers as a kit.

So...would anyone be interested in something like this or, am I wasting my time???


Thank you all!

-Scott-

I'd be quite interested If it was a pretty much bolt on conversion. I haven't done my homework to see if the existing FZ6 triple clamp assembly would work with this conversion or if a R6 triple is required. Looks the stocker will work.

If you were to do this when do you think the kit would be done and what is a rough ballpark figure for the kit?

 

[oso2k]

R6 inverted forks are of a smaller diameter (41mm vs. FZ6's 43mm).

 

[LERecords]

i keep seeing something about the triple tree.. are you talking the usd r6 forks or the 03-04 type that already fit our triple???

 

[skooter65]

I'd be quite interested If it was a pretty much bolt on conversion. I haven't done my homework to see if the existing FZ6 triple clamp assembly would work with this conversion or if a R6 triple is required. Looks the stocker will work.

If you were to do this when do you think the kit would be done and what is a rough ballpark figure for the kit?

Gcontroller; It would be difficult to ballpark a cost at this point. As LERecords had stated, the cost of the few custom made bits has increased since the last recorded prices. The cost of the 03' - 04' R6 forks varies depending on the condition. If I were to throw a number out there; I would suspect in the range of $500 to $650.

Things to note however; 1) This is much cheaper than a full spring upgrade with emulators with gaining similar suspension characteristics, 2) With all of the leg work complete, the install will be much simpler than the upgraded springs with emulators, & 3) You can sell the stock parts for near what the upgrade will cost (In fact, if this worked out well, I would consider a "core" discount, meaning you trade some of the stock parts so I may make another set)

R6 inverted forks are of a smaller diameter (41mm vs. FZ6's 43mm).

oso2K; I have been working under the impression that the 03'-04' fork upper diameter was identical to ours and that the USD style was much larger (In the Ø50mm Range).

i keep seeing something about the triple tree.. are you talking the usd r6 forks or the 03-04 type that already fit our triple???

LERecords; For the purpose of this thread, I meant the 03' - 04' R6 Forks (As I had replied to Yoshiki).

 

[skooter65]

...If I were to throw a number out there; I would suspect in the range of $500 to $650.

To clarify the above: This would include the 4-piston Caliper from a 2007+ FZ6. If you already had a 2007+ bike it would likely be closer to $400 - $500.

 

[LERecords]

yea.. good forks alone will run you anywhere from 200-400 depending on condition.. if you can get a machinest to make you a set of spacers for less than $100 good luck.. they are out there, but the 10 or so that i tried a few years back were more in the $150 range.. metal prices have gone up, i dunno the specific prices on 304 stainless, but i cant believe that it would be that much higher.. you'll just need to find a machine shop willing to do it.. im sure there are some out there looking for work.. oh and has anyone ever looked into making sleeves for the r6 inverted, or will that not really work???

 

[yoshiki]

Yoshiki, For now it would be the standard 2003-2004 R6 forks to go with the stock 2007 FZ6 brake calipers & triple tree. I would mainly be doing this for a project for myself and to help someone out that may not have the resources to do all of the custom parts themselves.

However, with the ZX6R USD fork conversion that I am currently doing, I am having two of each part made. When I am finished with all of the work for my own; I was going to offer a kit for someone else if you are interested.




LERecords, I think yo are absolutely right with the cost. Fabrication costs for custom, one-off parts has risen significantly in the past few years. If I go through with this, I will likely try to pass the costs through directly, with a small up-charge for my labor and shipping.

excellent stuff, you can keep me updated on the zx6 modification when you are done..

 

[skooter65]

*Update*
I have done some more price searching and quoting and have come up with the following rough estimates:

Bolt-On 03'-04' R6 Fork Swap for 2004-2006 FZ6:
-Includes: Forks, Front Calipers, axle, wheel spacers, fender mount brackets, and fasteners, test-fit and ready to install.

Price: $675.00 USD

*Note: Standard kit would require use of you stock triple tree & fender.


Bolt-On 03'-04' R6 Fork Swap for 2007+ FZ6:
-Includes: Forks, axle, wheel spacers, fender mount brackets, and fasteners, test-fit and ready to install.

Price: $555.00 USD
Price w/ Color-Matched Front Fender, cut-to-fit: $655.00 USD

*Note: Standard kit would require use of you stock triple tree, calipers, & fender (fender will require modification to fit R6 fork)


The pricing is based on the maximum average cost of a used set of R6 forks. If the cost of the forks at time of purchase is less, it will be deducted from the sell price.

Thoughts? Interest? Comments?

Anything


-Scott-

 

[LERecords]

new brake lines or brake pads included???

 

[skooter65]

new brake lines or brake pads included???

I had not intended on including "new" or aftermarket lines or pads. However, the lines and pads on the calipers that I have now are near new. I would assure that you would receive a quality, working order part (no completely worn pads with torn brake lines).

 

[skooter65]

To add a little more to the previous post: If this were to happen, I would be sure to keep the buyer updated on all of the parts to be used, including: condition of parts used detailed photos, cost reductions (if any), recommended upgrades, buyer requested upgrades, photos of test-fit on my bike, install instructions, etc...