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If you're like me and are considering doing the R6 fork mod, here are some pictures of the right FZ6 (2007) fork leg beside the left R6 (2003) to compare for what lies ahead.
You can read about my R6 fork install here... https://www.600riders.com/threads/r6-fork-install-another-one.29543/
The R6 fork is on the left easily recognized by the anodized blue preload adjuster on the top of the fork tube while the FZ6 fork is on the right. The black section of the forks is typically called the fork leg. The shiny upper part is typically called the fork tube. Two obvious differences evident in this picture are the R6 fork leg is shorter, and the overall length of the FZ6 fork leg is longer.
The FZ6 fork leg is longer by about a 1/2". I'm not sure how much this is going to affect the bike's geometry, but technically, this will probably decrease the rake angle and therefore the amount of trail marginally which will lead to a more nimble turning bike. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I would assume as the trail decreases, the less stable the bike will become.
If you didn't need a front fender then the critical mounting points relative to the center of the wheel axle are the brake caliper mounts. These are the two larger mounts with holes closer to the bottom of the same side of the fork leg. Both the FZ6 and R6 legs in this regard have the same dimensions.
Who rides without a front fender? The remaining two mounts with smaller holes on the FZ6 fork leg, one on either side of the leg are the mounting points for the stock 2007+ fender. Looking at the picture, we see the mounts are not in the same location relative to the center of the wheel axle or the upper caliper mounting hole. Some additional hardware is required to extend the mounting points for the fender on the R6 fork leg. A member on this forum provides this hardware, dako81, or if you know the dimensions, you can fabricate something up yourself.
As a reference, I took two pictures of the fender on the stock FZ6 forks relative to the front wheel.
I would hopefully expect that after the installation of the fender on the R6 fork legs, this distance won't change, but because the taper of the R6 fork leg near the top of the leg is almost 3/4" lower than the FZ6 taper, this could present a problem. It would be interesting to see if anyone who has done this mod noticed that their front fender is closer to the wheel.
Finally, there is the front axle. The silver color one is the FZ6 axle and the black is the R6 axle. The R6 axle is almost 1" shorter than the FZ6 axle. The inner face of the R6 axle hole of the leg on the left appears to be closer inward than the FZ6, which might make up for the shortness of the axle.
This may be an optical illusion as the new spacer is 0.836" in width compared to the 0.707" FZ6 spacer. Wondering now how this R6 axle is supposed to work.
Anyway, I'm organizing to do this mod and preparation is everything for a job to go smoothly. Next step, get off my seat and get a move on it.
You can read about my R6 fork install here... https://www.600riders.com/threads/r6-fork-install-another-one.29543/
The R6 fork is on the left easily recognized by the anodized blue preload adjuster on the top of the fork tube while the FZ6 fork is on the right. The black section of the forks is typically called the fork leg. The shiny upper part is typically called the fork tube. Two obvious differences evident in this picture are the R6 fork leg is shorter, and the overall length of the FZ6 fork leg is longer.
The FZ6 fork leg is longer by about a 1/2". I'm not sure how much this is going to affect the bike's geometry, but technically, this will probably decrease the rake angle and therefore the amount of trail marginally which will lead to a more nimble turning bike. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I would assume as the trail decreases, the less stable the bike will become.
If you didn't need a front fender then the critical mounting points relative to the center of the wheel axle are the brake caliper mounts. These are the two larger mounts with holes closer to the bottom of the same side of the fork leg. Both the FZ6 and R6 legs in this regard have the same dimensions.
Who rides without a front fender? The remaining two mounts with smaller holes on the FZ6 fork leg, one on either side of the leg are the mounting points for the stock 2007+ fender. Looking at the picture, we see the mounts are not in the same location relative to the center of the wheel axle or the upper caliper mounting hole. Some additional hardware is required to extend the mounting points for the fender on the R6 fork leg. A member on this forum provides this hardware, dako81, or if you know the dimensions, you can fabricate something up yourself.
As a reference, I took two pictures of the fender on the stock FZ6 forks relative to the front wheel.
I would hopefully expect that after the installation of the fender on the R6 fork legs, this distance won't change, but because the taper of the R6 fork leg near the top of the leg is almost 3/4" lower than the FZ6 taper, this could present a problem. It would be interesting to see if anyone who has done this mod noticed that their front fender is closer to the wheel.
Finally, there is the front axle. The silver color one is the FZ6 axle and the black is the R6 axle. The R6 axle is almost 1" shorter than the FZ6 axle. The inner face of the R6 axle hole of the leg on the left appears to be closer inward than the FZ6, which might make up for the shortness of the axle.
This may be an optical illusion as the new spacer is 0.836" in width compared to the 0.707" FZ6 spacer. Wondering now how this R6 axle is supposed to work.
Anyway, I'm organizing to do this mod and preparation is everything for a job to go smoothly. Next step, get off my seat and get a move on it.
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