Hi, I'm restoring a 996 that has been sat in a garden for 15 years. The forks are corroded but I can't find any decent used ones out there. I'm looking at 749 or 999 forks. The dimensions are good . 720 length, 53 x 53 yokes. Only difference seems to be the caliper mounts. Will it work if I just swap those out? I won't actually do that myself, but find a suitable service centre that can. Does this idea work?? Appreciate any advice. Tks
Ah OK, So the Caliper bolt holes are in the same position, it's the mudguard mounts that are different.
Based purely on those pics, I'd be inclined to just get the outers vapour blasted. The stanchions will certainly be fine with a grind & rechrome. Dynasurf recently did mine on a old Honda. Adam is the name of the workshop manager, and the work is excellent and quickly completed. http://dynasurf.co.uk/motorcycle-forks/
could this be a @Sev area as far as swapability? discs are almost certainly 320mm on both bikes and can't see why offset would be different unless you need to preserve 996 calipers and appearance.
Thanks Chris, so if I use those forks I need different discs and calipers and use a 749 mudguard? Is that right? That means buying forks, calipers and discs. Or can I use spacers to cover the difference in offset?
Also I looked at 900ssie st2 and st4. They are same caliper mounts but yokes looks smaller diameter. So frustrating!!!
Nice! I dropped the engine out last night its all on my YouTube. Where did you get your vapour blast done. Do you think it's possible to blast a complete engine if blanked properly. I really don't want to strip the engine if I can help it but it needs a good clean somehow https://youtube.com/shorts/lkjiFuZVPwY?feature=share
A mate had it done for me at some engineering place (his brother's girlfriends Dad ex wifes neighbour, etc) but I think its a pretty standard service everywhere. Almost anything metal will come good so replacing with alternatives that then have fitment issues is something I avoid if poss. Plus "they're the wrong forks" can be a nuisance when selling; although personally thats not an issue. Vapour blast a complete engine? I'd call three or four different ones and ask!
Has anyone reading this thread actually has the upper fork leg on these models vapour blasted, and if so what was the outcome? To my eye, the issue is the fork upper has a ribbed finish to it and once the corrosion gets under that top layer the blasting will lift the layer and the entire layer has to come off. A new finish can be applied but it will be smooth and not ribbed, or is the ribbing deeper than that ?
Hi Paul, I reckon that's right. The outers have a machine finish and in my case the corrosion goes way beyond that. I think if outer tubes are corroded best outcome would be new tubes as I suspect its expensive to blast and reannodise.
I know, it’s a bit of a pig. I had to swap out the forks on a 748 I refurbished a few years back for that very reason. The stanchions in my case were fine but corrosion had got under that top, ribbed, layer and anyone I asked told me I’d never be able to recreate it. Is your corrosion to the top on both legs? Could you perhaps buy up some spares and cobble together a good pair from say 3 or 4? Is it cost effective to do that ? I’ve no idea as haven’t had the need to look at 2nd hand prices for these for some time.
They’d just try and sell you new parts - assuming they’re still in production which is highly unlikely.
I recently looked into anodizing (didn't ultimately do it) but the quotes were not that expensive. I was advised that it fades though so you will have to consider a protective lacquer too.
