I'd like to fit some radial mono block brembo M4's to my 749 project but the model I have comes with non-radially mounted brakes. I am curious as to whether it is easy enough to swap the fork bottoms on the stanchion for some radial type ones. Something like these perhaps? (Link leads to eBay) Anything with a similar axle size and fork stanchion diameter? I don't want to go down the route of stick some full Ohlins on there as they are too expensive and I'll then have to start mucking about with triple clamps as well as all the wheel/disc issues that may arise.
those forks wont fit your bike (different diameter) but i think the 848 forks might fit (although not 100%) the feet can be removed but it aint easy without the right tools, better off talking to maxton, harris or someone similar who are geared up to do this. i think dukedesmo or mr c made some nice clamps up to hold the fork whle twisting the feet off but i can't find the post now
They are screwed on but are a nightmare to remove and really are on for life. If you are lucky then they might go, if not then you bend the stanchion or damage the threads and it is scrap. Ohlins forks have a different thread internally so you cannot use a showa part mated to them.
You can get your yokes machined out and spacers made to fit. With the price of those forks, it looks a good way to go.
Yeah I wanted to keep the forks I have and just swap the bottoms as they have had a bit of work done to them under the previous owner's stewardship. I think I'll just keep things as they are for now and if some Ohlins come up at the right price in the future I might hit the button. Thanks for all your advice.
If I spent £1200 on those I could have just bought the 749r that was on eBay a while ago. Id rather spend the money else where unless they're a real bargain, especially as the existing forks have already been sorted. I might just refresh and paint to existing calipers for now.
For future reference if this comes up in a Google search... 2003-2006 749S Showa Fork Stanchions are 43mm dia x 517mm Length. Source Still trying to find the spindle dimensions so I can see what forks can be cannibalised for some fork bottoms and stanchions. The Monster 696 forks I linked to have 43mm dia x 508mm length on the left leg and 43mm x 518mm on the right. Not sure on spindle size.
I replaced the fork tubes on my multi (43mm dia) ...I made an aluminium block up with a precise hole through so I could grip the tube with out damage and undo the spindle end ...you need a good vice and two blokes to undo. happy to drop it upto you if needs be
Thanks but I'm out of the country, it would be Mark at MADASL who actually does all the work. Is it a screw thread on the spindle end? How are they fitted?
They are threaded onto the fork legs, have a locking grubscrew and will be loctited. I didn't personally remove mine as I had Ktech change the internals & service the forks at the same time. If you look at this pic you'll see the fine pitch thread cut inside the mount;
no locking grub screw on the Showa forks, there is a thin O ring .......wheel spindle keeps them from rotating during normal use
Motocorse sell a conversion kit.... it's 800 something Euros. Radial mount kit for Showa Ø 43 forks for Brembo calipers screw - Motocorse - parti speciali ducati, mvagusta e bmw, ammortizzatori e forcelle ohlins, freni brembo, cerchi marchesini Cheaper to fit 1098 showas and get the top clamp sorted to fit.
mate look at bursi evolution web site they do conversion to radial bottoms for both ohlins and showa…….100mm or 108 mm callipers…………circa 600 euros…...:wink:
Thanks, but I already have some 1098 forks with radial bottoms. I know that if I asked it on here, a thorough google didn't give me answer I wanted, so by adding the answer later on I am hopefully helping some future searcher find what he needs nice and easy.
999 bottoms are different, I bought some Motocorse 999 radial bottoms and they wouldn't fit 916 forks.
