Front fork options for 83 VF

Looking towards this winter and things I want to fix on the beast I definitly want to upgrade suspension. I just picked up a rear shock from a 00 CBR 600 and now I am looking at the front forks.
They are 39mm and I found a list on line of forks that are that size but none seemed to really offer what I am looking for.
What are the options for this? I could just replace all the internal with better parts and keep the stock tubes.
If I go to a differnt size I would need to change multiple parts on the head and tripple clamps I would imagine.
Feedback?
Lee

VF1000R triple clamps + CBR600F2 forks w/ F3 internals + sonic springs + F2 wheel + superbike handlebar = tuneable and responsive front end that retains speedo drive and is long enough (when the fork caps are mounted flush w/ top triple, hence the need for handlebar)

What he said ^^^^^

[image: View Post]683, on 05 September 2010 - 08:51 AM, said:

If I go to a differnt size I would need to change multiple parts on the head and tripple clamps I would imagine.
Feedback?


Yes if you go with larger forks, you'll be looking at swapping out more parts; even clip ons. Plus on the original VF series, you've got that fuse panel to deal with if you replace the top triple.

I just replace the front end on my used speed triple (originals can "pre-bent") with a gixxer unit.

[image: Posted Image]

It's a mix-match solution: speed triple, errrr.....triples, wheel, rotors, and master cylinder plus gixxer forks, calipers, axle, and fender. I had to come up with my own wheel spacers.

My point being, the easier solutions are to either: a) upgrade the stock internals or b) graft on a complete front end from another bike. If going with b), you'll need to see if the steering stem length and bearing are the same or solve. Staying around the same time period of the original bike is usually a safe route.

[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on 05 September 2010 - 03:20 PM, said:

VF1000R triple clamps + CBR600F2 forks w/ F3 internals + sonic springs + F2 wheel + superbike handlebar = tuneable and responsive front end that retains speedo drive and is long enough (when the fork caps are mounted flush w/ top triple, hence the need for handlebar)



Yeah what Seb said, I did somthing Similar but now have a new dilema, just been given a nearly complete front and back end of a Ducati 916 (SSSA), without wheels. so I am now trying to find wheel options that wont cost the earth, I feel a honduke coming on :P

i have a complete 600 hurricane front end that I will sell you....(back wheel too)

Something to keep in mind is that the VF's require very long forks in order to maintain clearance with the front cylinder head and/or radiator. This is critical and should not be overlooked or minimized. It's been mentioned here (and other places) that forks off newer bikes can be made to work. I've not been able to accomplish this without significant custom parts, such as special triple clamps or fork tube extenders. It's possible to make an upgrade like this work, just be careful when measuring everything to ensure that you have clearance at full compression of the forks from lock to lock.

[image: View Post]JamieDaugherty, on 10 September 2010 - 01:05 PM, said:

Something to keep in mind is that the VF's require very long forks in order to maintain clearance with the front cylinder head and/or radiator. This is critical and should not be overlooked or minimized. It's been mentioned here (and other places) that forks off newer bikes can be made to work. I've not been able to accomplish this without significant custom parts, such as special triple clamps or fork tube extenders. It's possible to make an upgrade like this work, just be careful when measuring everything to ensure that you have clearance at full compression of the forks from lock to lock.


Don't know if you've already tried this Jamie, but I've measured F2 & F3 forks and found that their free length is the same as VF1000R forks, if mounted flush with the top triple clamp. So, given the proper spring rate, they would make a great intermediate upgrade for the big F's & R's, and also for the 750/700F (if combined with 1kF/R triples & modified steering stops).

One could then add risers and a handle bar to mount on the top triple, or use tall Helibars/Convertibars/Vario bars mounted under the top triple.

Yes, most newer forks are too short, but with proper homework, a retrofit isn't necessarily as hard or impossible as it sounds sometimes.

a few place, Jamie included will redo the forks with new springs and Race tech internals for 4 to 500. I have not decided yet which way to go. I am trying not to spend more on the front end than the bike cost.

[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on 10 September 2010 - 01:42 PM, said:

[image: View Post]JamieDaugherty, on 10 September 2010 - 01:05 PM, said:

Something to keep in mind is that the VF's require very long forks in order to maintain clearance with the front cylinder head and/or radiator. This is critical and should not be overlooked or minimized. It's been mentioned here (and other places) that forks off newer bikes can be made to work. I've not been able to accomplish this without significant custom parts, such as special triple clamps or fork tube extenders. It's possible to make an upgrade like this work, just be careful when measuring everything to ensure that you have clearance at full compression of the forks from lock to lock.


Don't know if you've already tried this Jamie, but I've measured F2 & F3 forks and found that their free length is the same as VF1000R forks, if mounted flush with the top triple clamp. So, given the proper spring rate, they would make a great intermediate upgrade for the big F's & R's, and also for the 750/700F (if combined with 1kF/R triples & modified steering stops).

One could then add risers and a handle bar to mount on the top triple, or use tall Helibars/Convertibars/Vario bars mounted under the top triple.

Yes, most newer forks are too short, but with proper homework, a retrofit isn't necessarily as hard or impossible as it sounds sometimes.



Indeed I have! It took a little stroll down memory lane to find out where I put that info in my notes. It's been so long that I felt the need to double check the numbers on some parts laying around, luckily my notes were correct:

VF1000R:
Free length = 835mm
Stroke = 150mm
Compressed length = 685mm

CBR600F3:
Free length = 785mm
Stroke = 130mm
Compressed length = 655mm

That's a difference of 30mm. Clip-ons are usually about that thick, so running the F3 forks flush with the upper triple should work. It would appear that the only way to run clip-ons would be to use riser bars and mount them under the clamp. "Superbike" style bars like you mention would probably be the best way to go.