standard fork legs on special

[Tonyxs11]

im after changing my leading axle forks for a standard set, ALL i want to know is how the standard legs in the special yokes effects the handling ? has anyone done it ? yes I know all about the rake and trail so don't need a lesson in all that just want to know how the bike handles with them.

[DiverRay]

The bike will probably turn quicker, but not be as stable at higher speeds. This is a guess, as I've NOT done the swap. Please do a search to see who has posted in the past. IIRC, there was a post about ten years ago using the swap for a sidecar set-up.

[Tonyxs11]

The bike will probably turn quicker, but not be as stable at higher speeds. This is a guess, as I've NOT done the swap. Please do a search to see who has posted in the past. IIRC, there was a post about ten years ago using the swap for a sidecar set-up.

yeah thats my thoughts as well, but don't want it to be dangerous at speed !!! im not keen on the leading axle forks and don't like the way they flop when turning ive done plenty of searching but not come up with anyone who has done it with results.

[bikerphil]

I did just the opposite, Special forks on a Standard, still using the Standard's triple trees. It was not stable at all at highway speeds, I wouldn't try it again. In your case Tony, it would shorten the wheel base. My FJ fork mod shortens the wheel base by a few inches and the handling is superb at all speeds, slightly faster steering but very stable. Try not to hit rocks in the road though, that upsets the steering similar to a mini tank slapper sometimes.


Standard with Special forks ^



Standard with FJ forks and FJ triples ^

Tony, are you doing this mod to improve the calipers?

The Special's brakes can be greatly improved rather easily with SS lines and a Brembo 16mm master cylinder.

[Tonyxs11]

I did just the opposite, Special forks on a Standard, still using the Standard's triple trees. It was not stable at all at highway speeds, I wouldn't try it again. In your case Tony, it would shorten the wheel base. My FJ fork mod shortens the wheel base by a few inches and the handling is superb at all speeds, slightly faster steering but very stable. Try not to hit rocks in the road though, that upsets the steering similar to a mini tank slapper sometimes.


Standard with Special forks ^



Standard with FJ forks and FJ triples ^

Tony, are you doing this mod to improve the calipers?

The Special's brakes can be greatly improved rather easily with SS lines and a Brembo 16mm master cylinder.

cheers Phil, im doing it because im not keen on leading axle forks on a road bike, plus im going for the standard look with my bike as much as i can. and yeah better callipers will be fitted at some point. ive already got SS brake lines and a 16mm master cylinder and its still 4 finger braking !!!!!!! I have R/A so suffer with a lot of joint pain and good brakes help, my GSX1100 has good 4 pot callipers and 2 finger braking is easy. I think at the end of the day i'll just get the standard yokes as well

[bikerphil]

Yep, if you do attempt the fork only swap, please let us know how it works out. When I swapped to the Special forks onto the Standard, I rode it 1K miles until I decided it was just too dangerous to keep that way.

And then there's this guy's 750..

[Tonyxs11]

Yep, if you do attempt the fork only swap, please let us know how it works out. When I swapped to the Special forks onto the Standard, I rode it 1K miles until I decided it was just too dangerous to keep that way.

And then there's this guy's 750..

will do that chop is insane !!!!! why would anyone do that

[Radioguylogs]

Yep, if you do attempt the fork only swap, please let us know how it works out. When I swapped to the Special forks onto the Standard, I rode it 1K miles until I decided it was just too dangerous to keep that way.

And then there's this guy's 750..

I imagine the side loading on the fork tubes (perpendicular to normal loading).

[bikerphil]

that chop is insane !!!!! why would anyone do that

I would guess people got ideas of doing that from watching Orange county choppers back in the day.
I would love to ride it around the block once if I could.
Then I could say "don't ever try this at home"

[Tonyxs11]

ive built a few chop's in my time but the longest forks i went with was 4inch overs, my mate did a 6inch over on his and the flex was noticeable, but that xs750 (i think) will be just un-ridable and in my mind dangerous

[fly]

The standard has 5.12" of trail. When you add a sidecar it makes the steering hard. by putting on special forks the trail is reduced to 3.5".
If you use special top tree it takes down to 2.5" It makes the steering much easier. the bike should not be used as 2 wheeler, it is not safe.
This conversion costs alot less than raked trees or a leading link set of forks.

[Tonyxs11]

The standard has 5.12" of trail. When you add a sidecar it makes the steering hard. by putting on special forks the trail is reduced to 3.5".
If you use special top tree it takes down to 2.5" It makes the steering much easier. the bike should not be used as 2 wheeler, it is not safe.
This conversion costs alot less than raked trees or a leading link set of forks.

have I read that right ?????? you've used a special top yoke with a standard bottom yoke ? if so how do you get the fork legs in when both yokes are out of line

[fly]

Tony, sorry it took so long to get back to you. I had 3 deaths in the family. This is from Hack'd magesine spring '96
i then took the top triple tree clamp from the parts bike and installed it. this required loosening the bottom triple tree
clamp pinch bolts and forcing the fork forward at the bottom to line up the tubes with top clamp. total trail reduction was
3" leaving 2" of trail.
This modification is only for SIDECARS it should not be done a 2 wheel motorcycle.

[Tonyxs11]

Tony, sorry it took so long to get back to you. I had 3 deaths in the family. This is from Hack'd magesine spring '96
i then took the top triple tree clamp from the parts bike and installed it. this required loosening the bottom triple tree
clamp pinch bolts and forcing the fork forward at the bottom to line up the tubes with top clamp. total trail reduction was
3" leaving 2" of trail.
This modification is only for SIDECARS it should not be done a 2 wheel motorcycle.

sorry for your loss.

ok i know what you are saying but !!!!! I can understand bending the steel bottom yoke to get the angle you need but the top aluminium yoke won't bend the same and wouldn't line up correctly with the steering stem. it would have to be forced on. not the safest way I think !!!!!

[fly]

I saw and talked to Fred Hunteman at a sidecar event in september he said to have someone pull the wheel forward and the forks will slide in easily.
i will be finding out before too long i hope.