I know this has been talked about before, and can't seem to find the thread to it. So maybe someone can send me the link. My question is about doing a fork swap? Swapping the forks from a '15 street bob to inverted forks from a street bike like an R1 (for example).

what's involved? what are the pro's and con's?

Thanks

 

Go look at motorcyclemetal.com. Howard is a sponsor here and does that with Ohlins forks I believe.

 

For starters you will need the metal stretchers. You have to start off by figuring out how to get a 735mm Yamaha YZF-R1 fork to be the same length as a FXD OEM fork which measures 815mm. You will have to re-valve the 20mm cartridge than re-spring it. Figure out which set of axle clamps you will need to install on the forks if you do not wish to use a wheel that is designed for a 439# bike. You may also look into the thickness of the 43mm fork tube as all sport bikes are designed on the edge between what is the maximum weight of the material used V/S what is the designed minimum it could be. Having a fork designed for a 439# bike with a 24 degree fork rake and put it on a 29 degree (FatBob) or 30.5 degrees (16 FCDLR) has much more stress on the fork tube with a larger fork angle. Than you will need triple trees. Ya, really easy all you got to do is buy a few used parts and bolt them up and you could have something like this one that was done correctly only a whole lot cheaper, ya, right...

 

Gee,you told him.

 

Definitely isn't a cheap job if you want to do it right...would love an inverted front end (because reasons) but I can't justify the cost over a properly set up standard front end.

That and the cost to do it right is probably 1/4 of my current salary...so out of the question

 

Thanks Howard for the information. I appreciate the abbreviated version of what needs to be done and the ease of how it can be done. haha... I'll definately be contacting you if I ever decide to do this mod.

Definately have to agree with you 'Kid, would be nice, but for the cost, is it really worth it.

It sounds like replacing the fork springs will be the way to go, when the time comes.

 

You could always buy an off the shelf inverted. http://www.krausmotorco.com/products...-front-end-kit

I just put Andreani cartridges in mine and couldn't be happier with how it handles now. Cartridges with Ohlins R&T oil was close to $600 shipped. James Gasket Seal kit was $14. If you have the tools its a pretty easy job. I would love to have an inverted front end on mine, just cant justify/afford that price tag.