TOPIC:

So after extensive research Ive come up with the fact that the zx9r is the longest usd front to use for a swap in order to not have clearance issues when doing a full front end swap?

I was originally going to use a gxsr front end, but after looking around on here seems that the zx9r is the best option to keep the front end from getting too low.

I know I could get a set of custom drop triples, but do not want to spend the money on them. I have access to free machining so modifying an existing triple is no problem.

Someone want to reassure me that a 95 zx9r front end will only lose me about 1" from stock height in the front. (I think i remember reading that somewhere???)

Oh and here is my build thread over at CF if anyone wants to check it out:
www.customfighters.com/forums/showthread.php?t=61957

Here's one of mine with zx9r usd's.
Plenty of ground clearance.

i used zx9 forks as well. good job on the research. u will be glad u use the longer forks. i modded the top tree only. have a look at my project thread. feel free to ask any questions or pm me.
the zx9 fork is 1/2" shorter then u have the wheel dif. of an added 1 1/2" for a total of 2" shorter.
then u can mod the trees and things to pick up more clearance.

kz forks = 30 3/4"
94 97 zx9 forks = 30 1/4"
ZX11 forks = 29.25"
2005 zx12 forks = 29"

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19" kz wheel radius = 11 3/4"
17" zrx = 12 3/16"
dif = - 1 1/2"
____________________

kz 18" rear = 12 7/8"
17" zrx rear = 12 3/16"
dif =- 11/16"

www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/103381...e?limit=20&start=120

stock 96 zx9 top tree



after mod



here u can see the amount of drop i picked up by looking at how far the forks now sit up. i gained about 3/4"

Thanks for the help guys. Im definitely going to look for a good set of zx9 forks now. Heard from too many different guys that using other forks will lead to headers scraping in turns and what not.

mark1122.

If i chose not to mod the top of the tree, am I not going to be happy with the gained height by using the zx9 forks instead of something different?

Any idea on the tl1000 forks or if anyone has used them and been happy with the front ride height?

Only reason I ask is that the tl1000 front wheel is basically identical to the 01 gxsr 750 wheel im running.

Also, are there certain years of the zx9's to use instead of others?

Looks like 98 and up are different than the 95's etc...

I think 95-97 ZX9 forks are USD while I know that 98-99 ZX9 forks are conventional.
98-99 ZX9 has a 20mm front axle, 2000-2002 (at least) has a 25mm front axle.

I have a set of 2005 ZX12 USD forks, and I swear I measured 30", but now that I think about it that may have been measured to the bottom of the fork instead of center of the axle. I'll have to measure again.

havoc97 wrote: Thanks for the help guys. Im definitely going to look for a good set of zx9 forks now. Heard from too many different guys that using other forks will lead to headers scraping in turns and what not.

mark1122.

If i chose not to mod the top of the tree, am I not going to be happy with the gained height by using the zx9 forks instead of something different?

Any idea on the tl1000 forks or if anyone has used them and been happy with the front ride height?

Only reason I ask is that the tl1000 front wheel is basically identical to the 01 gxsr 750 wheel im running.

Also, are there certain years of the zx9's to use instead of others?

Looks like 98 and up are different than the 95's etc...

no matter what upside down forks u use , u will lose fork clearance, then there's the 1 1/2" wheel clearance loss. so the longer the better. lots of guys run gsxr forks that r short. the down side is less ground clearance. even with mine high, i worry about clearance.

if u have ever shopped for a good used header, u will notice that most of them r dented on the bottom.and thats from a stock ride hight , KZ.

u can use what ever u want, just be careful going over speed bumps.

the zx9 from 94 to 97 i think, as long as they r upside down. the first years have 2 pot brakes ,the last 2 years have 3 pot brakes. any of these forks without my mod r longer than the rest. the mod just helps more. i did the mod because i run it at the road race tracks , so the extra clearance is important to ME.

havoc97,
I sent you a P.M. on the other board about your leftover LTD parts.
How far south of MLPS do you live?
I went to school in Montgomery and still come up in the summer for fishing, but it's just too damn cold in the winter for me anymore.
Did it 12 years though. Brrrrrrr!

Thanks all!

Im going to go ahead and get a set of the usd style zx9r forks. Talked to some guys at CF as well that have basically all said the same thing. gxsr forks are damn short!!!

Mark, add ZX11 29.25" to your list.

I re-measured the ZX11 and 12 forks yesterday. and measuring properly got 29" on the 12, as you stated.

Measured from the center of the axle to the top of the fork tube, not the adjuster.

Found a set of ZX10 forks local if intrested for $125

cincinnati.craigslist.org/mcy/3469747051.html

ZX12 forks

raleigh.craigslist.org/mcy/3471863138.html

steell wrote: Mark, add ZX11 29.25" to your list.

I re-measured the ZX11 and 12 forks yesterday. and measuring properly got 29" on the 12, as you stated.

Measured from the center of the axle to the top of the fork tube, not the adjuster.

what year zx11's ?

ZX11D, 93-01

I think the ZX11C model forks are the same, but I have a set here so I'll measure them.