GSXR Front End

Well, I finally got my GSXR front end. It looks like I should be able to use pretty much everything even the stem and just do new bearings that fit. I know there are those of you who have done the same thing, what is your experience with the swap?

I'm really interested in hearing about this as well. Hopefully someone will chime in....

I'm really interested in hearing about this as well. Hopefully someone will chime in....

I'm really interested in hearing about this as well. Hopefully someone will chime in....

Hello,

I just finished doing a 91 GSXR 1100 swap onto my 83' kz1100-L. I used the gsxr front rim and calipers as well. Mine is working out great, but sits approx 3" lower in front (mostly due to the smaller wheel size).

I noticed that you are using a more modern GSXR fork... Mine is USD as well, but if yours are from a newer bike, then they will be significantly shorter. You will probably notice a huge difference, even with the stock wheel up front.

I ended up using a stem from an older suzuki GS series bike. The stem off of the GS is the right length and diameter, and easily press-fits into the lower triple.

The hardest part was finding a set of headlight brackets that would work. I went through 5 different "universal" sets before I gave up and bought a custom set from aztec 8 racing in AZ.

Sorry, I can't post pics of my ride right now... My front rim is off getting powder coated and a new tire. I will post as soon as she's road-worthy again. I only do glamour shots when healthy

you sure it's not just a little bit too compact in there?

The exhaust and fender will clear, right?

Hey, good point...

With the new front end, you will need to pick up a tire with less height to clear the exhaust pipes. You do NOT want to be burning up your rubber against the hot steel exhaust.

You will probably need to modify the rear of the front fender as well. Just make sure that you can fully clear all parts with rubbing, and take into consideration what will happen when the fork is compressed / extended as well.

OR, you could do what I did, and use the front GSXR wheel coupled with the gsxr speedo cable/drive.

Kellen79_650 wrote:

Well, I finally got my GSXR front end. It looks like I should be able to use pretty much everything even the stem and just do new bearings that fit. I know there are those of you who have done the same thing, what is your experience with the swap?

I found the GSXR stem could not be used, couldn't find an upper bearing to fit, and the Suzuki stem is too short. I drove out the GSXR stem and used it as a pattern to build up a KZ1100 stem with weld and have it machined to match the suzuki and driven into the lower clamp. The top part of the GSXR stem was machined as a sleeve to fit the Kawasaki stem to the upper triple clamp. I'm using stock Kawasaki tapered roller bearings.
If the pipes are too close, wrap them to cut down on heat.

I used the FZR front end and I was able to use the KZ stem. I just cut the weld, pressed out the stem and welded it into the FZR tripple tree. The FZR stem was the perfect height but I could not find any bearings to fit it.

shaftie1100 wrote:

Hello,

I just finished doing a 91 GSXR 1100 swap onto my 83' kz1100-L. I used the gsxr front rim and calipers as well. Mine is working out great, but sits approx 3" lower in front (mostly due to the smaller wheel size).

I noticed that you are using a more modern GSXR fork... Mine is USD as well, but if yours are from a newer bike, then they will be significantly shorter. You will probably notice a huge difference, even with the stock wheel up front.

I ended up using a stem from an older suzuki GS series bike. The stem off of the GS is the right length and diameter, and easily press-fits into the lower triple.

The hardest part was finding a set of headlight brackets that would work. I went through 5 different "universal" sets before I gave up and bought a custom set from aztec 8 racing in AZ.

Sorry, I can't post pics of my ride right now... My front rim is off getting powder coated and a new tire. I will post as soon as she's road-worthy again. I only do glamour shots when healthy

Later Buell headlight brackets are 54mm and fit my front end.

Damnit!

I wish I had thought of that... What a great idea... My custom brackets end up costing me $90.00 after S&H. What did the Buell ones run? Can you show us a pic? I'll post my Aztec 8's on Tuesday.

I bought mine off ebay, less than $50 including shipping. I'll try and get a pic up of the progress in the projects section soon