'78 KZ1000 makeover

There are 2 offsets; there is the gullwing drop which, as you guessed, is to help offset the shorter GSXR forks. These triples also have the same stem to fork tube offset as the stock triples to help insure a stock turning radius. You don't have to agree with me either: if you prefer a polished look, so be it. I like polished aluminum too.......and it wasn't an easy decision. I have been thinking about it for months now, and I contemplated polishing as well as other colors....I just kept coming back to black. I should be able to have bikebandit send me the bottom stem seal with my original order that is supposed to ship out tomorrow. That way I can put the front end on when the anodizing is finished.

I was trying to get my helper over today so that we could clean some more and make molds of the tank mounts, but it was a no go. His moms taking him to disneyland. Hellufa kid, he wanted to hang out with me instead of go to disneyland....but moms decision is my loss :S

Bad Kaw wrote:

Well, you could look at it like that, but the big deal is that a lot of inverted forks are shorter in overall length and you could end up taking away some critical ground clearence if your front end drops too close to the ground. You are going to want to pay attention to your steering geometry.

These triples were specifically designed to replace some of that lost ride hight, not the other way around.

Edit: That was supposed to read "triples" not "forks"

The black trees will set off the gold and silver parts very nicely.

Well now I'm really curious. What do you mean "specially designed"...'Forks by Frank' slider-tubes or something? That'd be pretty cool! Oh, if you go with 17" wheels you're also going to lose some 'height'...just stuff to keep in the back of your mind. It's all VERY do-able so relax and keep up the great work!
-KR

Bad Kaw wrote:

Well now I'm really curious. What do you mean "specially designed"...'Forks by Frank' slider-tubes or something? That'd be pretty cool! Oh, if you go with 17" wheels you're also going to lose some 'height'...just stuff to keep in the back of your mind. It's all VERY do-able so relax and keep up the great work!
-KR

Yes, it's exactly like that. Except instead of custom fork sliders by Frank, they are custom triple clamps by Ben.

There are very few parts of my bike build that I have not put a great deal of thought into, and this includes the front suspension. The forks are 2.5" shorter than the Kz forks. The wheel radius is 1" shorter on the GSXR than on the KZ (12" vs 13") so that gives me a net loss of 3.5" off of the front end. I have known this for the last 8 months which is why I waited for irishwills gullwing triple clamps. These triples give me back 1/2" of ride hight with the gullwing drop. So, now I have a net loss of 3". At some point I am going to replace the fork tube caps with Yoshimura extenders which will allow me to drop the fork an additional 1" in the clamps. With that, I will only have lost 2" of ride hight from stock.

Another small issue with the more common use of the factory USD triples is the fork offset. Modern bikes run much less offset than the stock Kz, so when you adapt a late model triple clamp, you bring the fork tubes closer to the steering head. When in a tight turning situation such as a parking lot, the for tubes will come into contact with the tank or your steering stop sooner making a 3 point turn a 5 point turn and so on. These triples were designed with the stock Kz fork tube offset so that there is no loss of turning radius.

Trust me, it's all stuff that is very much at the forefront of my thoughts BadKaw. I am relaxed, and diligently working toward a finished product. I am excited to drop off the triples at the anodizers and my head at the polishing shop. It so happens that Fastenall is a block from the polishers, so I can pick up my stainless metric hardware afterwards.

I also put a quick buff on the triples to smooth them out and cleaned all of the tapped holes out with acetone and Qtips as Josh suggested. I don't want any purple spots on my black clamps

Hey Adam, I appreciate all the effort and thought you have put into your build. It helps me in my own decision making with my projects. The short time I have been a member here has increased my knowledge 100 fold. Thanks for taking the time to explain your rationale for the rest of us.

Outstanding description on the detail; you touched on some crucial bases that you certainly would have run into (I deal with tank/fork interface ... haven't formed the fork stops yet ... it's called being lazy. )
Seems to me that you clearly have it under control; I'm diggin' this build.

-KR

Marneman wrote:

Hey Adam, I appreciate all the effort and thought you have put into your build. It helps me in my own decision making with my projects. The short time I have been a member here has increased my knowledge 100 fold. Thanks for taking the time to explain your rationale for the rest of us.

I'm glad I could help out a little. If you like this thread, have you dared to read my swingarm thread? Or delve deeper into madness and read my composite threads? They even make my head spin

Bad Kaw wrote:

Outstanding description on the detail; you touched on some crucial bases that you certainly would have run into (I deal with tank/fork interface ... haven't formed the fork stops yet ... it's called being lazy. )
Seems to me that you clearly have it under control; I'm diggin' this build.

-KR

I have things mostly under control. I will not claim to have everything under control until the bike is running and ridable, but I do spend a good deal of time trying to keep things in check and perspective.

I dropped off my triples AND the outboard bearing support at the anodizers this morning. I decided to go ahead and have the bearing support done too.....I'm not sure why, it just seemed like a good idea. That was until I was driving home and realised I still needed to clearance the support plate for my modified frame :ohmy: Oh well, I grind off a bit of anodizing along the edge....no one is going to see :dry: They told me it would be done tomorrow :woohoo: but I doubt I'll be able to pick it up.....something will happen, I just know it. I also dropped off my other head at the polishing shop and they told me they'd have it done by tomorrow too. Fastenall was closed I can only assume it was because of MLK Day.

porchev914 wrote:

Marneman wrote:

Hey Adam, I appreciate all the effort and thought you have put into your build. It helps me in my own decision making with my projects. The short time I have been a member here has increased my knowledge 100 fold. Thanks for taking the time to explain your rationale for the rest of us.

I'm glad I could help out a little. If you like this thread, have you dared to read my swingarm thread? Or delve deeper into madness and read my composite threads? They even make my head spin

I have unfortunately...Remember that 77 A1 sitting in the corner of my garage? MUUUUWAAAHAAA! Between you, Larry C, OMR, tk11b40, tri, and many others, the vision is starting to congeal in my head. It truly is addicting isn't it.

you guys need professional help

love them clamps BTW!

Damn, the anodizers were fast. My triples are ready to pick up. I'll leave here in an hour to pick up my daughter from school, then head to the valley and pick up the triples and my head. Fastenall should be open too, so I can get some stainless clamp hardware too

Bikebandit just sent me an email that they shipped out my stem seal. If I'm lucky I'll get it tomorrow. If not, then I'll get it Thursday. This is gonna kill me, to have the clamps ready to go, only to have to wait on a seal :S