Project Superhawk motard "SuMoHawk" begins
10-31-2009 | 04:33 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Who are you?
SuperSport
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 731
From: Las Vegas, NV
Project Superhawk motard "SuMoHawk" begins
As some of you read, I decided to try to convert my Superhawk into a "Motard". I just got the forks today, so I shall start working on the project.
Initial fitment test:
The axle from the superhawk fits the forks perfectly, which is good. The wheel does not fit with both rotors installed, however it fits with a single rotor. I will need to make some axle spacers, as the stock ones do not fit correctly.
I also found that these forks have little tabs to hold the speedo sensor housing in place. These interfere with the wheel, so I will be grinding them off.
Once I grind the little tabs off I can mount the wheel and test if it will clear the front cylinder. Fingers are crossed. What I have to work with:
The bike:
The forks:
Still a ways to go:
Initial fitment test:
The axle from the superhawk fits the forks perfectly, which is good. The wheel does not fit with both rotors installed, however it fits with a single rotor. I will need to make some axle spacers, as the stock ones do not fit correctly.
I also found that these forks have little tabs to hold the speedo sensor housing in place. These interfere with the wheel, so I will be grinding them off.
Once I grind the little tabs off I can mount the wheel and test if it will clear the front cylinder. Fingers are crossed. What I have to work with:
The bike:
The forks:
Still a ways to go:
Last edited by Just_Nick; 10-31-2009 at 04:42 PM.
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11-01-2009 | 07:14 AM
#14
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,858
From: Fort Wayne, IN
11-01-2009 | 10:43 AM
#15
Thread Starter
Who are you?
SuperSport
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 731
From: Las Vegas, NV
I might also throw in a dirt bike rear shock.
11-01-2009 | 11:22 AM
#17
Member
Squid
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 46
From: Connecticut
Dirt bike forks. Dirt bikes weigh like 250lbs or less right?
Single disk stopping SH weight?
I like that you're doing something different but everything about this concept is counter to what SuperMoto stands for. Frankenbike fits better.
Good luck.
Single disk stopping SH weight?
I like that you're doing something different but everything about this concept is counter to what SuperMoto stands for. Frankenbike fits better.
Good luck.
11-01-2009 | 12:20 PM
#19
Thread Starter
Who are you?
SuperSport
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 731
From: Las Vegas, NV
I didn't realize everyone would get so up-in-arms over a Suzuki sticker. Where's the humor guys?
Dan, I am going to be swapping to a F4i or RC51 caliper and master for stopping power. Since it's going to only have a single brake line, that should be more than enough stopping power. And also, I am going to buy some different springs if I don't like how the sag is. I am probably wanting it to be at 60% of its travel(so 7" of up-travel, 5" down-travel).
Dan, I am going to be swapping to a F4i or RC51 caliper and master for stopping power. Since it's going to only have a single brake line, that should be more than enough stopping power. And also, I am going to buy some different springs if I don't like how the sag is. I am probably wanting it to be at 60% of its travel(so 7" of up-travel, 5" down-travel).
11-01-2009 | 01:56 PM
#21
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,132
From: Phoenix, AZ
Good luck on the swap! it is an interesting project.
11-01-2009 | 02:13 PM
#22
Thread Starter
Who are you?
SuperSport
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 731
From: Las Vegas, NV
11-01-2009 | 02:36 PM
#26
Thread Starter
Who are you?
SuperSport
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 731
From: Las Vegas, NV
Okay guys I got some work done today.
First off, pulling the front fairing. Look, my own Suzuki streetfighter.
Next step, pulling the front wheel.
After that, off come the stock forks:
Damn these forks are way bigger. The lower triple is literally over double as thick:
And on go the WR250 forks:
Close-up:
Front view:
Finally, top triple installed:
Note that is all mocked up. I need to grind the steering stops down since they limit me to 10 degress of steering each way. I also need to drill the bearing cover wider so that no dust gets in there. And I need to make a spacer for it, as the steering stem is too long.
First off, pulling the front fairing. Look, my own Suzuki streetfighter.
Next step, pulling the front wheel.
After that, off come the stock forks:
Damn these forks are way bigger. The lower triple is literally over double as thick:
And on go the WR250 forks:
Close-up:
Front view:
Finally, top triple installed:
Note that is all mocked up. I need to grind the steering stops down since they limit me to 10 degress of steering each way. I also need to drill the bearing cover wider so that no dust gets in there. And I need to make a spacer for it, as the steering stem is too long.
11-01-2009 | 02:52 PM
#27
Administrator
World Champion
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 105,287
From: Fulton, MO
Notice the position of the axle for both forks in relation to the centerline of the forks. Notice how the WR forks have the axle out front. That change in axle location will alter your trail numbers significantly. I don't know what year WR those forks are from. A quick search gave me a rake of 26.67° for the '08. The rake for the VTR is 24.5° and a trail of 3.8". When I did my 1000RR fork swap I was getting really funky handling characteristics by having the forks too far down in the triples by about 2cm. All I did was change the fork offset!
You really need to do some good R&D on this before you start bolting **** together and spending hundreds of dollars. Do a search for rake, trail, and offset and do some reading. Find an online trail calculator and figure out if this is going to work before you start.
You really need to do some good R&D on this before you start bolting **** together and spending hundreds of dollars. Do a search for rake, trail, and offset and do some reading. Find an online trail calculator and figure out if this is going to work before you start.
11-01-2009 | 04:08 PM
#30
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 347
From: S.Dak USA
