Monster fork problem

[Darren69]

Unfortunately the S4 and S4R are not going to be donors for a speedo drive although the forks are the same so other parts should fit they were always electronic rear wheel speedo drive but maybe ST series would provide the mechanical speedo drive you need or maybe even 748/916/996 as even though the forks are different they didn't change to electronic speedo until much later if ever, and still had 25mm axles too? The front wheels may even be the same. Happy hunting.

[Dukedesmo]

Originally Posted by Darren69

maybe even 748/916/996 as even though the forks are different they didn't change to electronic speedo until much later if ever, and still had 25mm axles too.

All 916 series, including the last 998 used mechanical speedo and 25mm axle.

And as they had a long production run, parts should be readily available from the usual places.

[Mr Gazza]

Year 2000, 900 Monsters and I think 750 have the 25mm axle and mechanical speedo drive.
This may also be the case for 2001, or at least early 2001.

I don't think the 600 got the 25mm axle until it evolved into the 620ie in 2002 with electronic speedo.. I'm guessing there!

[Wasta]

Cheers guys, looking at ebay and there are a few speedo drives on there.
Am I correct in thinking that the hub bearing O.D on the wheel is the same on both axle sizing?

[Flip]

Apologies for not really knowing the reason for this change other than I presume to improve on whatever your original set-up was?

I know a lot of people have found a good set up using various forks from other models such as 888's or the 9** range etc. but most have encountered a fair amount of extra work in order to get them to fit and you seem to be experiencing a similar scenario.

Now I appreciate a lot of people find satisfaction in finding solutions for such complications and some like to do things 'just because' but I have to ask would it not have been a lot easier and more cost effective to simply have your original forks refurbished and reworked by one of the leading suspension specialists therefore ensuring that you don't have such issues with swapping front wheels and finding alternative ways of driving your speedo etc.?

In the long run it still might be better to sell on your cleaned up Showa being able to get top money for them in their condition to fund having your originals reworked and without having to try and source (again, possibly wrongly) a front wheel and axle.

Just my thoughts that's all.

[slob]

I can turn up spacers if you do need them in the end (as can utopia and a few others on here)
s2r 800 uses 300mm discs not 320mm, so the offset is the least of your worries. The quickest answer for the calipers is probably something like these
https://www.performanceparts.de/en/A...m-caliper.html

...doh! you need 65to40mm adaptors, not the other way round, so perhaps these
https://mcet.de/eshop/en/en-spare-pa...rs-65-mm-40-mm

[Mr Gazza]

I'd have to second Flip on this one.
It's got to make sense to re-work the originals professionally to get the finish and precise characteristics that you want, whilst keeping your speedo drive, wheel, discs, callipers and mudguard. I would be surprised if a re-furb came to more that the conversion that you are contemplating but the result would be far better even if cost a bit more.

[slob]

Definitely originals reworked as the best solution in this case. The adjustable Showas, as fitted to M*Sie/ST* aren't great imho, the damping adjustment only works properly over a small number of clicks at one end of the range, due to a design flaw

[Jez900ie]

Originally Posted by Mr Gazza

I'd have to second Flip on this one.
It's got to make sense to re-work the originals professionally to get the finish and precise characteristics that you want, whilst keeping your speedo drive, wheel, discs, callipers and mudguard. I would be surprised if a re-furb came to more that the conversion that you are contemplating but the result would be far better even if cost a bit more.

+1 and a whole lot less hassel!

[Flip]

The only slight downside is that the likes of Maxton are probably well booked up with the start of the race season looming fast but then again you could be weeks/months waiting for the right (or wrong) parts to turn up on eBay so that may be academic anyway.

From my own personal experience (sorry to repeat myself for those who have heard this many times), I experimented with various oil weights, air gaps and (limited) adjustments on my original Marzocchi forks without any real improvement.

I even tried a set of 888 Showa's for a short time which, although were much better, their fork top adjusters prevented me from getting a good handlebar/geometry set up that I liked and so sold them on and passed my originals to Maxton to fit their GP20 cartridge conversion.

A modification I now wish not only had I done straight away but also one I wish I had done years earlier.

A tailored, well set up and serviced suspension is probably one of the most overlooked and underestimated modification ever and yet one that gives the biggest rewards (at any speed) as it is something that can be 'felt' every time you go for a ride making them even more enjoyable.

[Wasta]

You're probably right but Ive started now and quiet enjoy the problem solving/tinkering. I did read (PB or Bike mag) Rupert Paul tried to improve the original forks on his brothers bike at Reactive Suspension in York, he found the initial design of the forks was poor and rebuilt them with new internals.
I priced cartridge kits before buying the forks and found them quiet expensive, in comparison Im still under that price with new forks and used calipers, axle, speedo drive. Bearing kits seem reasonable as well.

So, you're all probably right but I'm stubborn and won't be beaten by some old Italian.

lol

[Jez900ie]

Originally Posted by Wasta

You're probably right but Ive started now and quiet enjoy the problem solving/tinkering. I did read (PB or Bike mag) Rupert Paul tried to improve the original forks on his brothers bike at Reactive Suspension in York, he found the initial design of the forks was poor and rebuilt them with new internals.
I priced cartridge kits before buying the forks and found them quiet expensive, in comparison Im still under that price with new forks and used calipers, axle, speedo drive. Bearing kits seem reasonable as well.

So, you're all probably right but I'm stubborn and won't be beaten by some old Italian.

lol

Then more power and luck to you! I am up to my ears simply refurbing my little Suzuki trail bike with stock parts...

Did you find out the part number for the speedo drive you need? If you can let me know, I will check the one I have and see if it is what you need.

[Flip]

Originally Posted by Wasta

I priced cartridge kits before buying the forks and found them quiet expensive, in comparison Im still under that price with new forks and used calipers, axle, speedo drive. Bearing kits seem reasonable as well.

Yes I appreciate that you may not have reached the conversion figure yet and your obvious drive not to be beaten but the likelihood of the new forks being as good or even much of an improvement over your originals (in my experience) is pretty slim.

I for one, promise not to say 'I told you so' you'll get all the help here you could possibly want identifying parts etc. and hope you end up with a set up you're happy with.

[Wasta]

Just to bring you upto speed, I have all the parts to put the bike back together now.. except the front wheel I bought on ebay has two dings on the rim. The seller will accept the return so looking again.

I must admit I'm quiet enjoying this project, although the time scales getting daft.

[Wasta]

Well, here we are again!

I'm pleased to say its finished at last. Didnt get much time last year to work on it but CV19 has given me that time.