Buell M2 Front end on a Sportster?

[marco883]

I know this has been discussed before but couldn't find it in the archives.

My bike is a 2002 XL883 Standard converted to 1200. Wanting to upgrade front suspension. 1200S forks or M2 front end?

Been wondering what it would be like to use Buell M2 front end instead of 1200S forks. Installed dual discs this Fall and like the stopping power, now would like the adjustable suspension of the 1200S, I've already upgraded the rear with Progressive 412's and tried SE fork oil. Thought about emulators then I started thinking about using 1200's forks. Now maybe a complete Buell front end, adjustable forks, brakes, wheel. Would the wider front tire and forks affect handling much or should I use a narrow tire with the wider forks?
Trying to improve the handling, suspension.

Any input would be appreciated Thanks in advance.

Mark

[gwcrim]

Wider tires do slow down the fall into a turn. But you'll barely notice a difference.

A Buell front end is a great upgrade. And it's pretty much a straight bolt on. I prefer the looks of an inverted fork like the S1 but to each his own. The onlytrouble is matching the rear wheel to the front.

[stevo]

You can always find a set of legs off a GSXR1100..... get some trees custom made and make up a new axle and a new guard support and custom floating discs and 6 spot calipers and ya got the best of all worlds...

the same adjustability of a 1200S suspension with a cool factor off the charts..


I was gonna do this for my sporty but Mick jumped in first...so I did it to his FXDX..



http://www.iqconnect.net.au/~stevo/mickfx1.jpg

[marco883]

Thanks for the replies,

Crim, would I need to use a wider rear tire to match? Was curios because there were a few M2 forks on evilBay. S1 inverted forks would be better. How much work for conversion is it "bolt-on"?

Stevo, the GSX1100R front end looks GOOD, NICE JOB! Did you use stock front wheel? I bet setting up brakes was a challenge. The custom trees look trick!

You guys got me thinking, and thats dangerous.

Thanks, Mark

[stevo]

Stock FXDX front wheel.....

Lots of other bits custom made to make it fit and look like it should be there....not a job for a backyarder but done properly it's very effective

[marco883]

Hey Stevo,

I've found quite a GSXR 600-1100 font ends on eBay for cheap. Are the spring rates different between the 600,750,1000,1100? I've got access to machine shop to make or modify GSX triple-t's, but front axle, brakes, and rotor tips if willing to share?

[stevo]

Ya best bet is to go with a complete front end ..... makes life REAL easy.... then the only thing ya gotta get cute with is maybe the steerer stem itself

The way I did it is a damn sight harder but I and the customer still wnated a Harley lookin front end with the spoked wheel...


You need early '90s GSXR1100 forks as they are about 1 1/2" longer than the 750's ... the 1100 had the clip ons on top of the tree and the 750's had 'em under...

[marco883]

Thanks Stevo,

I agree about keeping the looks of the Harley front end. I'll keep lookin for the 1100 front end complete. Always like to try different looks, and performance upgrades.

[stevo]

Ya wanna look at a bandit rear mag like Crims got to match the front one then...

[marco883]

Will bandit rear mag fit in swingarm? Stock rear wheel would have ill effects on handling? Same issues with using a Buell S1 front end?

[stevo]

If ya go wider on the front then ya gonna wanna go a bit wider on the rear if possible..

put the thinnest/ highest profile front tire on that ya can aswell, you probably will want a triangular profile too


I havn't put another rear wheel under the guard yet ... but I know crims done it

[marco883]

Maybe Crim might share? Been keepin an eye out for a S-1, X-1, front end. Still would have the issue of rear tire? I think I prefer to keep the front & rear tires near stock dimensions.

[stevo]

You can use a rim off a smaller bike, such as a 400/600... the rim width would be less and would allow the use of a tire closer to the stock width....

[marco883]

If I use a rim off a smaller bike, will I still need to use the GSXR1100 for length? Width would be narrower, O.D. be OK?

[stevo]

Ya still need the 11 fork tubes for length or ya can use Buell ones, just that Buell stuff is dear as poison here...

whenever you undertake a job like this ya need to take lots of measurements as most things can be overcome but it often requires a bit of lateral thinking

[gwcrim]

Here's basically what I did:

-Complete front assembly from a '94 or so GSXR 1100.
-Custom machined stem to fit Sportster frame.

At first I used clip on bars and 7/8 controls that were temorarily rigged up for racing. Now that Roadkill is a street bike, I'm going to drill the upper tree for HD risers and use handlebars and 1" HD controls. I don't like all that weight on my wrists.

Out back I scored a '94 Bandit rear wheel, axle and all the spacers from E bay. The biggest bitch was machining an HD brake rotor to fit the Bandit rim. Other than that, I used the stock spacers from both the Bandit and the Sportster and the thing was almost a clean "bolt on" operation. Hard to believe! The only hiccup is that the Bandit wheel is now running backward.

[stevo]

turn the front wheel around and they are both goin the same way then....

[gwcrim]

turn the front wheel around and they are both goin the same way then....
Now why didn't I think of that!!! :headbang

[stevo]

'cos it's your bike and you were lookin at it..........
when ya in the middle of it ya can't see it.....


Lookin from the outside and thinkin outside the square is my specialty :D



change ya front tire direction tho.... ya don't want it peelin layers off or gettin lumps in it