ZX12R FRONT END

[p.ludlow2]

:yo:Well started collecting parts for ZX12R fork conversion, so far got forks,yokes,bars and wheel with discs.:-0)
Because bike is my transport i can not really strip and try things because i need it daily, so i might have to see about buying a cheap set blackbird yokes to compare to the zx12r ones.
Keeping bike for life so i dont wont to just throw it all on, i wont to do a good job.Having a family and not much dosh things are going to cost so hoping to get it all done within 12 months ,the other half does not wont me to get a loan,otherwise taff would of sorted me out.(cheers anyway taff.)
Game plan is k-tech 20mm fork kit ?370+VAT,ISR brake and clutch master cylinders about ?250 side,still searching for 6 pots .
Not too sure about which way to go with top yoke and bars,i no taff used zx12r but when i spoke to him he side he had limited lock and the bars were lower ,and i wont the same has standard.Might have to see if standard bars and yoke can be used and also not too sure on mods to lower yoke.Also got to do my home work on de-linking,not sure if Jaws kit would sort me out for front end on zx12r brakes.Big learning curve and a long way to go but should be fun and i will keep it posted on my slow progress.Auy comments of advice most welcome too.:-0)Forgot to say,if anyone knows the length of standard injection forks so i can compare to zx12r ones.:bow:

 

[gerryc]

If your buying new brakes for the front end I think all you should need for the rear is another hose to go from the rear master cylinder to the centre piston banjo bolt on the caliper. Might be worth drilling a hole between the fluid paths on the caliper to equalize pressure tho.

Been wanting to do this myself and had planned on going down the same route as 1200pete (SP2 front) but I haven't had the time or money to buy new front forks

 

[ericonblackbird]

Not too sure about which way to go with top yoke and bars,i no taff used zx12r but when i spoke to him he side he had limited lock and the bars were lower ,and i wont the same has standard.

The limited lock is probably due to the std lock stops on the Kwak lower yoke impacting with the lower mount of the front sub frame. I overcame this by removing the std lock stops and making up my own which gave full lock. The positioning of these can only be done at dry build due to the larger dia of the Kwak forks. I fabbed up my bars to suit me and I incorporated a rise to bring them back to std height and to also ensure that I don't jam my fingers on the inner panels when on full lock. Heil bars do a very expensive set of bars for the Kwak yokes........... can't pass comment on these.

Might have to see if standard bars and yoke can be used and also not too sure on mods to lower yoke.

see above. As I wrote elsewhere the one problem is that the Kwak stem is slightly longer so you need to play with lock nuts to get the bearings correctly seated ....and find a suitable seal for the top of the headstock due to the larger dia of the Kwak stem(I modified a BB one). The height of the Kwak top yoke (and hence the bars) is dependant on how you accomplish this.

Also got to do my home work on de-linking,not sure if Jaws kit would sort me out for front end on zx12r brakes.

Just get some lines made up for the front when you know the exact lengths you require. I use biketorque racing since they are local to me. For the rear one more line is all that is needed - I eventually got mine working really well after rebuilding the calliper and master cylinder.

Forgot to say,if anyone knows the length of standard injection forks so i can compare to zx12r ones

Kwak 14 mm shorter static although this will vary when they are on the bike and weight is loaded on the front. There is certainly no need to loose any ground clearance at the front when Kwak forks are fitted ................... although I have found it don't half turn in fast if you drop them 9mm

 

[p.ludlow2]

The limited lock is probably due to the std lock stops on the Kwak lower yoke impacting with the lower mount of the front sub frame. I overcame this by removing the std lock stops and making up my own which gave full lock. The positioning of these can only be done at dry build due to the larger dia of the Kwak forks. I fabbed up my bars to suit me and I incorporated a rise to bring them back to std height and to also ensure that I don't jam my fingers on the inner panels when on full lock. Heil bars do a very expensive set of bars for the Kwak yokes........... can't pass comment on these.

see above. As I wrote elsewhere the one problem is that the Kwak stem is slightly longer so you need to play with lock nuts to get the bearings correctly seated ....and find a suitable seal for the top of the headstock due to the larger dia of the Kwak stem(I modified a BB one). The height of the Kwak top yoke (and hence the bars) is dependant on how you accomplish this.

Just get some lines made up for the front when you know the exact lengths you require. I use biketorque racing since they are local to me. For the rear one more line is all that is needed - I eventually got mine working really well after rebuilding the calliper and master cylinder.

Kwak 14 mm shorter static although this will vary when they are on the bike and weight is loaded on the front. There is certainly no need to loose any ground clearance at the front when Kwak forks are fitted ................... although I have found it don't half turn in fast if you drop them 9mm

:yo:Thanks for that info, not going to be ready to fit them for a while yet,so hoping i will have a local job by then so i dont need my bird for transport.
Can the standard top yoke be made to fit,then the bars might be higher then using zx12r ones and lockset and hiss would fit easy.Did you take bottom lugs off kwak yoke and reposition them.:bow:

 

[ericonblackbird]

Can the standard top yoke be made to fit,

Presuming you mean the BB top yoke, no. The BB forks are 43mm dia, the Kwak ones 52mm. I tried a 954 Blade top yoke (for ease of fitting HISS and locks) but due to differing tapers on the fork tops it was a IMO a non starter.

...then the bars might be higher then using zx12r ones and lockset and hiss would fit easy.

BB bars are bolted to the fork tops above the yoke and have a rise built into them, Kwak (zx12) ones are bolted into the yoke and are straight. The top yoke height remains within +8mm of std. As I have previously said, lockset and HISS fit with some judicious use of saws, files and taps.

Did you take bottom lugs off kwak yoke and reposition them.

the lockstops on the btm yoke are part of the casting so I 'removed' them and then built my own and positioned them as required. For obvious reasons the originals cannot be re-used!

 

[p.ludlow2]

Presuming you mean the BB top yoke, no. The BB forks are 43mm dia, the Kwak ones 52mm. I tried a 954 Blade top yoke (for ease of fitting HISS and locks) but due to differing tapers on the fork tops it was a IMO a non starter.

BB bars are bolted to the fork tops above the yoke and have a rise built into them, Kwak (zx12) ones are bolted into the yoke and are straight. The top yoke height remains within +8mm of std. As I have previously said, lockset and HISS fit with some judicious use of saws, files and taps.

the lockstops on the btm yoke are part of the casting so I 'removed' them and then built my own and positioned them as required. For obvious reasons the originals cannot be re-used!

:yo:Cheers for that,think i am understanding the problems i will have better now.If i am right use standard zx12r top yoke,lockset and hiss will fit with bit work.Think i might use heli bars on them so i get the extra clearance i need. Use zx12r bottom yoke ,file off lockstops and replace lockstops in new poistion for better lock.Also steering stem will need spacing because slightly longer,but you can use bird spacer to repack.Getting there i think,just wont to make sure i understand the problems i will get and how to slove them.My bike is my transport,so can not afford to get stuck.
Really gratefull fot your advice.:bow: