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Author Topic: Alternative Front fork and wheel for SR-ZF 2017  (Read 1148 times)

Skloep

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Alternative Front fork and wheel for SR-ZF 2017
« on: June 10, 2024, 04:05:18 PM »

I would like to exchange my front suspension for something with two discs instead of my current one disc set to improve breaking power, but new from Zero is far to expensive.
In my imagination it would be possible to take the front fork and front wheel of another bike with compatible dimensions.
Anyone an idea what would fit? There should be more bikes with upside down front forks that could be made to fit.
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rgutt

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Re: Alternative Front fork and wheel for SR-ZF 2017
« Reply #1 on: June 13, 2024, 05:07:51 AM »

I wish you luck in this endeavor, but fact is that the dimensional data required to determine interchangeability of forks isn't readily available. Shy of people who have leveraged professional machine work to retrofit a set of forks from one bike to another, most fork swaps stay within the same family, i.e. manufacturer wherein someone happened to have both bikes to be able to measure and then disseminate the cross compatibility to the rest of the internet public.

The closest I've been able to find are the forks from an early '00s Kawasaki 636. They are the same size but a different spacing than the Zero, so you'd have to use the entire triple -- and then I have no idea if the triple's spindle is compatible with the Zero neck ... and since the 636 forks are wider apart, they might not fit properly in the Zero's neck area, at least during low speed turning.
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TheRan

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Re: Alternative Front fork and wheel for SR-ZF 2017
« Reply #2 on: June 13, 2024, 05:29:18 AM »

If you can find some forks that have the same diameter uppers then you can put them in the Zero triple clamps. A bonus is you won't have to mess about with trying to mount the dash and headlight to different clamps. The issue then is the fork ends will be a different distance apart and the wheel won't just bolt straight in so you'll either need some spacers made or turn down the originals, and then space out the brake calipers to line up (so axial mount and not radial).
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Skloep

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Re: Alternative Front fork and wheel for SR-ZF 2017
« Reply #3 on: June 17, 2024, 04:38:55 PM »

That's what I was afraid of, I probably better leave it the way it is and start saving up for another bike to replace this one. Too bad the second hand value of those Zero motorbikes is so low.
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rgutt

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Re: Alternative Front fork and wheel for SR-ZF 2017
« Reply #4 on: July 01, 2024, 02:23:24 AM »

It's worth noting that the single front rotor on a 14.4 SR is capable of locking the front tire if you have decent pads, so though on paper a dual disc setup has the capability to generate more friction, the single disc can already put out as much as the front tire can put to the ground. Of course, you have to disable the ABS to find that out. If you really are low on braking power, just get some better pads. If it's the feel you want, you might away with switching the master for something with a smaller bore. The only limit there would be the point at which there was insufficient travel in the lever to still make adequate force at the caliper -- but I would expect you would test that in your driveway or somewhere offroad before putting it on the road.
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Motoproponent

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Re: Alternative Front fork and wheel for SR-ZF 2017
« Reply #5 on: July 01, 2024, 10:30:51 PM »

For what it's worth, I had a Honda CB1 and was a member of all of it's enthusiast groups. Swapping the stock front end for a CBR to get dual discs was a common mod. In the end it ended up becoming a cosmetic mod as people that raced them found the extra unsprung weight ruined the handling and provided little increased braking performance. And the performance advantage was less brake fade since the heat was spread out across two sets of rotors and pads.

Most bikes that have a single front rotor, are like that because one rotor is enough. If you like the looks of dual discs, which is a totally valid reason to want them, then rock it out! Unless you're riding your bike hard enough to notice brake fade then it's probably not worth the expense.

It's your bike though, do it if you can. And post the process so we can all learn with you. 
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