SBK Showas on Monsterbb

[Mr Earl]

I'm thinking about putting SBK adjustable Showa forks on my Monster.  I realize there are some issues involved.  One is the greater length of the fork tubes, and probable interference with the stock handlebars.

Can anyone who's successfully done this tell me how far above the top triple the SBK tubes extend on a Monster?  (Mine's a 2003 M800 if it matters.)  If clip-ons are mounted on the tops of the SBK tubes, are they in roughly the same position as Monster bars?  Thanks.

[Smokescreen]

Maybe it differs per year model, but I put 749s Showas (gold nitride coated) on a 95 M900 and the fork legs were shorter, though not by much.  Once mounted, the adjusters that stuck out the top definitely were longer, and that interfered with the bars.  I considered a number of options, but the owner didn't want touring bars as that's what bar riders would've caused, so I ended up installing Suburban Machinery Type 2 SV650 bars.  To use those, i ended up having spacers made for clearance of the cluster, but with the CF windscreen back on, you can't tell from off the bike, and the instrument visibility is even better on the bike.

Oh, also, had to install spacers on lower triples. ($20 for two strips of mild steel at the Ducati dealer) and had a machine shop machine out the upper triples.  In hindsight, I wish I'd been around to ask them to perforate the upper triple; that woulda' looked sweet!

[rockaduc]

I installed a set from a 998 on my s2r 800.  The SBK fork legs were considerably longer than my stockers, but there is not enough room at the top to attach clip-ons w/out altering my geometry too much for my comfort.  I had to install bar risers.  Rode it like that all of last year, didn't like the riding position and lack of feel from the front due to sitting so upright...I am in the middle of installing LSL clip-ons w/ rise below my triple now.

Here is a pic of what the 998 fork looks like w/ the risers installed.

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk201/rockaduc/100_1496.jpg

[Mr Earl]

Thanks for the info, and for the pic - that's just what I needed.  Thinking about making up a set of bars to accommodate the extra fork height above the triple.  It looks about half-again taller than the stock Marzocchis on my M800.

[TiAvenger]

Roughly 1 inch iirc

My clipons were roughly 6 inches lower than stock bars, mounted above the triple. 

You will need the top triple bored, the bottom triple shimmed and caliper spacers. (not sure on your model)

Also needed, front stand, patience, and beer



lots and lots of beer

[Smokescreen]

Oh yeah, forgot we had to put 6mm spacers where the calipers mounted.  Unless you are switching to updated wheel and rotors too.