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Message started by wickedbiker on 03/29/14 at 15:22:08

Title: extended forks options? & how to swap em?
Post by wickedbiker on 03/29/14 at 15:22:08

Hey! I want to put +4 forks on my savage I plan on cutting the back shocks to lower the rear about an inch or so. I know forks by frank is an option for about $250, is there any other options? ie. Other bike with longer forks that fit a savage, a place that sells +4 fork extent ions 4 savages, ect. (I know there are different forks and front ends on flea bay, just don't know if any will fit my bike)
Also if I go with franks or whatever what do I need (oil,tools,sect) and how do I make the swap?

Title: Re: extended forks options? & how to swap em?
Post by pgambr on 03/29/14 at 19:32:53

Like this? Arteacher has something like this.

http://www.chopper-kit-usa.com/Suzuki-S40%20_05_pics.htm

Title: Re: extended forks options? & how to swap em?
Post by old_rider on 03/29/14 at 20:07:47

I LIKE that! :)

Title: Re: extended forks options? & how to swap em?
Post by Steve H on 03/29/14 at 20:16:33

I like that too. If it were a nice chrome springer, it would be right. :)

Title: Re: extended forks options? & how to swap em?
Post by Greg on 03/29/14 at 20:17:11

I did Frank's. I like 'em. I don't think you'll be able to lower the rear and keep a suspension. I lowered my rear fender. Gives the appearance of lowered rear.

Title: Re: extended forks options? & how to swap em?
Post by wickedbiker on 03/29/14 at 20:38:21

Yea like that but for around a couple hundred rather than a couple grand like they want for those rape kits whoops I mean rake kits.
But I would add a peanut tank and old school sissy bar.

Title: Re: extended forks options? & how to swap em?
Post by arteacher on 03/31/14 at 03:15:53

If you extend the forks more than 2" without making some change in rake angle your handling will deteriorate badly. Franks Forks can make you a set, but he won't go more than 4" with the stock rake as the bike becomes dangerously unsafe after that.

Title: Re: extended forks options? & how to swap em?
Post by Greg on 03/31/14 at 04:40:48

I disagree arteacher. I extended mine 4" and the high speed handling is infinitely better.

Title: Re: extended forks options? & how to swap em?
Post by wickedbiker on 03/31/14 at 10:33:00

Yea once you lower the back end and the fact that the bike already has 35 degrees you dont really need much more rake angle to add a little length. the trail should be perfect. Heres the post that really got me hooked on the idea. I was amazed at how great this bike looks just by a few modifications. http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1176518249/0

Does anyone know what the stock length of the forks are? and what they are with 4 over stock?

I found these on ebay, I know that our tubes are 38mm in diameter and you can pretty much swap out any tubes as long as they are the same diameter right?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1980-Suzuki-RM400-Front-Forks-38MM-41-5-Long-/350825356392?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item51aed21c68&vxp=mtr

Heres another cool thing I found: http://cincinnaticaferacer.com/the-library/forks/

Title: Re: extended forks options? & how to swap em?
Post by wickedbiker on 04/06/14 at 13:41:44

I need to bump this thread I really need to know what the stock fork tubes are on the savage. Also if you have 4 over what length are those?
is it hard to take out the old tubes and add new ones? I mean whats the process of that?

I know that savage forks are 38mm diameter so could I just buy a set of forks from another bike that has longer tubes that are 38mm diameter, remove them and swap em into the savage?

These are probably too long.... Longer than 4 over I'm sure but here is an example lets say I buy these remove the tubes and swap them into my savage? http://www.ebay.com/itm/1980-Suzuki-RM400-Front-Forks-38MM-41-5-Long-/350825356392?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item51aed21c68&vxp=mtr

Title: Re: extended forks options? & how to swap em?
Post by arteacher on 04/07/14 at 06:25:58

Not all 38mm tubes are the same, because the wall thickness can vary. If the walls are thicker or thinner you will need to change the dampers too.

Title: Re: extended forks options? & how to swap em?
Post by arteacher on 04/07/14 at 06:42:52

68767C747A7B7D76747A6D1F0 wrote:

Yea like that but for around a couple hundred rather than a couple grand like they want for those rape kits whoops I mean rake kits.
But I would add a peanut tank and old school sissy bar.

The "rape kit" was worth every penny. The quality of the parts could not possibly be better. Solid steel triple plated trees and rake extender, and the best quality bearings I have ever seen. The fork tubes are thicker walled than stock. Installation was relatively easy, and you get their technician's personal cell #, which he actually answers, if you need help.
They provided the best customer service I have ever had anywhere. Period.

Title: Re: extended forks options? & how to swap em?
Post by wickedbiker on 04/07/14 at 07:18:39

Thats cool man I didnt mean anything by it I just dont have that kind of money for one simple modification. As a matter of fact I saw one of those kits on a Sportster that was for sale at a local shop by my house and don't get mad at me but it was hideous. It stood out in a crown and appeared to be big and clunky looking especially on a smaller model bike like the 1200. I'm sure it rides and feels great, but when I have the option to add a 40 degree rake by lower the rear and adding 4 over and having a nice clean look for at the most $300 thats more the route for me. I have a family of 5 and I think all together I spent about $1,600 on my bike to begin with so spending $2000 on a couple of parts to rake the front end just doesnt seem feesable to me.
In all honesty I would get some custom bearings and put a girder front end on my chop long before paying that kind of bread for a giant slab of metal hanging out of my front end. :)

I was really hoping to just swap out some tubes from another front end perhaps on ebay for $100 instead of the $250 + shipping to frank if I could avoid it. One option I dont have to really wait long to come up with the cash the other I do.
I know that the vulcan 700s and 750s have 38mm and the viragos and the RM 400s, 250s, 125s as well as some dirt bikes like the YZ and a few others I just cant really see were anyone thought of or did this other than a select few swapping entire front ends.

So unless someone chimes in and says "YEA! Tjhose there vulcan tubes L do the trick!" or somethin to the likes I suppose I stuck waitin to casll franks forks forked by frank or whatever once I can come up with an excuse to take $300 out of 3 little mouths to feed.

Heres the ride I had right before I got my savage
1974 CB750 SOHO 4banger Chop Amen savior frame with girder front end. 4 carbs all with cone breathers (and yes thats a real oil bag under the seat LOL) ;D

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/t599/Adam_Dubuque/IMAG0648_zps1172affa.jpg

Title: Re: extended forks options? & how to swap em?
Post by wickedbiker on 04/07/14 at 09:25:16

Well if I dont get some kind of help with this it looks like Im screwed. I just called Franked and he basically told me Im forked hes not making forks for the savage.

Title: Re: extended forks options? & how to swap em?
Post by Greg on 04/07/14 at 10:10:22

I would ask the chopper kit folks if they would just sell the forks.

edit: Never mind. They do. Here's the link: http://www.chopper-kit-usa.com/parts_forks-honda.htm

Title: Re: extended forks options? & how to swap em?
Post by Greg on 04/07/14 at 10:19:23

Oh, and I forgot to mention, I posted an image of a before and after and also did a post on my thoughts on the handling. Here are the links:

http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1364074176

http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1364665799/0

Title: Re: extended forks options? & how to swap em?
Post by wickedbiker on 04/07/14 at 10:38:45

I know I love what you did man I really can't wait. I have to do this sooner than later. This is a way better option to the rake kits

Was it hard to make the swap Greg?

I called him back he's an old timer I told him there must be some kind of mistake cause a bunch of guys had bought em from him and he confirmed it was the ls650 and not the sv650 that he was thinking of he said in the first call.
I found that link also and they bare both close in price
Frank wanted $279 + $30 ship to Fl
And AME wants around $331 shipped
Looks like I have to come up with some bread :-/

Title: Re: extended forks options? & how to swap em?
Post by Greg on 04/07/14 at 13:27:37

It wasn't a hard swap for me, wicked. I paid a shop to put the new tubes in the lowers. :) Then I installed the assembly. I didn't have the tools to do the fork work, so I farmed it out.

Title: Re: extended forks options? & how to swap em?
Post by nickythegreek on 04/21/14 at 14:58:01

6E6B6C67606A090 wrote:

I would ask the chopper kit folks if they would just sell the forks.

edit: Never mind. They do. Here's the link ...

I just called up the chopper kit folks and they said that they actually get their 4 over tubes from Franks and that I would be better off going directly through Franks if I was not ordering the whole kit.

Title: Re: extended forks options? & how to swap em?
Post by Greg on 04/27/14 at 09:37:43

Interesting.

Title: Re: extended forks options? & how to swap em?
Post by arteacher on 04/27/14 at 09:46:30

When I bought my kit the fork tubes were shipped from Frank's, not Chopper Kits.

Title: Re: extended forks options? & how to swap em?
Post by WD on 04/27/14 at 10:03:25

Local chopper shop has a couple springers for sale... set of conversion bearings is around $40... should I price the twisted front leg +4 or the I cant remember +10 the next time I'm down that way? Both are (gag) solid chrome... hate that stuff if it is more than a slight accent piece.

Would work out to +10 and +16 on a Savage chassis... which takes a -2 from Paughco, DNA, V-Twin Mfg, etc to run a stock frame height with a springer fork.

Title: Re: extended forks options? & how to swap em?
Post by wickedbiker on 04/28/14 at 16:01:06

0E1D590 wrote:

Thats what I was thinking to, I see girders on craigslist all the time for $100. Where do you get conversion bearings for $40?
My other question is there a way to use those bearings, lets say they are 1" can you then add a harley front end from lets say an older sportster or some sort of smaller harley that you could actually buy a rakes set of trees and over forks. They have a way to do this for the intruders are they the same size. There really has to be viable and feasable options for this bike to have an extended front end. My major selling point on this bike was the already 35 degrees in rake. I also like the Honda VLX and the intruder 1400 all having a massive stock rake and no need for welding a neck just triple trees and extended forks and lower the rear then you go to town and this bike looks great with a sportster tank I could only imagine having it raked out with 5 degree triple trees and 6 over forks and some ape hanger z bars MAN O MAN!!! ;) and the way these little bikes cook it would feel hot rod all the way BB!!

Title: Re: extended forks options? & how to swap em?
Post by WD on 04/28/14 at 22:34:27

If the raked trees fit an 800 Intruder, they fit an 800 Marauder, a 1400 Intruder AND an LS650. Same steering stem size. 800 Intruder front end is a 3 nut direct swap AND gives you a front wheel driven, high mount speedometer, oh, AND a better quality rotor and caliper. Master cylinder is still substandard.

$40 conversion bearings is easy, I go to the bearing house with a tracing of the inner dimension, outer dimension and bearing thickness I need. They're just Timken bearings, nothing exotic.

Title: Re: extended forks options? & how to swap em?
Post by wickedbiker on 04/29/14 at 16:18:34

No kidding??? So this triple tree will fit our savage? http://www.bikercom.com/shop/index.php?page=pp_producto.php&md=0&ref=GZ-090104

Cause the only one I could find where it said " made for savage" was $750 and there was another one I think for around $1100 it was robbery

I really want about 5-6 degrees added to the 35 so I can go with 6 over and slam the back shocks. With the vs800 trees in that ad and the forks were looking at $800 give or take. That sure beats $2000 for one of those chopper kits and you don't have to have that crazy peice hanging on your front end. So it looks sharp too :P

I really love this savage chop they have the right idea and I bet its fun as hell to ride

http://p1.bikepics.com/2012/10/20/bikepics-2470039-800.jpg

Title: Re: extended forks options? & how to swap em?
Post by WD on 04/29/14 at 22:52:38

Send him a pm, that's one of Demin's builds. He lives on this forum.

Title: Re: extended forks options? & how to swap em?
Post by wickedbiker on 05/03/14 at 10:47:19

Heres a great example of what I'm talking about. In my opinion the Savage and intruders really look great as old school chops

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/t599/Adam_Dubuque/NewBitmapImage_zps04eaa63c.png

http://img.youtube.com/vi/3lb4K2ZVGlQ/0.jpg

Can anyone absolutly confirm that VS800 raked triple trees will work on our bike?
I would really hate to come up with the over $400 only to find out they didn't work. I can't understand why if they did work the manufacture would not include the S40/savage as working with them. Wouldn't they make more money that way???
Or do I have to have the entire front end from that bike to go with the trees for this to work.

I guess my main question is where can I get a fair priced set of raked trees for this bike 5 or 6 degree?

Title: Re: extended forks options? & how to swap em?
Post by WD on 05/04/14 at 07:10:56

The trees fit, but you really need the tubes/sliders, axle/spacers and the wheel assembly off a donor 800. Since the 800 front end is a bit wider than the LS front end.

Title: Re: extended forks options? & how to swap em?
Post by Demin on 05/04/14 at 08:25:47

That is a stock frontend on my purple bike.I think the stacked headlights make it look longer. :-/.And no fender makes a difference too.

Title: Re: extended forks options? & how to swap em?
Post by wickedbiker on 05/06/14 at 15:56:25

I have decided to just go with a 6 over springier when ever I can come up with the $450-$550 which really is better than buying a raked triple tree for $650 or a rake kit for $2000

I would do the fork tubes for $350 but it just seems easier to me throw in a springer and be done and even though it gives it a nice old school chopper look I still think the fork tubes look cleaner. But I have to compress springs with a special tool, seal forks and whatever else plus if I want 6 over or more I have to find trees which not only are they pricey but I can barely find anything custom for this bike let alone raked trees.

On flea-bay I found a springer for $429 shipped
http://www.ebay.com/itm/DNA-SPRINGER-FRONT-END-6-OVER-STOCK-LENGTH-CHROME-NEW-/291130037963?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item43c8b3d6cb&vxp=mtr

and

a savage 650 springer conversion kit (Bearings) for 1"springer $150
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Suzuki-Springer-Frontend-Conversion-Kit-/170915629323?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item27cb5d890b&vxp=mtr
http://www.jonline.org/savage/Photos/Cool_Savages/dansChopsuzispringer4.jpg

Title: Re: extended forks options? & how to swap em?
Post by WD on 05/06/14 at 21:13:20

Dump the rear shocks and I'd ride that one. Really want a blacked out -4 Springer for my 98 with the FL rear fender and planned rigid frame conversion. Just have to find one spec'd for drum front wheel with 5/8" axle.

Title: Re: extended forks options? & how to swap em?
Post by wickedbiker on 05/07/14 at 04:13:34

485B1F0 wrote:

That would be bad as hell, I want to see pics if you do it. I may even go that way myself.

Title: Re: extended forks options? & how to swap em?
Post by yetimeister on 05/23/15 at 08:14:50

Can you use tubes more than +4 with the stock equipement? how much more front end ground clearance does it give you? 2 and a half inches at +4s? i want to do + 4s at least from franks for two reasons. One i have a voodoo vintage hard tail on my savage and im basically dragging frame now. Also i like the look of it stretched out a little more.

Title: Re: extended forks options? & how to swap em?
Post by Blade on 09/25/15 at 22:54:29

Srinath,

Would you be interested in having another set of triple trees made from your design and selling them? I would be very interested in a set.

Blade

Title: Re: extended forks options? & how to swap em?
Post by maleyfarm on 10/10/15 at 14:26:36

so your wanting something like this? ;D

Title: Re: extended forks options? & how to swap em?
Post by maleyfarm on 10/10/15 at 14:48:06

my next step is raising my tank and 2 inch taller risers with no pull back

Title: Re: extended forks options? & how to swap em?
Post by Dave on 10/10/15 at 17:54:05

282429203C23243728450 wrote:

so your wanting something like this? ;D

No...not like that! That looks like an accident waiting to happen.

Stop it - your scaring me. :o

Title: Re: extended forks options? & how to swap em?
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 10/10/15 at 22:24:21

Sometimes I wait to do something, sometimes I prepare to do something. That doesn't look like waiting to me.

If you found a piece of pipe that fit tight inside the joint , and let it extend both ways about two inches, then I wouldn't cringe so bad looking at that. IMO, the tubes are stressed already, and even if the connection is buttressed internally, that is a shady setup. I hope it doesn't let you down.
Pun intended.

Title: Re: extended forks options? & how to swap em?
Post by Dave on 10/11/15 at 04:10:10

It look to me like they installed a socket on the hex head of the cap, and welded the socket to the cap.....then screwed the cap down into the fork leg. I don't know what they did at the top to put a bolt down through drive end of the socket.

Title: Re: extended forks options? & how to swap em?
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 10/11/15 at 15:56:46

Okay, I see it, it doesn't look so spooky now.

Title: Re: extended forks options? & how to swap em?
Post by maleyfarm on 10/12/15 at 04:03:59

if you click this link you can see pretty much what I built but they don't make them for Suzuki savages.
http://www.bikercom.com/shop/index.php?page=pp_productos.php&tipo=1&md=1&ref=58

I've put over 4000 miles on the bike since I did this, this spring. no problems but it does handle different at slow speeds. my last bike was a Honda vlx that had the same homemade setup that I put over 20,xxx miles on (also hade homemade rigid kit) with no issues.
to each his own and modifiying a bike is up to the owner and I take no responsiblilty for anyone who copies this. but I know if I have to spend $2000-$3000 for a different front end I'd just buy a new bike that was easier to modify.

Title: Re: extended forks options? & how to swap em?
Post by Gary_in_NJ on 10/12/15 at 09:15:30

323E333A26393E2D325F0 wrote:

so your wanting something like this? ;D

Holy crap, is that a welded-on socket?

Title: Re: extended forks options? & how to swap em?
Post by Dave on 10/12/15 at 09:21:55

Yep....scary ain't it!

How thick (thin) are the tube walls where that cap threads in?

Title: Re: extended forks options? & how to swap em?
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 10/12/15 at 09:22:29

556E6374656972746F676A75060 wrote:

I SAW , yet didn't see, it didn't click, I Saw the etched in size on the socket,, and just totally failed to grasp until Dave, good ole Gold Star Dave, once again, points out the detail..

Title: Re: extended forks options? & how to swap em?
Post by Gary_in_NJ on 10/12/15 at 11:50:57

4F74796E7F73686E757D706F1C0 wrote:

Yep....scary ain't it!

How thick (thin) are the tube walls where that cap threads in?

The tube walls are probably somewhere around 0.062". They are supported by the mass of the upper t-clamp. Still, that's not a good looking weld AND a socket isn't designed to take the types of loads that a fork tube sees. AND (yes, that's a second capitalized "and") it's not supported by the upper t-clamp; all of the twisting load is placed right on that crappy weld.

Isn't the purpose of an extend fork to...well...extend the fork so the front is "raked-out"?. This welded socket kind of defeats the purpose.

Title: Re: extended forks options? & how to swap em?
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 10/12/15 at 16:29:10

And, the socket isn't an impact socket. Chrome sockets are harder than impact sockets. Welding on one? I'm not a metallurgical marvel,but those are thin walls and an impact wrench can break them.
If you break a Craftsman socket, a chrome one,,and the square drive is beaten up, indicating that it's been on an impact, I have been refused a free replacement...
Welding does more than stick metal together,, it creates stresses, and seeing them is impossible. I'm gonna go back to
That's a bad idea.
And I hope you don't get hurt. I suggest regular inspection, especially on the back.

Title: Re: extended forks options? & how to swap em?
Post by maleyfarm on 11/06/15 at 05:30:19

well if everyone is done beating me up on here I will say you all can sleep fine knowing my bike is no longer on the road. 2 1/2 weeks ago I was rear ended on the highway while I was traveling 65mph (no idea how fast she was going, her quote "I knew I was going faster than him, thought I had time to go around" ) 3 fratures in my back, 1 face fracture, shoulder problems, and road rash, but I walked away and my fork extensions held up just fine.

Title: Re: extended forks options? & how to swap em?
Post by Gary_in_NJ on 11/06/15 at 05:57:58

Holy crap. I hope you're feeling better soon. I hope the driver of the car looses her license (I know she wont, no one ever does).

Title: Re: extended forks options? & how to swap em?
Post by Steve H on 11/06/15 at 08:16:43

Ouch!!! Man that looks bad. Glad to hear you will be OK, though.

Title: Re: extended forks options? & how to swap em?
Post by Art Webb on 11/06/15 at 10:17:03

Good God, hope you get better soon
the cager should be revoked

Title: Re: extended forks options? & how to swap em?
Post by DesertRat on 11/06/15 at 19:14:03

dude, hope and prayers for fast healing

Title: Re: extended forks options? & how to swap em?
Post by WD on 11/07/15 at 23:03:02

Slugging the tubes if done right is perfectly safe.

Don't let the insurance company take the bike. I've got a spare frame, swingarm and rear wheel you can come get when you've healed up.

My lumbar region got trashed in Feb 2002. Broke a shoulder in 2/2008. Neither healed right, I'm a lousy patient... I still ride almost every day.

Take it easy, be patient, at least try to pretend to listen to your doctors.

Title: Re: extended forks options? & how to swap em?
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 11/08/15 at 20:59:34

Just guessing, I'm going say85 to 90. She shortened that bike, and set it into the A.C. condenser at leas, look dead center, if she was planning on passing, when was she gonna start?

Title: Re: extended forks options? & how to swap em?
Post by chzeckmate on 11/08/15 at 23:43:18

Holy cow! I hope she was arrested. Around here that would certainly qualify as vehicular assault. I'm glad to hear you're relatively intact after that.

Title: Re: extended forks options? & how to swap em?
Post by Blade on 11/12/15 at 17:23:52

Mate,

I hope you recover well, and fast.