A little swapping around

[DEcosse]

Needed to wrench on something so swapped around the front ends on my TL & Triumph

The 06 1000 GSXR Kayabas now reside on the TL while the 07 GSXR 750 Showa are now on the Triumph.
Out if the two, I think I prefer the Showas - but not by a huge margin.
I had to swap the bottom triple along with the forks - the Showas have 1mm smaller diameter outer tube at the bottom clamp. (inner tubes are same dia)

Here's how the Triumph looks now:
A couple of other updates include polishing out the 'blue' from the Ti Blueflame exhaust can and I also swapped the Rizoma 'Lux' grips over (incorporating the faster action throttle cam at same time)

[champ87]

DEcosse,

Looks nice.

I think the black outers look better. To me they give the bike a more modern look. I guess I'm associating the black with the new S3. Whatever, they look the biz.

Zorst looks better too. Your hard work has paid off. Of course that's just my opinion (but I can't think of a better opinion ).

Nice work.

[DEcosse]

Originally Posted by champ87

... Zorst looks better too.....

Yeah, the blue is so yesterday!

Thanks, Champ!

[thewolf-Oz]

Looks good mate - how's the difference on the TL?

I know a few people with 07 GSXR's so perhaps I can steal their forks when they're not looking

[201050]

I think the black outers look better........ Zorst looks better too.....

Yeah, the blue is so yesterday!

I agree with both. This is the best it's looked.

[DEcosse]

Well the TL had the 750's on there and it rode really nice - haven't been out on it with the Kayabas yet.
The biggest noticeable difference is under extreme braking (like emergency stop!) - with the Kayabas, if they bottom out, there is a hydraulic lock region at the very bottom - so you get a chatter under that condition as there is no-where for fluid to go. There is a relatively simple mod you can do to relieve that but I hadn't executed it.
For general performance the Showa just has the edge in better feel for me (and a change in aesthetics, to be honest).
But can't go wrong with either one - as OEM equipment both are excellent performers.
The TL is probably going up for sale soon, so thought I would keep the Showas, hence the switch
The Kayabas off the GSXR 1K still a much better prospect than the OEM Triumph Showas! (and probably also better than the TL's earlier generation KYB)

Have to say it was fun juggling two bikes in the air swapping front ends around!

Here's a less glam shot of the TL in the garage just after the conclusion of the swap.

[welshrob]

Originally Posted by 201050

I agree with both. This is the best it's looked.

+1

The forks look way better. Now you just need a black frame and swingarm to match....

[DEcosse]

Originally Posted by welshrob

... Now you just need a black frame and swingarm to match ....

Black frame would indeed be nice - a LOT of work of course.
The swing-arm has the purely aesthetic deco CF cover on it.
Note the Showa 750 forks on the TL in the background of this shot!



I think paint is up next - currently torn between a metal black (like Mercedes) or the Gray colour of the 675's.
From experience with the TL though, black shows every little spec on there - but sooo rich!

[welshrob]

Originally Posted by DEcosse

Black frame would indeed be nice - a LOT of work of course.


I think paint is up next - currently torn between a metal black (like Mercedes) or the Gray colour of the 675's.
From experience with the TL though, black shows every little spec on there - but sooo rich!

I have always liked your bike Ken, it is a masterpiece, without a doubt. But just my personal taste (or lack of!) are sensing too many colours happening there at the moment. Black, gold, silver, red, chrome, carbon/fibre, etc. I really like the nuclear red (or is it fusion red?) I would keep it on the bodywork. Not too many S3`s around in that color any more, it is QUALITY! I would just get the wheels/forks/motor and swingarm on the same color page. Preferably black!



I saw the new 1050 SE in the showroom yesterday, so its possible I have a new found hard-on for black and red Speed Triples but I think thats what you should do!

[jhanna1701]

Originally Posted by DEcosse

A couple of other updates include polishing out the 'blue' from the Ti Blueflame exhaust can and I also swapped the Rizoma 'Lux' grips over (incorporating the faster action throttle cam at same time)

NOOOOOO! I've always thought that the blue on your exhaust was one of the cool looking things about your bike!!