Triumphrat

dfib · 03-11-2006, 09:14 PM

Has anyone put USD forks on an 01 S3? If so what brand and did you have to mod anything to make them fit. I looked at Ohlins, $$ <---- ouch! and they only list the USD forks to fit up to a 99 S3.

Sorry if this has been covered in another post, but the search engine gives me squat

Was also looking for a repair manual. Will the Hayes 98-2000 manual work for the 2001, why can't I find a manual for the 2001 bike, and BTW the search engine on this site is worthless
:hammer:

[ This message was edited by: dfib on 2006-03-12 15:10 ]

vclune · 03-12-2006, 08:16 PM

You can get the best manual from your local Triumph dealer, can't beat it with a Haynes.

I have heard of others using a Suzuki USD fork of similar year, you would need to find one salvage.

trypcil · 03-12-2006, 10:49 PM

ebay usually has loads on auction. But I would imagine a set of triple clamps need to be sourced along with the usds. It is entirely possible, and this is from when I was looking into it - that the existing centre spline - that which goes through the head and between the existing triple clamps, is pressed into a donor set of triple clamps which match the forks - thus allowing a bolt on. The caveat here is you'll probably need the wheel that goes along with that set of forks too. I doubt you'll easily find otherwise a way of using the oem wheel - plus that may also mean changing the mud guard and brakes as well. Just a thought - but worth exploring - I was discouraged by the expense of it all and finding replacement oem forks that fulfilled my needs for a reasonable cost. Also apart from the cosmetics, what are the advantages, if any of usds - perhaps none!?

kuhlka · 03-12-2006, 11:28 PM

The entire 01-06 GSXR1000 front end is a direct swap for our bikes. All you'd need to get is the spacer kit for the front axle to mount the stock S3 wheel, the brake spacer kit, and a comfort top yoke for handlebars, then you're golden. The hard part is finding a non-wrecked front end from a GSXR for under $800... Then, you still have to buy the spacer kits from racecomp and a top yoke.

In the end, the conversion will easily run in excess of $1000 unless you've got a machinist as a close friend who'll do it for free or cheap, and time.

dfib · 03-13-2006, 12:04 PM

I found forks on Ebay for $250 - 350. The big ? now, will it make that much of a difference? I hate to go spend $500+ and not notice a thing handling wise. (even though USD forks just look that much better :-D )

kuhlka · 03-13-2006, 01:16 PM

Keep in mind though, you'll need calipers, rotors, possibly a different front wheel, front axle, wheel bearings, bolts for the calipers and everything else, triples, steering head bearings...

This isn't a cheap swap by any means, BUT it will look badass if done properly.

trypcil · 03-13-2006, 01:19 PM

Personnally speaking I think the 'look' is what'll do it for you. The advantages are perhaps minimal if any - but you'll have a bike that is individual, and you'll be perhaps an authority as a consequence - I'm sure many others will after a prang be interested in what you had done and will benefit from your escapade in learning. That is enrichening to our community but whether the bike will handle any better is questionable - experience is cheap at any price hey? Keep us posted and good luck. :razz:

kuhlka · 03-13-2006, 01:21 PM

I've got a clean set of TL1000R forks with lower triple clamp and a set of calipers I'd let go for $200 plus whatever shipping would be. I just don't have the time and extra money to finish the swap and I'm thining I'm just going to wait and buy an entire GSXR1k front end and get the spacer kits from Racecomp after my wedding. Otherwise, I'm off to graduate school down in Dallas and won't be able to afford anything other than the bare essentials to keep the bike running, as it'll be my primary mode of transportation down there.

The TL forks are all silver. If anyone knows a machinist, this should be a pretty simple swap. All you'd need is steering bearings, a top triple, bolts, wheel spacers or possibly just a TL axle. It looked like everything else would just fit up fine.

The forks have ohlins internals, so I imagine the suspension would be quite a bit cushier and more responsive than stock.

[ This message was edited by: kuhlka on 2006-03-13 11:23 ]

GoodJava · 03-13-2006, 03:26 PM

Have you considered replacing the fork internals and getting a new rear shock? I know I have...I turned 19K miles and the stock suspension has seen better days.

dfib · 03-13-2006, 05:01 PM

I really was considering it more because of the challenge of doing it and the pride of a custom bit on the bike. I figure the handling is probably better than I am right now and will stay that way for a while. But I have heard that USD forks do offer a little better handling and are a bit more sturdy (This isn't really even an issue in my mind).
Lets face it the real reason I was wondering is they are just so darn kuul!

kuhlka - buy the stuff b4 the wedding, trust me! :brk:

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