Shortening front forks.
in [Tech]
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From: paul c on 13 Oct 2009 20:58 Schiffner wrote: > On Oct 12, 6:50 am, 1949 Whizzer <macmi...(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > Boy are you stupid. It's a motor-scooter NOT a 125cc street bike you > stupid git. > Some scoots, such as a Honda CH250, could probably handle small bike forks if the right sized races could be found, the fairing and inner bodywork would probably have to go and then it would be a rat scoot.
From: The Older Gentleman on 14 Oct 2009 04:23 Schiffner <stevenkeith2(a)hotmail.com> wrote: > On Oct 11, 10:06 pm, totallydeadmail...(a)yahoo.co.uk (The Older > Gentleman) wrote: > > 1949 Whizzer <macmi...(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > > Sure. You could install shorter stanchion tubes, shorter springs and > > > maybe even shorten the damper rods. > > > > Or you could do what I suggest, which is raise them through the yokes. > > As long as you don't mind maybe a couple of inches of stanchion poking > > up. > > uh, dude your senility is creeping in methinks...he's talking about a > motor-scooter. My bad for not reading the post properly. That said, grafting a conventional front fork end on wouldn't be hard: just a waste of effort. -- BMW K1100LT & K100RS Ducati 750SS Triumph Street Triple Honda CB400F Suzuki TS250 chateaudotmurrayatidnetdotcom Nothing damages a machine more than an ignoramus with a manual, a can-do attitude and a set of cheap tools
From: Greg.Procter on 22 Oct 2009 21:48 On Mon, 12 Oct 2009 10:19:40 +1300, The Older Gentleman <totallydeadmailbox(a)yahoo.co.uk> wrote: > Greg.Procter <procter(a)ihug.co.nz> wrote: > >> Has anyone got experience with front forks (say 250cc-350cc size) and >> the possibilities of shortening them? > > If you can find some forks that will fit the yokes, you don't have to > shorten them in order to make the motorcycle 'sit' correctly. > > Just lift the forks through the yokes so you have an inch or two (or > whatever) protruding above the top yoke. > Hi Older Gentleman, the machine currently has an upside down "Y" made of welded tube - no triple yokes and motorscooter superstructure around the head. I'm a bit nervous of it's strength if I install better brakes and more horsepower. The superstructure can be braced easily inside so I can keep the external appearance. Apologies for delay, my provider seems only to download about weekliy! Greg.P.
From: Greg.Procter on 22 Oct 2009 22:03 On Mon, 12 Oct 2009 10:24:10 +1300, M.Badger <boing(a)invalid.org> wrote: > Greg.Procter wrote: > >> Hi all, >> returning to motorcycles after several decades of not motorcycling. >> >> My present project is restoring an old motorscooter. >> (make probably not relevant as it was a New Zealand product) > > Intrigued now. Any chance of some pictures? Google "NZeta". Way back when New Zealand had strict fanancial rules and most (90%) of our exports went to Britain. UK owed the US umpteen times it's total worth so the UK pounds could only be spent back to the UK or Commonwealth countries. Motor vehicles had huge duties and sales tax but the duties were dropped from NZ built vehicles. As we only had 2-3 million people the result was a few types of vehicles partly manufactured here, based on existing brands, eg Volkswagens; imported components 60%/NZ manufactured 40% - 40% of duty knocked off. Haven't bought it yet - have put in an auction bid though. > >> Step #2 is upgrading the motor so that I can keep up with modern >> traffic. > > Your wallet, but is it viable? Well, the motor concept came first - scooter from teenage memories. No wallet mostly used as moth repository, but have machine shop. > >> Step #3 has to be fitting modern disc brakes. > > A well setup drum brake, and very good forward planning ;-) My guess is I would have a 50/50 chance of survival WITH perfect brakes, 50 minute survival with drums. (that might be a joke, might not) > >> Step #4 then has to be upgrading the front suspension, which is where I >> will run into big problems. The headstock is rigid enough and can be >> further braced, but the forks are an inverted "Y" folded back slightly >> with leading arms and short spring/damper units (parts bin engineering >> from the manufacturer's motorcycle rear suspension) >> My current thought is to make a more conventional motorcycle front end >> with two triple plates only with much shorter sliding tube forks. >> Has anyone got experience with front forks (say 250cc-350cc size) and >> the possibilities of shortening them? > > Have a scout round a breakers and see if anything vaguely modern could be > adapted to fit. Once you have a stem/bearing set that fits, look very > carefully at the yoke offset needed from the stem. No problem machining up yokes as I have the gear - the only forks I've seen that might be near the length are childrens offroad bikes. They wouldn't take the weight.
From: Greg.Procter on 22 Oct 2009 22:11
On Mon, 12 Oct 2009 12:00:34 +1300, 1949 Whizzer <macmiled(a)gmail.com> wrote: > On Oct 11, 2:08�pm, "Greg.Procter" <proc...(a)ihug.co.nz> wrote: > >> My present project is restoring an old motorscooter. > > Step #1: SELL the old motorscooter to somebody who likes that > particular brand. > > Those people are definitely OUT THERE, in more ways than one. I'm definitely "out THERE" ;-) > > Step #2: Buy an old motorcycle that you can afford, preferably one > that was mass produced in Japan and imported by the millions into NZ. > I want a scooter because I lost right leg in a motorcycle accident .. years ago. no real circulation in the bit I have left so need shelter. So much family stress m/c out but apparently scooters are acceptable. (I'm going with the flow for now) > Step #3: Fix it up, using aftermarket repair parts that you can easily > order from the interweb. > >> My current thought is to make a more conventional motorcycle front end >> with two triple plates only with much shorter sliding tube forks. > > Step #4: Next time you have such a creative thought, JUST LET IT GO. > >> Has anyone got experience with front forks (say 250cc-350cc size) and >> the possibilities of shortening them? > > Sure. You could install shorter stanchion tubes, shorter springs and > maybe even shorten the damper rods. > > But it wouldn't be worth your time if you have the money to buy a real > motorcycle that does what you want. No, can't find such a beast! > > And, if you don't have any money, the project will be just an exercise > in futility if some engine part or rear drive part gives you trouble. I can make those. > > Then you'd be back in here asking about motorcycle engines that you > could easily adapt to motor scooter style rear drive, or how to adapt > a motorcycle swing arm and a motorcycle engine to an old scooter. > There's the basis of the idea - the particular scooter has a proper swing arm and a conventional unit construction motor. Almost anything not too tall in the way of engines could be slotted in - width about 350mm inside body. |