Anyone here ever shortened forks?

cactusmelba · 06-25-2014, 02:14 PM

Hey,

My modified chinarider Apache POR 125 (GY125) is coming on nicely, (I'll upload some pics soon) but I just wondered if anyone has any experience with shortening forks? I've seen tutorials on the youtube and all that, but as always, I'll happily learn from your experience if you are happy to share.

Unless you say "don't do it" in which I'll probably ignore you.

;-p

Dave_D · 06-26-2014, 12:29 AM

How much are you wanting to shorten ?
Loosen triples and slide the forks up

SpudRider · 06-26-2014, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave_D

How much are you wanting to shorten ?
Loosen triples and slide the forks up

Indeed, if you only want to shorten the forks an inch or so, sliding the forks up the triple tree is easiest.

cactusmelba · 06-27-2014, 12:34 PM

Hi folks, no, I'm looking at 3 or 4 inches altogether. I've borrowed a set of shorter forks to try out for size, it really affects the stance, but the handlebars I'm using only allow about half an inch adjustment through the triple tee..

SpudRider · 06-27-2014, 02:18 PM

I wonder if pit bike forks will fit your motorcycle?

cactusmelba · 06-27-2014, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpudRider

I wonder if pit bike forks will fit your motorcycle?

I've got some on right now!! so YES!

BUT. my front wheel doesn't fit those forks, and the wheel that came with them (borrowed) is a mag, not spokey dokeys.

gotta admit though,I'm quite tempted to take my current forks apart and see if some internal shortening can be done.... I'm sure I read some tutorials online but I'm blowed if I can find them now!!

I suppose I could keep an eye out for a cheap pit bike front end with a spoked wheel.. That would have the added benefit of a smaller front wheel too........

alchemysa · 06-28-2014, 04:21 AM

It depends on the forks. My Skyteam 200 had a very simple (i.e. cheap/primitive ) design. It was basically one long spring with an oil valve damper at the bottom. I simply unbolted the caps and cut a couple of inches off the springs. Other forks are more complicated. Heres a tutorial for a more sophisticated fork design.

http://www.customfighters.com/forums...ad.php?t=45166

pete · 06-28-2014, 06:01 AM

It's quite simple with the older damping rod style...

easyest way................
pull the forks apart and put spacer tubes over the damping rods..
& shorten the springs.. but the compression damping most lightly won't
work...

not so easy way....
cut the bottom of the damping rods... weld a short bit of solid rod in the bottom
then re-drill and tap for the bolt..then re-drill the rebound damping holes up the
damping rods the same amount you cut off... you will retain both compression
& rebound damping... you don't have to shorten the springs....

If they are USD forks thing get a bit trickyer...

.

cactusmelba · 06-28-2014, 01:41 PM

Thanks for the replies folks, I'll get around to taking them apart one day and we'll see what happens.... It'll have to be the simple way or no way. I can't weld and am doing the bike on an uber budget...

david3921 · 06-30-2014, 09:24 PM

I'm thinking that if they are conventional forks it's just a matter of shortening the spacers under the caps. If they are USD, it's a lot more involved.

pete · 06-30-2014, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by david3921

I'm thinking that if they are conventional forks it's just a matter of shortening the spacers under the caps. If they are USD, it's a lot more involved.

yer but thats just removeing spring pre-load & letting the forks sag...

katoranger · 07-01-2014, 10:45 AM

Would swapping the tubes from the shorter pit bike forks into the lowers that hold the wheel you want be a possibility?

cactusmelba · 07-24-2014, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pete

yer but thats just removeing spring pre-load & letting the forks sag...

OK folks, I've taken the forks apart and they're really simple. (not unlike their owner)

There's a spacer at the top of the forks, which when taken out ans left out, seems to shorten the forks by a couple centimetres with no obvious effect. I've not ridden it yet with this as the bike isn't rideable yet. According to the quote above, this is letting the forks sag, is this a bad thing?!

And IF I wanted more lowering, how bad is it to cut a couple of centimetres off the spring then reassemble?

Krasi_BG · 07-24-2014, 04:56 PM

You're reducing, or even completely eliminating spring preload, which is not necessarily a bad thing. Depends on too many factors, and personal preference is just one of them.

cactusmelba · 07-24-2014, 07:20 PM

Thanks krasi, I'm willing to give it a shot.. What about cutting the spring down a little bit, is that doable?

06-25-2014, 02:14 PM	#1
cactusmelba Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: the dirty stinkin UK Posts: 71	Anyone here ever shortened forks? Hey, My modified chinarider Apache POR 125 (GY125) is coming on nicely, (I'll upload some pics soon) but I just wondered if anyone has any experience with shortening forks? I've seen tutorials on the youtube and all that, but as always, I'll happily learn from your experience if you are happy to share. Unless you say "don't do it" in which I'll probably ignore you. ;-p
	0

06-27-2014, 02:18 PM	#5
SpudRider Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 25,054	I wonder if pit bike forks will fit your motorcycle? __________________ Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894
	0

06-28-2014, 04:21 AM	#7
alchemysa Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: South Australia Posts: 45	It depends on the forks. My Skyteam 200 had a very simple (i.e. cheap/primitive ) design. It was basically one long spring with an oil valve damper at the bottom. I simply unbolted the caps and cut a couple of inches off the springs. Other forks are more complicated. Heres a tutorial for a more sophisticated fork design. http://www.customfighters.com/forums...ad.php?t=45166 __________________ TIME IS RUTHLESS. Skyteam GT200. Honda '84 CT125 Ag bike.
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06-28-2014, 06:01 AM	#8
pete Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: ChCh , NZ Posts: 2,261	It's quite simple with the older damping rod style... easyest way................ pull the forks apart and put spacer tubes over the damping rods.. & shorten the springs.. but the compression damping most lightly won't work... not so easy way.... cut the bottom of the damping rods... weld a short bit of solid rod in the bottom then re-drill and tap for the bolt..then re-drill the rebound damping holes up the damping rods the same amount you cut off... you will retain both compression & rebound damping... you don't have to shorten the springs.... If they are USD forks thing get a bit trickyer... . __________________ 09 XT660R ... 06 TTR250 ... 80 Montesa H6 125 Enduro... 77 Montesa Cota 348 MRR "Malcom Rathnell Replica"... Current resto projects.. 81 Honda CT110... 80 Kawasaki KL250A1... 11 Husaburg TE125 enduro... "sold" along with another 31... Lifan 125 Pitbike.. "stolen" ... KIWI BIKER FORUM...... http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/content.php All the best offroad rides in NZ... http://www.remotemoto.com/ E-mail... xtpete1@gmail.com
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06-30-2014, 09:24 PM	#10
david3921 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,030	I'm thinking that if they are conventional forks it's just a matter of shortening the spacers under the caps. If they are USD, it's a lot more involved. __________________ 2012 Kawasaki Versys 1984 Honda Magna V65 2016 Rhino 250 2016 Tao Tao 125D
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06-26-2014, 12:29 AM	#2
Dave_D Join Date: May 2014 Location: Vancouver Island BC Posts: 264	How much are you wanting to shorten ? Loosen triples and slide the forks up
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06-27-2014, 12:34 PM	#4
cactusmelba Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: the dirty stinkin UK Posts: 71	Hi folks, no, I'm looking at 3 or 4 inches altogether. I've borrowed a set of shorter forks to try out for size, it really affects the stance, but the handlebars I'm using only allow about half an inch adjustment through the triple tee..
	0

06-28-2014, 01:41 PM	#9
cactusmelba Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: the dirty stinkin UK Posts: 71	Thanks for the replies folks, I'll get around to taking them apart one day and we'll see what happens.... It'll have to be the simple way or no way. I can't weld and am doing the bike on an uber budget...
	0

07-01-2014, 10:45 AM	#12
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	Would swapping the tubes from the shorter pit bike forks into the lowers that hold the wheel you want be a possibility? __________________ You meet the nicest people on a Honda Clone.
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07-24-2014, 04:56 PM	#14
Krasi_BG Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Sofia, Bulgaria Posts: 436	You're reducing, or even completely eliminating spring preload, which is not necessarily a bad thing. Depends on too many factors, and personal preference is just one of them.
	0

07-24-2014, 07:20 PM	#15
cactusmelba Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: the dirty stinkin UK Posts: 71	Thanks krasi, I'm willing to give it a shot.. What about cutting the spring down a little bit, is that doable?
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