[darylbowden]

Hi, I've got an '01 m750 dark and I'm reworking the suspension right now. I just need to know which forks I can throw in there. I know there is some issue with different axle sizes, but I don't know exactly how that works.

 

[meds1]

What prompts one to change forks on an already well handing bike?... damage, appearance, dampening/rebounding, upgrading....I've seen multiple posts on fork issues, but never understood the reasoning. Tutor me, great ones...

 

[Fillmore]

If you don't want to change anything else, you'd have to stick with forks from a `00 or newer Monster or SS (maybe ST, but I'm not sure).

I don't see that many sets of the adjustable Monster/SS type forks come up for sale, but right now Superbike forks are going really cheap on eBay. To use the SBK forks, you'd need to either modify your triple clamps or buy the Cycle Cat conversion upper triple clamp kit.

--Fillmore

 

[darylbowden]

What prompts one to change forks on an already well handing bike?... damage, appearance, dampening/rebounding, upgrading....I've seen multiple posts on fork issues, but never understood the reasoning. Tutor me, great ones...

Well, I don't know about everyone else, but I would say the stock forks on my '01 750 dark are not that great. They are not adjustable, not revalveable, not rebuildable, and plain below average. And don't even get me started on the rear sachs shock. (which will be an ohlins soon enough)

 

[ScottRNelson]

Why get forks reworked?

Mine had degraded significantly after 19,000 miles. Stock, the rebound setting was too strong compared to the compression, and over time it just got worse. Mine got to the point where if I did any heavy braking on rough surfaces the forks would bottom and the bike would ride like a jackhammer until I completely released the brakes. It was downright dangerous. The last serious ride I went on, about a month ago, the behavior was so bad that I went straight home and took the forks off of the bike.

I dropped my forks off at Aftershocks in Palo Alto (http://www.aftershocks-suspension.com/) and had them revalved and the springs shortened to stiffen it up a bit. This made a gigantic difference in handling. The whole bike tracks much better and I can now brake hard in bumpy corners without upsetting the bike. I should have done it a few years ago. It cost me right around $300 to get them fixed.

So, Daryl, are you sure your forks can't be revalved?

 

[darylbowden]

Yeah, my bike has some crappy Marzocchi(sp?) forks that are non-rebiuldable. I believe it applys to most 750s and especially the dark version (read: cheaper). The M900s, especially early ones like yours have the non-adjustable, but comlpetely rebiuldable showas. Plus, why spend 300 to rebiuld when for about 700 I can have fully adjustable showas off of a superbike that I can really dial in to my liking?

 

[Fillmore]

That's basically my philosophy as well, particularly if you have a newer Monster with the crappy `zokes, which should already have compatable wheels, etc.

For my weight and riding style, the OEM forks were awful, and I don't believe that springs and oil were going to get me where I wanted to go.

I just got a set of like new Showa SBK forks for my new (to me) SS off eBay for $230. The SBK forks are already a better set-up for most full size riders (i.e. not 160 lbs) because they are sprung for the heavier Superbike, plus you have the adjustable pre-load and compression/rebound damping.

If you're willing to just modify the stock Monster clamps, you could be way ahead of the stock suspension for under $250. Even if you spring for the Cycle Cat conversion clamps, I still think that you're getting a pretty good value considering the level of suspension upgrade you're getting and the future adjustabillity.

--Fillmore

 

[Guest]

I'm thinking of getting a 748, 996 fork set up for my 96 m900 but a friend brought to my attention that the current calipers won't fit the new forks so an upgrade will have to be done. I'm not sure if its true but if it is then it is another cost consideration.

 

[MagnusVer]

Fillmore- for the SBK forks on a monster, one would need the correct cycle cat upper triple and the shims for the lower triple? i was thinking about doing this as well... just trying to figure out what I'll need. Thanks.