Extended Forks

Orpheus · 02-27-2008, 10:49 PM

I recently found some 4" extended fork tubes for my GZ (not a chopper kit, just the forks). Anybody have any experience with anything like this? If I decide to do it, how do you think the response, handling, etc. will be? I've got an overall custom design that I'm planning on working toward with the bike, but I don't want to do anything that will affect the handling in a major way. Thanks for any help you might be able to provide.

Jaime · 02-28-2008, 04:02 PM

Here's a simulation of the bike's appearance. Couldn't ride it for obvious reasons...

It'll be harder to turn and more unstable in bends.
Althought more stability will be gained in straight road, you won't notice at GZ's speeds.

Orpheus · 02-28-2008, 05:45 PM

I like it. Did you try sitting on it while you had it like that?

Jaime · 02-28-2008, 06:11 PM

Yeah. It felt strange and heavy to move...

**jonathan180iq** · 02-28-2008, 07:26 PM

Raising the tail the same amount might offset the problems but you'd also need a longer chain and it wouldn't look natural.

mcintyre_aerospace · 02-29-2008, 12:10 AM

Maybe if you could increase the angle out. I like the front tire to be closer to the bike, I never really have liked the chopper look. I rode my buddies chopper the other day, and its not a bile for normal riding. But loads of power, poor handling, and you have to stretch out too much to ride it with the tall handlebars. Im not short, at 5 foot 11 inches, so I shouldnt have a problem on it, but even my feat fall asleep stretched out to reach the foot pegs. All together, choppers may look flashy, but their not very reasonable.

**jonathan180iq** · 02-29-2008, 12:23 PM

The fork angle can't be changed without major modifications to the front end. The design of the GZ is supposed to low and lean. Making it taller or extending the forks just doesn't flow with the rest of the design.

I wouldn't mind the frame being a little bit longer to create extra leg room, but I'm relatively satisfied with the suspension the way that it is.

mcintyre_aerospace · 03-02-2008, 02:08 AM

Thats true, i have some long legs, and would prefer to be able to stretch out a little more. My knees make like an 80 degree angle ridint this thing, I sometimes ride allmost sitting on the back seat.

**jonathan180iq** · 03-03-2008, 08:07 AM

I think that an engine guard would at least offer some different angles to allow leg stretching on longer rides.

Since I don't have one, I have used the back seat as a temporary seat while I stretched.

Easy Rider · 03-03-2008, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonathan180iq

I think that an engine guard would at least offer some different angles to allow leg stretching on longer rides.

"Engine guard" from Suzuki:
I had one......for about 4 hours.....and that's about all it's good for (if you attach some extra pegs).
Took it back when I discovered that it is just BARELY wider than the fins, maybe by an inch.
Certainly not worth the outrageous price.

02-27-2008, 10:49 PM	#1
Orpheus Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Arizona, Tempe Posts: 174	Extended Forks I recently found some 4" extended fork tubes for my GZ (not a chopper kit, just the forks). Anybody have any experience with anything like this? If I decide to do it, how do you think the response, handling, etc. will be? I've got an overall custom design that I'm planning on working toward with the bike, but I don't want to do anything that will affect the handling in a major way. Thanks for any help you might be able to provide. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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02-28-2008, 04:02 PM	#2
Jaime Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Spain Posts: 102	Here's a simulation of the bike's appearance. Couldn't ride it for obvious reasons... It'll be harder to turn and more unstable in bends. Althought more stability will be gained in straight road, you won't notice at GZ's speeds. __________________ Trying my best in English
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02-28-2008, 05:45 PM	#3
Orpheus Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Arizona, Tempe Posts: 174	I like it. Did you try sitting on it while you had it like that? Login or Register to Remove Ads
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02-28-2008, 06:11 PM	#4
Jaime Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Spain Posts: 102	Yeah. It felt strange and heavy to move... __________________ Trying my best in English
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02-28-2008, 07:26 PM	#5
jonathan180iq Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Dalton, GA Posts: 3,996	Raising the tail the same amount might offset the problems but you'd also need a longer chain and it wouldn't look natural. Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

02-29-2008, 12:10 AM	#6
mcintyre_aerospace Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Fort Stockton, TX Posts: 78	Maybe if you could increase the angle out. I like the front tire to be closer to the bike, I never really have liked the chopper look. I rode my buddies chopper the other day, and its not a bile for normal riding. But loads of power, poor handling, and you have to stretch out too much to ride it with the tall handlebars. Im not short, at 5 foot 11 inches, so I shouldnt have a problem on it, but even my feat fall asleep stretched out to reach the foot pegs. All together, choppers may look flashy, but their not very reasonable.
	0

02-29-2008, 12:23 PM	#7
jonathan180iq Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Dalton, GA Posts: 3,996	The fork angle can't be changed without major modifications to the front end. The design of the GZ is supposed to low and lean. Making it taller or extending the forks just doesn't flow with the rest of the design. I wouldn't mind the frame being a little bit longer to create extra leg room, but I'm relatively satisfied with the suspension the way that it is.
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03-02-2008, 02:08 AM	#8
mcintyre_aerospace Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Fort Stockton, TX Posts: 78	Thats true, i have some long legs, and would prefer to be able to stretch out a little more. My knees make like an 80 degree angle ridint this thing, I sometimes ride allmost sitting on the back seat.
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03-03-2008, 08:07 AM	#9
jonathan180iq Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Dalton, GA Posts: 3,996	I think that an engine guard would at least offer some different angles to allow leg stretching on longer rides. Since I don't have one, I have used the back seat as a temporary seat while I stretched.
	0