| Author | Message | ||
     Cuelbuell |
Well like the title says. Can you swap the front forks off of a X1 and put them on an M2? Thanks for any info. | ||
| Kmbuell |
They will bolt right on. Change the head bearings, or at least grease them, check the bearing preload correctly. All the M2 parts bolt on but the fender, you will need an S-1, X-1 or S-3 unit. You don't even need to disconnect or bleed the brake. M2 axle will work also. In my case the axle spacers from the M2(2000)were also correct. Good Luck! | ||
| Cuelbuell |
THANKS ALOT!!!! Thats all I needed. I am now going to buy an M2. The picture I have in my mind is an 01 M2 with a S1 tail section and X1 front forks. Then a lil engine work. I'll prolly think of more later  . | ||
| Torquemonster |
Whats the big diff between the X1 forks and the S1 forks when installing them on an M2? fittiment? adjustability/tunability? price? aesthetics? (Message edited by TORQUEMONSTER on December 27, 2007) | ||
| Cuelbuell |
As far as I understand there is more tune-ability, therefor handling. Also I know for a fact that you can rebuild the X1 forks, duno about the M2. Mainly I didn't educate myself in the M2 cause I didn't want one. But now I DO!!! | ||
| Kmbuell |
Major difference is X1 Showas both tubes have adjustable compression and rebound adjustments. S1 WP's have a single tube adjustable for rebound and a single tube for compression. Both fork sets work just fine. Maybe some of you out there have much better feelings for these things but the average rider will feel at home with either set up. Big difference over M2 Showas is the tube diameter and the ability to better adjust the ride. On the brakes, in the bumpy stuff, the X1 or S1 parts are superior. Even I can feel the difference! Either way $300 to $500 on eBay should get you a complete set. | ||
| Torquemonster |
Thanks for the 411. Currently adding X1 forks to my M2 wishlist. | ||
| Cyclonemduece |
cuelbuell i did everything that you mentioned s1 tail x1 forks d&d exhaust came just today next week i am sending my stuff out to the powder coater, like the frame wheels rocker covers | ||
| Littlebuggles |
Just a heads up since it hasn't been mentioned yet. You'll need the triple clamps too, unless you can machine out the stock m2 clamp to hold the larger diameter tubes. Maybe that will seem common sense to some, but I thought I'd mention it. The set I bought only had the lower clamp so my brother opened up the upper m2 clamp for me. I suppose the race springs are easier to find and the legs flex less due to the larger diameter too? -Mike | ||
| Cuelbuell |
Cyclonemduece, can you post up some pics? Or is it still in the build stages? | ||
| V74 |
what you really want is front forks from a ully,front wheel and brake from an 1125r and custom yokes and headlight brackets so it all fits. | ||
| Tattoodnscrewd |
The Showa (X1) inverted's also have more readily available replacement parts than the WP's (S1).. will have a tough time getting replacement/rebuild parts for the WP's ... | ||
| Werewulf |
why did they put non-inverted forks on the m-2 to begin with? i wouldnt think it would cost much more for the factory... | ||
| Kmbuell |
I'll let the factory answer the cost difference, but think about it. Why do lower end sport bikes have conventional forks and upper end use inverted. If cost doesn't matter at any level, it must be they just want to confuse the new guys? There is a significant cost difference on the forks. The M-2 was far cheaper than the S-3 or S-1 back in '97 when introduced. It got even less expensive in '99 or '00. Even as costs increased Buell lowered the selling price and it was already a pretty good selling bike. The real issue is, can you tell the difference, or is just just a big weannie deal to have inverted? | ||
| Werewulf |
i probably would never khow the difference if i was blind-folded... to be quite honest, even though i loved to cruise the mountains on my buells, i basically used them as transportation.... | ||
| Tattoodnscrewd |
The real issue is, can you tell the difference, or is just just a big weannie deal to have inverted? I'll give my take on this ... Is it necessary to have inverted forks .. probably not .. but the cost of better springs and all related parts that would need to go into the traditional forks is about the same if not more than you can pick up a set of inverted forks and be as good, if not better than the resprung traditional forks - difference is you can then get better springs for the inverted forks, along with having more adjustment potential on the inverted forks. I truly believe there is a difference, but this will also depend heavily on riding style .. I ride fairly aggressive .. and I actually bottomed out the forks on my M2 during a back country ride when I hit a pothole at full lean (scary moment) .. I have not had a single issue since swapping to inverted forks, nor have I had any issue with my S1 (which came standard with inverted forks)... On top of all that - they also look better .. form follows function in this situation. | ||
| Xldevil |
I do not agree that the inverted fork looks better.Not in my eyes,but there's no accounting for taste. Second,because of the stock fork brace the M2 came with, it is stiffer.It tends less to be twisted while breaking,caused by the single side break moment.If someone invests in the the big axle conversion on the inverted fork or in a second brake disc,then this will no longer be an issue.Stock it is. Third,the RSU fork is less prone to leak. Fourth,the RSU fork is easier to maintain for amateurs.Needs no special tools,etc. When it comes to the necessary investments to upgrade the Cyclone´s fork;a professionel modified RSU fork,that means personalized for your specific needs is much superior to the S1´s or X1´s stock inverted forks.They are bulk commodity. Ralph (Message edited by xldevil on January 10, 2008) | ||
| Tattoodnscrewd |
That's pretty much what I was referring to Ralph .. you would have to have the traditional forks modified, ie.. better springs .. etc.. to make them as good or better than the inverted, but you can then at the same time do the same thing to the inverted forks and then you would be at square one, whereas the inverted forks perform better .. and again - better adjustment capablilty with the Showa inverted forks (the WP forks have one less adjustment I believe) True the M2 stock forks came with a brace, but with inverted forks, a brace is not needed, they are much stronger as it is, they are rigid enough that twisting really isn't an issue. You do make other valid points though .. maintenance is a bit easier on the stock forks, and would not leak as easy.. as far as the look, like you said - no accounting for taste .. it's all personal preference, and everyone has their own opinion - which is fine. | ||
| Xldevil |
Hi Brian. I second all you said,exception for the twisting. Ralph | ||
| Djkaplan |
"I second all you said,exception for the twisting." I agree with Ralph, here. The only advantage a USD fork has over a conventional fork in torsion (twist) is the larger area the triple clamps have to grab onto. Axles got a lot larger when USD forks came into fashion (the axle on the X1 and M2 are the same, btw, to the M2's benefit) and there are USD forks that do have braces on them, most notably, the retro-Ducatis. I don't mind the conventional forks on my M2, but the stock spring rate was not matched well with damping (at all). It clearly is not as effective (in stock form) for sporting riding as the USD fork is (for most of us). I'm sticking with it just out of pure stubborness (and help from Traxxion Dynamics) | ||
| Jc000 |
I do not agree that the inverted fork looks better. Not in my eyes,but there's no accounting for taste. As far as good taste goes, anyone with as nicely a thought-out M2 as yours must have it. Love your bike! Has anyone ever tried or heard of anyone trying Ohlins suspension on their tuber? Forks or shocks? (Message edited by jc000 on January 28, 2008) | ||
| Djkaplan |
I don't believe Ohlins markets a pull shock for tubers. Gentleman_jon has an Ohlins USD fork on his XB, though. If I had an opportunity to run an Ohlins fork on my tuber, I'd toss the conventional stock fork pretty quickly! | ||
| Cbig |
I'm a dirt biker as well, and the real advantages of USD forks are the less unsprung weight. I have the M2 forks, but being a cheap bastard I will probably just respring and revalve with the racetech kit. (I've done a few of these on showa forks for a drz Non usd, and KTM's usd) What really matters is if the fork is a cartridge type fork. This gives the fork 2 speed settings - square edged bumps and for regular dips. The M2 fork is, but not adjustable for compression. It's cheap. A revalve for weight and respring might just do the trick.. | ||
| Djkaplan |
"and the real advantages of USD forks are the less unsprung weight." That is a double edged sword, though. You get less unsprung weight, but USD forks are heavier overall than conventional forks. This extra weight is sprung, of course, but it's also on a swiveling joint - the headstock. The inertia of the extra weight creates conditions much more favorable for tank slapping and the need for a steering damper - extra weight in itself. |
