Front Forks

DP91 · Post by **DP91** » Sun Apr 08, 2012 3:59 pm

I'm sure this has been asked before but....
is there an easy straight swop for the front fork legs (i.e. keeping the original KR1S yokes/calipers/wheel/discs).
I don't mind making a new spindle/spacers but would prefer to keep all other parts.
The bike will only be used on track, so I'm more interested in forks that work well.
Looking briefly, zx6 forks are 41mm dia. but not sure about calipers?

scooble · Post by **scooble** » Sun Apr 08, 2012 6:05 pm

unless its from another 250 (or possibly a 400), the forks are going to be too stiff.
You may have to get caliper brackets machined up though

Top-shaggy · Post by **Top-shaggy** » Sun Apr 08, 2012 6:10 pm

I think ZXR250 forks are a straight swap if you can get hold of a good set.
Someone on here will know for definite. Most seem to use ZXR400

scooble · Post by **scooble** » Sun Apr 08, 2012 6:53 pm

ZXR250 are USD though and won't fit the yokes

Howie · Post by **Howie** » Sun Apr 08, 2012 10:22 pm

so I'm more interested in forks that work well.
Looking briefly, zx6 forks are 41mm dia. but not sure about calipers?

There really isn't anything wrong with the original set up, on either Kr1 or Kr1s.
However after all these years you may want to think about new springs, regular oil changes etc etc.

If you are after a bit of bling, then zxr 250/400 etc with all that entails.

Zxr250 are not a straight swap, I doubt very much zxr400 are either.

My advice is, rebuild your rear shock, rebuild your forks go with with what Kawasaki gave you, they are not stupid.

Top-shaggy · Post by **Top-shaggy** » Sun Apr 08, 2012 11:18 pm

Howie wrote: My advice is, rebuild your rear shock, rebuild your forks go with with what Kawasaki gave you, they are not stupid.

I have to admit I totally agree with you on this one Mr Howie Sir

JanBros · Post by **JanBros** » Mon Apr 09, 2012 1:19 am

I have adapted ZX6 forks for some years, but never used them . I made them for my KR1-SV, but ended up using some mixed CBR600RR/fireblade forks.

anyway, I've stuck them in my KR-1S for this year to try them out. I'm using a zxr750 front wheel though, but I'm sur you can fit the KR-1S wheels in. you'll need to bring the calipers a bit closer to each other because the disc-spacing is 0.5cm (or 1, not sure) narrower.

calipers and discs are the same so that's easy.

forks are 41mm so they go right in the yolkes, that's not a problem. problem is the front mudgard. KR-1S yolkes are a bit narrower, so you can't use the ZX6 mudgard, and you can't use the KR-1S mudgard either since it has totaly different fittings.

I'm using ZX6 yolkes with an adapted stem.

Haven't taken it out for a tour yet, just some test riding up and down the street, and at first impression I don't thinck they are "way too stiff". But if they are, it 's just a matter of fitting the KR springs

DP91 · Post by **DP91** » Mon Apr 09, 2012 9:27 am

Thanks Jan,
That's exactly what I needed to know.
Spacing the calipers will be no problem and I can soon sort out something for the mudguard.
Does it matter what year/model the forks are off, or are they all the same?

JanBros · Post by **JanBros** » Mon Apr 09, 2012 10:21 am

only the 95-97 ZX6 are 41mm.

ZZR600 is also 41, and uses the same calipers and discs. And if you get them from the latest years, they are also fully adjustable.

DP91 · Post by **DP91** » Mon Apr 09, 2012 8:45 pm

Thanks again Jan - really useful information.

Just to clarify - 95 to 97 ZX6
ZZR600 - Do you know which years exactly ?

JanBros · Post by **JanBros** » Mon Apr 09, 2012 10:20 pm

DP91 wrote: Just to clarify - 95 to 97 ZX6
ZZR600 - Do you know which years exactly ?

ZX6 95-97 yep

ZZR600 : any year, they all have 41mm forkes, the same calipers and the same 300mm discs. But only the last year(s) had fully adjustable front suspension. there's no upgrade for a KR1 to buy the non-adjustable. in fact they will be worse as they are made for a 200kg bike and much harder to get them right for a KR1.

JanBros · Post by **JanBros** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 10:38 pm

picture of my ZX6 '95 forks :

JanBros · Post by **JanBros** » Fri Apr 20, 2012 8:12 pm

took her out for a spin yesterday :

forks are "Ducati-like"

stiff and good on nice even roads and probably on track, but to stiff for normal roads . Will try to fit KR1 springs in them.

JanBros · Post by **JanBros** » Tue May 01, 2012 11:09 am

I had forgotten to check out the settings before my last trip

they were all too hard.

did some 400k's yesterday and played with them a bit, and now it's pretty much ok . a slightly softer spring might be better for road use, but I can live with it.