Author Topic: LEMANS 1000 FRONT END IMPROVEMENTS  (Read 6101 times)

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LEMANS 1000 FRONT END IMPROVEMENTS
« on: March 08, 2015, 03:14:17 PM »
apart form a GSXR front end as described in this article, http://www.guzzipower.com/GSXR-Ed_M.html

has anyone got any tips on improving the front end of the lemans? Any other front ends that fit/work? better springs?

mine currently has the FAC air assisted forks and I can't say that they're great...

thanks

Offline blackcat

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Re: LEMANS 1000 FRONT END IMPROVEMENTS
« Reply #1 on: March 08, 2015, 03:26:20 PM »
Wirth Springs can help.
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Offline Tobit

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Re: LEMANS 1000 FRONT END IMPROVEMENTS
« Reply #2 on: March 08, 2015, 08:09:51 PM »
Wirth Springs can help.

+1.

I have FAC dampers and Progressive (Wirth) springs in mine.  It will never be plush but it's loads better than OEM Paoli (?) and the weak springs.

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Offline Greg Field

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Re: LEMANS 1000 FRONT END IMPROVEMENTS
« Reply #3 on: March 09, 2015, 02:54:37 AM »
Forcella Italia made a set of forks for that bike. I have a set on my LMIV. The best improvement is a 17-inch Astralite front wheel, though. Cuts about 10lb. of unsprung weight.

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Re: LEMANS 1000 FRONT END IMPROVEMENTS
« Reply #3 on: March 09, 2015, 02:54:37 AM »

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Re: LEMANS 1000 FRONT END IMPROVEMENTS
« Reply #4 on: March 09, 2015, 05:30:47 AM »
thanks guys,

greg, astralite sounds like a good shout, may well give it a try... do you rate the 17inch front as better than the 18?

Offline Greg Field

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Re: LEMANS 1000 FRONT END IMPROVEMENTS
« Reply #5 on: March 09, 2015, 10:27:55 AM »
thanks guys,

greg, astralite sounds like a good shout, may well give it a try... do you rate the 17inch front as better than the 18?

I do. Much better selection of sticky rubber, too. Mine was designed to work with the small stock rotors. That wheel will be difficult to find, but maybe find one for another bike with more modern rotors and make whatever it takes to fit to those rotors?

Another option would be the triples/forks/wheel/rotors/calipers off of a V11 Sport. It would adapt on pretty easily. Might be tricky getting the bikini fairing on, though. Watch eBay for the parts, and it would not be that much money.

Offline Kai

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Re: LEMANS 1000 FRONT END IMPROVEMENTS
« Reply #6 on: March 09, 2015, 11:13:09 AM »
This might be an option if you want to improve the front end and  keep the original look

HH Racetech in Germany offers the "Kit 4" for all non adjustable Guzzi forks  (35,38 and 40 mm) http://www.hh-racetech.de/HH-Race-Tech-Gabelkit-4/Gabel-Kit-4-Moto-Guzzi/Moto-Guzzi-Le-Mont-BJ-ab-1981---Gabel-Kit-4.html  - they build a cartridge kit in the original fork, compression and rebound adjustable as well as the spring preload.
I have it in my track bike, it works good. I like that it does not attract too much attention.



You need some time when you send your fork away, it takes a while at HH Racetech......

 









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Offline not-fishing

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Re: LEMANS 1000 FRONT END IMPROVEMENTS
« Reply #7 on: March 09, 2015, 01:20:48 PM »
This might be an option if you want to improve the front end and  keep the original look

HH Racetech in Germany offers the "Kit 4" for all non adjustable Guzzi forks  (35,38 and 40 mm)  - they build a cartridge kit in the original fork, compression and rebound adjustable as well as the spring preload.

You need some time when you send your fork away, it takes a while at HH Racetech......

 ;-T ;-T ;-T

Now if you send off your shocks for a couple of months you'll need something else Guzzi to ride in the meantime and if you didn't have a spare like me ...........it would be a win-win.
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Re: LEMANS 1000 FRONT END IMPROVEMENTS
« Reply #8 on: March 09, 2015, 02:33:30 PM »

Another option would be the triples/forks/wheel/rotors/calipers off of a V11 Sport. It would adapt on pretty easily. Might be tricky getting the bikini fairing on, though. Watch eBay for the parts, and it would not be that much money.


good idea, although as soon as I find a decent v11 sport front end, I'm gonna have a go at getting it on my 71 ambassador!!

Offline Stevex

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Re: LEMANS 1000 FRONT END IMPROVEMENTS
« Reply #9 on: March 09, 2015, 02:42:57 PM »

Quote
You need some time when you send your fork away, it takes a while at HH Racetech......


Can you not buy and install yourself?
$1200!!, they may be good but not $1200 good.

I've just re oiled my original LM2 cartridges after advice from this forum and after fitting an Airtech repo Mk2 fairing, which has saved a boat anchor in weight over the front end, I'm expecting a vast improvement from them.
« Last Edit: March 09, 2015, 02:46:18 PM by Stevex »

Offline brightonguzzi

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Re: LEMANS 1000 FRONT END IMPROVEMENTS
« Reply #10 on: March 09, 2015, 03:48:40 PM »
Another option would be the triples/forks/wheel/rotors/calipers off of a V11 Sport. It would adapt on pretty easily. Might be tricky getting the bikini fairing on, though. Watch eBay for the parts, and it would not be that much money.

Greg - when you say "easy" how easy is easy? What needs to be done to make it work? Only really want the forks (and yokes), I'd want to use my existing spoked wheel and brakes. No fairing on my bike so that's not an issue.

There is a front end from a 1997 1100 sport injection on Reboot at the moment, £525.00 for the forks and yoke, wheel spindle for £17.00 and a front mudguard (slightly split) from a 1995 11oo Sport carb for £32.00.

This is for a LeMans I frame.

Sorry to hijack OP's post.......

Cheers
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Offline Kai

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Re: LEMANS 1000 FRONT END IMPROVEMENTS
« Reply #11 on: March 09, 2015, 04:15:04 PM »

Can you not buy and install yourself?
$1200!!, they may be good but not $1200 good.

I dont think so. They only offer the complete package. I agree, it's a lot of money and there are other options as well. Before the purchase, I was thinking about fitting a M1R fork from a 1100 sport or a BMW K 100 into the trackbike. But the used stuff on Ebay for ~ 200-300 € needs more or less always a complete overhaul, plus all the adaption work until the front end is complete -  it sums up not too far away from the HH Racetech offer. As the entry fees are quite expensive, it's beneficial to have a good working suspension as quick as possible.

For road purposes progressive Wirth springs in combination with FAC's work quite good, I have this combo in the 1000 S.

   
 
 
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Offline Petrus Rocks

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Re: LEMANS 1000 FRONT END IMPROVEMENTS
« Reply #12 on: March 09, 2015, 04:23:43 PM »
I wonder if a 35mm cartridge assembly from something japanese might work- most are bigger than 35mm though.  I wish the cartridge emulators worked on these forks.  they mde a big difference on my Triumph.

Offline Greg Field

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Re: LEMANS 1000 FRONT END IMPROVEMENTS
« Reply #13 on: March 09, 2015, 11:41:01 PM »
Greg - when you say "easy" how easy is easy? What needs to be done to make it work? Only really want the forks (and yokes), I'd want to use my existing spoked wheel and brakes. No fairing on my bike so that's not an issue.

There is a front end from a 1997 1100 sport injection on Reboot at the moment, £525.00 for the forks and yoke, wheel spindle for £17.00 and a front mudguard (slightly split) from a 1995 11oo Sport carb for £32.00.

This is for a LeMans I frame.

Sorry to hijack OP's post.......

Cheers

I think those would be WP forks. I'd recommend later forks, instead. If you would be keeping your wheel, then you need to find bearings and spacers that will work with whatever spindle you use.

You also have to adapt the triples to your short-neck frame. Possibly, that would be as easy as pressing the LM steering spindle into the new forks, but might be much more, depending on what forks you get.

When I did this to my Eldo, the easiest and best way for a lot of reasons was to use spacers above and below the steering bearings to adapt it to the short-neck frame.

Easiest

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Re: LEMANS 1000 FRONT END IMPROVEMENTS
« Reply #14 on: March 10, 2015, 12:47:33 AM »
Stock 40mm forks are perfectly fine. I would recommend Maxton internals : http://www.maxtonsuspension.co.uk/files/gp20.htm

I have them on 2 race bikes and they are excellent. Price is below $1000.


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Re: LEMANS 1000 FRONT END IMPROVEMENTS
« Reply #15 on: March 20, 2015, 05:50:13 PM »
Stock 40mm forks are perfectly fine. I would recommend Maxton internals : http://www.maxtonsuspension.co.uk/files/gp20.htm

I have them on 2 race bikes and they are excellent. Price is below $1000.



thanks

sent an email to maxton, but no reply as yet, I'll give them a call

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Re: LEMANS 1000 FRONT END IMPROVEMENTS
« Reply #16 on: March 18, 2018, 04:29:33 PM »
just to resolve this thread in case anyone is interested....

Had Maxton do a full rebuild on the stock forks and all I can say is .... WOW!

handles like an absolute dream

 :thumb:

Offline harrytief

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Re: LEMANS 1000 FRONT END IMPROVEMENTS
« Reply #17 on: March 18, 2018, 05:55:43 PM »
I did a gsxr front end on my cx100 including the radial calipers for best brakes. I used 18 inch boranni wire wheels for looks and lightness. EXCELLENT RESULT as well.
Harry

Offline dxhall

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Re: LEMANS 1000 FRONT END IMPROVEMENTS
« Reply #18 on: March 18, 2018, 06:14:18 PM »
Has anyone sent their LM 1000 forks to Racetech here in the US? 

Offline groundhog105

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Re: LEMANS 1000 FRONT END IMPROVEMENTS
« Reply #19 on: March 18, 2018, 09:24:27 PM »
Has anyone sent their LM 1000 forks to Racetech here in the US?

I have talked to their classic bike expert and they don’t really have anything other than springs unless you want to have a custom set of forks built.

Offline Groover

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Re: LEMANS 1000 FRONT END IMPROVEMENTS
« Reply #20 on: March 19, 2018, 07:57:44 AM »
Great information in this thread. Thanks! Does anyone have any photos or more information on the Astralite wheels? 
« Last Edit: March 19, 2018, 07:59:12 AM by Groover »
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Re: LEMANS 1000 FRONT END IMPROVEMENTS
« Reply #21 on: March 19, 2018, 12:26:20 PM »
my 2c on the astralites would be concern that the lack of a cush drive would make short work of your splines in daily use.... but it obviously depends on how you plan on using your bike....

They were very responsive to my emails and seemed like a pleasure to do business with in any case.


Offline groundhog105

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Re: LEMANS 1000 FRONT END IMPROVEMENTS
« Reply #22 on: March 19, 2018, 01:06:04 PM »
Great information in this thread. Thanks! Does anyone have any photos or more information on the Astralite wheels?

Astrilite is no longer making wheels.  It’s a bummer and I kick myself for waiting too long to order a set. 

Offline Oldrat

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Re: LEMANS 1000 FRONT END IMPROVEMENTS
« Reply #23 on: March 19, 2018, 02:29:05 PM »
I used a UK company, MCT, to modify my Tonti Cafe racer front forks. It wasn�t cheap but they made a fabulous job of squeezing Suzuki 600 GSXR internals into the original Guzzi forks.

My brief to them was, they must still look classic and not modern but they must handle sublimely.  I did have to replace the bright blue Suzuki adjusters with some I had anodised a suitable satin black.

Job done.

They did a cracking job of the rear end too!









« Last Edit: March 19, 2018, 02:36:03 PM by Oldrat »
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