Author Topic: ZX-9 USD front forks for the C-10?  (Read 5195 times)

Offline Tele130

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ZX-9 USD front forks for the C-10?
« on: January 31, 2012, 08:56:54 AM »
I wasnt' sure where to post this so I thought I'd start here.

Will a set of USD forks off a '97 ZX-9 work on the C-10?

A lot more work than doing a ZRX front end swap?

I tried a "Search" but it didn't come up with much. ???
Does this mean we get a "Re-Do" on life too?

Doug Colton
2006 Concours............nice ride!!!!!

Offline T Cro ®

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Re: ZX-9 USD front forks for the C-10?
« Reply #1 on: January 31, 2012, 11:12:34 AM »
-  Forks from a ZX9, model year 1994 thru 1997 (model B1 thru B4).
-  Upper and lower triple clamps from a 1994 thru 2003 XX7R, or a lower triple clamp from a 1994 thru 1997 ZX9 and the upper triple clamp from the ZX7.  Do not use the ZX9 top triple, as it will effectively drop the front end another 1/2" due to its geometry.
-  Wheel, axle, speedo drive, and 320 mm rotors from a donor compatible with the ZX9 (see donors below)
-  Calipers compatible with the ZX9.  For the 1994 thru 1996 zx9 these would be 4 piston Tokicos or Nissins, and for the 1997 they would be 6 piston Tokicos, although it seems there are some late '96 models that used the 6 pot calipers.  For the 4 pot calipers, I recommend using calipers from a ZX7, ZX9 or ZX11 as listed below because they use the same size bolts and because I had an issue with the caliper offset with the ZZR/ Suzuki Tokicos.  For the rare 6 pot forks, all Kawasaki 6 pot calipers will work.  If in doubt whether you have forks that use 4 pot or 6 pot, measure the caliper bolt spacing on the forks you have.  4 pots had a 63 mm bolt spacing, and the 6 pots are much larger (100 mm?).
-  Some way of mounting handlebars to the ZX7 top triple clamp, since the ZX9 used clip-on handlebars, which will not clear the Concours tank.  I bought some dirt bike handlebar risers that I adapted to the top triple clamp.
-  A fender from a ZX9 or ZX7R, or an adapted fender.

Here's my list of potential wheel, axle, speedo, calipers and rotor donors from the previous page:

The following bikes have interchangeable brakes/ wheels/ axle/ speedo:

ZX7R    1993-1996  1997-2003 had 6 pot calipers that won't work with the 1994-1996 ZX9 forks but otherwise compatible
ZX9B  1994-1996  1997 used 6 pot calipers but otherwise compatible with the other years
ZX11D 1993-2001

In addition to the above, wheels/ axle/ speedo from the following will fit:

ZZR1200
ZRX1100/ 1200

Rotor donors:

Ninja ZX-750 J1/J2/L1-L3 (ZX-7) 91-95
Ninja ZX 7R (ZX750 K1/K2/M1/M2) 91-95
Ninja ZX 7R (ZX 750 P1-P8) 96-03
Ninja ZX-7RR (ZX750 N1/N2) 96-99
ZX-9R B1-B4 Ninja 94-97
ZX-9R F1/F2 Ninja 02-03
ZX 1100 D1-D9 Ninja 93-01
ZX 12 R A1/A2/B1/B2 00-03
ZX 1200 C1/C2/C3/C4 (ZZR 1200) 02-05
VN 1500 P1/P2 Vulcan Mean Streak 02-03
VZ 1600 K4/K5 04-05
VN 1600 B1/B2/B6F/B7F/B7FA/B8F/B8FA 04-08

Fender from 1994-1997 ZX9 or 1993-2003 ZX7R  Edit to add:  Although in looking at pictures of the ZX7 forks, you will probably need to fabricate an angle clip to make up to the ZX7 fenders front screw hole.

The ZX7 forks are almost identical to the ZX9 forks, except for the length.  I have read that the ZX7 fork legs are shorter than the ZX9 fork legs by a couple inches, so they are definitely not recommended. I can only think that the one eBay ad for the ZX9 forks said they would fit a ZX7 because the ZX9 forks will bolt right in to the ZX7 triples, but the top of the fork tube would be sticking well above the top triple to get the correct ride height.  As I said, it would not work the other way.  Bottom line is, you can use both triples from the ZX7, but don't use the ZX7 fork legs.


Shamelessly stolen from someone here.....
Tony P. Crochet
(SOLD) 01 Concours Winner of COG Most Modified in 2010

Offline GF-in-CA

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Re: ZX-9 USD front forks for the C-10?
« Reply #2 on: January 31, 2012, 02:36:49 PM »
I wasnt' sure where to post this so I thought I'd start here.

Will a set of USD forks off a '97 ZX-9 work on the C-10?

A lot more work than doing a ZRX front end swap?

I tried a "Search" but it didn't come up with much. ???

Yes, and yes  ;)

Look here for more info:

http://forum.cog-online.org/index.php/topic,30446.0.html
Gary F.
1998 C10
California North State