Swapping forks on a 3TJ, possibly R6.

[Alex.]

Hi guys,

Both forks on my project have leaking seals, so they either need repairing or replacing which got me thinking...

Has anyone tried putting some newer/better forks in a 3TJ? R6 forks up to 2004 are 43mm, is this a relatively easy swap?
Any other forks I should look at?

Alex.

[Evilchicken0]

They're to long so they'll stick out through the triple clamps and come close to touching the screen. The brake calipers are different, blue spots mount with 100mm centers and I don't know if the 3TJ wheel spindle ... so you'll probably need an R6 front end. Then budget for different fork springs which gets a bit expensive against a pair of fork seals.
A better bet for a front end swap is the ZXR400 upside downs, you'll probably need the 3TJ steering stem pressed into the ZXR tripple clamp.

[Alex.]

I did think about ZXR forks, but the R6 is a newer design so wondered if it was better.

Could it be as simple as swapping stem in the yokes and using the complete front end?

Alex.

[Evilchicken0]

Ask if sportspromatt knows what forks are on his bike .... have a look at his bike in the Gallery section

[sportspromatt]

hello lads,

yep I know they are ZXR 400 front forks, complete with calibers, and top and bottom yokes (if thats their names, never was good with names) I think evil has it spot on as the 3tj stem is fitted to the triple clamp.

Never any probs, it does wear the front tyre, not on the centre but on both left and right hand edges, or maybe thats my riding.

must keep an eye out for original fzr400rrsp front forks, as my spares have gone missing.

[tiptop]

I no the 5SL model R6 forks can be used with the orignal 3TJ yolks you basically use the hole R6 front end less the yolks but the wheel spacers need filed down a bit.

[tiptop]

Also dose anyone no how long the R6 fork legs are?

i no the 3tj ones are 29/30 inch's but wots the size of the R6 ones?

[Evilchicken0]

must keep an eye out for original fzr400rrsp front forks, as my spares have gone missing.

I'd try and find those forks if I were you they're worth about £250 + in good condition

[csofos]

Guys i don't know if anyone cares but, i've just put the all front end of an rgv 250 up-side-down on my 3tj. I can asure you that it fits perfectly. Even the bearings from the rgv fitted on the 3tj frame in once and with no problem. :)

[Alex.]

Did anything need changing from the RGV setup?

Any spacers needed, or is the stem/bearings/spacing all exactly right?

Alex.