Yamaha R6 inverted forks on FZ07?

Bob H said:

R-6 forks are too short in length, but your first concern is fork offset. The offset must be the same as the FZ-07 forks, so the rake and trail remains the same. The only USD forks that are long enough are Multistrada or the like. If you change the forks you'll need the entire front end from the donor bike, and then your rims won't match and the 07 fender won't fit either. It isn't worth it just for the looks. If your concern is handling....just get the Traxxion Dynamics AK20's. They work great in my 07.

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Who says changing the geometry is a bad thing? Sport bikes almost always have sharper geometry than nakeds. I don't think C. Dolan is having any handling issues with his awesome FZ-07 with a Duc front end.

Went to a Yamaha sponsored demo event last week, rode the FZ-07 for about 20 mins. Love this little bike, except the seat height (too low), and shape, otherwise great. I was even pleasantly surprised by the suspension, seemed very compliant and well damped, although we were at a fairly modest pace, I was able to hold back a ways from the riders in front of me and charge a couple corners and it still seemed pretty good.

I met a nice guy that had an FZ-07 with an R-6 front end on it. He said a California company called AP Moto Arts has built 3 of them, and the only problem is that the steering stem is too short. Although if I do get an FZ-07 I may put my Street Triple R's front end on it, rode my STR to the demo today so I could compare front end measurments. It looks like the front end would probably work, although the STR forks are a little more than 1/2 shorter (although firmer) so that shouldn't matter much, especially with a ride height adjustable shock at the rear. Also the steering stem is a 1/4 inch or so longer on the STR, so that would work, and I think... the upper and lower head bearing sizes are the same. What a little ripper she'd be then, not my first time doing a front end swap, and this looks like it would be far easier than the last one.

Here's a pic of the last one 2012 Ninja 650 turned ER-6N. ZX6R Front end with a Z1000 top triple so I could run superbike bars (I hate clip-ons). And a ride height adjustable Penske shock, with about 3/4'' more ride height dialed in the rear over stock. Would have still had that bike if it had the lower weight, and stronger engine of the FZ-07.

Just a few comments to add to what's been said , so far.

Stem: I usually take the stem from the subject bike, fit and press through the replacement clamps.

Make the whole fitment and bearing thing much easier.

If I do a whole front end, I'll use the clamps that went with the new front end.

The Multistrada front end is long enough for the FZ 09, but too long for the FZ 07.

The Duc 1098 S front end works well with the FZ 07, but is about 1 inch too short.

That was compensated by making the top clamp 1 inch thicker on the clamp ends and using

a 1 inch extended fork cap.

Aftermarket rear shocks originally intended for an R-6 will work, but are about 1 inch too short.

Had to make a 1 inch longer clevis to compensate.

Top clamp modified to take upright bars and 1 inch fork drop.

C. Dolan said:

Just a few comments to add to what's been said , so far.
Stem: I usually take the stem from the subject bike, fit and press through the replacement clamps.
Make the whole fitment and bearing thing much easier.
If I do a whole front end, I'll use the clamps that went with the new front end.
The Multistrada front end is long enough for the FZ 09, but too long for the FZ 07.
The Duc 1098 S front end works well with the FZ 07, but is about 1 inch too short.
That was compensated by making the top clamp 1 inch thicker on the clamp ends and using a 1 inch extended fork cap.
Aftermarket rear shocks originally intended for an R-6 will work, but are about 1 inch too short.
Had to make a 1 inch longer clevis to compensate.

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C.Dolan, would you consider making another custom triple tree for the Fz07 that would house a Ducati 1098 front end? In other words I would source out the forks and what not, but would just need the triple tree from yourself.
The reason I ask is because I spoke with the people doing the FZ07R with the R6 front end but they said it would be for track use only since there is nothing to mount the headlight to. And although I am very mechanically inclined, I do not have access to machines or posses the skill on the fabrication side of things. I can fully understand if you are not wanting to as I am sure this is not your full time job and it probably took quite a bit of time but let me know. We can chat over private message about this if you would like as well.

Or if you did a semi step-by-step of what is really needed, I could take the stuff to a local machine shop that I have used in the past for car stuff.

It is tough because I like the FZ07 platform and can see the potential it could have with a proper suspension set up such as yours.

- Josh

Look in picture galleries in the FZ 09 and FZ 07 Forums.
That will be a start to show what is involved.

Yamaha FZ-09 Forum

Yamaha FZ-09 Forum

Headlight mounts can be seen in closeup pictures of top clamp.

Will you be running clip on bars or regular bars ?

Hi quick pick of the fork upgrade I did, top mod but ensure to do the rear shock at the same time.

#24 said:

Hi quick pick of the fork upgrade I did, top mod but ensure to do the rear shock at the same time. View attachment 709

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Please give us the details on your Awesome front end swap, and what you did to retain handlebars instead of clip-ons. The last front end swap I did was on my 2012 Ninja 650, turned ER6N. Converted to ZX6R front end (and Penske shock), with a Z1000 top triple clamp to retain handlebars, as I HATE clip-ons.