Supersport Forks

[loudog]

I'm trying to figure out supersport forks rulings. According to the 2011 rulebook "original equipment forks must be used" (more or less word for word).

I know the majority of SV riders upgrade internals using emulators or cartridges. So, what's the skinny? Is it a rule that isn't enforced, a rule where the ambiguity of the wording is taken advantage of, or would the rule be enforced if the officials knew you were using modded internals?

Any help is appreciated.

[Jim]

the way it's been explained to me is: you can modify the internals, but not the forks.

if you put non-stock forks on (Ohlins, GSX-R, etc), then you cant run in SS classes.

[Degsy]

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Internal mods for safety reasons are allowed. No changing the fork body.

[SVRACER01]

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Internal mods for safety reasons are allowed. No changing the fork body.

what he said

[loudog]

Great, thanks guys.

So, it sounds like fork caps can be changed too?

[SVRACER01]

mmmmmmaybe. i dont think so though. i assume you mean taking off either the caps with the pre load adjusters (02+) or the caps that have nothing (01 and earlier) and replacing them with something that has pre load and rebound settings. in that case i dont think you can do that. will someone enforce it? IDK. im sure if you had the non adjustable caps you could put on the pre load caps and no one would bat an eye, but put on caps with more than that and some baby may cry

[Degsy]

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I don't believe you can increase adjustability legally.

[loudog]

mmmmmmaybe. i dont think so though.

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I don't believe you can increase adjustability legally.

Bummer. So, if people use AK-20s or install cartridges they use stock caps somehow and forfeit a portion of the upgrade benefits?

[OreoGaborio]

Like Degsy said, you can't change the fork body.
The rules don't specifically say anything about the caps.

[SVRACER01]

Like Degsy said, you can't change the fork body.
The rules don't specifically say anything about the caps.

if the rules dont specifically say you cant change caps then go for it

[CBR929RE]

I believe this stuff is enforced through protests. and possibly winning or placing well where they call you into tech right from the end of the race but I really don't know. As a novice its not really anything to worry about since I never got called in or saw anyone else have to go in. I'd assume changing the caps wouldn't be a huge deal as long as you don't piss someone off and get them to file a protest.

[OreoGaborio]

if the rules dont specifically say you cant change caps then go for it

That is what's considered to be the most widely accepted interpretation.

[loudog]

That is what's considered to be the most widely accepted interpretation.

Thanks guys.

Has anyone been, or heard of someone, being "busted" (if it is illegal)?

I don't want to spend the loot on a sweet setup and fear being protested or forced to remove said sweetness.

[OreoGaborio]

Nope.

If you're considering the AK-20's, talk to PK before purchasing. He can build custom forks to similar specs for a fraction of the cost.

[Kurlon]

I know AHMRA requires stock looking caps, no visible external adjusters if there weren't any present originally, but you can go full gas cartridge internals if you want otherwise. It just has to LOOK orignal from the outside as part of the 'vintage' thing. A quick stroll through NEAR an the CCS Forum and I couldn't find an appropriate discussion to gleam an insight one way or the other for SS. The only tidbit I can add is updating/backdating within a model is allowed. So in my case one year of GS500E had preload adjustable fork caps, I'd be ok to swap to those. If the SV is similar, they'd be legal to swap to also. Swapping to Tyga blingy anodized units however would still be out as those aren't OEM to the model at any point in it's history.

Personally, if you're going to allow full internals swaps, I don't see a reason to restrict the fork caps to OEM. The adjustability is there, it just means you have to pop a cap off instead of turning an external screw to achieve the desired result. The genie is already out of the bottle when you ditch the damping rod for a full cartridge replacement.

Fortunately my next bike is strictly SB so you'll never have to worry about me protesting your fork caps. Unless you beat me.

[CBR929RE]

Fortunately my next bike is strictly SB so you'll never have to worry about me protesting your fork caps. Unless you beat me.

but if he beats you then wouldn't it be a SB race so you would have no leg to stand on in a protest for that.

[Kurlon]

but if he beats you then wouldn't it be a SB race so you would have no leg to stand on in a protest for that.

I'll think of something damn it!

[loudog]

Nope.

If you're considering the AK-20's, talk to PK before purchasing. He can build custom forks to similar specs for a fraction of the cost.

I've been in touch with PK...sounds like he's got a lot going on and is too busy for any funky projects. At this point I'm thinking of going with gsxr internals or AKs. The gsxr swap can be done for about $450 less than the AKs.

I'll think of something damn it!

[OreoGaborio]

gsxr internals are what I'm talkin bout.

[loudog]

gsxr internals are what I'm talkin bout.

That's the way I'm leaning right now. From what I hear they're just about as good as AKs just lacking compression adj., which isn't very important once setup properly judging by what I hear from the gurus.

FYI: I just heard from a racer who emailed an official, he said the official said internals can be changed and that includes fork caps. I'll email someone as well to double check.

[KB]

FWIW and from what the fast guys say a properly set up set of stock SV forks will work better, be lighter, and cheaper, and SS legal than a GSXR setup!

As far as the caps go the SV's from like 02 on came with adjustable pre load caps. Those are a nice upgrade to any prior year model. And Legal

KB

[loudog]

FWIW and from what the fast guys say a properly set up set of stock SV forks will work better, be lighter, and cheaper, and SS legal than a GSXR setup!

As far as the caps go the SV's from like 02 on came with adjustable pre load caps. Those are a nice upgrade to any prior year model. And Legal

KB

I've heard people say the same but with respect to an entire swap (meaning the entire fork assembly).

I'm considering just swapping internal stuff and retaining the stock fork body. I've never heard anyone say a properly tuned damper rod setup is better than properly tuned cartridges in stock SV externals.

[OreoGaborio]

Yeah, no matter what, cartridges will always out perform damper rod.

Think I rode with emulators up until around the 1:19-1:20 mark, but things were getting interesting around that point. That's when Pete helped me make the jump to my LWSS legal cartridge set-up.

[The Snowman]

Lou, ask KB how he liked my GMD setup forks.

They're stock lower tubes with 97 ZX6R upper tubes and caps. The internals are all ZX6R and PK set them up so that one leg controls compression damping and the other controls rebound damping.

They are night and day from the stock setup! But, unfortunately, not SS legal. LIke others have said, it's just one race. I still do LWSB, LWGP, and GTL. And I may also jump into some Thunderbike races this season before I bump to export (if that happens)

[loudog]

Think I rode with emulators up until around the 1:19-1:20 mark, but things were getting interesting around that point.

Damn, that's impressive. I'm running lower 124s at track day pace, so I'll certainly be well above 120s for a while even at race pace. But, I figure the off-season is a good time to get the work done and am hoping to be running a lot quicker as the season progress.

Plus, you're a freak, if I rode emulators at a 120 pace I'd probably crash a lot

Lou, ask KB how he liked my GMD setup forks.

They're stock lower tubes with 97 ZX6R upper tubes and caps. The internals are all ZX6R and PK set them up so that one leg controls compression damping and the other controls rebound damping.

They are night and day from the stock setup! But, unfortunately, not SS legal. LIke others have said, it's just one race. I still do LWSB, LWGP, and GTL. And I may also jump into some Thunderbike races this season before I bump to export (if that happens)

I'm really looking forward to making the jump to current century technology! Don't get me wrong, my emulators setup has treated me well, but can't compare to cartridges. Front end feedback is pretty important when your goal is to toe the traction line.

Yeah, I know it's only one race but my bike is SS built already. The forks would be the only thing to kick me from being in the SS race. I can keep within the SS regs for no more money and still get a killer setup...so, might as well. Also, as was touched on, many people like the stock forks because they're not too stiff (and I don't mean spring-wise, I mean flex-wise).