954RR swap or Racetech
 

Hey everybody,
I am contemplating a front-end swap for my 98'. But I'm not sure if it's worth it performance wise. Right now I have my stock front end upgraded with Racetech .95 springs (I'm about 250lbs) and cartridges. My friend has a complete 954 front end that he is going to sell. What I'm not sure of is how my Racetech forks compare to the stock 954rr front end. I really do like the USD forks on the 954rr front end and would probably decide to do the swap if the 954rr forks are even close to the Racetech's. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

The 954 forks will give the front end a much more planted feeling. You still may want to tune the spring rate. The RC51 forks use a constant-rate spring. I think it's about 1.0 kg/mm, so it would be close for you. I'm about 180 suited up and the stock springs are too stiff. 954 forks may use the same springs, although the RC51 is heavier.

You'll want to use a 954 front wheel and brakes, because the VTR rotors are smaller and probably have a different offset. The brakes are MUCH better, especially if you take your bike to the track.

The stock VTR front end has good resale value.

Re: 954RR swap or Racetech
 

Thanks for the reply rc996. Have you done the 954rr swap? I just checked Racetech's site and they list the 954rr stock spring rate as .710 kg/mm. I guess they're a little softer than the springs I have now. I think I'm still going to do it. I can eventually replace the springs with some Racetech's when I need to have them rebuilt. And .710 is better than the .585 stock shawk springs.

I haven't used the 954 forks. I've only done my bike with RC51 forks. The RC51 srpings are listed at .959 by RaceTech. I've got a set I'll sell for $50. You'll just have to cut the right spacer to allow proper sag adjustment.

Re: 954RR swap or Racetech
 

Will the RC51 springs fit the 954 forks?

RaceTech list S3825 as the 954 spring number and S3827 for the RC51. They are probably different lengths. I'm not sure.

Re: 954RR swap or Racetech
 

I'm going for the 954 front end. Does anyone know if the 954 clip-on's work. I don't mind if they interfer a little when turned fully to one side. I was looking at the 954 top triple and it has a downward step in it by the forks.
[img=left:dab2024fb1]http://i20.ebayimg.com/04/i/04/63/b4/11_1_b.JPG[/img:dab2024fb1]




















I'm not sure if the stock 954 clip-on's will work or if I need to look into some aftermarkets. If so I was looking into these clip-on's on ebay.