Bandit 1200 forks, $1,000,000 question

[Mario]

So, done my research. Not many definitive answers here. So I will ask.
The gs1100e has the same stem bearing size as a bandit 1200, through 2000 my. Are the stems the same lenght? Do I have to press the ole stem into the new triples? What are the other obsticles to this swap? I have only been able to find gsxr swap info.
Thanks.

 

[portdave]

Do you need the forks for your bike? I have a set I am not using.

 

[Big Rich]

I remember reading somewhere on here......I think it was John Kat that measured a B12 stem to be around 230mm. Hope that helps.

 

[Mario]

Do you need the forks for your bike? I have a set I am not using.

what do you mean? I am swapping my originals for bandit 12's. No I will not need my old forks

 

[Frankenzuki]

If you are putting the bandit forks and triples in your GS1100 you will need to press the stems out and swap them. Bandit stem is longer than GS. Yes they use the same bearings. You may need to make a bushing/ spacer for the top clamp depending on what GS triple clamp you have. I'd be interested in the bandit stem if you do the swap. Hope that helps.

 

[Mario]

Thank you!!!!!!!!

 

[Fjbj40]

I know the GS1000 stem is not a direct fit in the bandit lower triple. I had to weld up the stem and machine it down for an interferance fit. You will also need a bushing for the upper triple as the bandit is larger.

 

[Mario]

has anyone seen a thread on the whole procedure? I have tried search function to no avail. I cant believe that of all the mods done on here, no one has done a proper thread. Maybe I will be the first.

 

[sschering]

Just curious.. Why do you have to swap stems?

Why not have a spacer made to fill the space between the GS neck and the top clamp or go under the lower bearing?

 

[postman_pat]

has anyone seen a thread on the whole procedure? I have tried search function to no avail. I cant believe that of all the mods done on here, no one has done a proper thread. Maybe I will be the first.

There is a FAR easier way to get Bandit 1200 forks into the older bikes. No pressing out or pressing in and no welding required.

You use the lower triple clamp from an RF900R and the upper triple clamp from the Bandit 1200.

Both of these parts have the same dimensions, offset, etc. and the RF900R triple clamp and stem is exactly the right length for the older GS head stems.

A small part will need to be fabricated to match everything up at the top, I can post a picture of the part I made if you're interested.

 

[Guest]

I didn't realize that the RF900 was a 43mm fork. Has any one done the RF swap on a older GS? And how do the forks compare to the Bandit 's?

 

[John Kat]

You can also use GSXR 1100 K ( 1989) triples that fit right into the GS 1000 frame.
Of course you will have to modify the lock stops.

 

[Guest]

A small part will need to be fabricated to match everything up at the top, I can post a picture of the part I made if you're interested.

Yes please do!

 

[Mario]

Please do.

 

[jimb12]

I didn't realize that the RF900 was a 43mm fork. Has any one done the RF swap on a older GS? And how do the forks compare to the Bandit 's?

The RF900 forks are shorter than the Bandit 1200 by about 1-3/4" and the springs are softer.

 

[Pedda]

Either that or machine the B12 stem down to GS specs. No big deal for someone who knows how to use a lathe.

And... if memory serves me right... there's a GsxR (maybe it was 86 - 88 make or so ?) which complete triples take B12 forks. Stem is just the same as GS.

 

[Guest]

I didn't realize that the RF900 was a 43mm fork. Has any one done the RF swap on a older GS? And how do the forks compare to the Bandit 's?

RF900 fork on my 750.

 

[Guest]

 

[Guest]

 

[Big Rich]

Hate to bring up an old thread, but I found this while searching for something else, and I want to add to it.

The RF900 triple might work with early Bandit 1200 forks (pre 2001) but it won't work with later Bandit forks (01-05). The later forks must have more material around the axle which causes the wheel to be off center by about 6mm. You can cut down the wheel spacer on the left side to solve that, but then the calipers won't be centered in the rotors. Apparently the fork spacing changed in 2001 to accommodate the new fork design, and Suzuki used the same triple tree up thru the latest Bandit 1250's.

Basically - RF900 triple tree and early B12 forks = good. Later B12 forks need the proper triple tree.