Full lock - forks touching radiator hose

[vtryorks]

My VTR has a front end SP1 conversion with of course, USD forks.

I'm concerned because the amount of turn I can make with the bars, results in the damper legs pressing significantly on the radiator hoses. In effect, the turn of the front end is being stopped by the hose, making the turning circle rather ridiculous.

Is this something I should be worried about, or is it normal for conversions of this type? On a standard bike I assume there would be much more clearance as the stanchions are thinner than the damper unit.

I hope I've explained it well enough, not exactly sure of the terms to use.

Can anyone give me peace of mind with this or do I need to figure out how to reform the radiator hoses?

Thanks guys

[darkember]

You may have to tap in some blocker bolts into the lower yolk to prevent the lock from touching the rad hose. I'm afraid your turning circle will be pants. Get used to alot of forward & backward manovering. It is the price u pay for having the conversion

[vtryorks]

Thanks for your answer dude.

I think I'll try to find some radiator hoses which have more of a bend in them. These have a little bit of a bend, but its fitted to the original curve of the standard fork.

Would it be worth trying some radiator hoses from an SP1 or is the radiator in a different location entirely?

[darkember]

Not sure of the gyometry of the SP1 but would be worth a try if you can source some.

[vtryorks]

I'll have a think on it.

If the radiator hoses were not there, what would stop the bars turning? Is it conversion specific or is there a part that does it on the bike?

Sorry I sound so vague, I'm not sure of all the terms yet. I dont have the bike in front of me to look either and I didnt notice anything except the hoses earlier.

[Kev L]

Having read some threads on here and the superhawk forum I think to improve matters they suggest moving the rads back by 5mm. How easy that is, I don't know.

[darkember]

There are lock stoppers on the VTR which are intergrated into the lower yolk ie they are part of the casting. To do the SP1 front end coversion did you have to use the whole front end from the SP1 or were any parts used from the Storm. When u get to the bike check the location of these stoppers if there are any. Another point to be aware of if you do manage to sort the rad hose challenge you may find another. In that case new lock stoppers will have to be fitted.

[vtryorks]

OK cheers guys. I'll think about it and see what I can come up with. I suppose the only important thing is to ensure adequate flow to the rads. I'd guess that the bore of the pipe isnt something that should be changed which complicates matters.

I'll have to take a look and see if the radiators can be moved back without drilling the frame or something drastic. I'm not even sure how the radiators are fixed, I didnt look yet.

To me, its quite a serious issue, I'd worry about it in traffic I think.

If I find a solution, I'll definitely post it on here.

Thanks all.

[vtryorks]

To do the SP1 front end coversion did you have to use the whole front end from the SP1 or were any parts used from the Storm.

I didnt do it mate, I bought the bike like that. Today is the first time I've stripped it down. I knew the lock was poor but thought it was standard for the VTR.

[tony.mon]

You can't use any parts from the Storm; the SP1 forks can't fit in a Storm yoke, as they are very different diameters.

The problem is caused by the amount of offset from the centre of the stem to the centres of the forks.
The SP1 is quite a bit less; this reduces the bike's length and makes is easier to turn or flick from one side to another.

Just live with it; and learn to spin it round by spinning up the rear, or on the sidestand.....

But if you can't, I'll happily swap it for a standard Storm one, including labour and coming to you. No charge at all.....