Leo wrote:
Exchange the cast iron lines for Al ones and you loose another 4 Lbs! (at $1400
)
Change to 2.2 mm spokes and loose some more Lbs.Drill all three main axles
Dump upper fixtures for shockers, make lighter ones
Use S-rearhub (it will handle 100 RWHP)Find Aprilia 125 frontend (-4 Lbs)
well, at least Ive done 2 of them^^^^^^
would love love love to do an Ape 125 front end, but Im using what Ive got...and you wont be happy to hear Im using a KZ650 frontend lightened as much as humanly possible.
starting with the hub.
The kz650 hub (no spokes or wheel) with my thinned/drilled disc is 4lbs 8oz LIGHTER
than an H-series hub/disc and just shy of 2lbs less than a stock s-hub and disc... So, thats a good start right?
I weighed the assembled forks for an S-3 and they are about 13lbs 8oz and I think there is oil in them.
The assembled KZ650 forks (no oil) are 18lbs 1oz currently (before lightening)......
.... Holy Crap.
There are 3 reasons Im using the KZ650 front end.
#1 I have it and its in superb condition (perfect tubes, etc) If money was no object, I'd do something different...
#2 KZ650 fork tubes are longer by about 1.5 to 2 inches (cant remember off hand). This allows me to mount the clip-ons on TOP of the top triple clamp so Im not riding a torture chamber around and without dropping the front of the bike.
#3 Tarozzi does not make a fork brace for the H-Series lowers, but does make a bolt on brace for the KH500/KZ lowers.
I'll be hanging an ultra lightweight fender from the forkbrace.
Ive lightened the front hub further by eliminating the speedo drive and making an aluminum spacer in its place...saved 4 ounces.
I am now tempted to make another aluminum spacer to take the place of the one between the bearings..that would save a couple more ounces.
I'll be cutting all unnecessary lugs(disc mount on one side, fender stays, etc) off the KZ fork lowers....saved at least 6-8 more ounces
I'll be lightening the upper and lower triple clamps......save 4-6 more ounces
Front wheel will be aluminum 18" with light gauge (as mentioned above) spokes.
so in the end, the front end (at least the unsprung portion) will still be within 1lb of a stock S3. Digital speedo, small headlight, etc will all help as well.
and finally, will be running helium in the tires as this will actually fight against gravity reducing even more weight. Right?