Tenere forks on XT600e?
 

I have aquired a set of forks off an '88 Tenere which I intend to fit to my 2003 XT600e.

However, they are about 3" longer that the standard XT forks. Is that a problem and how will it affect the handling? I may be able to move the forks up in the yoke but this is of course limited by the Handle bars.

Any comments gratefully appreciated!

Longer forks will increase the rake, which, in my experience makes the steering slower/heavier, wanting to go in a straight line. You could fit bar-risers to make more room to drop the yolks or raise the rear to match the front to get back to something like original set up with more ground clearance and a higher c of g.
It could make a good chop??????

My reasoning was that there is a drain plug in the Ten' forks so I don't have to keep taking them off to drain the fork oil. Also they pump up so they can be fine tuned.
Your points are duly noted though, kind of what I thought but if I can make life easier i'd like to!
Ta

Funnily enough, my AT forks have no drain plugs but like you, the early models do, and I've been thinking about drilling and tapping the existing forks, and adding a plug screw/bolt.

In fact, I've ignored forkoil changes for a very long time, and find no problem at all. Which is not really a great reason to ignore it; or is it?

So you have a reason for the fork change - but please calculate- is it worth the uncertainty of the new forks?

Good luck! Tell us what you did.:scooter:

I'll post an update once i've decided what i'm going to do.

It has occured to me that i've changed the rear wheel to an 18" as the tyre I wanted to use didn't come in a 17". Maybe this will reduce the rake and effect of slightly longer forks?

I'll keep you posted!

Don't forget you'll probably need to fit the older caliper, wheel etc.... don't think the 600E caliper will fit the old forks... & that is a backward step, single piston instead of dual....
If you use the headstock off the old bike there should be enough room to push the frok legs up through the clamps to get them the right length.

Are the Tenere forks the same diameter as the 600E?

Caminando......the AT forks are easy to change the oil on....get a good manual and set to it......:scooter:

rear wheel
 

Surprised nobody else mentioned it but fitting a 18inch rim on the rear would help with the fork angle problem and also give a bit more ground clearance, should be a good combination
Pete

Caliper won't fit!
 

Hi
Quick update, i'm staying with the original XT forks afterall, the XT600e caliper won't fit onto the Tenere forks!
Thanks for all your input

Any one know what twin pot caliper will fit the tenere?

look at other Yamaha bikes, the sporty road bikes, or call a dealer and talk to the parts guy... ask for the OLDEST parts guy, not some young kid that doesnt know a Tenere from a hole in his pocket.... be nice. tell him what you need.... they are usually walking encyclopaedias.


Good Luck!:thumbup1:

a cheeper way would be to make a new bracket for your calliper this can be with a piece of 6mm steel plate or get an enginer to make an adapter for you . i am fiting WP USD forks to my 4pt and will be using the original calliper with a home made bracket.

I notice on my 87 tenere there has been an airbox mod done, it has more grunt than my 02 xt600 ....any one know of an airbox mod to help me get a bit more power from mine?

I assume that's a 1VJ? Has it had the input nozzles removed/blocked and either the filter access lid removed/drilled, or the top of the box drilled? If so, that's a mod I've read about to mimic the later 3AJ box and pull cooler air into the engine, thus lessening the risk of the supposedly common 1VJ overheating. Not sure that it will give any noticeable increase in poke tho...

The later xt's were lighter, so the same hp feels stronger.

you 02 is jetted rich from the factory. Opening up the intake and the exhasut could help you unveil a few extra ponys.