Hey everyone. I need your help. I want to get a set of the Billski 1" V4 Fork Caps, but when I talked to Bill today, he told me he was out of stock and that he had no plan to make more of these unless he could get 10 orders. I would be one. I need 9 other people. If you've been thinking about getting one of his 1" V4 Fork Caps (Flush Mount and $75) email me with your name, email, and or phone number. I will also post this at the Magna Rider's Forum. If we can get 10 people together, we can get him to manufacture some more of these. I've heard these are great if you are running a larger tire on the rear.
Please excuse my ignorance, but what the heck are these for and what generation do they apply to?
They are for the 3rd Gen Magnas. They go on in place of the fork cap screws currently on the bike and they sit flush with the top of the triple tree. They screw into the top of the forks and raise the front of the bike 1" without having to do any modification to the spacer. They are apparently great if you have the larger rear tire on the bike, which raises the rear about an inch. This cap balances things out by raising the front an inch, and apparently does quite a bit to improve handling. Here is a link to a discussion about this at the Magna Rider's Forum, and a link to the caps themselves:
Go to
http://forums.delphiforums.com/MagnaRider/
and log in as a guest. Once you do this, click on the Accessories - Parts/Gear/Etc and then click on the thing that says 286xx (I don't know what the number will be today) and then scroll down most of the list of links until you get to one called "billski" and click on that link. This is the discussion regarding these caps.
Here is the link to the caps
http://www.billski182.com/Magna_Fork_caps.htm
Progressive springs with a bit more preload on the spacer will do mostly what this does as well. With more preload the forks will be more extended, as well as the new springs will help tremendously with the dive and rebounding not only through the corners but also under braking.
Cost about the same $$.
I already have the progressive front springs. According to others at the Magna Rider's Forum who already have these caps installed on bikes with the progressive springs and a larger rear tire, the caps do a lot more to improve handling than lengthening the spacers will. It also cleans up the look of the triple tree by making it flush at the ends and adding a little V4 bling up there. I figured that improved handling and a little extra bling would be worth $75.
Including myself, we now have 5 confirmed orders all coming from people at the Magna Rider's Forum or the Magna United Friends Forum. We are halfway there. Where are all the MOOTsters?
Quote from: Chokse on May 28, 2008, 06:49:08 PM
the caps do a lot more to improve handling than lengthening the spacers will.
Can you elaborate how that is so? Doesn't this give the spring more preload as will a longer spacer?
Not trying to hurt your enthusiasm or people who want these, but do want to understand how they work.
I am going off of posts from people over at MRF and MUFF who have tried the longer spacers and have also used these fork extensions, and every single one of them said they had much better handling in turns when using the extensions than when using longer spacers. Billski sells these in 1", 2", and 4" versions, and the unanimous opinion seems to be that the 1" extension hits the performance sweet spot. As for dampening my enthusiasm, no worries mate. I don't care if 50 people hate the idea so long as 10 people want to sign up. It's like brakes, suspension, seats or anything else. Different strokes for different folks and not everyone wants the same thing for his or her bike. For me, if I can improve handling and looks for the cost of a night out drinking, then it would be worth it.
When you get them on post a photo so we may all enjoy your new bits.
My guess is that with a slight bit taller front it moves the front to rear center of gravity aft some, thus unloading the front suspension a bit.
Can accomplish the same with a slightly lowered rear spring I would guess. I would sign up for a set for my Project 96, but have $$ at the moment earmarket for other goodies, and I have already lowered the rear.
Now if he or someone else made a cap/cover for the fork tops that had MOOT I would spend the $$ LoL!...
Here is a picture of the V4 Fork Caps on a Magna. This should give you an idea of how they look on the bike. They really clean up the top of the triple tree nicely.
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Dont get me wrong they look scwheet! I personally would want one that had MOOT inset in the outline of the Texas boundary lines. Since for me it would be ONLY a "Sparkle" addition.
WONDER if he would do a special run for 10 or 15 units with MOOT on it??????????
That would be pretty cool Greg! I was neutral on the idea until you put the Texas outline around it.
I just got an email from Bill, and he said that if we hit the magic number of 10 (or higher), he will offer us all free shipping (within the US) on the fork caps. Very nice of him. Some had mentioned they were interested in plain versions- one inch versions without the V4 stamp - and Bill said that would be no problem. I also asked about the Texas MOOT thing, but he hasn't gotten back to me on that. So, if we hit 10, he will make these in both the V4 version and a plain, smooth polished top version. We will let him know at the time of order how many of each to make. We are now up to 7 orders (including a couple of people who want to order 2 sets), so we are getting close. Spread the word.
I already have the chrome covers on mine but I would jump on board if we could get the MOOT logo.
So that is 2 for Texas outline with "MOOT"...
That would be 3 w/ Moot-Texas outline.
That would be 4 with the MOOT Texas outline
Well, crud...guess I need to hurry & get my 3rd gen so I can justify getting the caps...
Trapper,
Get a set and the bike will come......
I have finally figured this out!
It just takes me a while longer than most.
These are Extensions, as in, the cap is longer. Once installed, you slide the fork tubes further through the triple tree, in effect raising the triple tree an 1", 2" or however long extension you ordered.
This would thus change the geometer with a stock setup and probably compromise handling, slower turn-ins, not as sporty as before. To counter this you would need the larger diameter rear tire which would take it back to a stock distribution of weight if the rear if the rear were raised proportionately. The same thing, depending on track conditions, is done on dirt bikes when racing. If you are doing woods racing with many sharp turns you lower the triple tree for quicker response.
How much this would affect the Magna, don't know.
I wrote Bill 'Billski' and told him that people on MOOT may be interested in the MOOT logo on the caps. Here is my letter and his response. Maybe you or someone on here can send him something so he could fab up if there is enough interest? His email is Billski182@comporium.net
Bill,
We really appreciate you coming through with the order and the free shipping :) Thank you. I would like the engraved set if possible. If not, plain is just fine. Over on the Magna Owners of Texas site, George tried to gather more people, but a lot of them wanted to have the caps engraved with their forum logo' MOOT' or something of the sort. I figured this may drum up some more business for you if you would be willing to do that if you could. Thanks again and looking forward to hearing from you.
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I'd have to get a look at their logo but that might be something we could do.
Bill
Quote from: Greg Cothern on May 29, 2008, 09:33:20 PM
Dont get me wrong they look scwheet! I personally would want one that had MOOT inset in the outline of the Texas boundary lines. Since for me it would be ONLY a "Sparkle" addition.
WONDER if he would do a special run for 10 or 15 units with MOOT on it??????????
Doesnt have to be the logo, as that would be difficult to reproduce in this situation. Simply the Texas state border with the text MOOT across it.