Front End Forks Swap YZ

I swapped out the forks, wheel, brake system on my 2013 Terra 650. This is a massive improvement over the stock forks.
The forks that will fit are 1999 thru 2002 46mm. I used a pair of 2002 YZ426F forks. The forks will slip right into the stock triple clamps. It is a tight fit, you will need to spread them open a bit. I used a couple of large screw drivers. The YZ forks are longer than the stock forks so you will have to install some sort of bar risers. I used the Powermadd risers. The front brake system I used is the YZ brake system. The master cylinder doesn't have a brake light switch connector so I found that a 2008 and up Kawasaki KLR 650 works great. You will have to route the front brake line up and over the gauges, you can still see the gauges if you run the brake hose close to the handle-bars.

I bought all the parts off Ebay for $375.00. Here is what I paid for the parts shipped to me. 2002 YZ426F forks $150.00(new seals installed by the seller, 199 thru 2003 will fit), 2002 YZ wheel with brake disc $75.00(make sure it's straight,1999 thru 2012 will fit), Front brake system(caliper/hose/cylinder) $60.00, (1999 thru 2003 will fit), 2008 Kawasaki KLR650 front brake master cylinder $60.00(2008-2015 will fit), fork guards with guides $30.00(new).

So how is the balance between front and back now? Can the rear shock keep up?

I weigh 225 lbs without gear and I had to install a Race Tech stiffer spring for the rear shock. The rear shock does a decent job in keeping up. I have the shock rebound set so it is just a little slow. I ride 90% fire road and 10% double/single track trail.

I wouldn't want my Terra to sit any higher than it does. I suppose I could have the travel shortened just a bit by a suspension shop. I'm not a huge fan of the stock forks because they aren't serviceable. Great job of research and execution! Thanks for sharing.

I'm about the same weight...which spring rate did you go with?

You can get caliper adaptors and axles from Aquatic over at Advrider to run the BMW wheel/disk with the YZ forks. You can also get the parts and maintenance manuals for the YZ forks adapted to the 650GS from my web site, all the data there is relevant to the Terra

The full details of length adjustement and who in the US can make springs to suit the altered length is in the pdf's we put together

Race Tech.48kg fork springs.
I don't know the spring rate but here is the info on it: Eibach rear shock spring, part number SESP802250750.
Also needed was the shock collar for the shock, Eibach part number SPSCF567606

I just remembered that you will need an extra spacer (cut down) for the front axle since the stock triple clamps are a bit wider. When I bought the front wheel off Ebay the axle and spacers were included. I had to buy another spacer kit off Ebay for $15.00. The kit is two spacers, you only need one it's the one on the left in the picture. I have attach a picture.

Here are more pictures of the front end of my bike.

I used a dirtbike cable guide I had in my extra parts bin, it works great.

One more note: You can't use the Brembo stock brake master cylinder because the Yamaha YZ hose won't bolt up right.

The problem is your parts are very expensive. My mod is very inexpensive and works awesome and all for under $400.00!