improving front forks

[csgup1]

Hey people.

Ive run out of adjustment on the gsxr600 front end. The preload is wound in fully and the compression is at full stiff. yet it feels underdamped everywhere and dives completely under brakes and bottoms out.

I know the best solution is a revalve and resprung but its too expensive atm. Im looking for temporary solutions.

Add more oil of the same oil to reduce the air gap?? how much more should i put in?? its 10Woil. and where can I buy a good measuring syringe ?

Change the oil? go heavier to a 15 w oil??

I am looking at changing the springs as well as I could probably do that myself without much issue. how much stiffer should i go and where can I get them from??

Im looking at changing the fork oil on the zx10 as well. Is it just as simple as turning the things upside down and draining the oil out and filling it up again with the same quatity that came out . And if i take them completely apart whats the best solvent to soak the tubes in to get the crap out??

Finally Ive got new cartridges for the zx10 and a new rear shock. Ive got a how to video that pretty much shows how to change the cartrides around but would love someone to give me a hand in melbourne. Theres a good bottle of scotch in it for ya

thanks and cheers!

[oldman]

I don't have any personal experience with your forks, however a good change of fork oil will improve things a lot. You need to vacuum out all the old fork oil. Then get some good 15w and refill it to the level that is appropriate for your bike, (service manual will tell you), then add about 1/4 inch more oil and see how it is. This should help a lot. remember each fork takes a different quantity of oil, (on most bikes) so you need to get the service manual so you know how high to fill each fork. If you have never done this or are not mechanically inclined I would get somebody who has experience to help you. As you stated, you really need to respring your forks to your weight, but changing the oil to a heavier weight and topping it off at a slightly higher level will improve it a lot. Good luck..

[Troy Pearson]

Hey mate, I'm in the same boat. I was going to go all out but have spent $1500 on a new trailer.

anyhow, I contacted Terry Hayes in Sydney, Pro Shock Treatment and had a chat with the guys on the phone. I said I didn't want to spend a lot of money at the moment but wouldn't mind some for form of suspension upgrade to make my 10R work better!

He straight away said springs!

I had a feeling he would say this as he also asked my weight and I said 88kgs, and he informed which I was well aware of that Jap bikes are set up for 75kgs riders.

The costs for two springs for my weight is $200 which I cant complain about.

He said the rear should be O.K. until I want to spend more money as the springs are usually stiffer for pillion work.


So Iv'e booked myself in on Monday the 22nd March for a spring replacement that will hopefully fix the issue.

I really notice it when I'm at the track after two or three laps depending on the temperature of the day and it pisses me off because you cant lean the thing over, it just feels like its going to tuck and Iv'e spent countless hours working on the setup to improve it.


Anyway, long story short, I'm in the same boat as you and that might be your way to improved suspension at a reasonable cost.


Hope this helps,


Troy

[Gosling1]

Good call Troy

Yep, springs is the *single* biggest improvement you can make, at a reasonable cost. Check out the Hagon website (mooseracing.com.au) for front springs, or Progressive Suspension springs - these can be sourced almost anywhere that sells bike stuff.... A pair of springs should be between $150 and $200.

If even this is too expensive - then follow Oldmans tips about heavier weight oil - be prepared though for a front-end that becomes much 'heavier' in feel and a slow response to compressing etc....15W is about the max I would ever go on a road bike....although some people ruin 20W + !!!

[csgup1]

thanks fellas . Keep us posted with the spring upgrade mate. Ive got some blingy suspension bits for the zx10 and am loking forward to try them out at the track

[Troy Pearson]

I'll let you know after Monday the 22nd. Im going straight up the Putty after they are fitted. Can't wait. Its been 13months out of the saddle!!!