Forks are too springy, what is the best option?

[olie05]

I've been putting a lot of miles on my bike lately (only mode of transportation) and I notice the front end has become much softer than it was when I bought the bike originally.

I come from working on cars, where if the shocks are blown you just replace them, but in the world of motorcycles you can't do that (unless it's the rear shock). I'm curious as to what the equivalent of replacing the shocks is on a front fork setup? Does the damper rod go bad, or does it just need to be cleaned?

Can I get away with just replacing the oil if my fork seals are not leaking?

Also what parts would need to be replaced inside the damper rod (if any)?

Sorry for all the newb qeustions but I searched and couldn't find any clear answers to my questions.

[fzrbrandon]

Hey Olie,

FZR600 forks DO in fact have damping rods (and they're probably fine). The stock springs are notoriously soft however. The usual way to go is to get yourself some straight wound Race Tech springs (if you're in the UK, George has a line on a company that will make them for you). Go to the Race Tech site and run the spring rate dealio and it will give you the rate that you need. Typical would be .85s to .95s depending on your weight and application (street or race). Because I'm a pretty small guy, I run .80s in my street 600 and will be running .85s on the track 400. While you're at it put in some 15wt oil (instead of the 10wt). If you can spring (pun intended) for them - go with the emulators also. George and I both have pretty detailed tutorials on how to go about doing this.

Good luck!
Brandon

[yamaha_george]

Hey Olie,

FZR600 forks DO in fact have damping rods (and they're probably fine). The stock springs are notoriously soft however. The usual way to go is to get yourself some straight wound Race Tech springs (if you're in the UK, George has a line on a company that will make them for you). Go to the Race Tech site and run the spring rate dealio and it will give you the rate that you need. Typical would be .85s to .95s depending on your weight and application (street or race). Because I'm a pretty small guy, I run .80s in my street 600 and will be running .85s on the track 400. While you're at it put in some 15wt oil (instead of the 10wt). If you can spring (pun intended) for them - go with the emulators also. George and I both have pretty detailed tutorials on how to go about doing this.

Good luck!
Brandon

See details of tools & how to at:-

http://www.saltmine.org.uk/fzr/fork.html

[haunter]

a few bucks in stainless washers to put under the top cap helps a bit too......you can do that and oil with the rubber on the ground

[pefrey]

you can do that and oil with the rubber on the ground


I would not recommend that. As soon as you remove a fork cap the spring and 1/2 the oil are going to come shooting out the top of the fork.

[fzrbrandon]

you can do that and oil with the rubber on the ground


I would not recommend that. As soon as you remove a fork cap the spring and 1/2 the oil are going to come shooting out the top of the fork.

On top of that it will be a PITA to get the caps back on since the weight of the bike will compress the stanchions further into the outer tubes. I helped out a fellow Archives member (and new WSMC racer) with this very thing. LOL!

I think Haunter was really referring more to the ease of this little upgrade that the actual act of leaving the bike on the ground to do it. Right Haunter?