Forkin hell...

[GreyImport]

So while taking off one of the top bolts everything went boing all over the floor......anyone know if this is the correct order ....Im presuming so....





multi coloured fork oil

[thatkid]

It should be. Those are just preload spacers so really, you could cut one to the complete length and not have 2 separate ones. Might make the install a bit easier.

[yamaha_george]

So while taking off one of the top bolts everything went boing all over the floor......anyone know if this is the correct order ....Im presuming so....

Hi,
as TK said one spacer is better than an assembly of bits if you do not have steel thin wall tube available you can use PVC water pipe ( as Nik ) knows :-}

If you are handy with a Gas welder you could weld that lot up to make one piece.

Whilst i had the forks apart i would invest in a set of PD valves (Camal posted the URL on another thread here about fork seals ) best thing I ever did for the bike& and its rideabilty

[GreyImport]

Thanx guys for the responses.....

[GreyImport]

Can someone explain to me what happens when the smaller pitch is at the top or if its at the bottom.....?

I assumed this was the correct way (in pic) as it also states this in the 400 manual..............but when I took out 1 spring on my same model "spares" bike they were the other way (open coils at the top...) ...of course history of the bike is unknown!

[yamaha_george]

hi,
had this complex chat on another list recently big argument as to what was right to the point that the "common sense" answer was completely ignored.

IT DOES NOT MATTER providing both shocks are mounted the same way !
Let me explain:-
A} Fork oil volume is measured PRIOR to the springs being inserted

B} If you mount the close wound end of the spring downwards:-
1} There will be more spring metal in the oil
2} that will raise the level of the oil (The old eureka moment joke)
3} the REAL differance will be LESS air gap above the spring
4} Less air gap = less air spring

C} if you mount the open wound end of the spring downwards:-
1} less spring metal in the oil
2} the oil level; will NOT be raised so much
3} Therefore there will be more air above the spring
4} More air gives a softer air spring

What ever way you chose will effect the suspension feel whether you like that feel depends on
how much you weigh
How you ride
How the road surface is where you ride.

I weigh 180 and 6' 2" , I ride agressively and the roads are iffy in places so I like a bigger air spring for a well damped for a plusher ride.
However in prep for a race day or long hiway ride I prefer the smaller air gap & the stiffer ride.

I hope this will stop all the right / wrong way BS that get waffled on about.

[GreyImport]

Thanx very much George for the explanation.......
When trying to google it originally I found this on an FZ6 forum and it made it more confusing.....different manuals gave opposite advice.

http://www.fz6-forum.com/forum/fz6-gene ... ion-2.html

I installed them as per my pic and if I understand your info correctly, that is better as Im over 100kgs ....definately no relation to Dani Pedrosa!

The extra spacer length will also be better for a heavier rider?.....

Will be able to get a better understanding on the suspension thing when I have the bike together and can get out and ride it properly.

Thanx again

[DonTZ125]

Something's odd with your spacers - there should only be one spacer and one washer. Someone may have added a spacer to increase the preload.

(Above copied from FZR250.com) I agree with Y-G's comments, and your surmise about why the extra spacer was added is most likely correct.

[GreyImport]

Yea I decided to just put it back as I found it and as mentioned above, once I get to put in some riding I can do some experimenting.
And yes Id say the 1 "long" spacer is standard.....as was found in the other spare bike.....but the spring was in the opposite way round.

I guess thats old bikes with a varied history!

Thanx Don.