gloryracing Posted July 2, 2013 Share Posted July 2, 2013 At 16k I need to replace the fork oil. While I am in there I might as well install heavier springs. Anyone 'been there done that' and have specific info? (stock spring rate, replacement springs, vendors, etc.) Thanx, Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer luvtoleanit Posted July 2, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted July 2, 2013 Let Jamie do it. he's the resident suspension guy and he's been a hankering to work on these. This would benefit all of us. Jamie Doughtery is his name. http://www.daughertymotorsports.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gloryracing Posted July 2, 2013 Author Share Posted July 2, 2013 Right now I do not want to be down for several weeks but the oil needs to be changed. I can change oil myself in a day for not much money. So I am thinking change oil and replace with heavier springs now and have him revalve in the winter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beck Posted July 2, 2013 Share Posted July 2, 2013 I have to confess, that's the only thing I haven't done on my bike yet, The forks still seem to provide good damping, but I suspect it's just because I just got used to the slow degeneration of performance on them through the years, that I never noticed the difference. I think I can handle a simple fork fluid change on mine, as my 4th gen has handy drain bolts near the fork leg bottoms.....but I'm always wondering if a bushing/seal changeout is always a requirement or strongly suggested, which makes it quite a bit more complicated a job for most of us...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gloryracing Posted July 2, 2013 Author Share Posted July 2, 2013 Seals and bushings are not always necessary...but I would suggest buying them to have available should you need them. No reason to have to wait additional days for parts to arrive with the bike torn down. If you don't need them you will have them for the next service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Bren Posted July 3, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted July 3, 2013 I have to confess, that's the only thing I haven't done on my bike yet, The forks still seem to provide good damping, but I suspect it's just because I just got used to the slow degeneration of performance on them through the years, that I never noticed the difference. I think I can handle a simple fork fluid change on mine, as my 4th gen has handy drain bolts near the fork leg bottoms.....but I'm always wondering if a bushing/seal changeout is always a requirement or strongly suggested, which makes it quite a bit more complicated a job for most of us...... Before I did my fork swap (SP1), mostly copied from here ( with some minor changes ) I have to admit, the most I ever did was change the oil and a few other minor bits, no garage before. This included making my own brake lines (!). Trust me, if you have the manual and read through lots of threads here and on some other bike/fork specific forums, its not actually that difficult. You need to make sure you have enough time, I did mine over winter and had no stress. Can we do it, yes we can ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer 2thdr Posted July 3, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted July 3, 2013 Right now I do not want to be down for several weeks but the oil needs to be changed. I can change oil myself in a day for not much money. So I am thinking change oil and replace with heavier springs now and have him revalve in the winter. Sounds like a good plan Mark. Also Jamie (if you use him) can turn around your job much quicker in the winter when he's not as busy. Spring I think is his busiest time... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer auggius Posted July 4, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted July 4, 2013 I think I can handle a simple fork fluid change on mine, as my 4th gen has handy drain bolts near the fork leg bottoms.....but I'm always wondering if a bushing/seal changeout is always a requirement or strongly suggested, which makes it quite a bit more complicated a job for most of us...... Fork oil changes are easy...even I can do them. But I would recommend taking them out to do so you can drain out the oil and measure by height the correct amount of oil to put back in. You don't need the seals and bushings unless you take the forks apart. I just remove the cap, spring and spacer and then turn the forks upside down to drain. After 161K km I probably should do a more thorough service. But I am somewhat lazy and I feel good enough changing the fork oil only. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gloryracing Posted July 9, 2013 Author Share Posted July 9, 2013 I just ordered a Penske 8983 for the rear. Thinking I will replace the fork oil and install a 1.2 spring and call the front good for now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer 2thdr Posted July 10, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted July 10, 2013 Look at you Mr penske... Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer dutchinterceptor Posted July 10, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted July 10, 2013 NO chance in hell of catching you two now!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer luvtoleanit Posted July 10, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted July 10, 2013 I just ordered a Penske 8983 for the rear. Thinking I will replace the fork oil and install a 1.2 spring and call the front good for now. How much was the Penske? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gloryracing Posted July 10, 2013 Author Share Posted July 10, 2013 $806 shipped. Yep that is a chunk of change, but I really need it considering the VFR is the 2up machine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer luvtoleanit Posted July 10, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted July 10, 2013 $806 shipped. Yep that is a chunk of change, but I really need it considering the VFR is the 2up machine. Nah, not bad at all. Definitely cheaper than oh-leans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer hvfrdave Posted July 10, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted July 10, 2013 Pointless just changing the front fork springs and fork oil, you need to re-valve the front damping at the same time, the standard front damping is sh*te. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gloryracing Posted July 10, 2013 Author Share Posted July 10, 2013 Over here no one seems to know anything about the VFR1200!!! Having a hard time just finding springs...much less someone that has experience revalving. Are you suggesting that I should just change the oil and not worry about being undersprung at this time? Therefore new oil would be better than new oil and the correct spring rate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer luvtoleanit Posted July 11, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted July 11, 2013 He's saying if you are going to take them apart then go all the way, minimal difference vs. massive difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gloryracing Posted July 12, 2013 Author Share Posted July 12, 2013 Finally found some springs that should work. New oil and correct springs certainly should be substantially better than worn out oil with substantially undersprung springs. Will know next week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer dutchinterceptor Posted July 12, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted July 12, 2013 Springs and fluid alone will make a world of difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Yokel Posted July 12, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted July 12, 2013 What spring-rate did you decide on, Mark? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gloryracing Posted July 12, 2013 Author Share Posted July 12, 2013 1.1kg from Sonic Springs. They did not have a spring for the VFR 1200 but we are gonna fab a spacer. Once we get that sorted it should be easy for any other VFR 1200 owner to take advantage. The Penske shock is coming with a 23 kg. Hope it is not to stiff. (don't think I have ever said that before) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gloryracing Posted July 24, 2013 Author Share Posted July 24, 2013 Having to fab another spacer. Also, the 1.1 was not quite right so I have a 1.2 coming. Should have it done by Friday or Monday depending on when the springs arrive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer spinalator Posted July 24, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted July 24, 2013 When you get the spacer post up some pics soaswe can see what it looks like! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer dutchinterceptor Posted July 24, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted July 24, 2013 What was wrong with the 1.1? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gloryracing Posted July 24, 2013 Author Share Posted July 24, 2013 The 1.1 was still not quite stout enough for the big ole bike and my big ole arse! Due to the spacer problem, the 1.1 spring had the equivalent of full preload PLUS another 10mm and still to much sag. 1.2 should be just right! Hopefully the valving can handle it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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