Guest dlancer Posted July 18, 2014 Share Posted July 18, 2014 I have a 1985 VF700f with just over 30K on the clock. The bike is in great shape looks wise and it runs flawlessly. My problem is the ride comfort is terrible. I put new progressive fork springs this spring with little improvement. The rear shock is original and is not froze up. The biggest problem is with the front end. It takes expansion joints very hard and most sewer lids as well. Are these bikes know to be hard riding? What if anything am I missing? Help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer tomk1960 Posted July 18, 2014 Member Contributer Share Posted July 18, 2014 Is your fork fluid up to the right level? Perhaps the springs are tired? When you say that your front end takes expansion joints and manhole covers hard, is it bottoming out? Regarding your question, I find my '84 VF1000F to be quite comfortable to ride. I really enjoy it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Duc2V4 Posted July 18, 2014 Member Contributer Share Posted July 18, 2014 Springs are only part of the equation, so is oil level/viscosity, valving and shim stacks are the another. They all play a role in the suspension as well as how the front and rear play together. If the forks have never been serviced i.e change of oil and/or seals or bushings, it maybe something to consider doing. If you're really into the bike and want to keep it, check out a suspension specialist who might be able to help you dial in the suspension. A lot of us here on VFRD and VFRWorld have gone to Jamie Daugherty (www.daughertymotorsports.com) for our suspension tune-ups and so far I've heard/read no complaints. JD is very affordable and knowledgeable and is a fellow member and VFR owner who seems to have a talent with VFR suspension setups. BTW, Welcome Aboard! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 I know about Daugherty Motorsports. I plan on buying a new rear shock from him in the near future. The previous owner had just replaced the fork seals before I bought it. I guess my next step is to drain and replace the fork oil. Could the tires cause a hard ride? I don't know how old they are but they have good tread and are not checked or cracked. There is no wobble while riding. I did have an older car that had original rubber on it. After changing the tires it did ride a bit softer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer vfrcapn Posted July 19, 2014 Member Contributer Share Posted July 19, 2014 What type of fork fluid did you put in when you replaced the springs? Oil weight (and level) can play a big part in the the fork action. If it is the original shock, that shock oil is 30 years old. (The 700 didn't have the air shock did it?) Have you set sag f & r as a first step? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Duc2V4 Posted July 19, 2014 Member Contributer Share Posted July 19, 2014 My recollection of tire life is that sport tires have a shelf life of 3 years and 5 years for touring tires, but I'm sure there are exceptions. Old tires will be harder and stiffer and in many cases have less traction, if not a firmer ride, which is typical of harder rubber. Check the date code on the side and if they're older than 5 years old, you may consider changing them for fresher rubber, also double check your tire pressure while you're at it. On later model VFRs it's 36/42 (f/r) not sure what the earlier models use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 What type of fork fluid did you put in when you replaced the springs? Oil weight (and level) can play a big part in the the fork action. If it is the original shock, that shock oil is 30 years old. (The 700 didn't have the air shock did it?) Have you set sag f & r as a first step? Well lets see. I did not change the fork oil when I replaced the springs. To be honest I don't know what type of oil the previous owner put in the forks when he replaced the seals.I know there is oil in there because the old springs came out wet. The original shock is an air shock. I'm thinking it's time to change the fork oil. Any suggestions on what type and weight for a softer ride. I'm 61 y/o now and I'm more into cruising around than canyon carving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 What is the proper tire pressures on the first gens? The reason I ask is mine are nowhere near the 36/42 stated above on the later models. Is it the same for the early models? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer vfrcapn Posted July 19, 2014 Member Contributer Share Posted July 19, 2014 I'd use 5 weight oil, Honda calls theirs SS-7. But you can use any quality aftermarket 5-weight. Assuming stock fork valving that should work fine unless the manual calls out something else? Folks go to higher weight oils thinking it's going to provide better performance but if the suspension isn't built for the thicker viscosity you just get a harsher ride. Those 80's air shocks have to go, get Jamie to make you up a new one. And it's time to post some pics of this thing! Tire pressures: http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/index.php/files/file/173-first-gen-vf700-and-vf750-factory-service-manual-with-chapters-bookmarked/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Duc2V4 Posted July 19, 2014 Member Contributer Share Posted July 19, 2014 What is the proper tire pressures on the first gens? The reason I ask is mine are nowhere near the 36/42 stated above on the later models. Is it the same for the early models? Go to the downloads section and you'll find the Honda service manual for the VF700/VF750, go ahead and download it. In the manual you'll see the air pressure 32/32 or 32/40 depending on vehicle load. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 Thanks guys. I did download the manual last night. That's going to come in real handy. I checked tire pressure this morning before riding and it was way off. I think 24 in front and only 22 in the rear. I filled front to 32 and the rear to 36. Ride was better but still not where I would like it to be. Next step is to drain and replace the fork oil. Like i said earlier I do plan on replacing the air shock but that may have to wait to be my winter project. Just bought a new house and as you can imagine money is a bit scarce. I will post pics as soon as I can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baileyrock Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 Thanks guys. I did download the manual last night. That's going to come in real handy. I checked tire pressure this morning before riding and it was way off. I think 24 in front and only 22 in the rear. I filled front to 32 and the rear to 36. Ride was better but still not where I would like it to be. Next step is to drain and replace the fork oil. Like i said earlier I do plan on replacing the air shock but that may have to wait to be my winter project. Just bought a new house and as you can imagine money is a bit scarce. I will post pics as soon as I can. What do you know about the springs you installed? Why did you replace them? If they were stiffer then stock then that will add to your problem and even if they are just new and the rear is not will add to the problem also. Your on the right path, drain and change fork oil to proper level using 5w, syn if you can get it. Ohlins fork oil like other high end oils have stiction reducing properties which allow the forks to move easier. Start there, set sag and go from there. BR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 Thanks guys. I did download the manual last night. That's going to come in real handy. I checked tire pressure this morning before riding and it was way off. I think 24 in front and only 22 in the rear. I filled front to 32 and the rear to 36. Ride was better but still not where I would like it to be. Next step is to drain and replace the fork oil. Like i said earlier I do plan on replacing the air shock but that may have to wait to be my winter project. Just bought a new house and as you can imagine money is a bit scarce. I will post pics as soon as I can. What do you know about the springs you installed? Why did you replace them? If they were stiffer then stock then that will add to your problem and even if they are just new and the rear is not will add to the problem also. Your on the right path, drain and change fork oil to proper level using 5w, syn if you can get it. Ohlins fork oil like other high end oils have stiction reducing properties which allow the forks to move easier. Start there, set sag and go from there. BR I replaced the originals with Progressive ones. I went to there website and looked up the right ones for the year and model. I replaced them thinking with just over 30k on the originals they were probably shot. Since I installed them the ride did improve a little. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer mk2davis Posted July 20, 2014 Member Contributer Share Posted July 20, 2014 Have you checked the DOT date on the sidewall per Duc's advice? There is usually a oval inlay with a four digit number inside of it. The first two digits is the week of the year, the second two are the year. So an 0712 was made in the seventh week of 2012. If you only see three digits, then your tire was made before 1990 something (80's) and are ripe for replacement. Even though the tread looks fine and there may be little dry rot, you're sidewall may be stiff as heck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 What type of fork fluid did you put in when you replaced the springs? Oil weight (and level) can play a big part in the the fork action. If it is the original shock, that shock oil is 30 years old. (The 700 didn't have the air shock did it?) Have you set sag f & r as a first step? Well lets see. I did not change the fork oil when I replaced the springs. To be honest I don't know what type of oil the previous owner put in the forks when he replaced the seals.I know there is oil in there because the old springs came out wet. The original shock is an air shock. I'm thinking it's time to change the fork oil. Any suggestions on what type and weight for a softer ride. I'm 61 y/o now and I'm more into cruising around than canyon carving. softer forks really? how much do you wiegh 90 lbs?? rear shock dial compresion and spring load- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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