Rebuliding Forks
12-07-2006, 05:26 AM
#1
Member
Squid
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 52
Rebuliding Forks
I am planning pulling the forks off the bike next week due to a leaking left fork seal.
First, what do you guys use to support the bike? I was thinking about an ATV style jack.
Secondly, I already know I am going to be installing Race Tech fork springs, but wanted to know if I should drop another $160 + install to get the Gold Valves? I am beginner rider that will only be taking this bike on the street.
Lastly, any thoughts or advice that could help is always appreciated.
Thanks,
Sean
First, what do you guys use to support the bike? I was thinking about an ATV style jack.
Secondly, I already know I am going to be installing Race Tech fork springs, but wanted to know if I should drop another $160 + install to get the Gold Valves? I am beginner rider that will only be taking this bike on the street.
Lastly, any thoughts or advice that could help is always appreciated.
Thanks,
Sean
12-07-2006, 08:52 AM
#2
Moderator
MotoGP
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: South Texas
Posts: 2,553
I prefer to hang mine by ratchet tie downs from the garage rafters but others have used atv style jack with fine results. BTW, I've always used a rear stand doing this so I can't comment on how either works by their selves.
Good suspension benefits all riders; however, someone with many miles of pushing the 'hawk will more easily recognize the benefits of better valving than the less experienced.
Hassle wise it's better to do everything at once instead of repeating the process.
Good suspension benefits all riders; however, someone with many miles of pushing the 'hawk will more easily recognize the benefits of better valving than the less experienced.
Hassle wise it's better to do everything at once instead of repeating the process.
12-07-2006, 01:38 PM
#6
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MotoGP
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Montreal
Posts: 5,631
I too installed RaceTech springs in my VTR. As I also limit my riding to the street in "sport-touring" mode, I elected not to run their valve kits, opting instead to drill my cartridges (as per the specs received from Roger Ditchfield of Revolution Racing in the UK, a veritable VTR guru) to relieve the front-end hydraulic lock-up that results from the stock excessive high speed compression damping. I am very happy with the end result. A fork brace is also a very welcome and worthwhile addition to your front end.
P.S. This is my 500th post....woohoo!!!!!!!
P.S. This is my 500th post....woohoo!!!!!!!
12-07-2006, 05:38 PM
#7
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Superstock
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Trussville, Alabama
Posts: 406
I use tie downs attached to the clip-ons to hang my front end from overhead floor joists.
If you are only going to be riding on the street, I'd just do springs and fresh oil (I used 7.5 weight)
Then proper setup of laden and unladen sag, front and rear, should do OK for you on the street.
That's my $.02.
If you are only going to be riding on the street, I'd just do springs and fresh oil (I used 7.5 weight)
Then proper setup of laden and unladen sag, front and rear, should do OK for you on the street.
That's my $.02.
12-07-2006, 07:47 PM
#8
evil man of nothing
MotoGP
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Boynton Beach, FL
Posts: 4,484
Jump in the fire and swap front ends! Just kidding. I use a rear stand and a jack under the engine. I would think that sounds crazy but unlike the thin metal oil pan on a 350 chevy I grew up around our pans are thick and the service manual actually tells you to do this. I've also seen some guys on here use just a jack and the sidestand. Ratchet tiedowns on the clip ons are also very smart-anything extra to be safe-gas tanks (and fairings) are expensive and they're about worthless once they're dented if you tip it over...
12-07-2006, 08:01 PM
#9
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Gainesville FLA.
Posts: 3,844
I use an atv style jack when I need to do fork work because my front stand picks up under the forks, (I plan on buying the triple attachment soon). I bought 2 pieces of flat steel and slide them across the jack and jack the bike up with them under the cooling fins on the pan. Once you tie it down it's very secure, just make sure you put the bike a little foward since once you take off the wheel and forks it's front light.
12-08-2006, 05:37 AM
#10
Member
Squid
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 52
Man I love this forum. Everyone is so knowledgable and eager to help.
Thanks for all the advice. Race Tech springs on the way. My plan is to make all my mods this winter and get the bike prime for the summer months.
Got to love the hawk!
Thanks for all the advice. Race Tech springs on the way. My plan is to make all my mods this winter and get the bike prime for the summer months.
Got to love the hawk!
12-08-2006, 05:47 AM
#11
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Back Marker
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Almonte, Ont Canada
Posts: 136
+1 to Brian A's post.
For moderately aggressive street riding, just the springs and an oil change will do. A very noticable improvement over the variable .56(?)kg stockers.
I weigh in at around 190lbs, and use my VTR for commuting, backroad scratching and weekend touring. I went with the .8kg RaceTech springs and 10wt oil.
Geoff in Almonte
99VTR
For moderately aggressive street riding, just the springs and an oil change will do. A very noticable improvement over the variable .56(?)kg stockers.
I weigh in at around 190lbs, and use my VTR for commuting, backroad scratching and weekend touring. I went with the .8kg RaceTech springs and 10wt oil.
Geoff in Almonte
99VTR
12-08-2006, 03:20 PM
#13
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SuperBike
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Location: Richmond, Virginia
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12-08-2006, 09:46 PM
#14
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MotoGP
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Montreal
Posts: 5,631
I recommend you look at drilling the cartride body too (cost = $0.00, or one drill bit). THis will help to alleviate the potentially dangerous front end lock-up that results under hard braking (from the excessive high-speed comp damping). Ever hit some ripples in the pavement when you were hard on the brakes? If you ever do, you will wish you had drilled the cartridge bodies trust me! Just e-mail Roger and he will send you all the specs (for oil weight, quantity, sag,...)
12-09-2006, 01:13 PM
#16
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Here is the link to his site: http://revolutionuk.co.uk
The man is extremely knowledgeable and supremely helpful. Just use the links on the site to e-mail him and he'll get to you shortly. You can ask him about virtually anything VTR-related and he will be able to answer you (trust me, I have, lol)
Let me know how you make out
cheers
The man is extremely knowledgeable and supremely helpful. Just use the links on the site to e-mail him and he'll get to you shortly. You can ask him about virtually anything VTR-related and he will be able to answer you (trust me, I have, lol)
Let me know how you make out
cheers
12-10-2006, 06:32 AM
#18
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Hi Greg,
for the record, I didn't post the info (although I still have it) as Roger expressed a concern during one of his e-mails about a chap posting the info he had given him on the Net (having to do with VTR suspension mods). Out of respect for his wishes, I chose not publicize the specs so it may be wise to check with him prior to doing so. Besides, he responds to his e-mails in a timely fashion and is extremely helpful.
cheers
for the record, I didn't post the info (although I still have it) as Roger expressed a concern during one of his e-mails about a chap posting the info he had given him on the Net (having to do with VTR suspension mods). Out of respect for his wishes, I chose not publicize the specs so it may be wise to check with him prior to doing so. Besides, he responds to his e-mails in a timely fashion and is extremely helpful.
cheers
12-10-2006, 09:36 AM
#19
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World Champion
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Fulton, MO
Posts: 105,287
Ah, gotcha. I understand. Most suspension guys keep their stuff a secret. I even tend to do that a little bit myself, as I do suspension work too, but the secrecy is mostly limited to shim stacks and valving. I don't know the extent of this mod, but I sure would like to find out. hint, hint And out of respect to Roger and you, I will not post it.
hint, hint And out of respect to Roger and you, I will not post it.
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