Thanks for the feedback, please keep it coming. The more I have the better. I like to press on a bit sometimes but I'm not a knee dragger and I regularly ride 2 up, sometimes with luggage. The rear is pretty simple, just get a different rear shock but there are so many options for the front. Thanks again all
I realise it's a topic that's been done to death but there seem to be so many opinions about the best way to go to improve the standard front end. I thought I would try to get a consensus. I'm thinking of doing the emulator/ linear springs thing but it's an arse to do and not without risks and potential problems so what about progressives and 15w oil but there are at least half a dozen options there and they can't all be the same can they? I could start by just changing the oil out, I can't imagine it's ever been changed but do I put 10 or 15w in? So I'm trying to get peoples assessments of whatever they've done, whether it has achieved what they set out to do and if was worth the cost and effort involved. thanks.
If the oil is old just changing it for new oil will make a big difference. I after setting the level I added another 10cc of oil to each leg and it has increased the spring rate a bit so I reckon it's worth a try
Quote from: Jules-C on 19 April 2017, 07:08:22 amIf the oil is old just changing it for new oil will make a big difference. I after setting the level I added another 10cc of oil to each leg and it has increased the spring rate a bit so I reckon it's worth a trySo at 19 years old should I be changing my oil.And without me bothering to find out --- what do I do (in a nutshell )
I got the Fazer back from my mechanic today, apparently the fork oil was disgusting, it was full of water and had obviously never been changed. So after cleaning them out he decided to go to base settings and replaced the oil with 10w and the preload with 5 rings showing and 4 steps from minimum at the rear. The ride back home along some bloody awful roads convinced me that I needed to spend some proper money, it was still jarring and horrible. I was reluctant to wind the up preload cos when I did that before the oil change it was virtually unrideable. Anyway, I did a very rough sag reading with a cable tie from on the centrestand to me sat on it and it was over 2 inches so I wound it in to 3 rings showing and got it to around 30 mm and took it out again, it was a bit better but still not great and the back was harsh and bouncy so I wound that up to 4 from max and rode down the same road again. The bike was transformed, it's still not perfect but it feels controlled and so much smoother and steers properly now, it was understeering horribly in corners. It's certainly no worse than many other bikes I've owned. The biggest surprise is how much difference stiffening up the rear, makes to the feel of the front. I may still do some fiddling but I'm happy enough at the minute. I think if I do anything else to them soon, I'll replace the springs for linears and hold off on the emulators until I'm convinced I need them as per Tommy's advice. Thanks to everyone for their input
[kebab author=vinnyb link=topic=22381.msg259523#msg259523 date=1493414959] I got the Fazer back from mechanic todareading glasses uparently the fork oil was disgusting, it was full of water and had obviously never been changed. So after cleaning them out he decided to go to base settings and replaced the oil with 10w and the preload with 5 rings showing and 4 steps from minimum at the rear. The ride back home along some bloody awful roads convinced me that I needed to spend some proper money, it was still jarring and horrible. I was reluctant to wind the up preload cos when I did that before the oil change it was virtually unrideable. Anyway, I did a very rough sag reading with a cable tie from on the centrestand to me sat on it and it was over 2 inches so I wound it in to 3 rings showing and got it to around 30 mm and took it out again, it was a bit better but still not great and the back was harsh and bouncy so I wound that up to 4 from max and rode down the same road again. The bike was transformed, it's still not perfect but it feels controlled and so much smoother and steers properly now, it was understeering horribly in corners. It's certainly no worse than many other bikes I've owned. The biggest surprise is how much difference stiffening up the rear, makes to the feel of the front. I may still do some fiddling but I'm happy enough at the minute. I think if I do anything else to them soon, I'll replace the springs for linears and hold off on the emulators until I'm convinced I need them as per Tommy's advice. Thanks to everyone for their input
For me I would worry that 15w would be a step too far considering I am just under 10st and have the same oil in for 19 years but only 20k miles, I have no cornering issues, my forks are non adjustable anyway. I think I too would but 10w in as old for new would be enough of a change --------- wouldnt it ?
Quote from: fazersharp on 29 April 2017, 10:30:59 amFor me I would worry that 15w would be a step too far considering I am just under 10st and have the same oil in for 19 years but only 20k miles, I have no cornering issues, my forks are non adjustable anyway. I think I too would but 10w in as old for new would be enough of a change --------- wouldnt it ? Change the bloody oil, even 1w will be better than what you're on now.Would you drink a 19 year old pint of beer, just 'cos it ain't been opened? (spirits don't count)At your weight 10w would be fine, i'm a tad heavier than you. Saying that though, i just felt that the steering handled so much better.
Quote from: darrsi on 29 April 2017, 11:28:49 amQuote from: fazersharp on 29 April 2017, 10:30:59 amFor me I would worry that 15w would be a step too far considering I am just under 10st and have the same oil in for 19 years but only 20k miles, I have no cornering issues, my forks are non adjustable anyway. I think I too would but 10w in as old for new would be enough of a change --------- wouldnt it ? Change the bloody oil, even 1w will be better than what you're on now.Would you drink a 19 year old pint of beer, just 'cos it ain't been opened? (spirits don't count)At your weight 10w would be fine, i'm a tad heavier than you. Saying that though, i just felt that the steering handled so much better.I can’t see any reason to change it. The oil won’t “go off” with age, it’ll gradually pick up wear debris, but that’ll be insignificant over that mileage. The only other contaminant would be water… I’ve been amazed how quickly the oil gets turned into mayonnaise, even on bikes with 10psi of air in the forks, but on a bike that doesn’t see rain that isn’t going to be an issue.