Author Topic: Fork rebuild (Read 11185 times)

phil on a fazer · « **on:** 24 January 2012, 12:15:53 pm »

Right then.....want my front forks upgraded so have contacted K-tech and Maxton. this is what they have said.

K-Tech
we offer an upgrade which consists of new compression and rebound piston assemblies including new rebound flow control valves and needles which give increased damping efficiency on compression and rebound and a better feel from the front wheel especially under braking and corner entry and exit, they also give more control over uneven surfaces eliminating the vagueness of the standard fork, we also offer optional rate springs to suit the rider weight and discipline the bike is being used for. The cost of this modification including oil and labour and springs is £395.00 VAT (total £475ish)

Maxton We modify the forks fitting harder springs to suit the type
of riding you do and also your rider weight, we also revalve the cartridges

increasing the rebound damping and reducing the compression

damping. We replace the existing hydraulic bump stops with spring bump

stops, which eliminates the severe patter that occurs when the forks

bottom out, this also gives the rider more; feel mid-corner when pushing

the front end. The fork conversion costs £315.00 plus worn parts: Seals £25

and Bushes £25. (ALL PRICES EXCLUSIVE OF V.A.T).

We have also found a problem with the internal damper cartridge

wearing out on Fazer 1000 forks. We have had forks that have only done

5000 miles with worn cartridge tubes. Unfortunately Yamaha will not sell

just the cartridge tube, you have to buy the complete damping assembly,

which is very expensive. We machine new cartridge tubes (only as part of

a Maxton conversion) manufactured from hydraulic steel tube, which will

never wear out. The replacement cartridge tubes cost £100.00 plus V.A.T

per pair. If the tubes are not replaced there will be never be any

damping in the worn area of the cartridge tube. (total with bushes/seals/cartridge £560ish

)

What other companies are worth trying?

And while i have your attention........should i tell my insurance company?

Also...while I'm here and all

......should i change the head bearings? bike is just about to hit 30K and i repacked them probably on about....17K?! (oh...and i don't do wheelies)

Tar

Phil

P.S not interested in R1 forks

ghostbiker · « **Reply #1 on:** 24 January 2012, 01:11:35 pm »

Insurance I told mine and it confused them but they didn't up my policy
I wouldn't bother telling the next time.

If head bearings feel ok I personally would just re grease and leave alone

Other company, try ohlins maybe but most others like rev's racing I belive just respring and service. But I could be complatly wrong on that.

Falcon 269 · « **Reply #2 on:** 24 January 2012, 05:25:32 pm »

If she's a keeper, I'd probably go the Maxton route for the steel cartridge tubes. Might be worth asking K-tech for a view on that before you commit.

Always difficult knowing what to do with insurance. If they mistake the work as a performance upgrade you could wind up fighting to maintain cover. Equally, if you want them to increase the notional write-off value you have no choice but to discuss the subject and they'll surely want more in that case.

pitternator · « **Reply #3 on:** 25 January 2012, 08:09:56 am »

maybe someone can elaborate exactly what the tube wear is ...I am surprised if its a weakness K tech have not identifed .Interesting as my forks have now done 35k, 27k after the K tech fork upgrade. I was thinking of sending them up to K tech for a overhaul. Its been 3 yrs since it was done.Wonder if I have any of this wear...?
ta

phil on a fazer · « **Reply #4 on:** 25 January 2012, 08:59:02 am »

Quote from: pitternator on 25 January 2012, 08:09:56 am

maybe someone can elaborate exactly what the tube wear is ...I am surprised if its a weakness K tech have not identified .

yep....my thoughts exactly. Have emailed K-Tech, will let you know what they say.

Falcon 269 · « **Reply #5 on:** 25 January 2012, 09:08:26 am »

This is the tube in question, guys. The thinner damper rod holds a piston which moves up and down inside this tube. The tube itself is bolted to the inside of the lower fork leg.

sadlonelygit · « **Reply #6 on:** 25 January 2012, 09:56:49 am »

MH in calne, ex ohlins mx techie. no bull, just good advise.

kebab19 · « **Reply #7 on:** 25 January 2012, 01:01:53 pm »

Why not try Ravenrider's fork mod first, for about £15? You can always resort to the eye-watering Maxton/ K-Tech options if you dont like it....

http://www.yamahafz1oa.com/forum/showthread.php?t=31941&highlight=ravenrider+mod

I thought it worked quite well on my standard forks, I just liked the look of R1 forks more ;-)

phil on a fazer · « **Reply #8 on:** 27 January 2012, 12:20:59 pm »

Emailed K-Tech about the "worn internal damper cartridge" that Maxton said they have experienced but unfortunately no one has got back to me (bit disappointed with).

Really cant decided what to do though

Maxton will be £438 (INC new springs,seals and bushes)
£557 (with the above and new internal damper cartridges)

K-Tech will be £474 (new springs but don't know about seals and bushes...but def not new damper cartridges)

Maxton are cheaper for the standard up grade but if i send them my forks they could turn around and say the cartridges are worn you have to pay another 100 beans.....plus i know some of you guys have used K-Tech and are all happy (i used them for my shock years ago)

might get on the blower to K-Tech. Its a lot of money (well to me it is) so wont to get as much bang for buck as poss.

Once this is done think i might get an R1 shock.

pitternator · « **Reply #9 on:** 28 January 2012, 10:57:08 am »

I am not 100% convinced about maxton. Over the years I have heard more than a few complain about them. This business of worn cartridge tubes could be a bit of a red herring designed to get you to go with them. I would definitely find out more b4 doing anything.
This is my second K tech fork build, and other than it being 3 yrs since its been done, I havent really had any issues with it.I reckon the oil must be needing changing at least. I also was intrested to see what if any wear the new fork assembly had as well.So I do intend to get K tech to service them, prob take my forks up in next week or so.
But its not to say they R the best out there..I mean , its only BSB and moto GP who rate them...WTF do they know !

tommyteeman · « **Reply #10 on:** 28 January 2012, 12:09:10 pm »

Have a m8 with race bikes and maxton look after his suspension, they seem very popular in the club paddock so can only assume their reputation for quality work/results is well founded. However, he gets a good discount on the work which always helps

phil on a fazer · « **Reply #11 on:** 28 January 2012, 06:07:44 pm »

right then.

Been on the blower to K-tech. The £475 i thought it would cost isn't the whole price, that doesn't include seals (£20) or the return P&P (£15). so its actually more like £510

. forget that!

Went to see the chaps at Revs Racing today. What brillant guys! talked me through everything and didn't try to sell me what i didn't need....so they can have my business. Gonna get a full service for around £260ish. that includes K-Tech springs, oil, all seals and K-Tech compression adjusters. And when I've refitted my forks they what me to ride back 2 them so they can check them out and do any tweaks to the setup.

£260ish is fine by me

martynR · « **Reply #12 on:** 17 February 2012, 10:26:09 pm »

As I don't want to make another thread, I thought this might be okay. Does anyone know what fork oil weight shall I use? I weigh around 17 stones. Cheers

kebab19 · « **Reply #13 on:** 17 February 2012, 10:55:54 pm »

If your forks are standard it sounds like you may need heavier springs, not just oil.

9.5kg/mm or 1.00kg/mm probably best

I believe 'PieEater' on the forum may be able to advise

martynR · « **Reply #14 on:** 17 February 2012, 11:37:30 pm »

Quote from: kebab19 on 17 February 2012, 10:55:54 pm

If your forks are standard it sounds like you may need heavier springs, not just oil.

9.5kg/mm or 1.00kg/mm probably best

I believe 'PieEater' on the forum may be able to advise

Thanks for the reply. But to be honest I am not going to invest into springs. Just one of the fork oil seals started a slight leak. So I thought to change the oil as well as ir probably never had one in its life. Yamaha manual says some kind of "01" suspension oil? 5w or 7.5w?

Falcon 269 · « **Reply #15 on:** 18 February 2012, 07:43:47 am »

Suspension oil viscosity isn't consistent in the way that engine oils are. Some 5w rated oils will be thicker than some 7w oils on the market. Don't let that worry you too much, though.

Yamalube 01 suspension fluid is typically around 7w. Going to 5w rated fluid gives better damping compliance but if you're a heavy rider and/or a really hard braker, you might prefer to go the other way and step up to a 10w.

martynR · « **Reply #16 on:** 18 February 2012, 08:50:50 pm »

Thanks Falcon. That is much appreciated

Spares or repairs, LOL

pitternator · « **Reply #17 on:** 19 February 2012, 07:51:59 am »

frightening price from ktech ... in 08 my forks cost around £370 for the full jobbie. I guess their prices are rising with success....like ohlins.
TBH on this age of bike, its kinda seems too much to pay now .However, what I will say is that when the gen1 does get reworked weight matched suspension, it totally transforms the bike. So the cost does need to be seen in the light of what it achieves.You also have to look at the whole package when you mod a bike - compare the cost of modding ,to buying a newer bike etc. Plus tbh , unless you have multistrada budget there aint too much out there which even now is competitive with what a sorted gen1 can give you in terms of performance, usability , comfort and economy....

the shock is a must do, essential for all gen1s....the forks are more annoying as stock,than limiting , so its more a personal comfort and satisfaction mod. I still reckon its worth doing for a keeper bike. I use my gen1 mostly for long trips abroad, so I reckon I have had more than enough value back from what I paid for the suspension update.When I think the 8k miler I bought in 08 fully modded up only cost £4500 all in...its still loads cheaper than new or nearly new bikes at the moment.4 yrs on I bet I still would get at least £2.5k if I sold it. Thats cheap biking !

sirgalahad3 · « **Reply #18 on:** 19 February 2012, 08:41:50 am »

Hi Phil,Revs is just down the road from me so I gave them the job of upgrading my rear shock. They did a good job and I seem to remember the price was good too. Good service and a good pair of lads,bugger to find up that side street though and I am a Black Country boy ! Ktech/Maxton price seems silly to me,I think you will be ok with Revs.

phil on a fazer · « **Reply #19 on:** 19 February 2012, 04:46:38 pm »

Got my forks back now, thing is.....gonna take me a while to put her back together (still painting the rad and waiting for coolant to be delivered). nice to have comp adjusters that actually turn now

Hopefully get a test ride on the weekend, will post my results.

sirgalahad3: yes...is a bit of a bugger to find.

fazer6868 · « **Reply #20 on:** 19 February 2012, 06:14:22 pm »

I'll give you lot a laugh then...my gen 1 has done 132k..replaced the fork springs at around 15k with ohlins springs and they are still in there.

no other work done on the forks other than 1 replacement fork seal each side and a fork oil change every 30-40k or so

i corner quite hard as in smooth entrance to the bend use throttle to slow down, sling her right over on her side and drive her out....5 weight fork oil is the best for my 14 stone frame as you can feel what the forks are doing and can increase the damping at the top end if too soft.

This my personal preference for what its worth

gel · « **Reply #21 on:** 24 February 2012, 11:59:08 am »

I have just spoken to Rev's Racing and they have quoted me £290 - £310 for a Fork upgrade to the same level as Phil had done. Looks as though the price has gone up. Phil have you got your bike back together and been for spin yet?

pitternator · « **Reply #22 on:** 25 February 2012, 06:35:53 am »

132k...thats almost a record ?

I think once you get used to a bike, you can ride round a lot of its faults.Its only when you try a sorted bike you realise what the difference is. Hence why I realised only just recently how much my suspension had deteriorated, but still was OK, as in it wasnt dangerous, just not as good as it was. Subconsciously if you know a bike, you do tend to ride to within its limits.
Conversely , what showed me how good the K tech sussies still are was my track day on 30 sept , where tbh , the bike handled fantastically. But thats on a smooth track. I notice the suspension lack of subtleness on our rough roads. I am hoping my suspension service will get back that subtle damping quality which made the bike a delight to ride over any road surface.

phil on a fazer · « **Reply #23 on:** 27 February 2012, 09:38:52 am »

Quote from: gel on 24 February 2012, 11:59:08 am

I have just spoken to Rev's Racing and they have quoted me £290 - £310 for a Fork upgrade to the same level as Phil had done. Looks as though the price has gone up. Phil have you got your bike back together and been for spin yet?

yes mate.....test rode her yesterday...wow

. makes a big difference, nice and composed. So nice too that when you slam the brakes on it doesn't feel like you have two pogo sticks strapped to the front of the bike.

If i was you i would go down to Revs and have a chat with them, that's what i did. On the phone they gave me a rough quote which was about what they said to you. I think it was so high because they were on about fitting K-Tech comp adjusters, then they realised they don't fit the Fazer.

i cant believe i waited so long to get the forks done...wish i had of done it yonks ago. Just need to fit my R6 shock now thats sat on my workbench in the garage.