raising forks

[bluefaze]

OK, thicko here!! Searched for instructions on how to raise front forks but can't find any. Can someone please help?

[dazza]

Quite simple mate, first of all loosen off the yoke clamps under the fairing and above the front mudguard.
Secondly, loosen off the top yoke clamps near the handlebars.
I say do it in this order because then you can support the front end to prevent it from dropping too much.
How much you drop them is up to you.
I think most people drop them 10 to 12 mm.
I have dropped mine 26mm with no clearance issues so maybe drop a bit at a time and see what works for you.
 Don't forget to do them both up and ensure both sides are dropped equal amounts.

[PieEater]

I found supporting the weight of the front of the bike on a car jack helped a lot, you can use this to raise and lower the bike up and down the fork legs to get to where you want them, then it will support the bike in the correct position whilst you tighten the pinch bolts.

[davidkent]

What are the reasons for doing this?

[noggythenog]

What are the reasons for doing this?

It changes the geometry of the bike so that the nose sits down further....this improves turn in on corners but less stability in a straight line.....jacking up the back end with dog bones increases the effect.


I did it with the 600 with good results but i didnt like it when i tried it on the gen2 thou as i think on the thou there is no substitute for getting the settings set up properly.......plus i then struggled with ground clearance.....but on a bike with pre load only adjustments i think it is more worthwhile as a means of eeeking out a bit more handling in the twisties.

[bluefaze]

Thanks guys, reason I want to do this_ I use a prosthetic arm and feel steering is light when pulling away. Would like toput a bit more weight over front wheel. W would raising forks let me lean more forward and put more weight over front wheel?

[woodwizzard]

Think it just alters steering geometry and lowers the centre of gravity a smidge. Moving your bars forward a bit may achieve a longer reach/more weight on the front.

[davidkent]

Seems logical I guess.

Perhaps something I'll look into soon

[unfazed]

Thanks guys, reason I want to do this_ I use a prosthetic arm and feel steering is light when pulling away. Would like toput a bit more weight over front wheel. W would raising forks let me lean more forward and put more weight over front wheel?

The rear to soft will make light steering feel even worse. Set the correct rear preload and damping first and then the the correct preload and front damping. If it is still feeling light then try raising the forks through the yolks.

[noggythenog]

Thanks guys, reason I want to do this_ I use a prosthetic arm and feel steering is light when pulling away. Would like toput a bit more weight over front wheel. W would raising forks let me lean more forward and put more weight over front wheel?

The rear to soft will make light steering feel even worse. Set the correct rear preload and damping first and then the the correct preload and front damping. If it is still feeling light then try raising the forks through the yolks.

Hey Unfazed, I remember you telling me about this on my 600 and it did the trick with preload only........so I've checked my sag on my FZ1 with me sat on the bike and it is 40mm which is on the limits of being a little bit too much.... and low and behold I can feel my front end getting light when I get on the power mid corner.....like a small back and forth motion with the front wheel and stopping me turn in as I would like....so when I eventually get a preload tool i'll adjust the back sag to about 35mm and see how I get on.......but I have a feeling I might need to go a click softer on the rear compression also which I believe is unlike the preload...so ill go 'harder' for want of a better word on the rear preload....but softer on the compression maybe by 1 click.....what dya reckon....is there any logic there???

& Bluefaze......what is your current rear sag with you sat on the bike out of interest?...have you checked it as we are both looking for a less light front end so would be handy to compare settings as we go along???

[silverfz]

dropped 26mm, really?

[dazza]

dropped 26mm, really?

Yes,  really

[dazza]

Sorry, wrong picture. 

[woodwizzard]

I dread to think what else is on your computer Dazza, fly porn, really

[davidkent]

LOL