Upgrading Front Suspension - Printable Version

Upgrading Front Suspension - Printable Version

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Upgrading Front Suspension - humbucker88 - 02-05-13

Anyone on here tried this upgrade: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151029126157 ? Any opinions?

Re: Upgrading Front Suspension - darrsi - 02-05-13

You already have progressive springs as standard!

Re: Upgrading Front Suspension - Dead Eye - 02-05-13

Yes, but are the hyperpro ones any better than stock and are they fairly priced

Re: Upgrading Front Suspension - JZS 600 - 02-05-13

Is it better just to change the oil?

Re: Upgrading Front Suspension - darrsi - 02-05-13

(02-05-13, 06:08 PM)JZS 600 link Wrote: Is it better just to change the oil?

If you want to firm up the front then 15w oil definitely does the job.
It feels great for a lump like me but i'd imagine if you're a lightweight then you may find it just a bit too firm.
But if you have no history of fork oil change then i would start with that first and see if it improves the feel at all.
Make sure you get the correct oil level for the 98/99 forks from the book, as they have no adjusters and need more oil than later models.

Re: Upgrading Front Suspension - 69oldskool - 02-05-13

http://foc-u.co.uk/index.php/topic,71.0.html

This sounded like a worthy front upgrade.
Hope to try it myself.... one day.

Re: Upgrading Front Suspension - FuZzBoM - 02-05-13

I had them exact springs in my 03 plate 600. they were much better than the originals. Personally I was very happy with how it rode after even with my 17 stone on it. I also fitted the hyperpro shock spring and that was also a vast improvement.

On original springs I had pre-load set to max and these half way were firmer than the original ones.

Re: Upgrading Front Suspension - JZS 600 - 03-05-13

One thing I looked for but couldn't find any information on was fork spring wear. It stands to reason that after many operations of the springs they should weaken/workharden but can't find anything out about it?

Also progressive springs and linear, I think that progressive are better for the road as the fisrt part of the fork movement is less stiff than the latter part (from what I've read)

I don't think that there's a service life on the fork oil but it stands to reason that it must degrade over time?

Might start with 15w oil before thinking about changing springs...

Re: Upgrading Front Suspension - Yamazer-92 - 03-05-13

I'm servicing my forks soon within the next couple of weeks to stop one of them leaking, I was going to give 15w oil a try to see the difference. I am 13 stone though do you think that is too light for it to be worth while? I mostly commute but do like to corner when going out for rides with my mates so stiffening the front up a bit will be a good start. For commuting on pants roads will it be too stiff?

Re: Upgrading Front Suspension - Foxwood - 03-05-13

(02-05-13, 09:59 PM)FuZzBoM link Wrote: I had them exact springs in my 03 plate 600. they were much better than the originals. Personally I was very happy with how it rode after even with my 17 stone on it. I also fitted the hyperpro shock spring and that was also a vast improvement.

On original springs I had pre-load set to max and these half way were firmer than the original ones.

Re: Upgrading Front Suspension - FuZzBoM - 04-05-13

(03-05-13, 10:19 PM)Foxwood link Wrote: [quote author=FuZzBoM link=topic=7583.msg73241#msg73241 date=1367528349]
I had them exact springs in my 03 plate 600. they were much better than the originals. Personally I was very happy with how it rode after even with my 17 stone on it. I also fitted the hyperpro shock spring and that was also a vast improvement.

On original springs I had pre-load set to max and these half way were firmer than the original ones.

Did I understand correctly. You had the rear shock spring also replaced?
With this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hyperpro-Progressive-Rear-Shock-Absorber-Spring-Yamaha-FZS-600-Fazer-98-03-/151034232906?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts_13&hash=item232a57804a
?
Seriously contemplating getting one.
[/quote]

I did indeed. In fact I replaced that 1st and then realised the front was a tad lacking. People seem to mock progressive springs but I think for road riding they give a good happy medium. It was a cheap way to vastly improve it in my eyes.
Lets face it none of us are Valentino Rossi on a silky smooth racetrack...

Even with my generous proportions setting preload to half way was firmer than the stock spring on max.
Replacing it is a little more tricky than the fronts you will need a decent set of spring compressors or take it to a garage. I managed to do mine myself but there was a hell of lot of tension wound up and scared me a little lol

I was so impressed with the hyperpro spring on my 600, I fitted one to my 1000...

Re: Upgrading Front Suspension - Foxwood - 04-05-13

(04-05-13, 10:09 AM)FuZzBoM link Wrote: [quote author=Foxwood link=topic=7583.msg73511#msg73511 date=1367615962]
[quote author=FuZzBoM link=topic=7583.msg73241#msg73241 date=1367528349]
I had them exact springs in my 03 plate 600. they were much better than the originals. Personally I was very happy with how it rode after even with my 17 stone on it. I also fitted the hyperpro shock spring and that was also a vast improvement.

On original springs I had pre-load set to max and these half way were firmer than the original ones.

Re: Upgrading Front Suspension - FuZzBoM - 04-05-13

Remained standard height after fitting. The only thing the guide says to do on front is to drop the forks through 20mm, due to my weight I only dropped 10mm. Does make it turn in a little quicker.
It did give me much more confidence in the rear end. Hitting a bump or ridge mid corner would be a lot nicer experience.
Now don't get me wrong its not a set of ohlins.. far from it but for the price I don't think you can go wrong.

Re: Upgrading Front Suspension - Foxwood - 07-05-13

Well, sorry to hijack the thread, but I just ordered the Combi -kit from Hyperpro. I had a "f*ck-it" -moment and decided to get both front and rear end sorted at the same time. Importer promised me I'd be receiving them late next week. So I'll do a follow-up on 'em once I get them on. Pics and the sort, maybe even a video. Not too bad of a price either, 250€ shipped home. Smile

Re: Upgrading Front Suspension - Foxwood - 17-05-13

Picked the kit up this morning and got to work changing the rear shock after work (waiting for the newer fork caps before I install the front springs). Wasn't a big job, just a bit fiddly to get sockets on the nuts. Scariest part was definitely compressing the spring, especially since the tools I had weren't too good.

But boy did it change the rear handling! :eek Instant improvement in the way the back end feels. And like FuZzBoM, I too feel that the front end is now lacking. Thankfully, I'll be able to get the rest of the mod done on Monday.

Re: Upgrading Front Suspension - risticuss - 17-05-13

Fuzzbom,

I think I've bought your bike. I bought it from my brother who got it from a guy in your area who was selling due to just picking up a thou. I even test rode it for him. It has both front and rear hyperpro springs.

Gotta say, I'm hanging around the 12 stone mark and even for me it's a fantastic mod. I have no experience of the standard suspension, but I did own a 2000 CBR and this thing handles like that did in the twisties. I've had no problems in the wet or dry and no worries even on the ripply back roads that used to upset my CBR.

Might just have to drop the forks a little more though as I'm a touch lighter and think it may be better if I follow what the book says (15mm through the yokes). I can always put it back if the effect is detrimental.

Hope this helps anyone else who's looking to refresh their suspension.

Simon

Re: Upgrading Front Suspension - FuZzBoM - 17-05-13

Awesome job Foxwood, as you can see the Hyperpro spring is much thicker than the original. I take it you are getting the tops with the preload adjusters on? If so good idea.
Keep us posted on how it goes.

Risticuss - If the reg ends OPY is indeed my old bike Smile

Was a sad day to see her go and I am glad she is still being used and enjoyed.
I think that there is the benefit of the fazer. Good for a novice as well as an experienced rider. They are also very forgiving and overlooked in my opinion.
Having said that Yamaha fit budget suspension and the best thing I have done on both my 600 and 1000 is upgrade it.

Out of interest Simon what did your brother go onto?

Re: Upgrading Front Suspension - risticuss - 18-05-13

Fuzzbom,

Yep, that's mine indeed. I bought it off my brother as he got caught speeding (quite a way over the limit) and his newly married wife told him, "you've had your chance, you blew it". I think he only really looked at it as a toy and wasn't overly into the whole bike ownership thing. It's a fantastic bike anyway.

Back on topic, I'd not seen the springs together so I had no idea that they were that different. That definitely explains the reaction to the new spring.

Bet you're looking forward to getting the front done now.

Re: Upgrading Front Suspension - Motorbreath - 18-05-13

I do not get why yor manuals recommend to drop the fork instead of removing preload. That's what I did when fitted 1 kg/mm linear springs. Afterall the less preload, the more compliant the suspension is.

Re: Upgrading Front Suspension - risticuss - 18-05-13

As I don't have anything to compare to, I can only assume that the hyperpro springs push more of the top tube out of the fork lower, by 15mm and so you have to drop them by that amount to get the front ride height back to standard. The preload adjuster would allow a certain amount, but not 15mm. Plus then you'd still have a full range of preload.

Wow, it almost sounds like I know what I'm talking about.

This is just how my brain has reasoned. Like I say, the springs were already fitted when I bought the bike, so I don't know the standard lengths of the forks.

I would assume as well that the guys who make the suspension would know what they're doing, seeing as the kits/instructions are bike specific.