Minor Winter Project - installing suspension worth 1/3 of the bike - Page 3

azoomm · 12-05-2010, 08:37 PM

Holy crap that's awesome.

Papa_Complex · 12-06-2010, 03:50 PM

I've got a problem with buying sow's ears, then trying to turn them into silk purses

My old Bandit 1200 had a curved 13 row oil cooler, Racetech'd forks, Ohlins shock, stage 1 jet kit.....

Rangerscott · 12-16-2010, 01:46 AM

Saw a 650r with a zx10 front end sell on ebay. Love the looks of inverted forks. He never answered me back on a how to. Really thinking of doing an R1 front end swap on my VFR this summer.

Papa_Complex · 12-16-2010, 06:19 AM

If you can do it, that would be one hell of a swap-out. The forks on my VFR800 had both compression and rebound Gold Valves, and 0.95 Kg/mm springs. Those, and the Penske shock, made a world of difference.

As far as I'm concerned it makes far more sense to spend money on suspension, than it ever does anything that effects power.

Papa_Complex · 12-19-2010, 03:18 PM

You know what's really annoying? Having to wait a month to get a couple of bolts and crush washers. Why the hell don't shops stock stuff like that?

G-Rex · 12-19-2010, 03:46 PM

I know what you mean. Every time I had to order something from Ducati that had to come from Italy, one month minimum. Usually, it was more like 5-6 weeks.

Papa_Complex · 12-19-2010, 04:04 PM

I'm just glad that this is happening as winter is about to hit, rather than just before the season starts. I probably don't need to replace the bolts that hold the fork internals but it makes sense to me, in this situation, and the crush washers should definitely be replaced for a good seal.

No Worries · 12-22-2010, 10:32 PM

I did the same thing several years ago. My 79 GS1000 was the first bike to come with adjustable damping in the rear. But after 20 years, it needed new shocks. The bike was only worth $1K. Should I spend $300 on shocks?

Well, I did. I got Works Performance shocks a half inch longer than stock. I didn't realize that the old shocks had sagged an inch or more. The first time I got on the bike, I had to use tiptoes where before I would flat foot.

I have Progressive Springs and a Telefix fork brace up front, but adding the shocks transformed the handling. Brought it up to 80's handling. Now that I'm retired, I'm debating if I should upgrade the CBR's suspension.

Papa_Complex · 12-23-2010, 03:04 PM

Yeah, I threw appropriate fork springs and 20wt. oil in the forks, then added an Ohlins type 4 shock on my old Bandit 1200S, then enjoyed playing with Gixxer squids in the twisties

I think that suspension is the better way to spend your money on a street bike. Go ahead and tweak the CBR. You won't regret it

Amber Lamps · 12-23-2010, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Papa_Complex

Yeah, I threw appropriate fork springs and 20wt. oil in the forks, then added an Ohlins type 4 shock on my old Bandit 1200S, then enjoyed playing with Gixxer squids in the twisties

I think that suspension is the better way to spend your money on a street bike. Go ahead and tweak the CBR. You won't regret it

Hmmm...or spend the $3-4,000 on a more up to date bike, just sayin'

12-05-2010, 08:37 PM	#21
azoomm moderator chick Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Hill Country TX Moto: Pasta Rockets Posts: 8,917	Holy crap that's awesome. __________________ We have enough youth. How about a fountain of "smart"? Come Play at the Track!! http://www.elitetrackdays.com

12-06-2010, 03:50 PM	#22
Papa_Complex Nomadic Tribesman Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Brampton, Canada Moto: '09 ER-6n Posts: 11,150	I've got a problem with buying sow's ears, then trying to turn them into silk purses My old Bandit 1200 had a curved 13 row oil cooler, Racetech'd forks, Ohlins shock, stage 1 jet kit..... __________________ "Everything's better with pirates." - Lodge, "Dorkness Rising" http://www.morallyambiguous.net/

12-16-2010, 01:46 AM	#23
Rangerscott Viff6N Mutated Warrior Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Texas Moto: '01 Honda VFR 800 & '09 ER-6N Posts: 8,704	Saw a 650r with a zx10 front end sell on ebay. Love the looks of inverted forks. He never answered me back on a how to. Really thinking of doing an R1 front end swap on my VFR this summer. Last edited by Rangerscott; 12-16-2010 at 01:54 AM..

12-16-2010, 06:19 AM	#24
Papa_Complex Nomadic Tribesman Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Brampton, Canada Moto: '09 ER-6n Posts: 11,150	If you can do it, that would be one hell of a swap-out. The forks on my VFR800 had both compression and rebound Gold Valves, and 0.95 Kg/mm springs. Those, and the Penske shock, made a world of difference. As far as I'm concerned it makes far more sense to spend money on suspension, than it ever does anything that effects power. __________________ "Everything's better with pirates." - Lodge, "Dorkness Rising" http://www.morallyambiguous.net/

12-19-2010, 03:18 PM	#25
Papa_Complex Nomadic Tribesman Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Brampton, Canada Moto: '09 ER-6n Posts: 11,150	You know what's really annoying? Having to wait a month to get a couple of bolts and crush washers. Why the hell don't shops stock stuff like that? __________________ "Everything's better with pirates." - Lodge, "Dorkness Rising" http://www.morallyambiguous.net/

12-19-2010, 03:46 PM	#26
G-Rex Where to next? Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: OK to the C Moto: TL1000R, Hayabusa, R1150RT Posts: 1,333	I know what you mean. Every time I had to order something from Ducati that had to come from Italy, one month minimum. Usually, it was more like 5-6 weeks. __________________

12-19-2010, 04:04 PM	#27
Papa_Complex Nomadic Tribesman Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Brampton, Canada Moto: '09 ER-6n Posts: 11,150	I'm just glad that this is happening as winter is about to hit, rather than just before the season starts. I probably don't need to replace the bolts that hold the fork internals but it makes sense to me, in this situation, and the crush washers should definitely be replaced for a good seal. __________________ "Everything's better with pirates." - Lodge, "Dorkness Rising" http://www.morallyambiguous.net/ Last edited by Papa_Complex; 12-19-2010 at 09:00 PM..

12-22-2010, 10:32 PM	#28
No Worries Keyboard Racer Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mile High City Moto: Old Superbikes Posts: 1,016	I did the same thing several years ago. My 79 GS1000 was the first bike to come with adjustable damping in the rear. But after 20 years, it needed new shocks. The bike was only worth $1K. Should I spend $300 on shocks? Well, I did. I got Works Performance shocks a half inch longer than stock. I didn't realize that the old shocks had sagged an inch or more. The first time I got on the bike, I had to use tiptoes where before I would flat foot. I have Progressive Springs and a Telefix fork brace up front, but adding the shocks transformed the handling. Brought it up to 80's handling. Now that I'm retired, I'm debating if I should upgrade the CBR's suspension.

12-23-2010, 03:04 PM	#29
Papa_Complex Nomadic Tribesman Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Brampton, Canada Moto: '09 ER-6n Posts: 11,150	Yeah, I threw appropriate fork springs and 20wt. oil in the forks, then added an Ohlins type 4 shock on my old Bandit 1200S, then enjoyed playing with Gixxer squids in the twisties I think that suspension is the better way to spend your money on a street bike. Go ahead and tweak the CBR. You won't regret it __________________ "Everything's better with pirates." - Lodge, "Dorkness Rising" http://www.morallyambiguous.net/