Forks redone, where and what?

Discussion in 'Bay Area Bikers' started by Aram Schiffman, Oct 22, 2003.

  1. Hi, The forks on my '99 VFR800 are feeling kind of divey these days, a
    little worrisome when braking. I guess it's time to get them looked at,
    and maybe reworked to whatever extent necesary.

    I have to take the bike to my shop anyway, and since that shop is Honda
    Milpitas, that would be one place to get the work done. Other choice
    would be Lindemann. Other options? Recommendations?

    In any case, how does one determine whether I just need new fork oil,
    springs, or valves, or what? This is not a bike I ride at the track,
    and I don't really ride it hard at all.

    Any and all feedback will be appreciated.

    Thanks once again, in advance.

    Aram Schiffman
    '99 VFR800
     
    Aram Schiffman, Oct 22, 2003
    #1
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  2. Aftershocks, in Palo Alto. (650) 494-8849. Phil Douglas is right up
    there with Lindemann in terms of knowledgeability and respect.
    Well it almost certainly needs new fork oil--it breaks down after
    awhile, and should be replaced occasionally. Have you checked your
    fork sliders for oil? If your fork seals are starting to go, the
    sliders will be slippery (or worse) and your suspension will degrade as
    more fork oil gets away.

    It doesn't cost anything to just take your bike by the shop and have a
    chat with Phil and have him sit on your bike and bounce on it a couple
    of times.
     
    Denise Howard, Oct 22, 2003
    #2
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  3. Aram Schiffman

    muddycat Guest

    Hare Racing in Sunnyvale.

    --
    muddy

    Testing the limits of gravity since 1947.

    icq - 219328929
     
    muddycat, Oct 22, 2003
    #3
  4. Aram Schiffman

    cstatman Guest


    Phil Douglas

    Aftershocks

    Palo Alto

    the best(tm) simply the best


    --
    Assuring you of my best intentions at all times,

    Charles Statman
    Rocket Scientist/Wonderboy/Women's Legs Shaven

    DoD the Un-Numbered One
     
    cstatman, Oct 22, 2003
    #4
  5. Aram Schiffman

    John Noble Guest

    Know going in that it's a bit of a process, even with the best (as is Phil).
    Phil will ask you questions about how you ride, where, what, etc. then make
    his best estimation and set your bike up with you on it. It's then up to
    you to see if it "works" and communicate any deficiency (or preferences) so
    it can be dialed in (by He or Thee). Not every route, road, track is the
    same- so if you are looking for edgy; you will have to start keeping notes
    about what settings work where. In any case, it will be vastly better than
    what ya got.
     
    John Noble, Oct 22, 2003
    #5
  6. Aram Schiffman

    Brandon High Guest

    Most likely you just need to replace the fork oil. That should take care
    of any degregation from the "like new" condition.

    If you were happy with how the suspension worked when the bike was new,
    stop there. Total cost, $15 plus labor.

    If you didn't like the way it was new, then consider having the valving
    and springs adjusted. It'll be about $200-400 for the forks. If you
    change the fork action, you'll most likely want to replace the shock
    with an adjustable unit too...

    I've taken my bike to Phil at After Shocks. He does good work and is
    willing to chat too.

    -B
     
    Brandon High, Oct 23, 2003
    #6
  7. Just what I was hoping for, actually. Much better than, "shove off
    mate, we know what we're doing!" Still helps to get a little background
    before going in.
    Thanks1

    Aram
     
    Aram Schiffman, Oct 23, 2003
    #7
  8. I'd upgrade that to definitely. For some reason HofM insists that you
    never (sort of) need to change the fork oil (leaks excepted). Figure
    that one out.
    Yeah, probably will do.

    I'll be good... I'll be good... ignore the Penske sign....

    Thanks, Aram
     
    Aram Schiffman, Oct 23, 2003
    #8
  9. Thanks, Denise.
    Oh yeah! Knew I forgot someone. I had a coworker who used to babble
    endlessly about Phil at Aftershocks. I guess you block out those sounds
    you hear all the time.
    So says all the conventional wisdom, except that residing within the
    service department at HofM. confusing, to say the least.
    Good point. Yes, I check that from time to time - no signs of slime
    that I can detect!

    Thanks for the suggestions,
    Aram
     
    Aram Schiffman, Oct 23, 2003
    #9
  10. Aram Schiffman

    Erik Astrup Guest

    The VFR 800 does not have "damping rod" forks.

    It does however have crappy cartridge forks, and that's why companies
    like Race Tech and Traxxion make "Gold Valve" and "Axxion Valve" kits for
    it.

    Labor is not cheap on the VFR to install these kits. Just so happens the
    same problem exists on the FZ1.
     
    Erik Astrup, Oct 23, 2003
    #10
  11. Aram Schiffman

    Dan Carter Guest

    You can go to stiffer springs and/or upgrade your cartridge forks with
    Race Tech Gold Valves, which I believe HoM will install. Go to
    http://www.racetech.com and find the options available for your bike.

    At a minimum, replace fork oil--it's probably overdue--and check for
    correct preload.
     
    Dan Carter, Oct 23, 2003
    #11
  12. Quick note - Honda of Milpitas has been my shop for a long time. Sales,
    parts, service, the whole deal. The new service crew seem just as
    responsive as the previous guys were.

    Why mention this? My suspension posts might be read as anti-HofM. NOT
    my intention. The fork-maintenance schedule, and the discussions aorund
    them, had me a little perplexed, is all.

    Oh, and thanks everyone for the advice.

    Cheers.
    Aram
     
    Aram Schiffman, Oct 24, 2003
    #12
  13. I, for one, didn't read your post as anti-HofM! They don't advertise
    themselves as suspension specialists, and I would expect anyone who
    wants to do right by their motorcycle to seek out the right person/shop
    for the job at hand.
     
    Denise Howard, Oct 24, 2003
    #13
  14. Aram Schiffman

    cstatman Guest


    yeah, till the bastards fired Andy. (sorry, it's personal)




    On the other hand, If you want specialized work done, (suspension,
    expert tuning, etc) you should go to a specialized shop.

    ALL dealers run service department as a quick moneymaking enterprise,
    the best way to do that is generalize. Change oil, set valves, minor
    tune ups. Things a general mechanic can do to ANY model bike, in under
    2 hours.

    Specialization costs extra. and if you want it done right, you should go
    to the specialist.

    This of course applies to everything in life.

    I KNOW my General Practitioner might be able to DO a kidney transplant,
    but I'm gonna opt for the specialist kidney transplant surgeon instead,
    get it?


    Phil Douglas, Aftershocks Suspension, Palo Alto, CA.
    Motorcycle Suspension Surgical Expert.
    Accept no cheap substitutions!

    :D



    --
    Assuring you of my best intentions at all times,

    Charles Statman
    Rocket Scientist/Wonderboy/Women's Legs Shaven

    DoD the Un-Numbered One
     
    cstatman, Oct 24, 2003
    #14
  15. Actually, they do. It falls under their Computrack services. In fact,
    the suspension person is not part of the service department.

    Safe riding,
    Aram
     
    Aram Schiffman, Oct 25, 2003
    #15
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