Forks redone, where and what?

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

 

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.

 

Hare Racing in Sunnyvale.

--
muddy

Testing the limits of gravity since 1947.

icq - 219328929

 

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

 

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.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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!





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

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

DoD the Un-Numbered One

 

Actually, they do. It falls under their Computrack services. In fact,
the suspension person is not part of the service department.

Safe riding,
Aram