Tighten front forks

Hi guys,

I've got a standard 94' YZF 600 with 110K on it. The front forks are
quite spongy and I have no confidence when cornering. I'm wondering if
it is possible to tighten the front forks up a bit?

It cornered really nicely once, ironically when the bike yard had
stuffed up put the headset back together when I had the headset bearings
done (there was just a lock nut out of place or something like that, I
can't remember the details). Once they fixed it the cornering has never
been as good.

Maybe the springs are going? Either way is it possible to tighten and
get a bit more life out of them? I don't hit many corners (in Brisbane)
but it is nice to have the confidence there.

Thanks

Lionel.

 

Sounds a bit odd. Is your front tyre correctly inflated?
Does your steering-head move or knock when you hit the front brakes?

Whereabouts in Brisneyland are you? I'm near Aspley if you wanna' drop over
for a look-see.

 

when was the fork oil changed last?

 

Seated on the bike when bouncing the bars is there sufficient damping ?
I suspect you may have insufficient fork oil when was it last changed
or checked ?

 

Came the answer... "Oil? Fork!"

 

Well I tightened up the headset bearing on Sunday shortly before I wrote
this, I had only done a quick test ride and it hadn't seem that much
beter. However, having now ridden it a bit more, it seems this was
mostly the problem, but my tyres are shot so I'm going to have to
replace them first to make sure.

There was a small knock occasionally before I did the adjustment, which
appears to have gone now. when I go over really light bumps it seems to
knock (but I'm not sure about this), but it seems more like it is coming
to the top of the shocks when this happens.

That's a very generous offer. I'm on the south side so maybe a bit far,
and probably should get those tyres replaced first.

Cheers

Lionel.

 

Not long ago, about 2 years because I had to get the seals done.

Cheers

Lionel.

 

Sorry about my name, I've fixed it in Thunderbird but still seems to be
wrong.

So how safe is it taking up these offers in a newsgroup anyway? No
offence intended to Knobdoodle.

Cheers

Lionel.

 

From who? , do you not know what fork oil is?

 

Well unless the bike yard stuffed it up 2 years aho ~10000 kms?

It does seem a little bouncy though. Is it easy to top up the oil level?
I haven't looked or ever done it.

Lionel.

 

It is very easy , do you have a manual ?

if not there are several places at Underwood who appear capable

I am just down the road from you in Browns Plains if you are stuck

I would suggest if there is not a reasonable amount of damping some
oil would be worthwhile investment and the change is well documented in
your manual , if I cam manage I expect you might as well.

 

Nice, thanks .

 

Thanks, Moike found a manual so I'll check that out.

 

oh, he didn't quite find the manual, but I'm sure I can find one with
either the link he gave me or somewhere else.

 

I had thought it was just ice cream until you said that... *backs away*


G-S

 

Certainly do - it's the stuff that regularly greets the outside world past
the fork seals when you take GS1100s for long quickish rides on roads that
'could be better.' Much better with triple rate springs and slightly
heavier oil though.
Merely a play on words there....

 

Except of coarse for knobless, who can't even keep a Triumph going in one
piece

 

Bugger, you caught me out...

 

Be very careful tightening up the headset bearing. At that milage you
should take it apart, clean and regrease. Just tightening won't fix
it. If you get a hint of a weave at around 50-70k/h then you have
overtightened the bearing.

Theo

 

The bearing is only 2-3 years old and I just gave it a small tap, less
than 1/8th of a turn I reckon.

Lionel.