I keep going back and forth on what oil to use in my forks. I am slowly trying to get my bike up to date with everything (k7 GSXR 600) in hopes of doing my first track day soon. I am having a baseline setup by Superbike Susp., but before I can do that I want to freshen up the fork fluid (o.e suspension). It has 7k as of now and it is still the original, previous owner never changed it. The manual recommends 5w, I was wondering if I should step up to a 7w i.e Maxima 7w (21-7.30 @ 100c). Also, I was planning on going 120mm oil level (factory 107mm), not sure if that goes along with the weight. Street bike with occasional track day.
Are you disassembling the forks yourself and cleaning them all off or popping the caps off and dumping it out? Because if you just crack open the top then you won't get all the fluid out so I wouldn't go by the OE fill measurements unless you are taking everything apart and ensuring every last drop of fluid is out of there. What I personally did when I started servicing my fork oil is just keep the stock 5w, measure what you pour out (around 480 mL when I did my 750), and then just add 15-20 mL on top of that when you refill. If that still isn't firm enough, then look at changing to a higher weight.
I was planning on just pulling them off the bike and draining, but I could take them all apart to inspect for blockages if it is really bad. Not sure how much more work it is to strip them completely.
I tried this last year and immediately regretted it. You really need the proper tools and know how. It tookme and my two buddies over two hhours to un install, take apart, reassemble, and reinstall and it was still done wrong after I spent $80 on tools. When I got to Barber in just had Ken reform it for me. It turns out I didn't back out a screw five millimeters. Those 5mm really messed it up. Best of luck to yo . I hope you do better than I did.
I am pretty mechanically inclined, I'm confident I can get it done. Looked at the manual and watched Dave's vid on the process and it looks pretty simple. Dropping the front end is pretty simple. All I need is a fork spring compressor, seal driver, bleeding tool, and syringe to measure fluid. Just waiting for the parts to come in (seals).
After 7000 miles it needs a complete disassemble and cleaning. You are far better off spending your tool money on a professional rebuild rather than fumbling through it yourself and (likely) doing it wrong, mechanically inclined or not it aint "a do it yourself job after watching youtube." $ .02 :cheers:
Man, rebuilding GSXR forks is not that hard. Here's a link to a thread I did over on my Busa forums...Don't over think too much. A good set up stock bike will out perform most riders. You can change the seals and oil and get SB to setup your preload, comp and rebound. http://www.hayabusa.org/forum/gen-ii-busa-information/147920-another-run-fork-seals.html PM me if you have any questions, I'll be glad to walk you through it.
Thank you! I don't know what's the big deal, not that many parts in the forks. I have never taken my car in for service or bike, and the forks are not going to be the start of it. I like to work on my own stuff as it helps my understand the inner workings and whats going on. This will aide me in the future if I need to make changes.
If something is assembled wrong or not working right in the forks when you go for your baselilne setup Kenny is going to want to take them right back apart again. Just saying. If he rebuilds the forks he knows what is going on with them. If you rebuild the forks and have him do the baseline he won't know what's going on in the forks. If you rebuild your own forks may as well do your own baseline. Baseline is basically making sure your sag is right (correct springs for your weight). If you are going to take the forks apart I suggest do a sag measurement before your take them apart to see if you can get close. If you can't get close order springs for your weight that way when you have them apart you can install them. Make sure you can get close on your sag number on the rear to. Might need a spring for that to.
Does anyone on here know how to check the rake setting. I've got 05 636 forks and rear shock on my z1000. I've lifted the rear 1" and want to make sure I haven't gone to far. I can adjust my forks down if need be. sent from that a%@ holes phone
One number or calculation wrong and all your numbers go cocka. How did you lift the front? By sliding the tubes or internally? The stock numbers from the manufacturer are typically calculated with the tire the bike is sold with. So be careful with that as well. Different tire size and different manufacturer can affect numbers.
My front I didnt. But the forks sit 30mm above the triple cause of the 636 forks being longer than the factory z ones. I lifted the rear with 40mm links which made it exactly one inch. Had done some research and found that the z rear set lower than should for my riding. It was meant for touring and I run the dragon two three times a month and plan on doing track days this year. Even with adj. Rear sets and ok body position I was draggin peg just playing with it in the corners. I haven't rode it since I did it cause I added a few more things like gp shift and another set of clipons on top of the triple. Just dont want to go out and the bike not want to go straight and I have to fight it. Hope that makes since. sent from that a%@ holes phone
I am 180-185 depending on training season so I am right in the ballpark of the factory springs. forks .900 shock 9.4