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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: timbo on May 14, 2010, 11:39:40 AM

Title: Front forks bottoming despite new springs
Post by: timbo on May 14, 2010, 11:39:40 AM
Hi guys, I need some help here. I have a 92 fj grey import, the front forks have been bottoming out for  a while now so I odered a set of Hagons for the year of the bike. Turns out they were too long, they stuck out above the fork tubes by a couple of inches. So after a conversation with Hagon they sent me a new set for an earlier model. Just fitted them and it still bottoms out. Pretty gutted I've just wasted £80. I'm running 10w fork oil.
Any ideas, my thoughts are to go for a thicker fork oil and see what happens.....what do you think.
Title: Re: Front forks bottoming despite new springs
Post by: markmartin on May 14, 2010, 11:57:10 AM
I would find out what weight spring they have sold you.  Perhaps it is not heavy enough as the stock springs were known to be soft, if they were trying to match the performance of those.  I changed from the stock spring to a 1.o kg straight rate spring and am happy with that--I'm 180lbs. 

that's where I'd start, others here will know more about how much a difference in the oil weight will help or perhaps be able to solve your problem.

Title: Re: Front forks bottoming despite new springs
Post by: fj1289 on May 14, 2010, 12:18:45 PM
You may need to add a preload spacer.  How much do the forks compress with just the bike's weight on it?  How about with you sitting on it?

I have a hunch the first set was right - springs should be compressed some (how much depends on the rate of the springs).

Chris
Title: Re: Front forks bottoming despite new springs
Post by: andyb on May 14, 2010, 01:17:35 PM
As above, also check riding style. 
Title: Re: Front forks bottoming despite new springs
Post by: timbo on May 14, 2010, 02:17:22 PM
Hi, thanks for the replies, thought you folks would be tucked up in bed by now! well I've just changed the oil for some 20-40, I read somwhere that this is close to 15w fork oil and it seems a lot better. I would have thought that new stock springs shouldn't bottom.

Anyway, while looking around the bike I have few more questions: there are two black oval black plastic tubes under the seat, one has an LED in it, they are connected to a yellow connector block. There is also a rocker switch under the seat which also seems to be connected, any idea what these are?
Title: Re: Front forks bottoming despite new springs
Post by: fj1289 on May 14, 2010, 03:28:52 PM
Quote from: timbo on May 14, 2010, 02:17:22 PM
Anyway, while looking around the bike I have few more questions: there are two black oval black plastic tubes under the seat, one has an LED in it, they are connected to a yellow connector block. There is also a rocker switch under the seat which also seems to be connected, any idea what these are?

Definitely not stock.  Don't know what it is from the description -- maybe an alarm system added on?  maybe LED light like the cruiser crowd?
Title: Re: Front forks bottoming despite new springs
Post by: doright1 on May 14, 2010, 06:04:14 PM
Sounds like it might be parts of the ejector seat. :diablo: