Front forks bottoming despite new springs

[timbo]

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.

[markmartin]

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.

[fj1289]

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

[andyb]

As above, also check riding style. 

[timbo]

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?

[fj1289]

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?

[doright1]

Sounds like it might be parts of the ejector seat.