Forking hell!

[PaulD]

I’ve always thought my Kats handling was “strange” the front end is very firm and actually goes solid when I brake hard. Now as I’ve never had a bike with anti dive fitted I put it down to that but I had a real moment last night on a fast 80+mph (private road obviously ) sweeping bend! So I thought I’d better have a deeper look into the front end. I drained the old oil out and while I didn’t measure it I would guess the legs must have been pretty well full and judging by the looks it was more like grease than oil.
So all the old oil is now drained out and refilled with fresh 15 weight Silkolene. The preload adjusters where also seized solid on the hardest setting so I’ve freed them off and put them in the middle for now. The front end now actually moves more than a few millimetres. So without a test ride I would think there has got to be an improvement. Have any of you guys got any recommendations as to oil weights and quantities to get the best out of a standard front end?

[PaulD]

Thanks Mick I was thinking of progressive springs myself and have used Hagon’s in the past. I’m not sure if they’re standard but as I said my forks have spring preload adjusters in the tops and now they’re working as they should I don’t think the old penny/washer trick is needed. Any suggestions on fork oil weights/amounts?
I’m a bit concerned after all the bodges I’ve found so far what I’ll find inside the motor when I strip it over the winter to investigate the rattling and smoking problem! After all he did claim to be a Suzuki trained mechanic

[fossie]

Suzuki trained......but failed the actual course!

[PaulD]

Well a short test run revealed my Kat actually does have front suspension just a few tweaks should see me good to go now. So come on guys what oil weights and capacity’s do you recommend to improve the standard set up? I’m using 230cc’s of 15 weight fork oil in each leg and the preload in the middle setting as a start point.