G6 Forks - What should I do?

Heavy-Dee · 05-03-2006, 8:24 AM

Guys I need help. At the races this past weekend I think I was bottoming out my forks. Even if I wasn't, the bike was very unsettled under braking over bumps. I was even dragging the lower a bit. Hell, it didn't like bumps at all. I tried some suspension tweaking, however the stock adjustments for compression and rebound leave quite a bit to be desired. Meaning, I only have about 3 turns in each.

Furthermore, there wasn't a huge difference when going full "on" to full "off".

Here are my options that I'm trying to sort through.

1. Per Abtech's advice some time ago, respring for my weight w/ fresh oil. I could probably do this myself and would be pretty cheap. Cheapest option other than "do nothing".

2. Send the forks to be resprung and revalved (?) by one of the well known suspension guru's. Thermosman wants $450 for this.

3. Purchase a used set of forks from a guy on WERA who claims that they have "over $800 worth of 20mm Penske internals". He wants 400 w/ a trade for my stock forks.

4. Send my forks to the known suspension guru and have the Ohlins internals put in. Thermosman wants 700 for this.

5. Do nothing. Deal with it. I'll appreciate better suspension even more after racing one more year on the stockers.

So gang, what do you think?

abtech · 05-03-2006, 8:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heavy-Dee

Guys I need help. At the races this past weekend I think I was bottoming out my forks. Even if I wasn't, the bike was very unsettled under braking over bumps. I was even dragging the lower a bit. Hell, it didn't like bumps at all. I tried some suspension tweaking, however the stock adjustments for compression and rebound leave quite a bit to be desired. Meaning, I only have about 3 turns in each.

Furthermore, there wasn't a huge difference when going full "on" to full "off".

Here are my options that I'm trying to sort through.

1. Per Abtech's advice some time ago, respring for my weight w/ fresh oil. I could probably do this myself and would be pretty cheap. Cheapest option other than "do nothing".

2. Send the forks to be resprung and revalved (?) by one of the well known suspension guru's. Thermosman wants $450 for this.

3. Purchase a used set of forks from a guy on WERA who claims that they have "over $800 worth of 20mm Penske internals". He wants 400 w/ a trade for my stock forks.

4. Send my forks to the known suspension guru and have the Ohlins internals put in. Thermosman wants 700 for this.

5. Do nothing. Deal with it. I'll appreciate better suspension even more after racing one more year on the stockers.

So gang, what do you think?

Stay away from anything with the Axxion valves (option 3). Trackoholic had the Ohlins cartridge put in and it was never right, he eventually went back to stock. I say send them out to Thermosman and have them revalved and sprung.

Heavy-Dee · 05-03-2006, 8:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abtech

Stay away from anything with the Axxion valves (option 3). Trackoholic had the Ohlins cartridge put in and it was never right, he eventually went back to stock. I say send them out to Thermosman and have them revalved and sprung.

I respect your opinion, so that's enough to make me cross that option off the list. I'll contact that dude now.

Thanks Ab.

ND4SPD · 05-03-2006, 8:52 AM

Get 'em revalved w/ stiffer springs. Made a huge difference for me.

abtech · 05-03-2006, 9:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ND4SPD

Get 'em revalved w/ stiffer springs. Made a huge difference for me.

But what about your shock? Did you upgrade that as well?

Heavy-Dee · 05-03-2006, 9:19 AM

ND4SPD · 05-03-2006, 9:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abtech

But what about your shock? Did you upgrade that as well?

No. According to DK at Grattan '04 the stock shock was good enough for my weight.

abtech · 05-03-2006, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ND4SPD

No. According to DK at Grattan '04 the stock shock was good enough for my weight.

Maybe the spring is in the ballpark, but in terms of keeping the wheel on the ground during transitions and bumps (can you say Nelson Ledges?), it's not even close . . .

BDA116 · 05-03-2006, 10:30 AM

The valving on the 600RR shock is supposed to be pretty good, but I'm sure the fluid at the very least is broken down by now. I understand DK can work voodoo on the OEM shock and make it sweet for not much cashola.

But I think HD should send his forks off to Thermosman.

ND4SPD · 05-03-2006, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abtech

Maybe the spring is in the ballpark, but in terms of keeping the wheel on the ground during transistions and bumps (can you say Nelson Ledges?), it's not even close . . .

Yeah, notice I said good enough. It's in the mod plan to get it swapped out. I'm waiting 'til this fall's "clearance" sale on the boards when I can pick up a used one for relatively cheap and get it freshened up.

Heavy-Dee · 05-03-2006, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BDA116

But I think HD should send his forks off to Thermosman.

For which option?

450 or 700?

HD

BDA116 · 05-03-2006, 10:55 AM

Just go with the $450 option. While I don't know the GSXR forks all that well, I don't think you're going to need the Ohlins internals any time soon.
Just doing the springs and valves will make such a night and day difference and your confidence in the front of your bike will skyrocket.
KISS for now, but don't go with another guy's used stuff where you'll still have questions.

Hammer · 05-03-2006, 11:37 AM

T man did my forks and so far I like them, they are conciderably harder than stock.

Same price $475 for everything. (shipping back to me)

954inMN · 05-03-2006, 1:46 PM

Personally I would do the $450 revalve too. I don't think respring alone will solve your problems, but it might if your fluid is bad enough.

BUT- You could respring and do the fluid (it will take you 2 hours if you go slow). It would cost 120 bucks or so and you won't have to screw around with shipping. If you send them in they will be resprung anyway so the only money you lose by respringing and doing the fluid yourself is the fluid cost and the time you spend.

Maybe just call T man and see what spring he recommends and install them. If it isn't good enough send them in. Maybe you make it through the season and you can mail them in December or something.