Forks losing their damping?
 

The SV has felt a bit odd riding for the last few times, especially on the front end. This evening I noticed that the forks/whole front end can be bounced up and down very easily - several inches up and down with just me getting on and off. Is it because I've put on a few pounds or could it be that they're losing damping? There's no sign of oil loss around the forks and it's a K4 with under 9000 miles :confused:

The springs still go up and down, I'm sure they used to not go down that far when they were under load though.

Re: Forks losing their damping?
 

has the weather been noticably warmer? temperature can make a difference to the oil viscosity

Re: Forks losing their damping?
 

Have you been eating lots of pies?

Re: Forks losing their damping?
 

Yes I have been eating pies.

No the weather wasn't noticeably warmer when they felt like they'd lost damping.

They were back to their normal selves this morning, not as bouncy and felt fine. Bizarre. I'm expecting them to be rubbish again this evening... can a few degrees C make that much difference??

Re: Forks losing their damping?
 

I would guess that the oil in the forks has never been changed. Considering that it's a K4, that's now over two years. Time to change the oil.

Re: Forks losing their damping?
 

I've noticed, that now the weather has got warmer, that my front suspension is squidgier. A few degrees can make a bit of differance, it seems!

Actualy, i've been pondering - and this is a bit off topic here - about the feasiblity of fitting GSXR600 K1 front forks (right-way up forks, like the SV, but far better) to my SV. I dont want upside downies, as i want to retain the look of the bike, but I do want a bit of a firmer front end and some adjustment options

Matt

Re: Forks losing their damping?
 

Re: Forks losing their damping?
 

I did, i actualy have GSXR K1 600 RWU forks now but have not ridden the bike with them on yet as its off the road for a while.

SRAD tripples and K1-3 forks plus calipers for them, all you need to do is shim out the calipers by 2mm with two washers. Use an axle from SRAD series as they are a little longer, wheels are the same srad to K3 and disk are same too.

Re: Forks losing their damping?
 

I've opened up a few sets of forks to find the oil been emulsified! Fresh oil has restored the dampoing action nicely. So if me were thee I'd drop the forks and change the oil.:)

Re: Forks losing their damping?
 

I have a similar problem with my Curvy, I did the springs and oil at about 10,000 miles, and now at 23,000 I am sure the damping has gone (although it may just be that I am used to my TLR and that is why I think it), anyway I am sure the oil has a pretty short life so am going to change it when I get the chance.