MOT fail = forks upgrades, but what to do?

Hi everyone,

Long story short is that my SV650S SK8 failed its MOT yesterday on a damaged right hand fork seal. I have been thinking of making some upgrades to the forks for a while so what better time than the present.

My question is, what is worth doing? Obviously new seals both sides is a must and I am definitely thinking heavier oil as they have always been a bit too soft for my liking. I have been doing some research into progressive springs or emulators, but as I am still relatively new to riding I'm not sure whether I would utilise the benefits or see the money again when it comes to selling the bike.

So I am open to suggestions and also the best place to source the parts once the decision has been made. A little background info; I am around 13-14 stone kitted up, doing mostly commuting (sometimes two-up) and am planning my first track day this year. Current mods are only basic; braided hoses, stubby exhaust and aesthetic 'improvements'.

Looking forwards to hearing suggestions, very grateful for your help!

[Jayneflakes]

I think that heavier oil will just slow down the damping of the fork, if they feel too soft, you need to either adjust preload or fit stronger springs.

Slow damping too much and the fork cannot extend fast enough for ripple bumps and will pack down. Suzuki recommend 10 weight I believe.

Progressive springs mean that as the spring compresses it needs more energy to compress it the same distance again. Effectivly making the action stiffer towards the end of the travel. My MTB forks do this too and it is quite nice even on a little bike. My SV has, I think, aftermarket springs fitted by the previous owner and to be honest, they feel lovely and very reactive, which is not what other users report of standard forks.

for the seal may be worth trying that piece of plastic bottle you slide trough them in case it is just grim stucked in there

[ixlr8]

What to do? Upgrade.

In all likelihood, you'll need heavier springs, see Racetech site for a chart; the standard springs are good for a 60-65 kg rider. If you simply increase the fork oil weight, you'll get less dive at the expense of harsher and less compliant fork behaviour. First, get your springs right.

The best cheap mod is springs plus Debrix (or Racetech) emulators, or Intiminators.

The best mod is replacement with cartridges, early '00 GSXR 600 are right way up, or many do USD later GSXR including wheel, brakes, guard, speedo pickup and often master cylinder. This mod also allows for easy external compression and rebound adjustment on the run. When you've sold your OE front end, that will pretty much pay for your new parts.

[21QUEST]

Springs(if needed), Debrix emulators, oil and obviously change the seal...job done.

[flymo]

rather than make life difficult, why not simply replace the faulty seal and get it through its MOT. Faulty seal - 30 mins to do, no pressure. Job done.

Upgrade your forks at your leisure

Do you know what caused the seal to fail,theres no point in replacing it if theres damage to the fork leg, for example rust spots , the first time the suspension is compressed they will slice grooves into the new seal and your back to square one.

yes, stone, and polish them if possible

The previous owner kept the bike outside for the first few years of its life so I think the seals are just perished as the legs look good.
It seems that there is a recommendation for every possible solution, alas I think I have made a decision!
1. New seals
2. New oil (same weight as before)
3. 8.5N KTech Springs
I will then plan to install Debrix Emulators in the near future, however the lead time to get the part is too long to a) get the bike throught the MOT without needing a full re-test, b) be without my bike as Oulton Park is coming up!
Unless anyone has got a spare set of emulators that they can get to me early next week?