Curvy Front Suspension Upgrade

Its one of those moments oh might org were I ask of your wisdom to grant me a knowledgable answer.

I've read loads on the forum and just I don't have a solid enough answer I know how budget the Curvys suspension is and I'm no Lightweight (Over 15st with Gear). Obviously I will change the fork Oil to be a thicker one but I want to put harder springs in to well cope with my 6 foot 3 lump of a body when I need to use the front brake. The rear shock has plenty of life in it still unless I find myself a permanant pillion it'll last me atleast until next summer. I looked online at one of those Calculators and it made me chuckle at I need liek 922 and its 705 as standard or something.

After reading through the Haynes Manual as demonstrated by that emoticon I think I should be able to do this at home so its simply a case of buying the Stiffer spings and some nice new fork oil from Halfords. The Seals are near to perfect touch wood and do not need replacing too.

Also if it makes a difference this is my everyday transport, I'm not a seasoned biker and thus don't ride revings the tits off her but i'm no slouch either. But riding now getting into it shes draining my confidence like so when it comes to braking as there is a lot of sag and when I got her she needed the fork oil changing anyway and I've delayed this too long do to previous lack of funds.

Thankyou for reading this Much Love

[maviczap]

Yes, changing the springs & oil is a doddle and will improve the front end no end

One tip, the fork cap nuts are made of cheese, so slacken the top yoke bolts first before loosening the fork cap nuts.

You'll need to raise the front end as well, this'll make reinstalling the fork cap nuts easier

[mikerj]

Buy the cheap Harley cartridge emulators and drill out the holes in the damper rods. The emulators are a direct fit into the curvies forks, no machining or bushes needed. With suitable springs and oil it absolutely transforms the old damper rod forks on these bikes. I've fitted them to my pointy, my dads curvy and my little GPZ now. If you need a hand give me a shout.

P.S. Sorting the fork out will likely show up the deficiencies of the rear shock! Definitely worth fitting something better on the back when you can afford it.

Hey Milker, where abouts in Devon are you out of curiousity and for the 'Harley Cartridge emulators' how much are we talking? I know I've heard about that with the rear and such but shes not going to be ridden too hard and looking into it but again going to go for the best least modificating jobs.

Maviczap thankyou for those pointers I'll take all the information I get here and take photos as I go so others may follow in my footsteps who don't feel they want to do a whole front end swap. Also intend to do the Throttle upgrade if its half as simple as it sounds it'd be nice to just do it at once make the bike feel like something entirely different

[mikerj]

I'm in Plymouth. The emulators are only $26.99, but sadly postage to the UK actually costs more than the valves! Just checked my email and the set I ordered last year came to $61.54 delivered, which is about £37.50 at the moment. Genuine Race Tech Gold Valves are about $140+delivery.

I'm surprised no one has organised a group buy - IIRC postage was the same for two sets of valves, so some good savings to be made for a bulk purchase!

[ixlr8]

There's also a chart on the Racetech site which allows you to calculate the spring you need for your weight. Do the emulators, if you just use heavier oil and springs, you get harsh and very unpleasant fork compliance over sharp road irregularities which can dramatically upset the bike's composure and grip at the worst times.

[mister c]

I fitted Hagon progressive springs & thicker oil, made a heck of a difference. I'm not the lightest person either, so you will see the difference.
The only problem you will have is that the rear will feel soft, so you'll want an upgrade on the back then lol. ZX10 rear shock, not too expensive, but makes a hell of a difference

Those emulators sound good to me could always order apair for me too or vice versa.

[MJC-DEV]

MikeRJ has pretty much talked me into getting emulators, since my new Nitron shock and heaver oil in the front (with standard springs at present for my lightweight ish frame) does make the front feel pretty harsh at speed exactly as ixlr8 describes. Full Maxton cartridges are £378 which is more than I want to pay for a commuter. Racetech emulators are about £130. So US ones sound like a budget way of doing it. Pointys need a spacer machined up though. Add linear 0.85kg springs (£90?) and that's about best you can get for budget upgrade.

Ok just ordered some for £37.08 delivered

So Emulators are £37 ish if I go halfs on like postage and then I need some decent springs in the front so like 0.85 or 0.90? Linear?

Seriously I can the routine shizzle no issue but I'm looking at these words as you guys would look at HTML code! You'll understand most of it, bits are American, the Book only tells you how to do it now how its done.

I might ask for a hand I don't know how big an issue this'll be plus I also have a set of Lowers I've just purchased that I think need a bit of TLC and then a respray.