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-   -   Upgrading Stock Suspension.... THE PLAN. (http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=107710)

sv_rider1990 05-04-08 08:43 AM

Upgrading Stock Suspension.... THE PLAN.
 
Right i would like to get hold of a pair of stock 1999 SV650S Forks for my curvy it doesnt matter what the state of the is because this is my plan.

1) Get hold of a pair from a breakers, ebay, whoever etc..
rub them down and repaint the maybe matt or gloss black - which would look better or silver??

2) Fit progressive springs into them - anyone recomend me the best?

3) Better fork oil etc - which is the best??

Now thats my plan so far lol i do not have the knowledge to further it so i was going to ask you guys for some freindly advice...

I would like to drop them so the nose is lower i did post up a topic about it but got abit confused the curvys dont have an adjuster on them so how can you lower them...

What else could i fit to get the best out of the forks????

And before anyone else says wouldnt it be easier to put gixxer forks on.... i dont want to mess it up by doing something wrong as im not that mechaincally minded. And apart from the corrosion i personally find the forks alright just mine are looking past there best and would like to improve the stock forks to get the best out of them.

Thanks Ash

sv_rider1990 05-04-08 08:45 AM

Re: Upgrading Stock Suspension.... THE PLAN.
 
Oh yeh and also can you put a front pre load adjuster onto them by and chance?

Grinch 05-04-08 09:32 AM

Re: Upgrading Stock Suspension.... THE PLAN.
 
Yes you can do all that, I have the same on mine. When you say GSXR forks do you mean the RWU or the USD?
If you want to lower then, then you can drop the forks through the yokes, max of about 12mm. Though watch out as it will quicken up the turn in of the bike.

Hagon or Ohlins springs, it makes no difference really other then price. Any fork oil should also be fine, as I'm 13st, I went for the 15w oil. I think the default in them is only 7.5w, so maybe 10w for you now.

Dangerous Dave 05-04-08 10:08 AM

Re: Upgrading Stock Suspension.... THE PLAN.
 
1) Silver I think would look best, unless you want to do the frame black too???

2) Hyperpro I found felt the best, suspension is a personal prefernece though!

3) Comes with the above kit

You can drop the forks through the yokes by 10mm, that is the prefered amount, you measure from the bottom of the fork cap too.
http://www.jhsracing.co.uk/archive/s...reload_cap.jpg
All you do is take the weight off the front of the bike (jack it up, use a front paddock stand or a strong mate) and slacken the bolts on the yokes that clamp the forks in place (do one leg at a time) and then force the legs up through the yokes and retighten the bolts. Easy really!

JHS can sell you the kit to put the preload adjusters on your forks if thats what you want, cheaper than buying from Suzuki too (not sure if that still stands though).

sv_rider1990 05-04-08 11:43 AM

Re: Upgrading Stock Suspension.... THE PLAN.
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Dangerous Dave (Post 1467015)
1) Silver I think would look best, unless you want to do the frame black too???

2) Hyperpro I found felt the best, suspension is a personal prefernece though!

3) Comes with the above kit

You can drop the forks through the yokes by 10mm, that is the prefered amount, you measure from the bottom of the fork cap too.
http://www.jhsracing.co.uk/archive/s...reload_cap.jpg
All you do is take the weight off the front of the bike (jack it up, use a front paddock stand or a strong mate) and slacken the bolts on the yokes that clamp the forks in place (do one leg at a time) and then force the legs up through the yokes and retighten the bolts. Easy really!

JHS can sell you the kit to put the preload adjusters on your forks if thats what you want, cheaper than buying from Suzuki too (not sure if that still stands though).

That kit looks decent thanks reasonable price to.... Is that picture the preload adjusters or is that what you can do with it standard?

Thanks Ash

drag 05-04-08 11:44 AM

Re: Upgrading Stock Suspension.... THE PLAN.
 
Quick Q tho, say you buy ohlins springs, and want some nice fancy blue pre load adjusters on top of the caps, where coud one source these from....i know i've seen a set before, but of the life or me i cant remember where

sv_rider1990 05-04-08 11:45 AM

Re: Upgrading Stock Suspension.... THE PLAN.
 
Yeh i couldnt find any on JHS website unless i was looking at something that cost 300 quid anywhere else that do them?

yorkie_chris 05-04-08 11:50 AM

Re: Upgrading Stock Suspension.... THE PLAN.
 
Can I interest you in a front end?

http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=107557

If you're not feeling too mechanically minded I could easily fit springs and oil then post them.

Viney 05-04-08 12:03 PM

Re: Upgrading Stock Suspension.... THE PLAN.
 
If you mean the dials ontop of the preload adjusters, Pro-Bolt would be the place to go.

drag 05-04-08 01:31 PM

Re: Upgrading Stock Suspension.... THE PLAN.
 
Been looking about for pro-bolt stuff , but cant see to find a set for a curvy ... any url help...count choculaaaa :D


www.demonbikes.com have them in silver red and black, no blue advertised, however they have pics of them in blue, and they look quite nice.

I think i need to replace the entire top cap as i have no pre load adjuster, to adjust on mine as is . :(

jambo 05-04-08 01:52 PM

Re: Upgrading Stock Suspension.... THE PLAN.
 
I am failing to see why you need to buy another set of forks to do all this. If you remove your existing ones, change the oil and fork springs and clean them up they'll be fine, you can do all this in a day with no worries.

The "best" fork springs and oil are subjective and depend mostly on your weight. I would generally go for linier fork springs rather than progressive, but other people have found the opposite works for them. If you weigh much over about 11 or 12 stone you'll want stiffer springs and oil to suit. Please note this isn't so much "upgrading" the suspension as just adjusting it to suit you. If you're ordering springs and a spacer kit for your 1999 curvy and want to buy the 2002 model preload adjusters from suzuki, I think you can just buy spacers and springs for a k2 model, as these were the same springs but with cut down spacers to make room for the preload adjusters.

Either way what you want to do is cheap and easy aond doesn't need a whole newset of forks.


Edit: Just re-read above and realise it could mean I was suggesting stock 2002 springs & spacers for a 1999 model as an upgrade, I'm not, the springs are the same rate, I believe the spacers are shorter, but if you buy the 2002 preload adjusters and get hagon to sell you their springs and spacers for a 2002 model you don't need to cut anything to make room for the 2002 preload caps.


Jambo

drag 05-04-08 01:59 PM

Re: Upgrading Stock Suspension.... THE PLAN.
 
That explains where the preload adjusters come from on so many curvey's

51351-10D80




thats the part number for the caps that have pre load adjusters... now to find a set

sv_rider1990 05-04-08 02:08 PM

Re: Upgrading Stock Suspension.... THE PLAN.
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by jambo (Post 1467184)
I am failing to see why you need to buy another set of forks to do all this. If you remove your existing ones, change the oil and fork springs and clean them up they'll be fine, you can do all this in a day with no worries.

The "best" fork springs and oil are subjective and depend mostly on your weight. I would generally go for linier fork springs rather than progressive, but other people have found the opposite works for them. If you weigh much over about 11 or 12 stone you'll want stiffer springs and oil to suit. Please note this isn't so much "upgrading" the suspension as just adjusting it to suit you. If you're ordering springs and a spacer kit for your 1999 curvy and want to buy the 2002 model preload adjusters from suzuki, I think you can just buy spacers and springs for a k2 model, as these were the same springs but with cut down spacers to make room for the preload adjusters.

Either way what you want to do is cheap and easy aond doesn't need a whole newset of forks.


Jambo



Oh right the only reason i was going to get another set of forks was so my bike isnt out of action for a space of time but if its easy and can do it in a day thats good. Yeh i way exactly 12 stone so stiffer springs would be best.... Do the K2 curvys have preload adjusters on them then? I'd do abit more research and find whats best suited to me.

Ash

drag 05-04-08 04:10 PM

Re: Upgrading Stock Suspension.... THE PLAN.
 
Yes ash, as i've said and linked above the K2 model curvy came with preload adjusters, so if you can find a set of those bad boys, you'll need to shorted the spacers also, so it all fits.

There a set on fleabay i'll dig out the link in a sec

http://www.svspares.com/items/44-1_1...adjustable.htm

or if you want to splash sum cash !!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Traxx...spagenameZWD1V

Dangerous Dave 05-04-08 06:42 PM

Re: Upgrading Stock Suspension.... THE PLAN.
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by sv_rider1990 (Post 1467071)
That kit looks decent thanks reasonable price to.... Is that picture the preload adjusters or is that what you can do with it standard?

Thanks Ash

http://www.jhsracing.co.uk/archive/s...reload_cap.jpg
Picture is of the OEM preload adjusters fiited to a early Curvy, you'll have to phone/email JHS for the kit if you want to go with that idea. The picture also shows the forks dropped 10mm, measured from the bottom of the fork cap.

Dangerous Dave 05-04-08 06:46 PM

Re: Upgrading Stock Suspension.... THE PLAN.
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by drag (Post 1467072)
Quick Q tho, say you buy ohlins springs, and want some nice fancy blue pre load adjusters on top of the caps, where coud one source these from....i know i've seen a set before, but of the life or me i cant remember where

Do you mean these...
http://www.tastynuts.com/acatalog/RESR10BFITTEDZOOM.jpg
You can get a set from Probolt but many others sell and make them too.

drag 05-04-08 07:11 PM

Re: Upgrading Stock Suspension.... THE PLAN.
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Dangerous Dave (Post 1467477)
Do you mean these...
http://www.tastynuts.com/acatalog/RESR10BFITTEDZOOM.jpg
You can get a set from Probolt but many others sell and make them too.


i'll take 12 !!!

they just look so purdy... i'll see what the other guys say about replacment caps first off



edit .... just realised Alloy Front Brake Reservoir Cap (61mm o/d ) RESR10 Ref: 4370 is not pre load adapters

northwind 05-04-08 07:19 PM

Re: Upgrading Stock Suspension.... THE PLAN.
 
Those adjuster handles are pretty, it's true, but they're a total waste of money... You don't adjust preload often, unless you switch from single to 2-up riding a lot. In fact, most folks do it once then never touch it again, unless they get it wrong when they do it 3 or 4 times maybe.

drag 05-04-08 07:21 PM

Re: Upgrading Stock Suspension.... THE PLAN.
 
but they look pretty right .... :D

ejohnh 05-04-08 09:12 PM

Re: Upgrading Stock Suspension.... THE PLAN.
 
Seems to me that most of the 'upgrades' bikers do are more or less cosmetic. What I found made a world of real difference to my curvey was fitting Hagon progressives and 15w oil - and then good quality tyres. Turned a ornery p' awful mule into a smooth arabian. Borrow a headstock lift to support the front:thumright: and it so so easy.. BTW I am 13 stone.

drag 05-04-08 09:15 PM

Re: Upgrading Stock Suspension.... THE PLAN.
 
im 14 with ohlins sitting waiting to be installed ...must get oil and new seals !!!

northwind 05-04-08 09:32 PM

Re: Upgrading Stock Suspension.... THE PLAN.
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by ejohnh (Post 1467684)
Seems to me that most of the 'upgrades' bikers do are more or less cosmetic. What I found made a world of real difference to my curvey was fitting Hagon progressives and 15w oil - and then good quality tyres. Turned a ornery p' awful mule into a smooth arabian. Borrow a headstock lift to support the front:thumright: and it so so easy.. BTW I am 13 stone.

Yup. In fact, springs and oil isn't an upgrade at all, it's an adjustment- the SV's suspension is very basic but the real problem isn't that, it's just that it's specced for very light people. So you have basic suspension working badly. Replacing the springs and oil can at least make it work better for you- if you weigh over, say, 11 stone it's a huge benefit. I've got very good suspension on mine now but I could have been perfectly happy with just the Ohlins springs and oil tbh.

If you actually want to upgrade, then there's a world of options and you can get big benefits without breaking the bank. Personally I'm very much of the opinion that it's a false economy not to spend some time and effort here if you're out of the working weight range of the forks- a ?4000 bike working badly isn't better value than a ?4150 bike working well. And another ?150 on top gets you emulators or a Matris kit or similiar for a very solid performing front end. The SV's only let down by its suspension, and most obviously by its forks.

(or of course, there's the more drastic options like a GSXR swap, which I only mention here on economy grounds- do it cheap, and right, and it can actually cost less than you get selling the parts. But get unlucky and it can be a money pit. My original fork replacement would have almost broken even if I'd not deliberately gone over budget on luxuries. But if you're a big'un, or even a very small'un, you might still have to pay to modify the forks- GSXR swaps don't work for everyone out of the box.)

yorkie_chris 06-04-08 12:33 AM

Re: Upgrading Stock Suspension.... THE PLAN.
 
You can get the forks out easily without a headstock lift, abba stand or any other posh stuff.

A ratchet strap over a rafter, or a jack under the engine with the bike on the sidestand works fine.

Dangerous Dave 06-04-08 11:49 AM

Re: Upgrading Stock Suspension.... THE PLAN.
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris (Post 1467864)
You can get the forks out easily without a headstock lift, abba stand or any other posh stuff.

A ratchet strap over a rafter, or a jack under the engine with the bike on the sidestand works fine.

+ 1

sv_rider1990 06-04-08 01:41 PM

Re: Upgrading Stock Suspension.... THE PLAN.
 
Thanks alot for the input ive got a much clearer idea of what im going to do.... Get another set of forks put the springs etc oil preload adjusters on them while doing them up to make them look decent then just straight swap them with the ones atm and then do them up and sell them and maybe make a slight profit if sell on ebay... Probably a complicated way but id feel much more confident as i can still use the bike and it wont be oout of action while doing the new set up..

Ash

yorkie_chris 06-04-08 01:43 PM

Re: Upgrading Stock Suspension.... THE PLAN.
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by ME (Post 1467077)
Can I interest you in a front end?

http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=107557

If you're not feeling too mechanically minded I could easily fit springs and oil then post them.

:-D

northwind 06-04-08 02:39 PM

Re: Upgrading Stock Suspension.... THE PLAN.
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by sv_rider1990 (Post 1468239)
Thanks alot for the input ive got a much clearer idea of what im going to do.... Get another set of forks put the springs etc oil preload adjusters on them while doing them up to make them look decent then just straight swap them with the ones atm and then do them up and sell them and maybe make a slight profit if sell on ebay... Probably a complicated way but id feel much more confident as i can still use the bike and it wont be oout of action while doing the new set up..

Yeah, it's not a bad plan- I did something similiar, I got a set of crashed forks to practice on first, then took the fork sliders off those and got them powdercoated. I ended up selling some of the leftover parts too so while it did cost me a little it worked out well, and made things very easy. I like learning on stuff that's already knackered, what's the worst that can happen? :cool: Don't answer that.

petevtwin650 06-04-08 02:47 PM

Re: Upgrading Stock Suspension.... THE PLAN.
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by drag (Post 1467192)
That explains where the preload adjusters come from on so many curvey's

51351-10D80




thats the part number for the caps that have pre load adjusters... now to find a set

Quote:

Originally Posted by drag (Post 1467506)
i'll take 12 !!!

they just look so purdy... i'll see what the other guys say about replacment caps first off



edit .... just realised Alloy Front Brake Reservoir Cap (61mm o/d ) RESR10 Ref: 4370 is not pre load adapters

You also need solid washers for the adjusters to bear on as the washers in earlier Sv's have no centre.

Don't think those adjusters fit the Sv.

I've got the adjusters retro fitted. Not really worth it actually. About 50quid from a Suzuki dealer.

drag 06-04-08 03:56 PM

Re: Upgrading Stock Suspension.... THE PLAN.
 
that where i'd say them before alright, on you're sv pete..i shall price from suzuki here locally ... should be interesting

Caddy2000 07-04-08 11:14 AM

Re: Upgrading Stock Suspension.... THE PLAN.
 
Ash,

If you're going to stay with SV forks, then I'd really reccommend getting the valving changed (a set of emulators). Changing the oil and spring does make a huge difference, but the standard valving in agricultural at best.

sv_rider1990 07-04-08 01:31 PM

Re: Upgrading Stock Suspension.... THE PLAN.
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Caddy2000 (Post 1469190)
Ash,

If you're going to stay with SV forks, then I'd really reccommend getting the valving changed (a set of emulators). Changing the oil and spring does make a huge difference, but the standard valving in agricultural at best.

What do they do (sorry for the stupidity), how much are we looking at for a set of them also is it a thing that you can only get from Suzuki?

yorkie_chris 07-04-08 01:34 PM

Re: Upgrading Stock Suspension.... THE PLAN.
 
No you can't get them at all from suzuki

http://www.racetech.com/evalving/eng...ngname=english

flymo 07-04-08 04:06 PM

Re: Upgrading Stock Suspension.... THE PLAN.
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by sv_rider1990 (Post 1469374)
What do they do (sorry for the stupidity), how much are we looking at for a set of them also is it a thing that you can only get from Suzuki?

You can buy these from teh very helpful PDQ in UK.

http://www.pdq1.co.uk/

Any technical queries ask for Rob, unless he responds on here first that is.

Jackie_Black 07-04-08 05:18 PM

Re: Upgrading Stock Suspension.... THE PLAN.
 
Do emulator kits replace everything in the fork or do you still need to get uprated springs too?

flymo 07-04-08 05:32 PM

Re: Upgrading Stock Suspension.... THE PLAN.
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Jackie_Black (Post 1469591)
Do emulator kits replace everything in the fork or do you still need to get uprated springs too?

That really depends on your own weight to be honest. You dont necessarily need to replace them.

If you go to the valving utility at racetech's website you can tell it the bike model, your weight, the style of riding etc and it will suggest a spring weight and fluid type etc.

Fitting them isnt that difficult but you need to do a little drilling etc so probably best if you are technically minded. We can certainly walk you through it if you need.

Jackie_Black 07-04-08 05:51 PM

Re: Upgrading Stock Suspension.... THE PLAN.
 
Ah see.

I went on their spring rate thing and i need way heavier springs to suspend my 17 stone bulk. So I could just change the whole lot when the time comes.

flymo 07-04-08 06:45 PM

Re: Upgrading Stock Suspension.... THE PLAN.
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Jackie_Black (Post 1469634)
Ah see.

I went on their spring rate thing and i need way heavier springs to suspend my 17 stone bulk. So I could just change the whole lot when the time comes.

Exactly.

northwind 07-04-08 07:01 PM

Re: Upgrading Stock Suspension.... THE PLAN.
 
What's nice is that you don't need special springs- so you can do springs and oil by itself, and if you're not happy with it it's easy to go that bit further and add emulators, all you lose is some time and the cost of the oil.

Robw#70 07-04-08 09:28 PM

Re: Upgrading Stock Suspension.... THE PLAN.
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by flymo (Post 1469528)
You can buy these from teh very helpful PDQ in UK.

http://www.pdq1.co.uk/

Any technical queries ask for Rob, unless he responds on here first that is.

I'm not 100% sure on the curvy (if its available yet), but matris do a spring kit that comes with new fork tops/preload adjusters for about ?150 all in

drag 07-04-08 10:43 PM

Re: Upgrading Stock Suspension.... THE PLAN.
 
Rob can you provide the fork tops/preload adjusters on there own ? for a small fee and maybe the chance of a packet of bickies ?


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