handling issues after spring swap

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insulinboy
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Apr 10, 2014
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Rome, GA, USA
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2007 yamaha fjr1300
One more thought... twitchy handling after a steering bearings and races R&R -- ball or tapered bearings? How did you set the preload?

+1 on the wrong suspension fluid level and weight. Which shop manual are you using?

John
I was using the Honda service manual, I downloaded it I don't remember where. I prefer digital copies because I can print what I need and it doesn't matter if I get something on the pages because if I need it again I can print off another one. And I set the preload by feel. snugged it up til it felt like it was starting to bind a little then backed off till it was smooth again.

I was going to use 7.5 on the cartridge side but I couldn't find my oil.. Of course yesterday I finally found the 3 bottles of missing fork oil I had :(
 
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soCal
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Contrary to dwalby and John O., on the recommendation of a suspension specialist, I also run different weights of synthetic fork oil. The two forks are different in their functions and should have a lighter weight, I use 7W, in the right and a 10-15W in the left. I've found no issues with them set up that way.
The OP claimed he was told that the 5w/15w was the factory setup. I wasn't claiming this shouldn't be done, just that its not what comes from the factory.
 
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insulinboy
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Location
Rome, GA, USA
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2007 yamaha fjr1300
I used 10wt in both forks,I never heard of using different weights in each fork.

Since the internals are different it doesn't surprise me much, but as it was pointed out I was mistaken (I Finally found where it said use 7wt on both forks in the manual factory) it was just a recomendation re reading race techs website that you use 5wt on the cartridge side and 15wt on the damper rod side, and I've seen others on the forum suggest the same thing when I was looking for information on it which is why I went with those oils
 
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Vstrom 650
Now you have!
When I was doing the fork rebuild I researched on here on numerous threads,and got advice from guys that know a lot more about the subject than me and it wasn't mentioned anywhere about using different weights in each fork.
The 10wt oil at the correct level seems fine to me anyway,it's a touring bike after all,I'm not entering her in the northwest 200!!:D
 
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insulinboy
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Apr 10, 2014
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Rome, GA, USA
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2007 yamaha fjr1300
I need to eventually get the suspension sorted on mine as I plan to track it at little tally or barber (or both) next year. Mom wants to take some laps around a race track and STT has already told me I can do it :D
 
Joined
Apr 10, 2012
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Location
Donegal, Ireland.
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Vstrom 650
I need to eventually get the suspension sorted on mine as I plan to track it at little tally or barber (or both) next year. Mom wants to take some laps around a race track and STT has already told me I can do it
I think the rear shock has a big influence as well,I fitted a wilbers rear shock,which came preset for my weight but it's easy enough to adjust the sag and rebound,I kind of got lucky I suppose with the forks,with the hyperpro springs and the correct level of fork oil the sag was at 1/3 of the suspension travel,anyway as with everything the proof of the pudding is in the eating,the suspension is brilliant now,handles very well and goes where you point her,the old suspension was worn out and undersprung.
 
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