rock hard front suspension

[kiltman]

I chose to have my dealer service the shocks. To save labour charges, I removed the forks and brought them in.
I put a jack under the oil pan to raise the front end. Mine is an ABS model so the fork caps use a 24mm wrench instead of the 17mm hex socket of the standard model. I loosened the caps, removed the fender, wheel and brakes. I loosened the bolts on the triple tree and slid the forks out. There was no need to remove the handlebars on my bike, I was charged an hour and fifteen minutes for them to do the labour, I supplied the bushings, oil and seals.
Reverse the steps and installed the forks, it went smoothly. ( I don’t have the tools to take apart the forks, this was the most efficient way for me to service the front end)

 

[Mckeith]

In addition to the oil level, it may have had oil put in that is a much heavier weight oil than the forks are designed for. I would suggest draining and refilling with the correct oil rather than just adjusting the level if you are not going to do a full flush.
Check the springs as well. They may have been replaced with much stiffer springs.

The guy I bought it from was a rather heavy set man and his wife was the same size. (Around 120 - 130kg I would think). I am riding alone and weighs only, (in comparrison), 90kg fully dressed for the occation. I can see the rear spring is set for max load so the front could be as well. If the ST is soft from the beginning, it could be that he had it refubished to carry two heavy people with luggage.
Thanks for your input.

 

[Mckeith]

Jack under the engine oil pan, to support the front end. Remove the forks entirely and invert them and pump them to get as much oil out as possible. Just removing the two lower drain bolts won't get all of the old oil out. Use a synthetic fork oil for the refill.

A suspension specialist advised me to use (on my non ABS bike) different weights of oil in each fork, as their internals are different and work more efficiently that way. Left fork gets a 10W-15W weight, right fork gets 7W weight, both filled to the measured level of 7.5 inches from the top of the fork tube, with the spring out and the forks fully compressed.

For an ABS bike, the weight recommendations switch to the opposite forks and the oil level is 7 inches.

Works a treat for me for the last 19 years.

Did the specialist mention what oil(s) to use for the ABS-models?

 

[Mckeith]

Jack under the engine oil pan, to support the front end. Remove the forks entirely and invert them and pump them to get as much oil out as possible. Just removing the two lower drain bolts won't get all of the old oil out. Use a synthetic fork oil for the refill.

A suspension specialist advised me to use (on my non ABS bike) different weights of oil in each fork, as their internals are different and work more efficiently that way. Left fork gets a 10W-15W weight, right fork gets 7W weight, both filled to the measured level of 7.5 inches from the top of the fork tube, with the spring out and the forks fully compressed.

For an ABS bike, the weight recommendations switch to the opposite forks and the oil level is 7 inches.

Works a treat for me for the last 19 years.

Just noticed the last paragraph...

 

[Mckeith]

Once you have a TPMS you realize how much it changes when underway and on Hotter days. Two pounds is a minor difference.

What's a TPMS?

 

[Larry Fine]

What's a TPMS?

Tire Pressure Monitor System.

 

[Bush]

Did the specialist mention what oil(s) to use for the ABS-models?

Any brand of a synthetic fork oil in the proper grades will do. If you can't find a 7W, like me at the time, you can do a 50/50 mix of a 5W and 10W to achieve a close enough match. Don't tell the missus you are using her measuring cup to get the 50/50 mix exact!

 

[Roger]

Any off-road specialist bike shop should have a range from 4W up....

 

[Mckeith]

Any brand of a synthetic fork oil in the proper grades will do. If you can't find a 7W, like me at the time, you can do a 50/50 mix of a 5W and 10W to achieve a close enough match. Don't tell the missus you are using her measuring cup to get the 50/50 mix exact!

Thanks. My wife is wery understanding when it comes to hobbies. She has hers, I have mine, and we both understand what that intails.

 

[Mckeith]

Tire Pressure Monitor System.

Okey. I have never considered that on any of the bikes I've had.

 

[paulcb]

Okey. I have never considered that on any of the bikes I've had.

TPMS is a very popular farkle for motorcycles for obvious reasons. It's the first (and most important to me) farkle I install on any new to me bike. I refer to it often during riding and if I hit something, I keep a close eye on it to make sure I don't have a leak. You can now get a good one for about $50. Lots of TPMS threads here.

 

[ChriSTian_64]

Very interesting thread. That is something I had on my list.
Also, I have received my new front tire (Exedra G547), and was planning to change it soon.

My 2000 ST11 being at 21K miles, it is due for the fork oil replacement.
So, I'll be doing that while the front wheel will be off.

And, scissors jack are in special next week, at Princess Auto.
The timing is good.

 

[Andrew Shadow]

And, scissors jack are in special next week, at Princess Auto.
The timing is good.

If you are interested in a jack similar to this one, Motorcycle Jack, I have one that is in like new condition. I think I only ever used it twice. I can sell it to you at a good price if you are interested. I'll even deliver it.

 

[ChriSTian_64]

If you are interested in a jack similar to this one....

Thanks for offering Andrew. @Andrew Shadow.

But it's really the smaller, mechanical (rather than hydraulic type) scissor jack that I want.

 

[Bush]

Thanks for offering Andrew. @Andrew Shadow.

But it's really the smaller, mechanical (rather than hydraulic type) scissor jack that I want.

Could you post a link to that item please? Last time I checked Princess Auto, I didn't see that one. Failing that, dimensions and weight capacity? Thanks.

 

[ChriSTian_64]

@Bush, I took the above picture of the red scissor jack, somewhere on internet, just to show the type of jack I wanted.

Princess auto is selling a blue one, pictured below.

It is rated for 1100 lbs (same number than my ST ).
You can find it under "motorcycle jack".
FortNine also have some models.

It will be in sale, starting next tuesday june 8th.
Here is the link.


https://www.princessauto.com/en/1100-lb-motorcycle-atv-lift/product/PA0008667818

 

[ChriSTian_64]

@Mckeith, sorry, don't want to hijack your thread about hard front suspension.
I checked in the honda service manual, and they say that another possible cause (beside improper oil weight or level) might be a clogged anti-dive mechanism.
So, instead than just changing the oil, it might worth it to open that mechanism, at the base of one fork, and make sure it is not clogged with jellyfied old oil.

Chris.

 

[Bush]

Thank you Cristian! Doesn't lift very high though. Still gonna be on the knees.

 

[ChriSTian_64]

Still gonna be on the knees.

Yeah, but someone once said that a man is never so tall than when he is kneeling.

 

[Andrew Shadow]

Thank you Cristian! Doesn't lift very high though. Still gonna be on the knees.

It is intended to be used on a lift table.