I couldn’t wait for the tire and seals, so I popped the old seals back in for now, they’ll be changed with the tire.
Now what I did.
I put the washers from the original forks under the new/old springs and set both adjusters at the third line from the top (3 lines showing).
I went on a two-hour road test. There are some treacherous roads in these parts (not to mention the wildlife), so I tried to stay on these roads most of the time. The front Dunlop gets squirrelly over 80, so all testing was done under that speed.
After burnishing the new pads/rotors in I did hard braking @60mph, hard enough so that the brakes locked. To be honest, yes, the front end dipped a little, but it was nothing that bothered me or I felt like I was losing control. I have ridden much worse. I can live with it.
The rear shock needs some adjustment help and I am sure a fluid change. It doesn’t dampen well over certain bumps (just before it goes airborne). Like a pogo stick. When I got the bike, I checked it and it was set at 5 psi and at #4. I set it at 18 psi and #2 thinking that was stiffer ride. I have been studying the factory manual and it says #2 is for a 150lb. rider. Well, I haven’t seen that in 50 years. So tomorrow after I recheck the steering head bearing adjustment that will be the sortie. Play with rear shock.
The fork adventure is over and I have been forked by a C10. Next up will be the exhaust header, we’ll see if we can break a stud or two. That is always fun.
By the way, I love the bike, it is a keeper. I like the seating position, the engine braking, the way the bike doesn’t ‘push’ you to go faster (it is as content at 40 as it is at 80) and it doesn’t do a 100 in 1st. It is what it is, a 700lb. sport bike painted in Arrest Me Red.
Thanks, Ted and Rick, for your support and advice.
Cam