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Author Topic: Changing Fork Oil and raising forks (lowering front end)  (Read 2053 times)

Offline Angus

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Changing Fork Oil and raising forks (lowering front end)
« on: February 20, 2015, 07:22:23 PM »
My 2010 c-14 has over 52,000 and since I bought used have no idea if fork oil has ever been changed.  Since the tubes must be removed to change the oil I've thought about raising the tubes about 1/4" to 3/8" which will lower the front end a bit.  I did this on my 2009 Versys and it would track straighter, turn in quicker, and make it easier to get both feet on the ground at a stop.  Anyone ever tried this?  Thanks.
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Offline maxtog

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Re: Changing Fork Oil and raising forks (lowering front end)
« Reply #1 on: February 20, 2015, 08:06:05 PM »
Quote from: Angus on February 20, 2015, 07:22:23 PM
My 2010 c-14 has over 52,000 and since I bought used have no idea if fork oil has ever been changed.  Since the tubes must be removed to change the oil I've thought about raising the tubes about 1/4" to 3/8" which will lower the front end a bit.  I did this on my 2009 Versys and it would track straighter, turn in quicker, and make it easier to get both feet on the ground at a stop.  Anyone ever tried this?  Thanks.

I have never changed my fork oil, but I did drop the front end 1" by raising the tubes 1 1/8" to match the 1" lowering of the rear with a replacement link ( http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=260.0 )
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Offline JS_racer

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Re: Changing Fork Oil and raising forks (lowering front end)
« Reply #2 on: February 21, 2015, 06:11:09 AM »
without risers, the tubes can only be raised just a small bit. (they will hit the base of the bars)
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Offline maxtog

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Re: Changing Fork Oil and raising forks (lowering front end)
« Reply #3 on: February 21, 2015, 07:33:56 AM »
Quote from: JS_racer on February 21, 2015, 06:11:09 AM
without [handlebar] risers, the tubes can only be raised just a small bit. (they will hit the base of the bars)

You are correct.  I don't remember the exact clearance, but it was pretty small (maybe 1/2"?) without having handlebar risers.  One probably wouldn't want to drop the front by more than about an inch (which is 1 1/8" at the tube, to match the 1" lowering on the rear) because the front suspension could bottom out on large bumps and smash the fender (so far that has never happened to me, but I also only weigh 145lbs and only ride solo).
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Offline VirginiaJim

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Re: Changing Fork Oil and raising forks (lowering front end)
« Reply #4 on: February 21, 2015, 08:34:47 AM »
Quote from: maxtog on February 21, 2015, 07:33:56 AM
You are correct.  I don't remember the exact clearance, but it was pretty small (maybe 1/2"?) without having handlebar risers.  One probably wouldn't want to drop the front by more than about an inch (which is 1 1/8" at the tube, to match the 1" lowering on the rear) because the front suspension could bottom out on large bumps and smash the fender (so far that has never happened to me, but I also only weigh 145lbs and only ride solo).

145?  I've had lunches weigh more than that..
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