06-05-2007, 01:33 PM | #1 |
Front suspension "sticky"?
I have noticed that my front suspension feels "sticky" it doesnt smoothly adjust up and down. I weigh 165lbs and it just stays uncompressed until i really brake hard, then it will go down, but with small adjustments, it has a notchy, sticky feel to it.
Has anyone experienced this or fixed this? I am wondering if it needs the fork oil changed or if it is the overall crapiness of the front springs.... anyone want to field this one?
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My name is Justin, my friends call me Stix. 2008 Kawasaki KLR650 Candy Lime Green ______________________________ I am the official China bike registration Guru For the State of Maryland..... HA. |
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06-05-2007, 01:45 PM | #2 |
Mine is like that to an extent. It wont compress at all when i sit on it. If a give it a nudge with the front brake it goes down though. I havent looked into it but I guess the fork oil is like vegitable oil or something You might want to change it.
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06-05-2007, 01:49 PM | #3 |
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Northern Vermont, USA
Posts: 1,271
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I weigh 210 and my Roketa with USD forks acts like that too. I would prefer them to be softer sprung. It's not like we can sail these things off jumps anyway. I think a fork oil change WOULD help, but that's a fairly big job with inverted forks. Gotta pull the whole front of the bike apart. I think that'll be my next project. I will pull them apart and change out the stock fluid for a lite weight synthetic fork oil.
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First Chinabike: 2006 Roketa RSX200E Current Chinabikes: 2023 Titan DLX & 2022 Lifan KP Mini w/ 210cc BRT kit, 22 RWHP! |
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06-05-2007, 01:57 PM | #4 |
Maybe the Chinese found an easy way to get rid of all thier leftover fry oil? Start manufacturing "USD" forks!
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06-05-2007, 02:03 PM | #6 |
thanks molypod, that is VERY helpful...
that is the other sweet thing about these bikes, i wouldnt feel so bad if i totally screwed something up because its a inexpensive purchase as compared to a high end jap enduro. I can learn how to do more extensive repairs on this for when i buy a much bigger bike down the road.
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My name is Justin, my friends call me Stix. 2008 Kawasaki KLR650 Candy Lime Green ______________________________ I am the official China bike registration Guru For the State of Maryland..... HA. |
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06-05-2007, 02:09 PM | #7 | |
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Toronto Ontario Canada
Posts: 2,585
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Quote:
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06-05-2007, 02:43 PM | #8 |
IMHO i'm not sure i would trust full synthetic fork oil in the upsideown forks. our chinese fork seals are not the best.
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06-05-2007, 03:03 PM | #9 | |
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Northern Vermont, USA
Posts: 1,271
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Quote:
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First Chinabike: 2006 Roketa RSX200E Current Chinabikes: 2023 Titan DLX & 2022 Lifan KP Mini w/ 210cc BRT kit, 22 RWHP! |
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06-05-2007, 05:38 PM | #10 |
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
Posts: 267
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Make sure that the torque on the triple clamp bolts iare correct. Locktite of course. You can crank down and pinch the tubes too much.
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The destination is merely a by-product of the journey. '06 KLR650 '06 XT225 '92 XT225 Serow ( MBD.... Multiple Bike Disease...) |
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06-05-2007, 07:36 PM | #11 |
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: COLUMBIA, SC
Posts: 973
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I put about 4oz of Trans Fluid in my USD forks and they seem to be working fine. I did not remove my forks. Only the top screw cap.
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2008 Jonway MC-70-150 2007 Roketa DB-07B (RSM-200E) 2006 Roketa DB-07A (RSX-200E) 1995 Kawasaki Concours (ZG1000) |
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06-05-2007, 10:00 PM | #12 |
Did you add the tranny fluid because your forks were "sticky" too? I've noticed that mine will compress when stopping, & "pop" back up when I take off.
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2005 RSX-200E 2004 Suzuki Eiger 1999 Arctic Cat 250 1977 Kawasaki KH400, aka Green Ripper |
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06-05-2007, 10:54 PM | #13 |
Mine are actually a bit soft. I definitely use the full travel during my rides. I am 215 It really needs stiffer springs IMO, I know I can preload the existing springs with washers, but that takes away travel and only hides the issue. What is the consensus on fork oil type. I'm thinking a heavier weight oil to increase dampening and help out.
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06-05-2007, 10:55 PM | #14 |
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 146
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Mine does it to some extent but I'm used to it. May do new oil some day.
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06-06-2007, 01:59 AM | #15 |
I dont think changing to a full synthetic fork oil will "cause" it to leak. But I do think it will leak faster if there ever is one. I don't have much faith in the seals :wink:
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