Suspension Options? 1999 CBR600F4

pugheaven

pugheaven

pugheaven

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22 Apr 2008
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Bryn Celyn Wales
Well, the "ERIC" went off to get the suspension overhauled after having it looked at at a recent track day on Saturday... I was thinking now I'm getting pretty rapid, that it's all just too soft and sloppy and dips wayyy too much under hard front braking... however the suspension guys conclusion was:


  1. The fork oil is original (1999) and as such is rubbish and barely even oil anymore... (I've not changed anything on the forks, I bought bike 2 years ago on 8,300 miles and it was soft then, and previous owner never changed it... it's now on 22k miles)
  2. Couldn't adjust the front forks due to this, no matter what he did, basically he reckons it's all just blocked and needs refreshing hence adjustment made zero difference... bouncy as hell (I watched him do this and can vouch for it)
  3. Tried to adjust rear, no gas so everything is relying on the rear spring...

So, over this weekend/next week the guys will do all the usual and give everything an overhaul.

However, the bike has 22k miles on it... so, question is, is it worth changing the springs in the front forks and the rear spring, or will they be fine? How long these parts normally last for?

Plus, if I replace these while all suspension is being looked at, would upgrading the springs be noticeable on such a bike? Any advice?

Also, I'm planning on a lot more track days as well as road biking... got one coming up on 12th August again.... however just not sure what make of springs to go for or just go OEM... I know nothing on bike suspension :-(

Any help here guys? So, do I replace all springs with aftermarket and if so, what will give the best adjustment range and quality without breaking the bank?
 
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Ok cheers guys so looks like springs should be cool, just some TLC anywhere else...

I'm tempted to buy new uprated but always concious that this was always going to be a cheap hobby hahaha
 
Cheers guys, appreciated replies... at the moment, track days aren't serious but I can see myself going more and more that way as I love speed and the through of technically getting more and more out of the bike... I can see me keeping this CBR for track and picking up my only other love (2010 Orange Blade) as the road bike... tough one... as at moment, I'm caught 50/50... and just know my suspension can be better setup, it's basically all too soft... will see how it goes when I get it back this week as next track day is Tuesday... so, lets see what difference it makes.
 
Well decided to stick with original springs and them to jutndo a full service on all suspension. Even they admitted that although nice to have uprated springs, you'd be hard pushed to notice on this bike for the use I give it... So just a service. Will see how this let's me alter settings etc and take it from there. Track dayntuesday get bike back Monday
 
Well, got bike back, forks had new seals, fully cleaned, new oil blah blah and they were superb (althought felt weird at first) on Tuesday's Trackday at Oulton Park. However, I'm going to replace the rear damper with one of these... anyone have any opinions or have used either?

Nitron
http://www.intobikes.co.uk/products...k-Absorber-suitable-for-Honda-CBR600-F-X-1999


  • 2-way combined damping control
  • 40mm damper piston
  • 14mm piston rod
  • Adjustable spring preload
  • Independent adjustable ride height
  • Hydraulic preload option
  • No remote canister
  • 24 click combined adjustment
  • Complete with Nitron spring
0d7d34cb-spacer.gif

d1f3249b-sport_3.jpg


or...

Hagon

http://www.hagon-shocks.co.uk/catalog/partdetail.aspx?partno=M61054


  • Mono Shock,
  • 38mm gold zinc plated steel damper unit fully re-buildable,
  • 18mm piston rod, wide ranging single circuit progressive damping adjustment with automatic compression / rebound balance.
  • Red powder coated spring, fully progressive spring pre-load adjustment.
  • Supplied complete with end mounting bushes / bearings, tools and instructions for spring and damping adjustments. 2-year guarantee.

MONO.jpg
 
Yeah the guy at the rebuild place said the Nitron is better, but then again, it's £100 notes more so there's the reason... yeah think I'll be going Nitron unless anyone else can give an additional option? With it being an older bike, I'm slightly limited I think.
 
Tefal said:
can i ask why neither rear shock has a remote reservoir?

I thought they made a big difference to the performance, also am i wrong in thinking the f4 has a shock with remote reservoir?

pugheaven how much did the fork rebuild cost btw?
Click to expand...
Hey mate I got a small service and some re wiring done but think the fork service was about 150 ish. Yeah its kinda confused me, my current setup as this reservoir that you can see but these don't I'm assuming they come with one, tbh know nowt about suspension on bikes. I'm a tard
 
So to ask a noob question, if I buy this Nitron kit, will I need anything else? I'm assuming take the original one off and replace. However what do I do with the damper gas thingy that's on the side of the bike? Bin it?
 
wazza300 said:
yh its either oil or gas expansion chamber,if its attached to original shock it can be removed/not needed as the new shock doesn't have one
Click to expand...
Right ok, so that new one, say the Nitron has it all inside it then? I think the fella was saying it's gas and somethings gone that he can't regas it. He's not bothered as he'd make no money on putting a new one on apart from labour... however he said you can't rebuild the original OEM (or wouldn't bother lol).

So, think this week I'll order this Nitron one then...
 
Ended up buying the Nitron, as I don't intend on getting rid of the bike, love it so much and it's perfect for everything, touring, track days, commuting if need be, it's the ultimate and it's also been bullit proof to date... bar this so, stuff it, it's only money. It gets fitted tomorrow :-) YYIIHHHAAAAA
 
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