From: johnsw@wsuvm1.csc.wsu.edu (William E. Johns)
Newsgroups: rec.motorcycles
Subject: Modification for FJ forks
Keywords: FJ, fork springs, R65
Date: 30 Aug 92 15:54:52 GMT
Organization: Washington State University
Originator: bill@wsuaix.csc.wsu.edu

Here's a thought!                                                               
                                                                                
I _like_ my FJ, good handling, power and brakes.  If I have a complaint         
about anything, I'd like a stiffer fork.  I am running 15 wt oil in the         
forks and used an extra 15 cc to good advantage.  Yet, the more I ride,         
the firmer I like the fork action. I was a little frustrated when I ran         
out of preload adjustment.  Now all is better.  I figured out a fix. :-)        
                                                                                
When my fork seal blew recently I had the mechanics at my Yamaha dealer         
fix it (total cost to fix = $0.00, because I have the Yamaha Extended           
Service program). I was thinking about putting in a spacer to extend my         
range of preload.  On the other hand I don't like the idea of putting in        
rigid spacer instead of a spring. Progressive, as of my review        
of their product list, did not include springs for the '91 FJ.  Also,           
when I took the Suzuki racing school class earlier this year, I heard   
the chief honcho for Team Hammer hammer progressive spring.  He did not         
like the idea of a progressive spring action for the front suspension of        
a high performance bike (He had nothing against Progressive Company, per        
se).  On this point, I'd like to hear from any racers out there who have        
an opinion on fork springs, linear or progressive.                              
                                                                                
Anyway, back to my problem.  I was sitting at my desk wondering what to         
use when I noticed the extra pair of BMW R65 valve springs just sitting         
there.  (You _do_ have a couple of valve springs on your desk, just in          
case, don't you???) Hmmmm.  They looked to be about the right diameter &        
length.  Hmmmmm.  My mechanic installed them on top of my stock springs         
and they fit like they were made for my fork tubes.  They are about             
1.4 inches or so long and add just a nice measure of firmness to the            
front end.  (References to a firm front end are mechanical, not sexual!)        
                                                                                
I am experimenting with settings now and I seem to have moved my                
adjustment from about 4 clicks in to about 2-3 clicks. Just had it done         
and ended up riding with a newbie so I didn't get a chance to push the          
front suspension much.  Maybe later today.                                      
                                                                                
Since the front forks on the '91 FJ are a fairly common size (41 mm I           
think) I suspect this fix would be possible for any number of folks who         
what to firm up their fork action without spending a fortune.  I suspect,       
and would like a Beemer mechanic to confirm this, that the valve springs        
in the boxer engine are pretty much standard across engine size/age.            
                                                                                
Ride Firm,                                                                      
                                                                                
Bill                                                                            
________________________________________________________________                
bill@wsuaix.csc.wsu.edu if you feel compelled to send email                     
johnsw@wsuvm1.csc.wsu.edu if you seriously expect an answer                     
AMA #500924   DoD #00314   WMTC #0002   SR= 2.125                               
FJ1200 R100GS/PD 740GLE  KotV KotRR KotD #0001  :-)                             
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An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly understood.                       
An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered.                       
                                                     Chesterton