stiffening tele forks

[WAYNE999]

im not too sure what the front end of my bike came from but i think it needs stiffening up a bit is it just a matter of adding more oil finding stiffer springs or could i add slugs (not the type that eat your lettuce) into the forks to ad a bit of pre-load to the springs any help would be appreciated

[ByzMax]

Addding slugs just raises the ride height and oil seals will blow with more oil.

Stiffer springs or put coil overs on the outside of the fork tubes.

[WAYNE999]

im a big cafe racer fan so the exterior springs sound good do we know where they can be sourced

[Tony oily bike]

im not too sure what the front end of my bike came from but i think it needs stiffening up a bit is it just a matter of adding more oil finding stiffer springs or could i add slugs (not the type that eat your lettuce) into the forks to ad a bit of pre-load to the springs any help would be appreciated

Fork oil comes in differnet viscosities, so the thicker the grade, the harder the ride, unfortunately simply 'adding more oil' isn't really the way to go....... depending on the age/use of the forks, there's the potential that the current oil has emulsified, if it has, it should be changed anyway (which can be a good excuse to relace the oil seals too).

A workshop manual usually gives spring length and other data, so if you're gonna replace springs, I'm guessing you'll need to know the make/model etc to work out what you need.

Don't know the details of forks you're talking about, as in they may or may not have adjustment for damping and rebound, which if they do, gives you a shed load of set-up options - if they do, have a chat with someone who has similar and who has a similar riding style for advice (if not, no options  )

If the forks are flexing, a brace will 'stiffen them up', again, depends on the forks (age, model etc) as to whether a brace is available off the shelf or you have to make one.

Lotsa potential options matey.  

[WAYNE999]

thanks for the help sounds like an oil and seal change is on the cards

[Tony oily bike]

Yer wellcome...........

Don't forget to use the recommended amount of oil.

The Haynes books give the amount per leg in cc, and usually identify the viscosity too. 

[Dslam]

Just to add my four penneth, As Tony says, there are lots of viscosities of fork oil. As I am a bit of a lump I generally go up 5 or 10 sae. This will reduce the rate at which the the fork compresses. If they are sitting low or dive excessively on braking you can fit progressive springs. It would be useful to know what forks we are talking about too. It is important to use the right amount of fork oil or it will blow by the seals in no time.
Hope this helps.

[WAYNE999]

id like to know what my forks came off if i cant find out is there a way of working out how much i need and im hovering around the 20 stone mark so should i use the heaviest oil i can find the pic is the bike in question if anyone recognises anything feel free to let me know

[Hagar]

if anyone recognises anything feel free to let me know

I cant be certain but that looks like  " flemish bond " in that wall  .....
   ( not helpful I know  ....  but some body had to break it to you ...)


  ..  Hagar  ..   

[WAYNE999]

thanks 

[kevsky]

Hagar my friend you are terribly encourageable
Keep up the good work

[nabsim]

Lol Hagar, you are a gem matey, cheered my morning up just right

[spanners]

,,,hagar,,  are you shure its ,flemish,,   and not  english 

[Hagar]

,,,hagar,,  are you shure its ,flemish,,   and not  english 

The way it is today its probably  " Polish bond "  ......   

  ..  Hagar  ..   








( looks like stretcher bond ... but flemish sounds funnier  ....     )

[spanners]

poll-ack,s are like dog s-1t=====================everywhere and under youre feet..................