Nice 1$ (Pre98)Fork Improvement :D

[Lagmo]

1$?

Yeah that's right, just added some radiator fittings inside the fork tubes of my 90' Kat today...

Was going to go for a set of 150$ progressive springs to sort out my wonky front end, but then my dad (being the jedi-master of MC repair) suggested the spacers...

So i since i was doing a complete oil/filter/chain change anyways i thought i'd try it .
Unscrewed the top plugs and took a look inside and measured it, found some spacers from an old radiator we had lying in the backroom and set off to fit it.

The fork oil did smell a bit funky in one of the tubes, didn't have any new in stock, so i'll probably replace the oil in them both come winter.

Don't know if this will have the same effect on 88' models since they don't have the dampening adjuster.
As for anyone else i REALLY recommend this mod. Any spacer that's the same diameter as the pipe in the top of the tube should do.

Mine where 3.25cm high with a 1½ cm hole in the middle
They where a bit of a tough fit though(need to put loads of pressure on the top when you refit it)
Took both my Dad and i (one pressing down, while the other turned the socket-wrench) to get it in.
But i imagine that anything from 3-3½cm will do just fine

Now dampening setting 1-3 has meaning... curve handling is atleast twice as good and the ride is oh so much more comfortable :

Incredible how much difference a pair of 50 cent radiator fittings can make

[Black_peter]

really

Thats cool

[ThAzKat]

You basically reduced the inner mass by adding the spacer which will make for a stiffer ride and quicker rebound.

[Lagmo]

You basically reduced the inner mass by adding the spacer which will make for a stiffer ride and quicker rebound.

Exact-o-mundo
Just a poor mans preload adjustment but rather effective still.
Tried few different Kats now(mostly stock) and all of them IMHO where much too soft in the front springs.
If you never want to see a curve and prefer to ride the Kat like you drive a car, this mod will probably be a waste of time and effort.

Wonderful to have a quick and concise explanation though(for all those gearheads on here)

[wilson1]

interesting. Good idea . I was just complaining about mine the other day.

[ThAzKat]

You basically reduced the inner mass by adding the spacer which will make for a stiffer ride and quicker rebound.

Exact-o-mundo
Just a poor mans preload adjustment but rather effective still.
Tried few different Kats now(mostly stock) and all of them IMHO where much too soft in the front springs.
If you never want to see a curve and prefer to ride the Kat like you drive a car, this mod will probably be a waste of time and effort.

Wonderful to have a quick and concise explanation though(for all those gearheads on here)

They seem week because stock spring rate is .63 Kg and for a person my size the spring rate needs to be 1.09 Kg.

[Black_peter]

I just did this..
I'll be hitting my test road this weekend..

I used 7/8 thick stainless steel nuts.
I did this:
Spring, nut, washer, stock spacer..
I didn't want the thin walled spacer to sit on anything irregular..

If any one wants to try it I may be able to rustle up some more nuts...

[katana bob]

could someone post pics of these radiator fittings? and would this work on a post 98?

[md86]

Hmmm , interesting idea . I too would like some more info/pics .

[Black_peter]

Here is the part I used:


And I stuck it here.:


In between parts #20 and #21

[The CyberPoet]

Common mod in Europe, I don't know why I haven't seen it in the states more often. A bit of steel tube with the same OD & ID as item 21 lets you cut to preferencial length, or using washers the same size as item #21 does the same (stack as desired).

Cheers
=-= The CyberPoet

[Black_peter]

I like that it's easily reversable..
If it piches me over the bars this weekend.....

Out they come!!!!!

[Anonymous]

i just used a peice of pvc 1 inch longer then part 22 its a thin wall steel tube yank it out and put in pvc compress it with 2 people like lagmo and go instant stiffer forks that handle better

[Black_peter]

yank it out and put in pvc compress it with 2 people like lagmo and go instant stiffer forks that handle better

I did mine by my self...:-k

are my spings really gone?!?!?

Or am I strong like bull?!?!

[md86]

Neat-o , I like it .