Are the forks normally this soft?

[edromero]

I'll know more when I can actually ride the bike, but holding the brake and forcing the front end down felt very soft to me. The bike is an 03 with 14k miles. I didn't see any sign of fork seal leak...wouldn't it be kind of early to need to replace the fork springs or oil?

Does the kat usually come with a soft front end?

[Wild-Bill]

Kats came with very soft front ends. Replacing the springs and using heavier-than-stock fork oil is a pretty common mod.

[edromero]

Kats came with very soft front ends. Replacing the springs and using heavier-than-stock fork oil is a pretty common mod.

On a scale of 1-10, how complicated a job is that?

[hardlydangerous]

very easy,
loosen the caps,
remove the fork,
remove the cap,
remove the spring,
dump/pump old oil out,
flush with mineral spirts,
add new oil,
add new springs like progressive, add extra 3/4 inch spacer if you are 200lbs plus.
check oil level
install caps
install fork

grab a seal mate while at the bike shop next and clean the seals while your at it, lots of vids on Youtube how to use this cool little $4 tool

[91_gsx600F katana]

What about setting preload? and all that jazz? I need to do my forks and Im waiting for a response from tmod but If its really that easy I would rather save the 100$ labor and the shipping etc. I thought it was more complicated than that... I only skimmed through the fork rebuild thread.

[KATANA-BRASIL]

I've changed the oil using Motul Forkoil 20w heavy and now its fine

[hardlydangerous]

Oe fork oil is usually ATF or around a 7-10 w oil. not much good.
I use Amsoil Shock therapy 10W.

For spring pre load using the progressive springs at 180lbs I eventually settled at an extra 3/4" spacer for the springs then recommended with the 10w oil. The rebound setting is adjusted as needed. mine is 1 click softer (slower) then stock with this set up.
the progressive springs are ok, much better then stock, but their are better out there like race tech, but you need to talk to a professional first so you order the right springs for your weight and riding style

[steves]

This is NOT a thread about carbs. bitch at each other in PMs.