Suspension Upgrades For '82 VF750F

Done some searches here and am curious to see if there are any specific upgrades for this bike that will improve the street handling. I'm looking to do both front and rear suspension to bring things back in line, since the bike is untouched in over 25 years. I remeber the bike being fairly good handling stock, but suspension was always one area where improvement can be made with any street bike that doesn't come with Ohlins. Any suggestions, links, specific part numbers and project threads would be greatly appreciated.

 

New, single rate springs up front would help, Sonic Springs should make some for that year and model- just use their calculator to determine what spring rate you should get. How many miles? You might want to check the front bushings. Don't know a whole lot about 1st gens but I am pretty sure you could pick up a used Fox Twin Clicker or Ohlins or a new Works or Hagon Shock that would be better than the stocker. Depending on your weight you will probably have to get a different rate spring than what was on whatever you buy.

 

Great stuff! I think I'm gonna like it here!! Thanks and will check it out. The bike has under 20k miles and has been well taken care of but like most bikes 28 years old, it could probably use an upgrade. The weather here has been cruddy and I haven't been able to get a good feel for the bike yet, so I think since I plan on keeping it for a long time, the upgrade will help. Thanks again!
Did search the Sonic site and they have fork springs I'm gonna try. Now to find a shock......
If anybody has any part numbers that will work on an 83, let me know.

 

Well, I did get a hold of the very helpful folks at Hagon and they offer bolt in replacements for stock rear shocks. I don't really need adjustability after it's set up properly. Now this along with forks springs as mentioned, I'm ready to ride!

 

Hello Brooksie,

Saw you have had contact with Hagon. Have just bought a Hagon N-type monoshock myself for my 1984 VF750F and progressive fork springs from YSS. I made a little investigation overhere in the Netherlands about shocks for the VF. I found the multi adjustable rear shocks of Wilbers, TFX and WP to expensive and complex. I spoke to a bloke who had excellent experience with the new N-type on his FZ 750. It was also the cheapest adjustable aftermarket shock I could find

(this one) http://www.hagon-shocks.co.uk/catalog/partdetail.aspx?partno=M61073

My original rear shock is as dead as can be. I am wobbling all over the place when passing a roundabout. Am hoping for big improvement in two weeks :smile: Have you already experienced bad handling due to suspension or are you just looking for replacement because of the age of your VF?

 

I may have a spare stock shock lying around, West Rain. Send me a personal message if you are interested and I'll see if it is in the basement. You can have it for the bargain-basement price of "free" plus shipping.

 

Thanks Alaskan for your kind gesture.

I have tried several standard VF Showa shocks already but none of them were proper. Guess they don't age like wine . Looking around on the internet I learned that the suspension part never was the strength of the VF. I have already bought the Hagon shock so I am already provided. Can't wait to receive the package and screw it on my VF.

Thanks anyway

 

Good, you have a proper shock. That OEM VF shock is lousy. I replaced mine with a resprung F4i shock.

 

OEM VF nowadays is pretty lousy indeed. On a Dutch forum I increasingly find similar stories.

I recently read something about Jamie Daugherty Daugherty Motorsports - Motorcycle Suspension Performance and Modification . Guess you have installed something like this? Looks OK:biggrin:

 

I also am in need of a shock. The hagon and others are definitely out of my price range so I think I'll go the Daugherty route. It seems like the same performance as the others, ohlins excluded, for considerably less money.

My only question is if there's any better shock for the daugherty mod. (early cbr f2, later f2, f3, f4i). I don't know of there are any advantages to using a certain one to modify for the VF.

 

The Daugherty mod basically consists of an extended linkage and respringing for the heavier VF. It works fine! One thing to note, though - the F4i shock's connection to its remote reservoir/adjuster interferes with the coolant overflow tank. You can see that in one of the photos I posted on my profile page. If you use the F4i shock you will either have to modify the shock's fitting mad or modify the overflow tank to make room for the stock fitting.

I modded the overflow tank by heating the plastic with a heat gun and pushing it in enough to make room. If you do that, BE CAREFUL to avoid melting the plastic overflow tank! I botched it the first time . . .

 

I've checked your pictures Alaskan, nice work on that shock!