fork maintenance/upgrades

Hey everybody,
So the front fork seals are leaking pretty good on my VFR and so I am going to replace them. I'm going to do all the work.

Because I am going to have to take the forks apart in any case I was thinking about replacing the front hardware with these, on recommendation from Lint:

http://www.daughertymotorsports.com/forkcartridges.html

The thing is, I'm honestly not really sure if these are worth the money or not. I do not track the bike and have no plans to do so. 80% of its use is freeway commuting the rest is easy canyons when I'm not working.

Is this cartridge kit overkill for my use?

Is it just throwing money away?

Should I just buy some seals and new fork oil and call it a day?

Help a brother out!

PS bike has 70k plus miles. I am the second owner and to my knowledge it has never had any kind of work done to the front forks but it has an Ohlins rear shock. I plan on keeping the bike until it gets destroyed or isn't worth maintaining any longer (basically keep it as long as it will last)

 

It doesn't matter how you use the bike, a front fork upgrade will improve the ride anywhere, by a big margin.
The only problem is you really need a rear upgrade as well to see the full benefit.
If you are planning on keeping the bike it is highly recommended.

 

You'd be crazy not to; I just installed Daugherty dampers + springs and custom rear shock in my 5th Gen. A terrific upgrade, one of the only worthwhile VFR performance upgrades.

Your shock is most likely due for service; send it in to Jamie. Oil, seals, etc. are likely shot.

 

how do we know his Ohlins rear shock needs anything? it could be a month old. if he wants to get rid of it...... speaking of, why would someone spend cash on that rear shock and do nothing to the front forks?

 

I cannot recommend a suspension upgrade more than I have already but here goes another time anyway...get your suspension upgraded, you will not regret it!

Personally I recommend using DMr, Jamie has done all three of my bikes and all three are better handling and performing afterward. He really knows the VFR and has a great reputation on the forum.

As Oz says, doesn't matter how you ride your motorcycle, a good suspension is one place your ROI will pay out immensely! It really does transform your ride. For reference, I had my 6 Gen upgraded with just new valving and springs and had the rear shock done to match it. My 6 Gen is essentially my commuter/tourer if that gives you any indication of how it's used.

For my 5 Gen I went with the adjustable innards for the forks to go along with a Penske fully adjustable rear shock. As for my Ducati 900SS, I just had it refreshed and sprung for my weight and the type of riding I intend to do with it. The Duc came with fully adjustable Showa suspension already so the update was more because it was 20 years old and never been touched! As far as these two bikes, they will be used for Track day's and Sport ridng.

My recommendation is to get the adjustable front kit and have him setup your Ohlins to match the front, if it's not setup for your weight/riding type already. Or if it is, maybe have it "refreshed" oil and nitrogen changed, so that both front and rear are at the same starting point so to speak.

 

Panda don't be cheap in the wrong way---
Those inserts are what I have and worth every penny.
Night and day difference.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

you'll need to use Honda OEM fork seals, cuz aftermarket ones are no good !

 

I have installed Allballs seals in my VFR, VTR and ST1100; no problems whatsoever. That is provided you install them the right way up (DAMHIK) and address any pre-existing fork tube rock dings that will cut up a new seal.

 

SKF seals are also known to be of good quality...

 

FWIW, I have aftermarket fork seals and they work great. I just used an Emery board and some fine sandpaper to sand out/polish my fork tubes first. They've been faithful for over a year.

 

when your fork seals are faithful there's not much else to hope for in life-humans certainly aren't in that same category.