Advice/tips for replacing fork springs in 4th gen

I bought my VFR late last year, and the front suspension is a lot softer than I'd prefer. So I recently bought a pair of Race Tech 1.0 kg/mm springs and a set of fork oil seals and dust covers, and hopefully I'll have some time soon to change them out.

I've replaced fork seals in a couple other bikes, but this is my first time replacing the springs, and also my first time working on the VFR's forks. Are there any tips/tricks to this or peculiarities to this model?

 

it's really easy. Would do one at a time and use the axle as an alignment tool. Take one out, change spring and oil (you may want to move to 10 or 12wt for better dampening) and replace/lock in. then replace the other. All in you are looking at a 2 hour job. no need to take the fairings off.

 

oh, yeah... loosen the fork caps before you take the forks out... makes the job even easier.

 

Sounds good, thanks!

 

You will have to cut new spacers to set your preload for the new springs to have a proper set up. Also adding a bit more fluid to a higher level helps the ride out a bit too. There are some good threads here about the process too.

 

How many miles on the bike ?? Might be a good time to clean/inspect/regrease/ adjust--or replace-- headset bearings.

Gen 4 models were known for loose-fitting lower fork bushings, but RaceTech makes an improved setup.

 

Interesting that you mention that... it has a little under 19K miles, and makes a clunk noise when I brake hard and compress the forks, and a second clunk on the rebound. I searched around the site for an explanation, and the headstock bearings were a common reply. However, I did get it up on the centerstand with someone sitting on the back so I could play with the front, but I couldn't feel any looseness.

From a standstill, if I hold the front brakes and try to compress the forks, I can sometimes reproduce the click/clunk, but it feels fainter. I think I notice it more when I'm riding two-up and braking, where there's extra weight on me pushing down on the bars.

Where's a good place to get this bearing?

EDIT: Or do you think this is a fork bushing problem?

 

If you can jack the bike up or put on centerstand. try to reproduce without compressing the forks using an up/down motion on the front wheel... sounds like headstock bearings to me. Recommend ALL BALLS racing, but I am sure Mr. Squirrelman will come in shortly with an admonition not to buy chinese bearings (despite no facts and thousands of happy buyers).

I digress. if the forks "thump" without compression, it's more than likely your bearings... a $38 fix and 4 hours of your time

 

I stand corrected $33.54
ALLBALLS RACING STORE - Steering Bearing Kit

 

SAY, Beta, it's hard to imagine that H.S.T. would approve using lowest price lowest quality Chinese crap on a Japanese Honda bike, innit??

 

technically, I dont think HST every rode anything but European bikes. In HELLS ANGELS he rode a Triumph, mentioned Vincent Black Shadows in various writings, and the Infamous Sausage Creature Ducati 900SS - which incidentally is not the greatest Ducati of that vintage (2 valve aircooled) - the hot Ducati of the time was an 888. In any event, doubtful.