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Winter Project #2 - Suspension Upgrades

6 posts Started 10 Feb 2013 Last recovered post 16 Feb 2013 Wayback Machine snapshot 7 Jul 2014

#1

I am planning some longer trips this year and I wanted to get the 90 VFR more comfortable (plus it was time for fork maintenance anyways) So I figured it was time to update and rebuild the suspension. 

I ordered a modified CBR 929 rear shock, front springs, and new shim stacks for the front forks from Jaimie Daugherty 

Big Thanks to Jaimie for his patience with my multiple questions on this project (First bike suspension tear-down)  

[image: 703830_10151280305899127_1097110610_o.jp]

Got the bike up onto the PitBull stands and stripped the Wheels off. I will yank the rubber get the rims powder-coated black (I HATE constantly having dirty looking wheels, black will hide it better) and install some fresh Pilot 3's. 

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Swapped out the rear suspension 

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And Yanked the Front Forks 

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Pulled the Damping cartridge 

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Removed the Damping rod and compression valve from the damping tube 

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Disassembled the compression Valve assembly in preparation for swapping in Jamie's custom shim stack

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Disassembled the rebound Valve assembly in preparation to swap in Jaimie's custom shim stack 

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Next step, disassemble the fork legs, re & re the oil seals and dust boots and inspect the slider "pads" for wear and determine if they have to be changed as well. 

Once that is done, re-assemble, set the fork oil level and re-install the forks. 

Moose


#2

how much longer is that rear shock ?? i remember reading some where that people used a shim in the top mount of the cbr shock to give a little more height or to level it out im not sure , only ask as im about to swap out my rear for a cbr to match the cbr front i have but id like to lift it a bit more than stock about a inch at the seat


#3

You Sir know how to have a good time!!!  I put in one of Jamies shocks in my '93 a few months ago.  Great improvement!  You'll think your riding a different bike.  I went a different route with my forks though.  I wanted some modern brakes so I just swapped in a "modern" front end. 

Anyway,  I'm sure you'll be very happy with the mods your making.  Have fun!


#4

how much longer is that rear shock ?? i remember reading some where that people used a shim in the top mount of the cbr shock to give a little more height or to level it out im not sure , only ask as im about to swap out my rear for a cbr to match the cbr front i have but id like to lift it a bit more than stock about a inch at the seat

No clue ... at full droop it appears to be about the same length, but at ride I do not know ... Jamie would be able to tell you, OR build a custom one to match your needs 

Further updates 

Pulled the dust seal and retainer for oil-seal 

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Pulled the Fork tube from the Fork Body ... I found that heating up the body near the neck with a heat gun made pulling the tube/seal out MUCH easier. 

The upper sliders show a LOT of copper, no coating visible ...replace ?

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Everything disassembled, waiting on the fork oil tool, and seal installers and two new sliders to come in before re-assembly  

The New shim stacks are installed 

[image: 858708_10151429148124127_413250666_o.jpg]

Moose


#5

how much longer is that rear shock ?? i remember reading some where that people used a shim in the top mount of the cbr shock to give a little more height or to level it out im not sure , only ask as im about to swap out my rear for a cbr to match the cbr front i have but id like to lift it a bit more than stock about a inch at the seat

As standard I build those shocks with 3mm extra length over stock.  That is good number for increased performance without adversley affecting other aspects of the geometry.


#6

Parts and tools are in ... Fork Reassembly time. 

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New Slider/Bushings, and oils seal 

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Driving the oil seal in 

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Setting the fork oil level 

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Spring/Spacer installed, top cap tightened down.

Time to get the rims disassembled ready to be powder-coated 

[image: 535435_10151441608164127_1557687734_n.jp]


End of thread · 6 posts recovered Wayback Machine snapshot 7 Jul 2014