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Suspension education (+ comments re: my new 94' FZR)

Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2005 7:25 am
by Snadam
I searched the entire site and turned up very little regarding suspension best practices. As a new owner of a very used 94' FZR660R I need some experienced input. I have no prior exposure to 'sport' bikes. Most recently I was riding a liter adventure tourer so dynamics are dramatically different.<br><br>I weigh in at a scant 170lbs with gear on. Unless you tell me otherwise I plan to replace the OEM 11 year old front springs with a set of progressive springs from Race-tech accompanied by 15W fork oil. (should I consider a set of the Race-tech Emulators?)<br><br>The rear however seems to be shot. What are my options? I bought the bike for $1800 so I don't want to turn around and put $1000 into suspension. Can I get the rear rebuilt or is there a better, cost effective replacement I should buy?<br><br>Any help, suggestions, experience storys, or warnings are welcomed. Please give me as much advice as you can as I am eager to learn.<br><br>Thank you,<br>Adam <p>-----------<br>A gun is not a weapon, it's a tool, like a hammer or a screwdriver or an alligator.</p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p072.ezboard.com/bexupbrotherhoo ... >Snadam</A>  <IMG HEIGHT=10 WIDTH=10 SRC="http://sc.syphase.com/ricercry.bmp" BORDER=0> at: 6/24/05 8:45 am<br></i>

Re: Suspension education

Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2005 9:00 am
by FZRDude
Greetings Adam, Welcome to the Brotherhood.<br><br><!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :welcome --><img src=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/ ... lcome3.gif ALT=":welcome"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <p><!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/ ... <!--EZCODE IMAGE END--><br><!--EZCODE ITALIC START--><em><!--EZCODE FONT START--><span style="color:red;font-family:times new roman;font-size:small;">There are some who call me........Tim?</span><!--EZCODE FONT END--><br><!--EZCODE FONT START--><span style="color:white;font-family:times new roman;font-size:small;">Top Speed = Mach 0.197 or so... </span><!--EZCODE FONT END--> <br><!--EZCODE FONT START--><span style="color:blue;font-family:times new roman;font-size:small;">1994 FZR 1000</span><!--EZCODE FONT END--></em><!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> <!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/ ... <!--EZCODE IMAGE END--> </p><i></i>

Re: Suspension education

Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2005 1:17 pm
by ExupElvis
An alligator is a tool??? Ha! I like that..........<br>Welcome to the hood Adam, You will find some suspension set up info here, not a lot though. Check on back posts from Kontoboy, wera910, and Ricerocket.<br> That should give you a starting point on what to expect.<br>Setting up suspension to your liking is expensive, and I've noticed not a lot of guys are willing to do it.<br> A rear shock will normally run $500 to a $1000 or so depending on what you want, and yes, do the gold valves in the forks.<br> I bought a well used '92 FZR1000 for cheap, and within three months put more than the purchase price into it - just to make it safe and rideable.<br> It's not hard to do.<br>If your willing to do the research though, and maybe buy a few parts you won't end up keeping, you can end up with a scoot that will fit you well, and you won't have a payment book to go with it. <br> Maybe that's a fair way to think about it?<br><!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :cheers --><img src=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/ ... Cheers.gif ALT=":cheers"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> Bob. <p><!--EZCODE FONT START--><span style="color:blue;font-family:times new roman;font-size:small;">Genisx1AtYahooeyDotCommaMomma</span><!--EZCODE FONT END--></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p072.ezboard.com/bexupbrotherhoo ... upElvis</A> at: 6/21/05 10:18 pm<br></i>

Re: Suspension education

Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2005 1:22 pm
by Snadam
Thanks for the warm welcome guys. I'll search some more based on your input but I find that a ton of info was lost due to the (most recent) ezboard crash.<br><br>ExupElvis,<br>The rear shock on the bike now is nearly inoperable so it has to be rebuilt or replaced. I'm not a highly skilled or experienced rider so something close to factory spec will be FINE with me. What did you end up using on the rear of your 92'?<br><br>Adam <p>-----------<br>A gun is not a weapon, it's a tool, like a hammer or a screwdriver or an alligator.</p><i></i>

Re: Suspension education

Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2005 1:25 pm
by ExupElvis
My rear shock is toast, and I've yet to step up for a new one. I replaced the seat. <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START ;) --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/wink.gif ALT=";)"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <p><!--EZCODE FONT START--><span style="color:blue;font-family:times new roman;font-size:small;">Genisx1AtYahooeyDotCommaMomma</span><!--EZCODE FONT END--></p><i></i>

Rear Shock

Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2005 2:56 am
by Hiras
<br>Hi Snadam and welcome to the 'hood.<br><br>And found myself in the same situation with a dead rear shock recently and elected to replace mine with one from Hagon.<br>It cost £255<br><br>They have a US distributor here:<br><br> USA<br><br> DAVE QUINN M/CYCLES<br><br> 335 Litchfield Turnpike, Bethany CT 06524<br> Tel 203-393-2651 9-5 M T Th F 9-12 Sa<br> Fax 203-393-1725<br> E-Mail dqmcs@earthlink.net<br> USA distributor for Hagon shocks<br><br><br>Best of luck,<br><br>Jason <p></p><i></i>

Re: Rear Shock

Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2005 5:46 am
by dragracer1951
You guys know about Alf Hagon????????<br>The craziest little Mo Fo I have EVER met<br>He stands about 5'3" and weighs MAYBE 130<br>Used to be a high school English teacher. Very mild manored<br>Raced a T/F bike for a long time with a 1000cc JAP v twin and a Scotts huffer with no gearbox and a dog clutch.<br>He would set it on a rear wheel stand in the lights and push it off the stand to get it off the line<br>Ran 9.20's at damn near 175 in 1965<br>Ballziest little fuuker I have EVER seen<br><br> <p>Jim <!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/ ... Cheers.gif" style="border:0;"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--><br><br><!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/ ... states.gif" style="border:0;"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--><br>Hey Kid...Is my taillight working?</p><i></i>

Re: Rear Shock

Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2005 8:16 am
by jjs777
adam...<br><br>for a rear shock just search ebay...and wth some patience you'll likley find a suitable replacement for very cheap money<br><br>for the front...you could go the route you suggested...resprung and oil...but is the front end really that bad? If it is then do what you said...if not...then maybe just a different weight fork oil will get you by for the near future till you decide if your keeping the bike.<br><br>An often costly mistake for people is to get a 600, hop it up, spend lots of money, then opt to sell it for something bigger/newer. So my suggestion is to get by on the cheap for now.<br><br><!--EZCODE ITALIC START--><em>ride safe</em><!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> <p><!--EZCODE ITALIC START--><em><!--EZCODE FONT START--><span style="color:steelblue;font-family:times new roman;font-size:medium;">-John </span><!--EZCODE FONT END--> <!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v485/ ... <!--EZCODE IMAGE END--><br><!--EZCODE FONT START--><span style="color:blue;font-family:times new roman;font-size:small;"> <!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v206/ ... cement.jpg" target="top">1995 FZR1000</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--></span><!--EZCODE FONT END--> <br><!--EZCODE FONT START--><span style="color:blue;font-family:times new roman;font-size:small;"> <!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v206/ ... 00x600.jpg" target="top">1990 FZR1000</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--></span><!--EZCODE FONT END--> <br><!--EZCODE FONT START--><span style="color:blue;font-family:times new roman;font-size:small;"> <!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v206/ ... resize.jpg" target="top">1990 FZR1040</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--></span><!--EZCODE FONT END--></em><!--EZCODE ITALIC END--></p><i></i>

Re: Rear Shock

Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2005 6:24 am
by Snadam
I went ahead and ordered a rebuild kit, new firmer (85kg/cm rate) springs, and gold fork emulators from Racetech yesterday. That should take care of getting my front end firmly planted.<br>For the rear I called Dave regarding the Hagon products and feel that for the price I'm getting a good product. For about $375 I'll have a new, completely rebuildable shock and spring for the rear. It isn't fully adjustable and tweaked out but that's ok with me. Even if it was I'm not discerning enought to put the extra setting to use.<br><br>Now all I need is to track down some used front rotors for the bike and I'm all set. <p>-----------<br>A gun is not a weapon, it's a tool, like a hammer or a screwdriver or an alligator.</p><i></i>

Re: Rear Shock

Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2005 11:24 pm
by barneyfzr600
Does anyone know if the 600's and 1000's share the same rotors? Might be able to help you out bro! <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :welcome --><img src=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/ ... lcome3.gif ALT=":welcome"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <p><br>Freelance Bodyman<br><br>I be ridin the Cali Bay Area '88 & '89 FZR1K BOTH ARE ONLY HALF NAKED NOW!!!</p><i></i>

Re: Rear Shock

Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2005 5:15 am
by dragracer1951
I have a 600 rotor down in the shop... for one of my SR's I'll go measure it and let ya know...<br><br> <p>Jim <!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/ ... Cheers.gif" style="border:0;"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--><br><br><!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/ ... states.gif" style="border:0;"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--><br>Hey Kid...Is my taillight working?</p><i></i>

Re: Rear Shock

Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2005 6:23 am
by Snadam
You guys rock. I have a bid in on a set on eBay but I don't know their condition beyone what the seller posted. If you tell me that they match the FZR1000 rotors that will open up a ton of possibilities.<br><br>Thanks,<br>Adam <p>-----------<br>A gun is not a weapon, it's a tool, like a hammer or a screwdriver or an alligator.</p><i></i>

Are FZR600 / 1000 rotors identical?

Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2005 10:46 am
by Snadam
I just ran out and measured the front rotor on my 600. It's 30cm across. Anyone know the diameter of the rotors on FZR 1000's?<br><br>Adam <p>-----------<br>A gun is not a weapon, it's a tool, like a hammer or a screwdriver or an alligator.</p><i></i>

Re: Are FZR600 / 1000 rotors identical?

Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2005 11:18 am
by dragracer1951
320mm <p>Jim <!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/ ... Cheers.gif" style="border:0;"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--><br><br><!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/ ... states.gif" style="border:0;"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--><br>Hey Kid...Is my taillight working?</p><i></i>

Re: Are FZR600 / 1000 rotors identical?

Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2005 11:32 am
by Snadam
Thanks Jim, I apreciate it.<br>Hopefully I win the eBay auction I bid on.<br><br>On to my next question since I have an audience.<br>According to the previous owner and the maintenance records the clutch has about 3000 miles on it. However I'm having trouble getting used to it. It seems to have only two positions, on and off. There's no middle ground friction zone (gray area). It doesn't chatter, slip or grab it's just not easy to modulate.<br>Anyone have any suggestions on how to deal with this?<br><br>Update:<br>Last night I put new OEM pads on the front and rear and flushed the old fluid from the brake system. Holy crap what a difference. I have to believe that there was air in both the front and rear brake system because they didn't work anything like they do now.<br><br>Adam <p>-----------<br>A gun is not a weapon, it's a tool, like a hammer or a screwdriver or an alligator.</p><i></i>

Re: Are FZR600 / 1000 rotors identical?

Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2005 1:10 pm
by dragracer1951
The clutch on off thing is a sure sign of the plates going away....You can have a look at them and sand them to remove any glazing....but more than likely, It's just time for a new clutch.<br><br> <p>Jim <!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/ ... Cheers.gif" style="border:0;"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--><br><br><!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/ ... states.gif" style="border:0;"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--><br>Hey Kid...Is my taillight working?</p><i></i>