| Author | Message | ||
     Oopezoo |
The front forks on my S1 are not leaking, but I'm assuming they have never been touched and the front end dives WAAAAY too much for me to just leave it alone. I'm thinking that is going to be my #1 winter project this year as long as nothing else breaks between now and then. Which leads me to my options 1. Respring the stock forks with racetech springs for my weight and replace the seals 2. Replace the forks with X1 forks (I know they are different, but is it a significant upgrade?). Plus maybe a respring/rebuild if needed 3. Hold out for an XB front end and swap the whole assembly over Not too concerned with the cost of any of it.....except maybe #3. More just looking for experienced opinions on a direction. As of now I think I'm going to rebuild/respring the stock forks and keep a watchful eye out for a cheap XB assembly as my long term goal. Has anyone recently shipped their forks off to Racetech to have them rebuilt? I'd love to know what it ended up costing. I'm sure I can do the work myself, but once the $$$ starts adding up for springs, seals, and bushings, the labor typically isn't much more. Just trying to figure out my options so I can make a plan. Thoughts? | ||
| Upthemaiden |
I pulled my 97 S1 forks apart last year to replace the seals. It was a relatively easy & quick process with a couple cheap homemade tools(pvc fork seal driver and a spring compressor made from a steel bar and some ratchet straps). I'm sure the X1 forks are better, but I doubt they're much better as an upgrade for the money. If you HAD to replace your forks, I'd consider looking for X1 forks, but I doubt you get much benefit from your money just to replace yours, plus they're still 15-17 years old, so you're going to end up wanting to replace them anyway. You can probably help your front end dive just by putting some fresh fork oil in there, but if you have the money to spend on springs, you might as well stick them in while you're in there. XB conversions look nice, keeping in mind then you're also switching brakes, steering stem, and you know you're eventually going to want to get the rear wheel to match, which will take spacers and a different pulley... If I was gonna change front ends, honestly I'd just find a gsxr front end with a 3 spoke wheel, blasphemy I know... | ||
| Scott_in_nh |
If RaceTech also offers Gold Valve Emulators for your forks, do that while you are in there. The difference is amazing! Get a full kit that includes the bushings too. | ||
| Andy350 |
Also remember that the stock forks are not externally adjustable for preload but you can still make spacers to put under the caps for proper sag. Might save you the expense of new springs. In my opinion the stock forks are of pretty good quality and worth rebuilding. Emulators are for damping rod forks, not cartridge forks which is what comes on the s1 (Message edited by andy350 on October 06, 2017) | ||
| Oopezoo |
Kinda my thoughts as well. At this point, I think I'm probably better off just rebuilding what I have sitting here. I had read somewhere that the stock forks are sprung for something like a 177lb rider. I haven't seen 177lbs since I was in Jr High. I'm more like 220-240 depending on my current level of ambition and recent beer intake. There is no way I'm going to the trouble of tearing those forks apart and not putting stiffer springs in there. As far as the XB swap......thinking thats a maybe someday if the right deal comes along.....like if a local XB with a blown motor pops up for cheap | ||
| Upthemaiden |
That's great to hear, I think as of my checkup last week, I was right at 177. Always nice when those things work out haha. Also, don't forget if you make your front end feel TOO good, you're at risk of having to spend $800 to make the rear suspension feel just as good. | ||
| Oopezoo |
Hopefully got the rear covered already. I picked up a used Penske last year for next to nothing. Managed to sniped it off someone here when they were trying to sell a whole bike. They pulled it and sold it separately. It is also sprung a little light according to the included paperwork, but I haven't ridden on it yet to see how it feels. Worst case scenario.....Penske is only an hour up the road from me, so a respring/rebuild should be relatively painless. The S1 is fun, but the suspension that is currently on it is complete garbage. Its almost unsafe to ride it hard. Currently, the front end dives hard and is unsettled hitting bumps in the corners. The rear end is a pogo stick. I've gone aftermarket on both of my BMW's in the past and the difference was amazing. I'm hoping the same rings true for this bike. | ||
| S1owner |
One thing that everyone forgets to mention. If you swap to the XB front end you will reduce your steering radius. Not noticeable at good spped but at low speed it is and forget a quick turn in the garage your three point turn is now a 8 point turn. Ohh and you loose the steering stops. | ||
| Upthemaiden |
Were there tubers that had steering stops? I assumed they all just stopped when the forks smacked into the frame. I glued some rubber radiator hose onto my frame so it doesn't make that noise anymore, after the original bump stops had disintegrated. | ||
| Oopezoo |
Haha....The S1 already has the worse turning radius of anything I have ever thrown a leg over. When I rolled mine down the driveway the first time I almost hit my shed. I'm guessing after the XB conversion its like trying to park a Suburban? |
