Topic: 400 after market fork springs?

[zturb0]

  Well, I finished it.

However,,, it rides a lot, like an, empty truck. 

The front end seems to totally ignore small bumps,

and send them right up to the bars and your arms.

Are there any softer more compliant fork springs available ?

If so, can you steer me to em ?

Thanks....

Some pics of the finished product...   

[Bodi]

What fluid do you have in the forks?

[jakec]

I had ATF in mine when I was running stock fork stuff. I found that the rear shocks were the real problem in my case.

You can get new springs, or add spacers to make yours more stiff. But you won't have better damping unless you but a cartridge emulator like race tech.

[BenelliSEI]

Zturb0...... stunning, looks superb! We ran one for several years (my wife’s ride actually), painted to match my ‘78 cb750K and my ‘78 550K. I don’t recall the stock front end being that stiff, actually very compliant. Were their any preload spacers above the springs (under the fork caps)? If you sit on the bike and rock it backwards and forwards (with the front brake applied), do the forks move up and down smoothly?

[innovativems]

Race tech springs, gold valves and ttr400 preload caps


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[Don R]

FYI in case it matters 360 forks are the same ones. I seem to find 360 fork parts more plentiful and cheaper.

[.RJ]

Race tech springs, gold valves and ttr400 preload caps

I used the same setup for a set of CB400F forks going into a CB350 twin project.  Looks nice on the shelf, havent assembled the bike yet.... but if you call Racetech they can set you up with everything.

[zturb0]

I confess, I kind of dismissed ''race tec'' because of their name. 

Figured their products were more for the track then the street.

I found that ''Progressive'' no longer offered anything, for the 400.

Just this morning had a long time bike mech. friend,

tell me to loosen the front axel pinch bolts and ride it a bit.

And see if it improved.

Looks like now, I have several things to look at,

 in hopes, of solving the issue.   

[zturb0]

What fluid do you have in the forks?

I had some 15 on the shelf, 

and even though ya'll recommended a lower # here,,

I used it.   

I doubt slightly heavier oil, could be the cause of the way this lil bike is riding ?

But I'll add  fluid replacement, to the list of possibilities...   

[zturb0]

Race tech springs, gold valves and ttr400 preload caps


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Would it work, without the after market caps?

I want the bike to look exactly as it did, fresh from the factory.   

I even went as far as removing the tan colored boot,

 that covered the clutch cable adjuster at the case.

 And fighting it onto the replacement clutch cable, 

 because the new one was,  black.. 

[innovativems]

Race tech springs, gold valves and ttr400 preload caps


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Would it work, without the after market caps?

I want the bike to look exactly as it did, fresh from the factory.   

Absolutely


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[jakec]

If you get race tech they give you PVC pipe to make preload spacers out of... not exactly genuine honda manufactured parts but you can't see it

[Bodi]

The fork oil is specified as ATF, that's around SAE 7.5. I tried 15 wt fork oil in my 400... felt like I was on a rigid front end. I mix SAE 10 and SAE 5 fork oil roughly 50/50 and that works OK for me now. I do have Progressive springs (bought many years ago).

[zturb0]

When,,,, '' felt like I was on a rigid front end.''   

 were the stock springs, errr the progressives,, in the tubes ?

[przjohn]

You should not feel that harshness with stock springs. I run 10Wt fork oil in my 400F with stock springs and have no problems like you describe. If you are riding around with your axle clamps loosened please stop now as that is dangerous. You just need to pump the forks a couple of times to align them and then tighten things up. If you think the forks may be binding, remove the caps, springs and wheel. Put the axle back on and move the forks up and down. Do they move freely with no sticking? Then they are fine. My thinking is that you have too much fork oil in the tubes and the weight may be too heavy.

[bryanj]

The moron that told you to run with loose axle clamps deserves to have no customers if he is in business as a mech.

Pump it up and down in the shop when loose OK but DO NOT ride it anywhere with ANYTHING loose!!!!

[przjohn]

The moron that told you to run with loose axle clamps deserves to have no customers if he is in business as a mech.

Pump it up and down in the shop when loose OK but DO NOT ride it anywhere with ANYTHING loose!!!!

Plus 2

[jakec]

Race tech instructions for filling fork oil says to remove springs and compress forks, add oil, and then extend forks. You would have to have to have the front end suspended and front wheel off for this.

[Bodi]

"were the stock springs, errr the progressives,, in the tubes ?"

Yep. Little bumps were very harsh. The forks worked smoothly if I pushed the bars down, but the ride was punishing. Thinner fork oil cured that, it doesn't float like a cruiser but it isn't breaking my wrists now either.

[zturb0]

Ordered, some Honda brand,

 5w, fork oil, on line..   

It would be nice, if that actually solves it..