99 750ss front suspension change - Ducati.ms

thorr · Nov 14th, 2011, 8:31 pm

How hard is it to change springs in the front forks? Shop wants $310 , $110 for springs,$200 for labor. I can get a spring compressor,mechanically can do almost anything, just never messed with a cartridge fork.

OOTV · Nov 14th, 2011, 9:23 pm

That sounds about right if they are charging $100.00/hr. Typically it's not a hard process. You have to unload the front end by getting it off the ground and then you can unscrew the end caps, remove the springs and drain the oil. Replace the springs add new oil (At the proper amount of course. Usually measured in MM height from the top of the fork). Close it back up and there you go.

Getting the right oil weight and fill level can affect the suspension almost as much as the spring rates so make sure you research this before you attempt to do this yourself. Mind you, I have not done this with my Duc, but I did do this on my off road bikes when I had them. The principle is the same for most forks however. If you have any mechanical applitude this shouldn't be too intimidating.

curveman99 · Nov 14th, 2011, 10:45 pm

YouTube it.

**YellowDuck** · Nov 15th, 2011, 7:48 am

It's pretty easy. Personally I would recommend removing the forks completely from the bike to change the oil, and especially to change the springs. Pretty sure the oil height is set with the springs out and the forks collapsed anyway, and it would be pretty awkward to remove the caps from the damping rods with the forks still in the triples.

You will need a swingarm stand at minimum. If you don't have a steering head stand you can support the front of the bike under the front cylinder head.

If you are changing spring rates you will likely want to think about adjusting the spacers to get the correct sag (since there is no external preload adjustment on your forks). Unfortunately that probably means putting it all back together, making your measurements, then taking it all apart again to change the spacers. If you know your current spring rate and sag numbers, AND the as-installed preload, you could probably calculate what length spacers you need to get the sag you are targeting. If want to try that I can help you figure out what measurements you would need.

Actually, come to think of it, there is probably no reason in the world that you couldn't simply install some fork caps with external preload adjustment when you do this job. The only trick would be figuring out which ones to use, but I am sure someone here would know that already.