Couple of questions on oil level and springs for Hyper forks

[krisnet55]

OK, so im getting ready and gather info on changing the fork springs and oil on my Hyper EVO. I know its been covered here by some some people but its really all scattered and there doesnt seem to be a definite recommended air gap or oil weight. From my understanding after reading here on this forum I have heard that some bikes have a different air gap, on the same bike!!!! And some have a different oil weight.

I would really like to do the full mounty and just get a cartridge kit but for my street bike its not worth it IMO.
I have decided to just put some linear springs and fresh oil (with the same air gap on both forks).

So for those that have changed the springs and oil, what weight of oil and how much air gap did you have?

Besides Racetech, does any other company sell springs for our Hypers?

Do I need to cut spacers when installing linear springs?

[freezer16801]

First thing is you need to check for sure what brand forks that you have. Many of the gripes came from Marzochi owners. I believe that you have KYB's, which I imagine are rebuildable.

Anyway, for the marzoc's, 5 weight is the consensus. I forget what air gap that I used. It was basically what I was able to dig up in this forum. It turned out to be a bit too much fluid/too little gap, all though it was improved improved. I gained about 10-15 mms of travel. I still have another 20 or so more to go before true bottom.

[krisnet55]

Originally Posted by freezer16801

First thing is you need to check for sure what brand forks that you have. Many of the gripes came from Marzochi owners. I believe that you have KYB's, which I imagine are rebuildable.

Anyway, for the marzoc's, 5 weight is the consensus. I forget what air gap that I used. It was basically what I was able to dig up in this forum. It turned out to be a bit too much fluid/too little gap, all though it was improved improved. I gained about 10-15 mms of travel. I still have another 20 or so more to go before true bottom.

I have the EVO and from what the Ducati web site says I should have marzochi forks.
Did you change the springs also?
Any additional spacers or did you cut spacers?

[Monstaman]

krisnet55

I have pair of 5mm wire (same as factory) linear springs and collar to fit the Marshockings for sale if you want them, pm me.

Ping us up your weight and riding style and we can start from there.

[krisnet55]

Originally Posted by Monstaman

krisnet55

I have pair of 5mm wire (same as factory) linear springs and collar to fit the Marshockings for sale if you want them, pm me.

Ping us up your weight and riding style and we can start from there.

175lb no gear. This is purely my street bike but do occasional mountain twisties. I mostly use it with my girl as a passenger to work. What blows my mind is that im unsing .95 springs on my track bike

[Decreasing Dave]

Originally Posted by krisnet55

175lb no gear. This is purely my street bike but do occasional mountain twisties. I mostly use it with my girl as a passenger to work. What blows my mind is that im unsing .95 springs on my track bike

Track bikes are different.

My race bikes are set up far stiffer than my street bikes. For the street, I would rather run it a little soft and have the bike move around under me a bit than to have it too stiff and the tires skitter off of a turn.

On the track, you can make changes to the suspension for each situation but on the street you need "general" settings as you never know what you will find on the next turn.

I changed my oil to 5w and it help the compression damping (or lack there of). My dealer did it under warranty as my fork seals were leaking (still are) with 1300 miles on the bike. He set the oil up at 122mm. The only time I bottom out is if I slam it down off of a wheelie.

Dave

[Monstaman]

Originally Posted by Decreasing Dave

The only time I bottom out is if I slam it down off of a wheelie.

Dave

You are just a bloody hooligan

I agree with Dave, I too prefer compliant on the road for those unexpected humps, hollows and elephants etc.

The oil height is easy enough to adjust as well so you can play around with it anywhere between approx 180 and 100 to suit you taste, with linear springs you can run the air gap less if you want to.

[krisnet55]

Originally Posted by Decreasing Dave

Track bikes are different.

My race bikes are set up far stiffer than my street bikes. For the street, I would rather run it a little soft and have the bike move around under me a bit than to have it too stiff and the tires skitter off of a turn.

On the track, you can make changes to the suspension for each situation but on the street you need "general" settings as you never know what you will find on the next turn.

I changed my oil to 5w and it help the compression damping (or lack there of). My dealer did it under warranty as my fork seals were leaking (still are) with 1300 miles on the bike. He set the oil up at 122mm. The only time I bottom out is if I slam it down off of a wheelie.

Dave

Yeah I agree on the stiffness for the track but according to RT website im suppose to be running .82 springs for street. I'm guessing I'm going to get a pair of .90 and start at 130 air gap. Now question is will I be needing spacers or replace them? Do you know of they provide spacers or not?

[Decreasing Dave]

RT doesn't provide any spacers for the Hyper. I spoke with Louie over there and he said that I could use the stock spacers and that they were "within spec" when combined with the new spring length.

My dealer didn't put the new springs in as he said that they were the wrong ones. I wasn't there at the time and although he had to ask me how to rebuild me own forks over the phone, that doesn't give me any insight as to whether the springs were correct or not. He put the stock springs back in and I sent the RT springs back to RT based on my dealers premiss, but I guess I will never know if the dealer was right.

I do know that the change to 5w oil was the way to go as the compression dampning is no longer "all or nothing". I was also able to back off my preload a bit (it was all the way in) as the oil level (122mm) allowed me to attain the desired sag.

Aside form the fact that the bike now dives a bit more due to lack of spring for my 205# azz, I really like the way it soaks up bumps.

It's not perfect, but definitely better for very little money spent.

I have a Mid-Sized Performance Tank to buy plus a set of DucShop Stacks so I'm probably just going to get some springs and replace my fork seals (again) and of course set it up with 5w oil. I think it will be a good set up for streetbike.

Dave

[krisnet55]

Originally Posted by Decreasing Dave

RT doesn't provide any spacers for the Hyper. I spoke with Louie over there and he said that I could use the stock spacers and that they were "within spec" when combined with the new spring length.

My dealer didn't put the new springs in as he said that they were the wrong ones. I wasn't there at the time and although he had to ask me how to rebuild me own forks over the phone, that doesn't give me any insight as to whether the springs were correct or not. He put the stock springs back in and I sent the RT springs back to RT based on my dealers premiss, but I guess I will never know if the dealer was right.

I do know that the change to 5w oil was the way to go as the compression dampning is no longer "all or nothing". I was also able to back off my preload a bit (it was all the way in) as the oil level (122mm) allowed me to attain the desired sag.

Aside form the fact that the bike now dives a bit more due to lack of spring for my 205# azz, I really like the way it soaks up bumps.

It's not perfect, but definitely better for very little money spent.

I have a Mid-Sized Performance Tank to buy plus a set of DucShop Stacks so I'm probably just going to get some springs and replace my fork seals (again) and of course set it up with 5w oil. I think it will be a good set up for streetbike.

Dave

So the springs from RT didnt fit? Sheit. How long ago was this?

And as far as oil 5w do you mean Ohlins No 5 or some other brand?

Thanks for all the help