Front suspension bottoms out on 87VR

[Venturous Randy]

I replaced the stock springs on my 83 at about 130,000 miles and even with 10psi air, they would bottom out routinely. I went to the Progressives with no preload spacers, 15 wt oil at 5 1/2 down and no air and mine has not bottomed out since and that is with it being loaded.

RandyA

[cabreco]

I'm wondering now if my stiff ride is due to 15 wt oil & the 1" preload...

[twigg]

I'm wondering now if my stiff ride is due to 15 wt oil & the 1" preload...

 

Mine has 15wt oil and about a 1" pre-load ... may be slightly less.

 

It is firm. but it isn't what I would call stiff. I usually run it with no air pressure and it has never bottomed out.

[cabreco]

Mine has 15wt oil and about a 1" pre-load ... may be slightly less.

 

It is firm. but it isn't what I would call stiff. I usually run it with no air pressure and it has never bottomed out.

 

Yeah, I don't bottom out either.

I wonder would lighter oil or 1/4 less preload be better?

[Adavidson56304]

Hey thanks for all the replies everyone.

Earl, I got back late last night and was going to give you a call tonight. I'll give the 15wt a try here sometime soon and call you after I try that out. Thanks for all the help.

[reddevilmedic]

i used full spacers and 15 wt. removed anti-dives. stiff? yes. bottoming out? NO. i delinked brakes, and mostly use front brake...alone. EARLLLLLLL is awesome. use the phone.

[cabreco]

i used full spacers and 15 wt. removed anti-dives. stiff? yes. bottoming out? NO. i delinked brakes, and mostly use front brake...alone. EARLLLLLLL is awesome. use the phone.

 

That would explain the dive issue.

My brakes are still linked, When I use only my front hand brake, she does dive a bit. I can only imagine if you are using both rotors up front she would dive harder.

 

It was suggested I use 7wt oil i the forks. I haven't tried it, but I might give it a shot when I do rebuild the forks.

[twigg]

That would explain the dive issue.

My brakes are still linked, When I use only my front hand brake, she does dive a bit. I can only imagine if you are using both rotors up front she would dive harder.

 

It was suggested I use 7wt oil i the forks. I haven't tried it, but I might give it a shot when I do rebuild the forks.

 

I have 15wt and was thinking of trying 10

 

Might soften it a little over the harder bumps in our horrible roads.

[cabreco]

I have 15wt and was thinking of trying 10

 

Might soften it a little over the harder bumps in our horrible roads.

 

Definitley post a status if you do!

[jimmyenglish]

Wish I had your problem...complete opposite over here.

[Adavidson56304]

I know I use my fronts a lot more than the rear, I brake just like i ride, fast. I just repositioned the rear brake pedal so it should be easier for me to use it. I'll give that a try tomorrow. It might take a few try's with different things, but I think I'll get it where I want it.

[twigg]

I know I use my fronts a lot more than the rear, I brake just like i ride, fast. I just repositioned the rear brake pedal so it should be easier for me to use it. I'll give that a try tomorrow. It might take a few try's with different things, but I think I'll get it where I want it.

 

Have you de-linked the brakes?

 

With the linked setup, if you are only, or mainly using the front brake, then you are actually only using half the front.

 

I will probably de-link mine at some point, but I have to say that the linked system does work quite well, which is not to say "very well", because the brakes are marginal at best.

 

When I finally upgrade I'll put the R1 calipers and braided lines on the front, and leave the rear alone.

[Adavidson56304]

I have not delinked the brakes. Just to make sure i understand this. The pedal works both the rear and 1 side of the front(left I believe), and the front lever works just the other side? I knew the pedal works rear and front, but, I guess I thought somehow the lever worked both sides in front.

So, if you delink the brakes, would the pedal work only the rear, and the lever work both the fronts?

[cabreco]

Have you de-linked the brakes?

 

I will probably de-link mine at some point, but I have to say that the linked system does work quite well, which is not to say "very well", because the brakes are marginal at best.

 

 

Twigg, do you have EBC HH pads up front? I just cleaned my calipers & rotors & slapped on a fresh set of HH pads on my 84. OMG what a difference. The brake are more responsive & I stop MUCH quicker than with the organic pads.

[reddevilmedic]

I have not delinked the brakes. Just to make sure i understand this. The pedal works both the rear and 1 side of the front(left I believe), and the front lever works just the other side? I knew the pedal works rear and front, but, I guess I thought somehow the lever worked both sides in front.

So, if you delink the brakes, would the pedal work only the rear, and the lever work both the fronts?

 

yes. pedal only rear. lever both fronts.

[twigg]

Twigg, do you have EBC HH pads up front? I just cleaned my calipers & rotors & slapped on a fresh set of HH pads on my 84. OMG what a difference. The brake are more responsive & I stop MUCH quicker than with the organic pads.

 

I still have the original pads in the front, and a set of EBC FA123 to replace them when they are done.

 

Couldn't find HH at a price that even came close to the great deal I got on the spares I have. Fortunately, my days of hammer hard out out corners and stand it on it's nose into them, are past me

 

However, I love the hard bite and serious stopping power that good brakes gives you, and I'll probably improve mine over the winter.

[cabreco]

I still have the original pads in the front, and a set of EBC FA123 to replace them when they are done.

 

Couldn't find HH at a price that even came close to the great deal I got on the spares I have. Fortunately, my days of hammer hard out out corners and stand it on it's nose into them, are past me

 

However, I love the hard bite and serious stopping power that good brakes gives you, and I'll probably improve mine over the winter.

 

Yeah the HH pads cost me $31 a rotor at the Yamaha dealer (which was on par with Ebay prices) Normally to me brakes are brakes but I was very impressed with the HH.

 

You sound like me, those days are over for me too, I guess that come with age & the fear of falling. (old bones take a long time to heal lol ) but bear this in mind, the $90 in HH pads will feel very cheap when "pucker time" rears it ugly head.