One of the items on my "To Do" list for my 1996 900SS this winter is to upgrade the performance of the front suspension. The bike currently handles pretty well on the smooth stuff, but as soon as I hit bumpy roads the front end gets skittish, and seems to move around quite a bit.
I plan to remove the forks and bring them into one of my local Ducati Shops (either Nault's in Manchester, or maybe BCM in Laconia).
However, before I just blindly turn over the forks and my checkbook I was hoping to get advice from this board on the best bang-for-the-buck mods. I realize that changing the fork oil is a definite, and I've also heard something about replacing the fork cartridges(?) with aftermarket units. I would guess that the fork springs could also be replaced, but the currrent ones seem to give the right amount of sag with my 180 lbs on board.
Any thoughts? What has worked for you on your 900SS?
If you have the fully adjustible Showas on your SP, I'd say the best "Bang for your buck" would be to send it to BCM and have them change the fork oil, get straight rate springs for your weight, and revalve the forks (Racetech goldvalves) using their shim stack. I had it done at BCM and it really makes the bike handle that much better - so much so that I haven't thought about going to the SBK fork conversion.
Best bang-for-your-buck would be to put in the proper straight rate springs and fresh oil, all for about $100 plus labor. I had Traxxion Dynamics springs put in mine and it made a huge difference.
BCM did RaceTech gold valves & springs on my 900sp plus a RaceTech spring on the rear. All setup for my weight it made a huge difference. Much more compliant over the rough stuff with better control and feel. They've tweaked their recommended settings for the shim stack so I need to pay them a visit for an update. Another project to help get me through the winter...
I had this done at BCM too. Huge difference in compliance and feel. There is little that throws my butt off the seat now, whereas before if I hit anything sharp, like a frost heave, I would be using my ankles to hang on. Straight rate springs front and rear, Race-Tech valves and BCM's recommended shim stack. All of this was done in '03. Not sure if the revisions apply and don't really care, what I have suits me perfectly. If'n it 'aint broke, right?
I put RaceTech springs and Gold Valves in my forks, big difference. Recently I took the Gold Valves out and put the full Penske Kit from a 916 in. Another dramatic improvement. NC Rick helped me adapt the Penske Kit which also includes the rebound valve/shim stack. Just the Gold Valve does nothing for your rebound.
I have the adjustable Showas on my 2001 SS. All I did was change the oil to 5wt. It was a very big improvement over whatever the stock weight oil was (8 or 8.5 I think). The suspension was much more active and very well controlled after the change. I am sure there is much to gain by changing springs and adding gold valves, but if you don't really want to spend a load of cash and ride your bike on the street, give that a try first. It may be all your looking for. Total cost for the change was about $20.00 and a few hours of my time on a rainy weekend.
I only say try this first because if you go all out and change the internals, I am sure there will be a huge improvement... How much of a real world improvement will you have had over just changing the oil to a thinner weight? Just a thought...
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2001 900SS Red (gone but not forgotten)
2003 ST4s Senna colors.
BCM installed Springs and glodvalve shims and valve on my 93 with adjustable Showas. I also had a late model Sachs installed with a proper spring for my largeness. Good Stuff
For most folks in a street application, I'd still say that the Gold Valves with the right spring (prolly 85kg if you are average weight) are the way to go. I went with an Ohlins valve stack and springs and had grief until NC Rick helped me out too. I my case, it was a lack of tuning knowledge that hurt me which is why I suggest Gold Valves for most people, who like me, are not suspension experts. After all the grief, I can't tell the difference between the Gold Valve setup and my Ohlins setup anyway.
bcm put in racetech gold valves and proper springs in my 96 ss/so a few months ago and i'm really happy with the results.
and another BCM conversion on my 900sp. full monty on the forks and a racetech spring on the shock. well worth the $$. i'll finish it off with the shock internals this winter.
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George 97 900sp 90 750 Sport (sold) 75 Commando
I just finished putting 0.85Kg/mm RT springs in my 97' 900SS CR. Was bummed about them being non-rebuildable, but did the best I could. The RT springs are longer than the stock ones so compressing them enough to fit the damping rod keepers on was a bit tricky. I filled them with 15WT Spectro fork oil. The front end is more firm and doesn't dive under braking nearly as much. A friend's SS CR seems squishy in comparison now. Seems better overall, but the true test of taking it the track will have to wait because it rained today at Loudon, so I'll have to wait till next year.
Thicker fork oil is one of the worst things for these forks, they suffer from harshness that is caused by a damping system that is very simple. The thicker fluid causes this to get worse. Really, you have to try a bike with the forks set up correctly to appreciate what they can be.
I feel that the way mine are set up is quite good. I went from Gold Valves, and racetech springs, then to a totally different rebound stack and finally to the Penske conversion that I do (this takes a couple custom parts). They are very good. Better than the Traxxion Dynamics worked forks on my 748. I think I can make them better with TiNi coating and hard anodizing but doubt the cost would be justified. I may do it anyhow!
Thin oil may be better for the rebuildable forks, but I was told by a couple people that the non-rebuildable CR forks work better with thicker oil (using whatever the stock internals are.) Racetech's website specifies 20WT and I used 15WT. Anybody have experience with thicker oils in CR forks?
This is Rose (Linda) I found your post and wanted to touch base with you. I had a 650 yamaha v-star for a year, loved it but sold it a few days ago for a few personal reasons. I would like to talk to you. If you want contact me I would love to know how you are and send you pics of my bike. I looked up your bike to see what kind you have and it looks nice. I know your post was a while ago so I hope the problem you had is now resolved. Hope your well...Please write to me. Just send me a private message and I then will get a notice by email saying I have one here waiting for me. Thanks
Last edited by palmbeauties; 04-19-2006 at 06:17 AM.
Best Fork Mods?
Linear Mode
