RVF Shock replacement & Fork service

[Etherion]

Hi all,

My missus' RVF fork seals have popped and thought of upgrading them a little at the same time.

Rear shock : I have read many replacements using the CBR600rr shock but requires modification due to the piggyback. I 've noticed that on the rr10 ABS models, the piggyback is no longer fixed to the shock body but as a seperate reservoir. Does anyone know if this will go straight in without mods?

Front forks : I'm planning to fix the seals but in the meantime maybe do the springs or etc? My missus only weights 48kg. Shall i just put new seals and oil or are the springs knackered and need new springs? If so, what springs? Only springs i see are the hyper pro ones.

Many Thanks

[Drunkn Munky]

The later CBR shock has a eyelet bottom mount instead of the fork type thats needed so no it wont fit. As for forks rick oliver does a very good upgrade kit inc springs, oil and level setting tool.

[Malc]

Front forks : I'm planning to fix the seals but in the meantime maybe do the springs or etc? My missus only weights 48kg. Shall i just put new seals and oil or are the springs knackered and need new springs?

Pull the springs out and measure the free length. As long as they measure within spec they'll be fine. If your missus is only 48kgs, they are probably very close to being the correct rate for her too. No need to spend money on new if you are not going to see an improvement. Very often the stock springs are too light for us (comparatively) fat bastards, hence the need to uprate them.

[Etherion]

What tools would i need to pull out the spring and put new seals on? From reading online, i need something to compress the spring to undo the damping rod and also a fork seal driver? Will i need a syringe to measure the fork oil etc?

What does it mean to measure the free length of the spring?

Just ordered 1 l of Motul 10w factory line. Should be good right?

Thanks:)

[speedy231278]

Fork seal driver isn't essential, but what you need is a way of firmly pressing the seal in place in the leg without damaging it. Some people just use a large socket. You can get a seal driver from Honda, but the same money would buy a pair of new fork springs!

Syringe depends on how anal you want to be about measuring the volume of oil that goes in. Some people go by volume, others go by oil height. I guess that if the fork leg isn't 100% free from residual oil it might affect the level if you just pour in the amount the book says. Apparently Rick Oliver's fork service/upgrade kit as a gadget in it for measuring the oil height. When I did some forks once, I made a dipstick that hung down to the required level so I knew when I'd put enough in. Some people play with the oil height as it affects the volume of air inside the fork leg, and therefore the manner in which it compresses. It's another way of tuning the forks to the bike, rider and style. 10W oil should be fine, it seems to be what most people use for the road. Again, the grade might be varied by people into serious suspension fiddling.

Free spring length is how long the spring is when it's not got any load - ie if you take it out the fork. A happy spring will measure between whatever the manual says is the range of acceptable measurements. If it's shorter, it's tired and isn't returning to the full length and is therefore not doing the job correctly. Put it on a flat surface and measure it

[Etherion]

Thanks guys, Going to do the seals and put fresh oil in to see how it feels this weekend.

Going through the haynes manual it says to replace copper washer and a seal somewhere. I called up a honda dealer and he hears rvf400 and goes no, wont have that.

So hmm, is it necessary to replace the washer? I have a few spare washers from Hel when i did my brake lines but are they the same size?

Cheers guys

[Neosophist]

Thanks guys, Going to do the seals and put fresh oil in to see how it feels this weekend.

Going through the haynes manual it says to replace copper washer and a seal somewhere. I called up a honda dealer and he hears rvf400 and goes no, wont have that.

So hmm, is it necessary to replace the washer? I have a few spare washers from Hel when i did my brake lines but are they the same size?

Cheers guys

Call them back, find the guy and tell him he is a tool.

While it is true the RVF400 is a grey bike, most Honda dealers can order in parts for this specific mondel. But for the washer and for the sake of the washer leaking, it is worth changing it.

90544-283-000

this is the Honda part number, a stock generic 8mm washer. Nothing to do with the RVF anyway and used on many man Honda bikes, including the NC30, which did have a UK model so they cant hide with their grey bike story.

You can call someone and ask to order by part number. DSS have hundreds in stock (david silver spares)

[speedy231278]

There's a washer under the bolt in the bottom of the fork leg that goes into the damper rod. I would expect the Haynes to say replace that. Not sure about the other seals it might mention, bar the obvious two that you're doing the job for. There are o-rings under the fork top bolt, the rebound adjuster and the cartridge locator, however apart from the one under the top bolt, I'm not sure if you'll disturb them when just changing the fork seals as I've not done it yet. Doubtless, you will be advised to change them by the manual. Most people here seem to inspect them for damage and reuse them unless they're cracked or brittle. Personally, I always change stuff like that as to my mind the £20 saved on these o-rings would be outweighed if the forks have to come out again as a result. However, as it is not my bike, it is not up to me! :-)

It's pretty lame of a dealer to to dismiss a parts request simply because the bike is an import. Honda keep most of the parts, and any dealer can order them, or just go to some one like David Silver Spares or Rick Oliver. The parts fiche is in the documents section of the website this forum is attached to, and the forks are diagram F-8.

90544-283-000 Damper rod bottom bolt washer 8mm £1.10
91258-GF4-003 Fork top bolt o-ring 42.2x2.4 £3.25
91311-MR7-003 Rebound adjuster o-ring 13.8x2.4 (superceded by 91311-PH7-003) £1.30
91351-MT7-003 Cartridge locator o-ring 23.7x2.4 £2.95

David Silver have all the above on the shelf if you decide you want to change any. Prices are ex VAT.

[Etherion]

Thanks again guys.

I called david silver spares and ordered all the parts listed. Better do it properly than a half job for it to leak again.

The prices are spot on. How did you know>?

[speedy231278]

Erm, 'cos I checked them on the website? I've also got a mammoth Excel sheet with a page for every page of the part catalogue as I've spent seven months at work with nothing to do because we're in administration and I'm the computer nerd. so, with nothing to upgrade nor anything really breaking, there's sod all to do except work out that in brand new parts in packaging, your NC35 would cost £42000!!!