I bought an F3 for track days with a leaking fork seal so I'm going to be redoing the forks in the process. Is there a general consensus (or ball park #) on - the fork fluid weight to use - amount of forks raised in triples & preload/spacer length - rear ride height (shock eye-to-eye) - swingarm angle Thanks! Oh, it's a '96 if it matters. I know some difference in suspension between early F3s and later F3s. I think fork spring length changed.
I get Thermosman to do mine. All I have to do is drop it off and pick them up when they are done. It's nice. I think the next time I'm going to get the spreings for me installed instead of just getting them freshend up. Either that, or I have to had another 100 lbs onto the front of my bike.
If I was to race it, I would spend the money to get it sorted properly. For my use...I'm just looking to get it closer to a decent trackbike by making the simple changes. I'm thinking of using it as a cheap commuter as well with gas up. I want to try DIY to see how it is before I pay for the experts. For the front, I'm looking to change front fork oil up front (if needed) and maybe...maybe springs. I could cut the stock ones (0.71kg/mm) down a little to get a stiffer rate. Need a general number on amount of fork tube showing above triple though. For the rear, if there is a good eye-to-eye length, maybe I could shim it, otherwise I'll set preload for proper sag and roll with it. Looked at the RaceTech website to see what they recommend. They recommend 3.5 to 5 wt oil (stock is Honda SS-8 10wt) and a little bit stiffer fork spring. The stock shock spring rate looks okay. Anybody want to share "real" numbers? BTW, the '97-98 F3 springs are 2.2" longer according to service manual.
Sure,front drop to 2 1/8" above top clamp.Thats to top of fork,not adjtrs.8 to 10w oil.(JMO) Be advised,if u are using this bike for the track the stock rear will injure u if u push it.Replace with ohlins,penske,fox. Also an f4 or 4i will work great if u run the ride height all the way in.Eye to eye is not what u want.Ride height and free sag should be what ur after.The dog bones were diff. on the 95-6,which can be changed applicable to the shock u may find.F2 is the same as the 97-8 as well. My rear ride height is in here somewhere.Search F2 or 3 suspension setup.I dont remember off hand what it is or where it is. hollaback
ask melch about the set up on his current F3... yup, he's on a full-blown yankee built machine. james at TRS did the forks. he told me that the bike is the best handling F2 or F3 he's ever been on. for what it's worth, it has a F3 ohlins on the back.
I run 22" from the eye of the axel to the center of the last hole in the subframe. I ride a 96 too if that helps any. If you start to wear the tires funny, drop it down to 21.5"
Sounds right.Did yours come pre-bent to hell and back like mine??Can u look though the subframe and see the top AND the bottom of the sprocket?Bent V7 is the only way ta go. U comin to the GNF OLG???Big fun ya know
My back end isn't too bad, but if I hold my bars straight, my bike does nice left turns:up: Wish I could be at the GNF this year, but its not in the cards.
Thanks for info! Some numbers are better than no numbers. It turns out there is more info if you search for F2 on here. Some F2 and F3 suspension setup threads I found: http://forums.13x.com/showthread.php?t=158883&highlight=f2+suspension+setup http://forums.13x.com/showthread.php?t=14333&highlight=f2+suspension+setup http://forums.13x.com/showthread.php?t=12686&highlight=f2+suspension+setup http://forums.13x.com/showthread.php?t=174574&highlight=f2+f3+suspension Some with ride height discussed: http://forums.13x.com/showthread.php?t=116535&highlight=f3+ride+height http://forums.13x.com/showthread.php?t=96188&highlight=f3+ride+height http://forums.13x.com/showthread.php?t=76100&highlight=f3+ride+height http://forums.13x.com/showthread.php?t=70986&highlight=f3+ride+height I'm going to try: 10wt fork oil - same as stock 2-1/8" raised forks 22" ride height
Those arent just"some"numbers my friend.Those #'s have won more races than you have teeth in your mouth and have been used by many to do the same.However,those are race only #'s,meaning you must come race V7 since u have the perfect bike to do so and u too will be hooked on 7. The rest is up to u grasshopper
I saw a thread where he/melch was selling a V7 F2/3 that put out 106hp. Not sure what he is on now. I'm sure the stock one in my garage would not have much for a bike like that. Hustlin' shark he is.
