Bendeigid

Another question into the round: How often would you change the oil in forks (miles or years) as it there is no mentioning in the service manual other than check externally for any signs of leakage or wear?

Sorry for not getting back earlier. I had read the posts, but have been unable to get answers together and I could not find my service manual. @Stu I have not checked on that. I actually found someone that still sells Hyperpro shocks for my bike. I do not know if they are old stock or if Hyperpro just does not list them any more on their website. @RideWithStyles From what I can recall (more than 20 years ago), the suspension has always felt a bit on the soft side. Back then, I had tried some different settings, but they did not seem to make much of a difference. The suspension has not been serviced (yes, I know, bad) but I checked externally on it for any leaks and/or drips. The settings I am using are the standard settings as according to service/workshop manual (front 3rd click, back rebound 2nd click & compression 1 3/4 turns out). However, the rebound adjuster just seems to spin nowadays without any engagement. To 2. The diagram does not show much regarding the springs used, but a note in the service manual seems to suggest that they might be progressive springs ('Note: The end of the fork spring with the smaller pitch should be at the bottom of the front fork.') 'If of you keep the std valves ( elm compression and rebound) i wouldnt just put liner springs in.' Could you please explain more what you mean here, as I don't understand? In regard to fork oil thickness, this is info that I was not aware of at all. I had assumed that there would be some kind of standardisation. How are you ever supposed to figure that one out without trying them all out? Especially since the service manual only says 'Fork oil type: Suzuki Fork Oil SS-08 (#10) or equivalent fork oil' but gives no further information on it. Tyre tread wear pattern seems to indicate even wear. @NewToN When I read your advice how to measure suspension travel it came back to me (I believe they might have taught that at college). However, I have something like a chicken-and-egg situation since the bike has no MOT at the moment and is SORN'd I can not take it out, and I really need to do this work before putting it in for an MOT. I have inspected the 2nd-hand forks I bought for this job, and they seem to be perfect externally (no corrosion on the stanchions at all and the lower legs are in much better condition than mine). I have not yet taken any of it apart; so I can not say anything about the internal wear. The steering head bearings should be fine (I would hope; they are 'original' from when I bought the bike over 20 years ago) as there is no binding or notching over the range of movement but will have a look when I get to it. Where can you find any info in regard to the viscosity of the oil that Suzuki recommends (Suzuki Fork Oil SS-08 (#10))? Thank you for the information on rear shocks. Something else I had not considered, especially since some do not even seem to list that information (or at least not clearly enough for me to understand easily). Would an emulsion type not separate after sitting for a while and possible cause issues then?

Thank you for your answers so far. Certainly gives me some more info. I only do road riding at or below speed posted, as I am getting into middle-age by now and like to enjoy the road and scenery as much the ride itself. @Tinkicker: Bike is Suzuki GSX750F from 1998 and I have not looked at those bearings for the last 20 years or the suspension much, other than to ensure there are no leaks or corrosion/pitting on the swept area of the stanchions. Passed MOT 2 years ago (have not really used it last year), but that does not necessarily say a lot about the state of them. On this bike there are no seals on the bearing, as far as I am aware, since they are all needle roller bearings. Fork seals on mine are starting to come apart and have just bought some forks from EBay that look ok (have not received yet), but also need new seals and oil, and since I can't say anything about the rest I think it is safer to assume that bushes need replacing too. The rear shock got some issues with powder coating on the spring coming off due to rust underneath on the spring itself and bottom adjuster has not worked for quite a few years. @Stu: Hyperpro does not seem to make shocks anymore for this bike only progressive shock springs. It is all a bit of a minefield and trying to find info about suspension without requiring a university degree in physics and mathematics seems quite difficult.

Hello, I hope, I posted this in the right forum. If not, please move it or let me know. Sorry, in advance, for the long-winded nature of this post; I just thought, that it would be best to ask all of these in one post, to be able to keep track of it and hope that some might take the time to answer either some or all of it. So here it is: This year I will have to do some work on my suspension for the first time since college over 20 years ago. I can only do my work outdoors on my drive-way, since I do not have enough space in my garage. Therefore, my approach will to replace existing with 'new' (or repaired/restored) items, which, while more expensive, at least should mean, I can do most of the work in stages and put the bike back in the garage overnight. My bike is almost 26 years old by now, and I am not using it that much due to a few things, that are not really worth mentioning here. The only riding I do, is on the road. So, the main bit for me, is to keep the cost under control, while getting the most benefit out of it. My thoughts would be to go for mid-tier items rather than cheapest or most expensive, if that makes sense. Now, here are some of my questions regarding that (also, any advice is welcome). 1. I need to replace at least fork oil, seals and bushes. Is it better to get one of these kit that include everything? And if so, what manufacturers are good and which to avoid? Or is it better to buy OEM items (keeping in mind that they seem quite a bit more expensive)? 2. While I am in there, I thought it might be an idea to replace fork springs. Are progressive springs much better than OEM (which feel quite soft, as the bike likes to sag quite a bit when breaking at lights)? Again, which manufacturers are good, which to avoid? Prices, as far as I have seen, seem to be fairly similar. 3. Is it really that important to adjust the spring rate of the fork springs to your weight? I have only seen about three different rates at most, and some don't even seem to come in different rates. If weight should be taken into consideration, do you aim for your weight including all the usual additions, like clothing, helmet and usual luggage, or should you add some extra for when more luggage is carried or weight gain/loss and how much(i.e. in my case, I mostly have a small tank-bag with me, but maybe sometimes I carry a backpack with items, which I do not know the weight of beforehand)? 4. I also saw something called fork cartridge emulators, that some think is a worthwhile upgrade for these old type forks (damper rod with the stanchions on top). Has anyone any experience with them? I have only found two manufacturers that seem to make them (YSS @£90.- & Racetech @£200.-). Are there any others? I know there are cartridge inserts for certain forks, but at a cost that I do not think is reasonable for me. Now to move to the rear shock: 5. I have found three manufacturers (YSS, Hagon & Nitron) that do shocks for this bike and are about the price range (£500 - 650) I would consider for me to be reasonable (keeping all the points in mind, that I set out above). Are there any other manufacturers out there at my price point? Are the ones I listed any good (reliability, quality, adjustability)? 6. I suppose the same questions as for point 3 apply here. 7. Would or should you change the bearings for the swing arm and cushion lever, while changing the shock? Thank you to everyone that has taken time to read and/or answer/give advice.

Thank you very much to everyone for their nice welcome. It is rare these days (days of social media rules all) to still find a forum like this that is active and not toxic. Did I mention I am not a fan of social media? In fact I hate it with a passion and will not use it if I can help it at all. @onesea 'Wiser' is certainly up for interpretation but I don't feel wiser for it just older.

Hey, just wanted to say hello. New to forum, but not new to biking; although these days more of a 'nice weather' rider during about 6 month of the year. I know, probably disqualifies me in the eyes of most riders, however, finances and health does not really allow for more. Do not drive otherwise. Registered here to get opinions and possibly advice on some technical issues, but will post separately about that in a while.