GSX-R 600K4 front-end rebuild queries?

**Cajun** · 27th March 2008, 07:52

Hi

my bike is pushing 50,000kms and coming up owning it 4 years, And i am wanting to get the front forks serviced again (i did this last 2 years ago, 25,000kms. by Shaun), So its time for them to be serviced again.

Last time this was done, it was found the front forks oil had turned to gunk and was turning in to more of a solid, At the time i also had some second hand gsxr 1000 traxxion fork springs & spacers installed. The bike is a little over sprung for me (better than under)

I am average weight 70kgs, bike already has ohlins rear(off a gsxr 1000 also), ohlins steering damper, with both are about to send to Robert shortly , to have a good service and check over.

Question pretty much is should what should i really look at doing with my front end.

I want to upgrade it to more 600 parts, but no idea should i just stick with the other ohlins stuff i have and go ohlins springs valves etc etc, or just get some springs suited to the 600 and my weight be racetech or something else.

Cheers

**enigma51** · 27th March 2008, 07:57

If you have a ohlins rear you should go with a ohlins front............... or thats what the sales people will say

I think its the same as tyres its not a good idea to have two different brands of tyres .......apparently the same type compliments each other. I have riden on a mix pair and it was good no worries at all so I would assume shocks are the same rule. Its what your budget allows for I think

**Cajun** · 27th March 2008, 08:01

Budget is what is gonna do the job for best price really.

I have own the bike from new. And decided really with the kms on it no its not really worth anything(when i asked my dealer to price it up while ago, he had no idea, since i brought it from him, and he had never seen a 600, with that much mileage on it, and in good condition and never been down). So i just gonna keep it until i kill it.

**Shaun** · 27th March 2008, 09:08

Originally Posted by Cajun

Hi

my bike is pushing 50,000kms and coming up owning it 4 years, And i am wanting to get the front forks serviced again (i did this last 2 years ago, 25,000kms. by Shaun), So its time for them to be serviced again.

Last time this was done, it was found the front forks oil had turned to gunk and was turning in to more of a solid, At the time i also had some second hand gsxr 1000 traxxion fork springs & spacers installed. The bike is a little over sprung for me (better than under)

I am average weight 70kgs, bike already has ohlins rear(off a gsxr 1000 also), ohlins steering damper, with both are about to send to Robert shortly , to have a good service and check over.

Question pretty much is should what should i really look at doing with my front end.

I want to upgrade it to more 600 parts, but no idea should i just stick with the other ohlins stuff i have and go ohlins springs valves etc etc, or just get some springs suited to the 600 and my weight be racetech or something else.

Cheers

If you are looking for a cheap modification to make the front a lot better, I would suggest .95 springs, and #10 weight fork oil only, or spend some money, on a AK20 kit or Ohlin's kit parts

**Cajun** · 27th March 2008, 09:13

Originally Posted by Shaun

If you are looking for a cheap modification to make the front a lot better, I would suggest .95 springs, and #10 weight fork oil only, or spend some money, on a AK20 kit or Ohlin's kit parts

No idea what oil you put in when you did them for me 2 years ago, but pretty sure the springs where .95.

But i but lacking in knowledge with what to put in front end, i know it can be better, but no to sure how to get there.

**Shaun** · 27th March 2008, 09:26

Originally Posted by Cajun

No idea what oil you put in when you did them for me 2 years ago, but pretty sure the springs where .95.

But i but lacking in knowledge with what to put in front end, i know it can be better, but no to sure how to get there.

AK20 KIT then!

**Cajun** · 27th March 2008, 09:38

Originally Posted by Shaun

AK20 KIT then!

hmmmm having a look at google found out what ak20 kit is, looks damn nice.

So all happens is take inside out and bang that in, so that same as doing springs, spacers, vavles etc?

Any idea on a price range?

**Shaun** · 27th March 2008, 10:10

Originally Posted by Cajun

hmmmm having a look at google found out what ak20 kit is, looks damn nice.

So all happens is take inside out and bang that in, so that same as doing springs, spacers, vavles etc?

Any idea on a price range?

Pm'd ya a price mate. And Basically yes!

**Cajun** · 27th March 2008, 10:17

Originally Posted by Shaun

Pm'd ya a price mate. And Basically yes!

Cheers for that shaun

**Robert Taylor** · 27th March 2008, 18:12

Originally Posted by enigma51

If you have a ohlins rear you should go with a ohlins front............... or thats what the sales people will say

I think its the same as tyres its not a good idea to have two different brands of tyres .......apparently the same type compliments each other. I have riden on a mix pair and it was good no worries at all so I would assume shocks are the same rule. Its what your budget allows for I think

Actually not quite, Ohlins pistons if you are racing it, Race Tech big port pistons if you want a combination of good ride height control and ''nasty bump compliance'' for the road. Id like to think that the engineering part of me holds far more sway than being a salesman.

We can revalve the stock rebound circuit in these cartridges and fit Race Tech compression pistons with appropriately rated Ohlins springs. All in stock and very cost effective.

**Shaun** · 28th March 2008, 09:15

Originally Posted by Robert Taylor

Actually not quite, Ohlins pistons if you are racing it, Race Tech big port pistons if you want a combination of good ride height control and ''nasty bump compliance'' for the road. Id like to think that the engineering part of me holds far more sway than being a salesman.

We can revalve the stock rebound circuit in these cartridges and fit Race Tech compression pistons with appropriately rated Ohlins springs. All in stock and very cost effective.

Race Tech parts have won lots of races in NZ a few years back, Jason Mcewan loved the stuff!

**FROSTY:Me** · 28th March 2008, 13:27

If its all right can I piggy back on this one.
Same question. but 1995 YZF600 82000km.
Rear shock has definitely seen better days front end I have no idea if its ever been apart.

**Robert Taylor** · 28th March 2008, 13:30

Originally Posted by FROSTY

If its all right can I piggy back on this one.
Same question. but 1995 YZF600 82000km.
Rear shock has definitely seen better days front end I have no idea if its ever been apart.

Both totally rebuildable and can upgrade in much the same way, excepting that the Yamaha forks also need rebound pistons and holders. I do have a second hand Ohlins that can be respecd for that bike at reasonable cost, if you want to go beyond a rebuild and upspec of the original.

**FROSTY:Me** · 28th March 2008, 13:46

Talk to me robert san.
This is the first bike in a long time that feels like it "fits" me
Bum isn't in the air and bars are at human levels.
It may end up on a track at some stage but at best trackday or two
No disrespect to sprot bike riders but that just plumb hurts my wrists too much

**Robert Taylor** · 31st March 2008, 09:17

Originally Posted by FROSTY

Talk to me robert san.
This is the first bike in a long time that feels like it "fits" me
Bum isn't in the air and bars are at human levels.
It may end up on a track at some stage but at best trackday or two
No disrespect to sprot bike riders but that just plumb hurts my wrists too much

Ring me Frosty, I am a little tired of 2 finger typing at present!