Upgrading Front Forks on 02 ST

[Sport]

Ok, so I need to do a 24k mile service on my forks.

I could just replace seals and service oil, or I could, since I got it apart, begin upgrading them.

Several of my thoughts:
1) Race-Tech progressive springs and gold valve emulator (approx $400)

2) Buy a used set of USD forks and triple clamps from a Hyabusa or maybe a newer Triumph S3 and fit it to my 02 ST. Cost...Pricesless :-D

What are your thoughts?

[pushr0d]

I like the idea of lopping the mushy 3" off the OEM springs, adding spacers and emulators, and using 10wt oil.

Much less than $400.

[RexxyPup]

I got a pair of WP springs off ebay and had them put in at the 24k service with standard oil... what a difference!


Rexx

[ This message was edited by: RexxyPup on 2006-12-28 12:52 ]

[Green01SprintST]

I tried the Racetech straight rate springs plus emulators in the forks of my '01. OMG! they about jarred my eyeballs out they were so stiff. I dropped down 1 weight range and it was still bad so I dumped the RT springs all together and bought a set of Hypertech progressives. Much better. Next I'm going to dump the 15 weight oil (!) the RT folks recomended and go to 10 weight. A long, dirty and expensive process of elimination to get what I want but I am sure it will be worth it in the end.

[Suncoast]

Hey Rexx What are WP springs??? :???: And what are the thoughts behind cutting springs and using spacers :???:

[ This message was edited by: Suncoast on 2006-12-28 17:26 ]

[ooobaby]

Did the progressive springs, Racetech fork emulators and stock oil thing. Man what an improvement! Go for it. Can't comment on the Hyabusa approach, never done it and don't know how big a can of worms it would be. Do know it would also give you better brakes too in the process though. That's never a bad thing, but would probably require a new master cylinder etc..

[hootieST]

Sport,
This past summer I put 0.95 kg springs in from Sonic Springs and changed the oil for 15wt. Quite a diff over the stock setup!! The front was still pretty compliant, but stiffer and very well planted.
In retrospect, I should have used 0.90kg instead, would suit my weight better I think (~190lbs). This coming spring I'm going to blend a 12.5wt fork oil which I hope will improve the compression a little bit (i.e. a bit more supple).
If I could afford the switch to some up-side-downies, I would 'cause it would look real good on the Sprint. For more info on that kind of setup, check out Khulka in the Speed Triple section.

Cheers,
Mark

[rodneybrown]

Did RT emulators and HyperPro totally progressive springs. The HyperPro's did a lot and the emulators added a bit more control and adjustability but could have lived with just the springs. They are not overly harsh at all. Also, you can use up to 125mm of fork oil rather than the 145 recommended by Triumph to adjust compressability. You might want to do the bushings while you're at it. I'm running 10wt and have tried 5wt, 8wt and 15wt before I settled on 10. You can experiment with this. Put in new springs which is cheap and easy just to see what happens. If you need more, do the emulators. You can do the springs in less than an hour without removing the fork tubes. Doing the emulators takes more time and is a no return trip because you have to drill the damper rods.

I would NOT do the cut method of shortening the springs. If you think about it and consider how it affects total spring travel (read how far to bottoming) I think you will come to the same conclusion.

[RexxyPup]

Sport

Try here

WP Suspension

I got mine for £35 off eBay and had them fitted as part of the 24k service.... no extra cost.... nice tech guy!

Rexx