06 Fork Spring Issue

[vikeme]

With 65k on the bike i needed to change a leaky seal. When i pulled the springs out the tight wound end of the spring was at the bottom of the fork but the manual calls for the tight end of the spring to be at the top.Does it make a difference and which is correct? I'm working with a 06 FZ6 and i didn't find anything in the search. Thanks for the help.

Sam

 

[RJ2112]

When you put it back together, put it in the way the manual calls for. About the only difference I am aware of would be that with the tightly spaced coils 'down' you would displace a bit more fork oil... that would probably make you indicate slightly higher levels in the fork legs compared to the other way around, if the amount of oil in the leg were the same.

If I were in your shoes, I'd give thought to putting in some decent springs while you have it opened up. What do you weigh, and how hard do you ride the bike? What sort of road surfaces are you dealing with?

 

[vikeme]

Ya i figured the book was right after i found 2 retainer springs in the left fork.Must have been breaking in a new guy that day. as for new parts i'm currently not employed after 17 years of service so i'll most likely just do the seals for now but thank you for responding to my problem.

Sam

 

[RJ2112]

No worries, Sam. 17 years of service? Military, I assume? If so, thanks.

I think it's more likely a previous owner got in there and did some 'modification', than the factory getting a part 180° out.... 65K miles is a pretty good life on the fork seals. Take a good look at the 'swept' surfaces of the fork tubes as you tear it down and build it up. Pitting, or nicks will tear up the replacement seals fast enough to make it painful. Probably wouldn't get more than a few K miles out of the new seals before they started leaking, as well. If there is any corrosion on the fork leg the seals sweep over, that will become a spot that the seals leak at.

New seals, and slightly heavier than OEM fork oil would probably improve the action over what you are experiencing now, anyway.... if the seals are bad enough to weep oil 'out', they're bad enough to weep water 'in'. Water is much lower viscosity than fork oil.