Suspension rebuild........

[catso]

My 916 is 8yrs old, 20,000 miles so I'm thinking the suspension needs 'refreshing' - new fork oil & seals, new rear shock oil & gas etc. and as most of this work involves specialist knowledge & tools, I'm looking for a suspension specialist to do the work.

I've spoken to 'Mick Gardner Racing' www.mickgardnerracing.com/main.html who seem to know their stuff but they're not cheap and they're not exactly local to me. So before I decide, any reccomendations for a good Suspension specialist, preferably in the East Midlands area?

[rsvmilly]

Baines Racing at Silverstone know their stuff. Probably worth a call.

[Steve_T]

I'd say give K-Tech a call. I've spoken on the phone to these guys about my R1 front end and they were extremely helpful and could provide bits at good prices or do as much of the job as I requested. I think they do ok in racing too

Unit 1 Forest Court Linden Way,
Coalville Leicestershire LE67 3JY

Telephone : [phone]

Fax ; 01530 832061

Email : [e-mail]

[catso]

Thanks for the suggestions, I phoned K-Tech as they're not too far away from me and I've booked it in with them, prices seem reasonable and they are sole importers for Showa, so they should know what they're doing.

www.k-tech.uk.com/index.htm

[steve_T]

Excellent stuff, keep me posted on how you get on.

[fergus]

K-tech are very good and do a lot of racers' suspension. Very knowledgeable in terms of upragres and setup as well.

[catso]

They are very busy and have a 4 week lead time but they say that they'll do the job in a day, I'll post a report once it's sorted.

[catso]

Well, got my suspension back from K-Tech today have fitted it on the bike but now need to get all the other bits back on it! hopefully be finished by tomorrow or Sunday then time to test out the rebuild. I can actually 'hear' the oil running up and down the forks now, the old stuff must have 'set' - all looks nice and clean, service cost me just under £150 including new seals. should be as good as new.

[catso]

Revisiting this old thread, I have now ridden the bike on it's 'refreshed' suspension, (I have also altered the geometry slightly - higher at the rear, lower at the front) and it feels like a new bike again, especially the rear. I think I may have waited too long before getting it done so in future I will keep up with servicing the suspension.

Anyone considering a suspension service/upgrade I highly reccomend K-Tech for good job with reasonable prices

[s2ooz]

Had mine done last month too. any old garage can do it, hardly needs a specialist to drain the oil, and pour new stuff in.
My guy checked the spring, and compared it to the original dimensions from a parts cat. and found it was the same length so didnt need replacing.

huge improvment, and £90, ride in ride out rebuild. He did say 10,000 miles is enough though, mine was on 20,000 too.

[mtbr]

s2ooz said:

Had mine done last month too. any old garage can do it, hardly needs a specialist to drain the oil, and pour new stuff in. My guy checked the spring, and compared it to the original dimensions from a parts cat. and found it was the same length so didnt need replacing. huge improvment, and £90, ride in ride out rebuild. He did say 10,000 miles is enough though, mine was on 20,000 too.

The clever bit is knowing how much oil to pour in!