Fork dampening issues??

ichibunkid.206 · August 14th, 2013, 01:13 PM

Hi Folks,

I'm not sure but I think I may be having issues with my front forks, and I'm hoping someone can help me out here...

I have a 2011 2fiddy with roughly 2400 miles on it... I took it in last summer to my mechanic for it's 1000 mile service.. Just recently probably about a month ago I noticed that under hard breaking, or when I go over a rather sharp bump in the road way like a pot hole I can feel something in the front suspension hit against something else and I'm not sure what, or where..

I've checked the bike at home in my garage and nothing appears to be loose in the front fork area, when I sit on the bike in the garage I can't generate enough downward force to re-create the bump, or hitting I'm feeling in forks through the handle bars.. I don't see any signs of leakage on the front forks anywhere, or any puddles from leakage after the bike has sat for the week-end when I get on it and leave for work.

I'm making an assumption that the problem is in the forks at this time, but I am certain that the problem is in the front end some where.

Does anyone have a guess as to what the problem might be or where/how I can figure out what the problem is?

thanks

Alex · August 14th, 2013, 01:16 PM

It's possible you're just bottoming out the forks, and it's happening more often now as you might be going a bit faster than when you were new, and may be braking harder. For larger riders on the 250, it's still pretty easy to bounce them into their stops (making that clunking noise). If that's the case, the riding fix is more progressive braking; the mechanical fix is thicker fork oil and/or stiffer springs.

Lychee · August 14th, 2013, 02:20 PM

and valve emulators!

Alex · August 14th, 2013, 02:38 PM

Those too.

ichibunkid.206 · August 14th, 2013, 05:24 PM

Thanks for the info guy's

Senator · August 14th, 2013, 05:54 PM

If you want to check how much suspension travel you are actually using a simple trick is to loosely attach some plastic wire ties around the fork tubes so that they can slide easily but stay in place when after they have moved. Attach them so they are against the fork slider/oil seal while the bike is at rest, then take the bike out for a ride using your brakes and hitting your favorite pot holes, bring it back home and measure how far up the wire ties have moved, if the distance is near full suspension travel it's time for some mods.

August 14th, 2013, 01:13 PM	#1
ichibunkid.206 ninjette.org member Name: Phil Location: Seattle Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Ninja 250R Posts: 190	Fork dampening issues?? Hi Folks, I'm not sure but I think I may be having issues with my front forks, and I'm hoping someone can help me out here... I have a 2011 2fiddy with roughly 2400 miles on it... I took it in last summer to my mechanic for it's 1000 mile service.. Just recently probably about a month ago I noticed that under hard breaking, or when I go over a rather sharp bump in the road way like a pot hole I can feel something in the front suspension hit against something else and I'm not sure what, or where.. I've checked the bike at home in my garage and nothing appears to be loose in the front fork area, when I sit on the bike in the garage I can't generate enough downward force to re-create the bump, or hitting I'm feeling in forks through the handle bars.. I don't see any signs of leakage on the front forks anywhere, or any puddles from leakage after the bike has sat for the week-end when I get on it and leave for work. I'm making an assumption that the problem is in the forks at this time, but I am certain that the problem is in the front end some where. Does anyone have a guess as to what the problem might be or where/how I can figure out what the problem is? thanks __________________________________________________ ATGATT Quote Wild Hogs - Woody: "May be I don't want to wear a helmet, Maybe I don't want anything between me and the road" Bobby: "You will if your head falls on it"

August 14th, 2013, 01:16 PM	#2
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	It's possible you're just bottoming out the forks, and it's happening more often now as you might be going a bit faster than when you were new, and may be braking harder. For larger riders on the 250, it's still pretty easy to bounce them into their stops (making that clunking noise). If that's the case, the riding fix is more progressive braking; the mechanical fix is thicker fork oil and/or stiffer springs. __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

August 14th, 2013, 02:20 PM	#3
Lychee sail away Name: Jon Location: San Jose Join Date: Jul 2012 Motorcycle(s): gixxer (sold), ninjette (upgrade!) Posts: 964 Blog Entries: 8	and valve emulators! __________________________________________________ Unregistered found this post helpful. Track Day Preparation Checklist 1. Financial 2. Mental 3. Physical 4. Gear / Bike

August 14th, 2013, 02:38 PM	#4
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	Those too. __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

August 14th, 2013, 05:24 PM	#5
ichibunkid.206 ninjette.org member Name: Phil Location: Seattle Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Ninja 250R Posts: 190	Thanks for the info guy's __________________________________________________ ATGATT Quote Wild Hogs - Woody: "May be I don't want to wear a helmet, Maybe I don't want anything between me and the road" Bobby: "You will if your head falls on it"

August 14th, 2013, 05:54 PM	#6
Senator ninjette.org newbie Name: Ernie Location: Regina, SK Canada Join Date: Oct 2009 Motorcycle(s): 09 Ninja 250R, 08 Concours, 85 Ninja 900 Posts: 6	If you want to check how much suspension travel you are actually using a simple trick is to loosely attach some plastic wire ties around the fork tubes so that they can slide easily but stay in place when after they have moved. Attach them so they are against the fork slider/oil seal while the bike is at rest, then take the bike out for a ride using your brakes and hitting your favorite pot holes, bring it back home and measure how far up the wire ties have moved, if the distance is near full suspension travel it's time for some mods.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
DIY- Replace fork seals, dust seals and fork oil	shortstuff	2008 - 2012 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	212	November 6th, 2023 10:53 AM
FS: Pregen : Fork Springs, Fork Clamp, Factory Pro Jet kit	FvnnyL3tt3r1ng	Motorcycle-related	20	February 24th, 2016 08:24 AM
Can fork springs be changed without removing the fork tubes?	AlanDog	1986 - 2007 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	26	April 23rd, 2014 05:19 AM
Fork length?	Mountain Dew	2008 - 2012 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	4	September 6th, 2012 08:54 PM
Fork Alignment Issues?	Ninja28	2008 - 2012 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	4	July 27th, 2011 11:18 PM