Recently I swapped my 95 f3 forks with a set from a 97. I know there was some changes for the 97's in the front suspension, just curious what makes it different? Is it just different spring rates? Maybe different weight shock oil or different valving perhaps? Also, does anyone know if the springs are linear or progressive, and if they're linear, what are the stock spring rates?

 

cbr f3, 41mm HMAS cartridge fork;
spring-preload and rebound-damping adjustability;
5.1-inch travel
pretty sure there the same from 95 - 98 , only major change to the bike was the tail section , if your looking for better front suspension , just have them revalved and new springs put in, set to your weight with all your riding gear on.

 

I forgot where i read it, but a past motorcycle review of a 97 f3 was ranting and raving about how the suspension was finally setup perfectly and how it felt "the way it should." But it never went into detail about what has really changed, so i dunno. I could only see them doing different spring rates and maybe different weight shock oil at the very most.

I've rode the bike for about 50 miles and it feels like it might be a tad stiffer, maybe more preload in it, but there's no way to know if the settings are at factory or adjusted.

Edit: the 97-98 f3 did come with slightly different engines, i know they make about 5hp more than the 95-96, at least from what i would assume honda reported whent he 97 came out.

 

yea i read the same report , but ive yet o find specs on the forks for a 97