Just picked up a 98 F3 for $1000. Came with F4i side fairings and upper cowl with head light and F4i speedo. Has the stock tail and 600rr tail. I will be cleaning it up and hopefully getting it painted before warmer weather comes. Bike didnt come with a muffler so im in the market for that as well.

Had my lady friend join me in picking it up and as we are unloading im helping her undo the 2nd rear ratchet strap and she moved to the 1st front one on the right side of the bike. Silly me forgot to put the kickstand down and she didnt now that the bike would flop- excuse me crash into the side of the trailer. Thats how the journey of this bike started out. broke a chunk off of the upper cowl small crack in the headlight, broken speedo bracket, cracked tail fairing (the stock one thankfully).

Anywho i have ordered mirrors with integrated turn signals, neck bearings, fork seals and bushings, k and n airfilter, looking at getting new springs for the forks but not having luck finding any that arent stock, and got an F4i rear shock as well. Also ordered a new front brake lever as it was missing it.

Here are some pics as it sat when I got it. Right now its being torn down.

 

niceeee

 

very nice....

 

here are some updates and a link for more pics if you care to browse. Nothing special yet.

http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...g?t=1327460291

 

here are some updates nothing too exciting. Ill include a link to photobucket if youd care to see more.

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If you weight more than 160 lbs you need stiffer springs. I've been using Sonic Springs for over 5 years in 3 different bikes. 2 street and 1 full race bike. They sell them for about $90 for a pair shipped.

 

I weight about 210 and losing weight but wont go below 180 if i ever get back down that low haha. Sonic springs you say? How do you like them? Any info or advice on Progressive brand springs? How is spring stiffness measured?

 

Nothing exciting yet, replaced the steering bearings with some tapered ones from allballs. Used those on my zx9 and they work well. Had a fun time getting the triple off. top was stuck on real good and getting the race off the stem and the new bearing on was a PITA to say the least. Forks will be back together as soon as the seals, bushings, and springs get here.

 

My first bike was a 04 SV650S and never had a problem with the front end wanting to bottom out. Second bike is a 99 CBR1100XX, much heavier bike. This bike was prone for pushing out the front end and bottoming with the stock springs. Don't have that problem now.

Third bike is a anything but stock 96 F3. This is my race/track only bike. My first track day I had all stock suspension just to see what I needed to do for me. The front end with full preload bottomed out with ease under heavy braking. So bad that the front tire skip trying to push out. As soon as I got home I ordered springs from Sonic Springs. Now some of you guys would asked was the fork oil level right. Yes it was and no leaks.

Next time out with just new springs, oil, and seals made a big improvement. Didn't have the preload max out or even close. No front end chatter or it wanting to push out. Later on I put in Race Tech compression and rebound gold valves in for more adjustments. The everyday rider doesn't need the better valves, unless your really going to push it to the limits and beyond.


I don't believe in progressive springs. Think about it, the more the forks compress the stiffer they get. That means the first inch or so of the fork travel is wasted.

Springs are measured in Kg/mm. What that means is how many kilograms it takes to compress it 1 mm. Going by your earlier post you need .95Kg/mm springs.

 

I used the calculator on sonics site. Says 1.0 for me. I ride pretty agressive on the street. Plus im a bit heavy. I moved the weight and other variables just to see how it would change. And it was 1.0 for sure. Thanks for the advice!