is there any kind of upgrade for the forks or the internals.. I'd love to get some USD forks, but from what i've read/heard, I'd have to swap the whole front end over to an f4i setup.... what are my options here to upgrade my forks... if there's something I can do with the internals, thats cool too

 

You can get some race tech emulators, different fork springs and different fork oil. Or you could have a suspension shop revalve the forks and stuff.

 

Emulators are for damping rod forks like the F2.

Just "gold valves" for an F3...it will do wonders.

expect $170 in parts and $100 in labor. If springs are too soft for you, another $110. You can do the work yourself, but if you've never changed a fork seal, I wouldn't recommend it.

tracksideengineering.com - this place has done work for me....but its a busy time of year...turn around will be a couple weeks. for sure.

 

what's the extra 110 for? fat tax? ;-)

 

I didn't say it....HAHA. Forks springs are about $100-110 a set....the F3 is sprung fairly soft as far as the average american goes...like for a 160-165# rider. If you are WAY out of that range, then I would upgrade springs first and see how you like it. Shock spring is about the same price.

 

I'm about 185 or so.. I just set the stiffness on them a little higher and it seems to work fine, but then again, it's my first bike and I dont really have anything to compare it to.. .Thanks for the info.. ;-)

 

or you could upgrade to 03-06 600rr front end

 

whats involved in that upgrade? full front end replacement? done it change the steering geometry or the front ride height?

 

I put an F4i front end on my f3 track bike. Haven't rode it with that yet. Thetrail is a littledifferent, but I don't expect any issues. The steering stops aren't quite the same, but thats not so bad to work around. The steering stem bolts right in....same bearings and everything.

Given the price of fork rework, and how much F3 parts are worth on eBay, a swap isn't all that bad.

 

I was under the impression that it's unnecessary to replace springs as they don't wear out. Unless you're trying to upgrade, just pick up a set of seals and 32oz. of fork oil. It's easy as pie.

Take the new seal with you to a hardware store and find a piece of PVC that is as large, or SLIGHTLY larger in diameter than the seal. It's circumfrence should not exceed that of the seal or it won't work.

I swear, the hardest part about changing fork seals is finding a way to prop up your bike's front end. It took me about 2 1/2 hours to do one fork, then when I got the pipe, the other one tool seriously about 7 minutes. I'm not joking. Pour about 8.5oz. of oil into each fork and slap 'em back on.

Stock setup is 3 rings visable on the pre-load and 7 clicks out from full-in on the rebound. Set it up after you finish the seals and ride it. Make your adjustments from there.

It's a simple process that will let you bond with your bike (and probably cuss it). Do it with a buddy in the afternoon while making fun of each other.

Good times.