You suspension experts, here's a couple of easy questions for you.

I have just ordered up some Racetech springs in the .095 range, proper for my weight, 175lbs, to replace the soft (must be stock) ones that came in my bike. I am a pretty agressive canyon rider who also tracks this bike.. I've already shimmed up the rear shock height to get that right and I've changed the spacers at the front to get better sag/pre-load set up and I have the fork legs set at 9.8mm above the triple to make it handle like I like..Up slightly with the legs. The springs I am taking out are much too soft, however...hate the way the front goes down under even modest braking, so....

With the stiffer fork springs I should be a bit more satisfied...perhaps later I'll buy and install the rest of the Racetech internals, but for now, just the springs. And of course, re-adjusting all the settings again for that change.

Question: The shop manual calls for Honda SS8 fluid. Is that what I should refill the forks with after the spring rate change? Is there a better fluid for the forks? Think one weight thicker would be called for with the significant increase in spring rate?

Any advice..? I'm pretty happy with the way the bike is working now (it was simply awful when it came to me...waaaay bad!) but I don't know anyone personally who's messed with the CBR 600 set up...so I am going on my own general knowledge and a bit of trial and error here. Help or advice would be greatly appreciated..
Don Hanson

 

I dropped Racetech springs (.095kg) and Motul 10w oil in mine along with new seals this winter. Haven't gotten to ride her yet but the OEM springs I took out were anemic compared to the beefy racetechs. I'm not sure that I used a spacer at all, don't believe I did though. Just sitting on her in the shop I can tell the front is way more stiff. Those OEM springs look like they were recruited for motorcycle duty after a 10 year stint in the **** industry! Just a bit worn out LOL!

 

I also used 10w oil in my forks. Did you also do gold valves, or just the springs?

 

Doing just the springs will make your rebound seem useless. Its barely strong enough for the stock .68kg springs, they won't be able to handle .95kg. I did .85kg springs[wanted a little softness as its still a street bike] and gold rebound valves. I used stock honda 10w fork oil. Racetech recommends 5w with their valves but I just had the shim stack adjusted for the 10w. The flip side to that is the compression adjustment is firm to begin with, I have maybe 1 turn from full soft dialed in. Doing it again I'd use 5w oil which would soften the compression adjustment some.