Warchild
Benevolent Dictator
This summer's multiple trips on the Hayabusa have indicated I am woefully overdue to freshen up the suspension. Like, way overdue.
Suspension systems are about the *only* bike components I am not willing to work on (the internals) myself - in addition to tools needed, etc, I don't do it often enough to stay good at it. Of course, there's no problem at all installing forks/shocks -that's straightforward enough. Suspension rebuilds, however, can be a different matter.
Forks: Not that I've been neglecting them, per say - I've change fork oil several times, replaced leaking seals, etc - but the fact is, after ten years and 100,000 miles, the front end is just tired, completely tired. Springs seem pretty spent - I have to jack up the pre-load almost to the max.
Shock: This my third OEM shock, previous two replaced under warranty. When new or still fairly young, the Hayabusa's factory shock is actually pretty good, you can adjust all three circuits (though preload is an ass-pain to adjust). However, this shock has 30,000+ miles on it, it is beyond tired and needs replacement. And my Extended Warranty ran out years ago.
So... I have been mulling over what to do for this decade-old, 100,000-mile LD warhorse. Since I am keeping this bike, it is time to re-invest in it.
My first thoughts were toward the forum's tried-and-true suspension guy, Dave at GP Suspension. But then I remembered he moved his shop to Oxnard, CA, which isn't exactly next door. I could elect to just work with him remotely, since I know him and his work.
Then there is always Traxxion. They certainly know their stuff; I recall a set of AK-20 cartridges in my 2000 Honda CBR1100XX forks that were superb in every respect. But then - Traxxion is on the other side of the country.
What about a third approach... find another suspension pro here in the PacNorWest, and work with him? So I did some googling and researched a guy in Chehalis, WA. Called him up and talked to him at length. He runs his mom-n-pop business from home (literally - "Pop" is the technical craftsmen, "Mom" runs the accounting books.)
It was apparent to me within minutes speaking with him that this guy knows his stuff. We chatted for quite a long time - best part of a hour - on how the Busa is set iup, what is is the bike's normal underway configuration, my weight, typical Givi bag weight, 4.8 gallon aux fuel cell weight, riding style, riding environment, etc, etc.
Then he hit me with what he wants to do:
Forks: I will retain the outer tube and slider - not much else. He's going to put in Race Tech springs (at least 1.0; he says that might go to 1.1 after he consults with Race Tech engineers). Rebound and compression circuits will also be swapped out for Race Tech Gold Valve equivalents. Then he will work out a custom shim stack for me.
Shock: His rear shock recommendation completely stunned me (and this is what convinced me to try this guy): he said that while I could buy a $1400 Ohlins unit from him if I wanted to, instead, he says why don't I save a ton of money and let him rebuild my factory shock with Race Tech internals, and re-spring it at the same time? I told him I was unaware that the factory shock is rebuild-able. He says "that's what the manufacturers want you to believe." He says when he is done rebuilding my OEM shock with Race Tech internals and stiffer spring, I will be amazed at the results.
I am going to give this guy a shot. Probably won't give him my forks for a while - maybe not till winter. Or I might move fairly soon, we shall see. Wish me luck, and I will of course report back with results when this adventure is over.
The business is called "Suspension Done Right", and while his web site itself could use an overhaul, this owner Bob Halverstadt seems like a very sharp guy. https://www.suspensiondr.com/
Forks: Not that I've been neglecting them, per say - I've change fork oil several times, replaced leaking seals, etc - but the fact is, after ten years and 100,000 miles, the front end is just tired, completely tired. Springs seem pretty spent - I have to jack up the pre-load almost to the max.
Shock: This my third OEM shock, previous two replaced under warranty. When new or still fairly young, the Hayabusa's factory shock is actually pretty good, you can adjust all three circuits (though preload is an ass-pain to adjust). However, this shock has 30,000+ miles on it, it is beyond tired and needs replacement. And my Extended Warranty ran out years ago.
So... I have been mulling over what to do for this decade-old, 100,000-mile LD warhorse. Since I am keeping this bike, it is time to re-invest in it.
My first thoughts were toward the forum's tried-and-true suspension guy, Dave at GP Suspension. But then I remembered he moved his shop to Oxnard, CA, which isn't exactly next door. I could elect to just work with him remotely, since I know him and his work.
Then there is always Traxxion. They certainly know their stuff; I recall a set of AK-20 cartridges in my 2000 Honda CBR1100XX forks that were superb in every respect. But then - Traxxion is on the other side of the country.
What about a third approach... find another suspension pro here in the PacNorWest, and work with him? So I did some googling and researched a guy in Chehalis, WA. Called him up and talked to him at length. He runs his mom-n-pop business from home (literally - "Pop" is the technical craftsmen, "Mom" runs the accounting books.)
It was apparent to me within minutes speaking with him that this guy knows his stuff. We chatted for quite a long time - best part of a hour - on how the Busa is set iup, what is is the bike's normal underway configuration, my weight, typical Givi bag weight, 4.8 gallon aux fuel cell weight, riding style, riding environment, etc, etc.
Then he hit me with what he wants to do:
Forks: I will retain the outer tube and slider - not much else. He's going to put in Race Tech springs (at least 1.0; he says that might go to 1.1 after he consults with Race Tech engineers). Rebound and compression circuits will also be swapped out for Race Tech Gold Valve equivalents. Then he will work out a custom shim stack for me.
Shock: His rear shock recommendation completely stunned me (and this is what convinced me to try this guy): he said that while I could buy a $1400 Ohlins unit from him if I wanted to, instead, he says why don't I save a ton of money and let him rebuild my factory shock with Race Tech internals, and re-spring it at the same time? I told him I was unaware that the factory shock is rebuild-able. He says "that's what the manufacturers want you to believe." He says when he is done rebuilding my OEM shock with Race Tech internals and stiffer spring, I will be amazed at the results.
I am going to give this guy a shot. Probably won't give him my forks for a while - maybe not till winter. Or I might move fairly soon, we shall see. Wish me luck, and I will of course report back with results when this adventure is over.
The business is called "Suspension Done Right", and while his web site itself could use an overhaul, this owner Bob Halverstadt seems like a very sharp guy. https://www.suspensiondr.com/
