What the heck did robin1731 buy now??!!

[ericheath]

Dragging up an old thread, but for Robin, or anyone with experience, will this shorten the amount of travel also? I am about to put on a set of 85 Magna forks (whole front end) on one of my wings, either the 77 or 83. They had pretty long shocks and I don't think I will like the added height. I could cut two inches as Robin shows above, and then maybe a bit at the top sticking through. It would be a good upgrade for the brakes and stiffer 41mm forks. If I had a donor gl1200 that would be better, but I have a Magna that is pretty much dead in the water I think. I am not enough of a rider to know how this might affect overall ridability, so I'm looking for advice. I'm thinking of this as a boulevard bobber type. Anyone want to opine?

[robin1731]

Yes it will shorten the travel. But if you use the same springs and spacers it will also make it stiffer.

[ericheath]

How will that affect cornering? on a rougher road?

[robin1731]

It will be stiffer, like I said. Some forks have a spacer on top of the spring. Sometimes an inch or a little longer. If you don't use that spacer then the forks won't be as stiff. A lot depends on the fork springs too. If they are worn/weak then they will be softer. If too soft they should be replaced. Whether using this method of shortening the forks or even with stock forks.

My super sport wing has the forks shortened about an inch. Along with progressive springs iti s pretty stiff. Many on here would find it too stiff. I don't mind it. If you ride aggresively then you will like the stiffer forks. The bike won't compress the forks as much in a high speed turn. And it won't dive as much during hard braking.

The ride you will get with any forks or rear shocks is really up to the rider. If you like plush and soft or stiff and harsh. It can all be done the way you like it.

[ericheath]

For Robin or anyone who knows. Robin did this and removed the anti dive. If I do this on v65 Magna shocks, will the spacer eliminate the anti dive mechanism? (Trac drive) I haven't pulled one of these apart yet and don't know what's down there. I want to shorten mine at least two inches.

[robin1731]

I've never had a Honda one apart so I couldn't say. Sorry.

[ericheath]

I've been reading. it sounds like a lot of people by-pass them to save the seals from blowing out. I think I'll do that.

[ericheath]

I was reading on other sites, and they say if you shorten this way, you have to reduce fork oil proportionately. True?? Sorry for the questions, but I'm learning as I go.

[robin1731]

I was reading on other sites, and they say if you shorten this way, you have to reduce fork oil proportionately. True?? Sorry for the questions, but I'm learning as I go.

Yeah, pretty much. That is when it's good to use the measurement method for oil. Like so many inches from the top. Rather than a certain amount. Like 409cc's, like the Yamaha I just did yesterday.