01' 750 Showa fork spring adjustment

[scaudill]

Brad,
I would appreciate your results with those forks.  Before I disassemble, I'd like to make the tools I'll need.  My weight is 160 lbs. with helmet and think the current springs are about right. 
So when I've gathered more info I'll begin that project.

[scaudill]

I think my Race Tech springs will arrive today.  I'll pickup seals tomorrow morning at Racers Edge (local mc shop).
My Haynes and Ducati service manual say measure oil before installing springs,  is that correct?

[ducpainter]

Yes, oil level is measured with springs removed.

[scaudill]

 My new springs will be 80 mm shorter than original ones.  Won't that have a big effect on oil level?

[ducpainter]

Probably.

The spec given in the manuals is for stock springs/spacers.

If you haven't disassembled things yet you can check to see what it is installed with your old springs and adjust accordingly with your new springs.

You can also play with oil level and weight to adjust the damping somewhat with the stock components.

It's all trial and error, which is why I send mine out to someone that's already done the experimenting.

[Howie]

Probably.

The spec given in the manuals is for stock springs/spacers.

If you haven't disassembled things yet you can check to see what it is installed with your old springs and adjust accordingly with your new springs.

You can also play with oil level and weight to adjust the damping somewhat with the stock components.

It's all trial and error, which is why I send mine out to someone that's already done the experimenting.

Yep. 

[brad black]

the 750ssie forks which i was playing with seem to have massive low speed damping.  even with maxima 5 wt they still had a lot.  i think they'd need a small bleed hole at each end of the cartridge just to take the edge of it.  they were almost impossible to drain too, i had them upside down and the oil was leaking out the shaft as i worked them for 10 minutes or more i think, there's just no holes in the cartridge.

i don't recall monster forks feeling like this tho.  you could probably do the gsxr internal conversion to yours.

[scaudill]

Starting reassembly of the Showa 43mm forks.  With cartridge in, 220 ml oil in and cartridge pumped as per manual (Haynes and Ducati).  Added the remaining 220 ml of oil, checked oil height to fork top, 150 mm.  Added 60 ml more bring total to 500 ml, 130 mm.  Fork is bottomed, nothing but cartridge in.  According to the manuals forks use 440 ml and the measurement from oil level to fork to should be 80 mm.
Any ideas on what I'm doing wrong?  I must be missing something.
Thanks,  Sterling

[brad black]

assuming you're doing it right, it's only oil in a hole.  just put in as required.  i'd run the 130 mm, or even lower.

[scaudill]

Brad,
Thanks for your help.  I ended up with 100 mm on each side.   Expect to remove forks again to make changes in spacer length.  So, I'll heed your advice of 130 mm.
Thanks again.