2002 900 Fork Tubes

[RAT900]

OK so I have this new used 02 900 ie. that I took out yesterday for its first shake-down run...decent bike 

The Showa fork tube tops (not the adjuster knobs just the tube tops)  are flush even with the top of the upper triple tree...the steering seems awfully light and twitchy...Schwinn-like

did the prior owner get fancy with the weight distribution, throwing it to the rear by raising the front to the max or is this how the bike was set up from the factory?

If he moved it does any one know what the factory standard set up was?  i.e. how many mm's above the top triple tree the tube tops should be?  If you have an answer let me know if you are measuring from the tube cap top or the top of the adjuster

I want to establish the starting point and work from there

Thanks
Rat

[Ddan]

On my 2000, 3/4" from the flat of the fork cap to the top edge of the triple, 28 3/4" overall length

[Speeddog]

'02 has different triple clamps from the earlier models, has the spanner nut on the top as opposed to the bolt.
Not that it's absolutely for sure different because of that.

An '01 M900 here in my shop has the forks protruding 3/4" above the top of the triple.
Whether that's OEM position or not, I don't know.

My '02 S4 has the forks flush with the top of the triple, as you describe your '02 900 having 'em.
At least for my S4, that's OEM position per my service manual.

Perhaps someone here has a service manual for the '02 900 and can confirm.

[Fresh Pants]

'02 has different triple clamps from the earlier models, has the spanner nut on the top as opposed to the bolt.
Not that it's absolutely for sure different because of that.

An '01 M900 here in my shop has the forks protruding 3/4" above the top of the triple.
Whether that's OEM position or not, I don't know.

My '02 S4 has the forks flush with the top of the triple, as you describe your '02 900 having 'em.
At least for my S4, that's OEM position per my service manual.

Perhaps someone here has a service manual for the '02 900 and can confirm.

Did the '02 S4 have those funky integrated clipons of the '01?

[RAT900]

Thanks guys....

I think 3/4 inch is where I will start...

damn near every photo I have seen of the 2002's on the web (and I have searched out most of them) have had something short of an inch of tube above the upper tree

just an eyeball guesstimate in relation to surrounding parts but good enough to start with for setting up the suspension for my carcass

[pitbull]

both my 00 and 01 900 monsters are approx. 3/4 " of fork above top triple

[Howie]

'02 and newer are flush.  Actually, for ride height the proper, by the book method is supposed to be from the bottom of the lower triple to the top of the fork tube (not including cap).  Unfortunately I don't know what that measurement is.  Before lowering the front.  Your first step should be checking rear preload.  If you cannot achieve proper sag the spring is too light for you and needs to be replaced with a proper spring.

[battlecry]

Is it possible for you to check the P/N of the forks to be sure they belong in your model?  The reason I'm puzzled by your post is that I just raised the forks on my M800 5mm and it noticeably eased low speed turn-in.  Yours is flush and you say it is skittish, and want to raise it 18mm or so.  I'd be a little wary.   I'll try to find some dimensions for you to check.

[battlecry]

See if these numbers make sense on your bike:

Stock seat height 770mm.
Height of the top of the round instrument cluster 1060mm
Ground clearance to pipe 150mm

Recommended preload on shock 20mm
Bottom of triple to top edge of fork (not the cap) 280mm
Fork spring free lenght 319mm

They are from a 900 Workshop Manual.  Unfortunately, it is undated.

The diagrams do show the bike with the earlier triple like Speedog says and the fork showing about 3/4" above the triple.

[Speeddog]

Did the '02 S4 have those funky integrated clipons of the '01?

Yeah, '01 and '02 had 'em.

[RAT900]

I think I will head over to Gold Coast tomorrow and see if I can look up the info in one of their shop book(s) and s/w one of the service guys

The rear shock is a Sachs so that is going to be history pretty soon