OzSTOC
Honda ST1300 Section => Suspension ST1300 => Topic started by: redrider on July 15, 2013, 08:08:45 PM
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Hi fellas . Just a quick question, I now have my forks pulled down ready for a good clean out. If the springs are out of the service limit would it be better to stick to Honda springs or is there something better out there for the ST1300? and would it pay to change seals even if originals are not leaking
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I'd be more inclined to upgrade to a progressive spring if you need to replace the old ones and then upgrade the rear when that's due.
I'd do the fork seals while you've got it apart. It's one of those things that might be ok now but the moment you put it all back together you get a leaking seal once it's back together.
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I Just got quoted around $300 for a new set of fork springs.
Are there any better (not necessarily cheaper) alternatives?
Does anyone know a good contact I can speak to about it?
Total quote was $550 for front fork reconditioning, steering head bearing replacement, and lubing all the front end cables.
The springs were on top of this. Price seemed fair and equitable.
Comments?
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Here is an Australian company that does progressive fork springs and also rear shocks n springs. No prices but an email to them would provide that. I replaced my ST1100 fork springs with ones from Ikon and replaced the rear shock with a Fournales unit . . Pretty happy with result. But don't ride it like a pure sports bike.
It is a fairly easy job to do yourself if you have the time.
I seemed to have forgotten the link, here it is http://www.ikonsuspension.com/ (http://www.ikonsuspension.com/)
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Here is an Australian company that does progressive fork springs and also rear shocks n springs. No prices but an email to them would provide that. I replaced my stick fork springs with ones from Ikon.
It is a fairly easy job to do yourself if you have the time.
This one comes to mind but that's just because it's an Adelaide one.
http://store.suspensionshop.org/honda/st-1300/2000-2009.html (http://store.suspensionshop.org/honda/st-1300/2000-2009.html)
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I'm a compulsive suspension tinkerer. I spent a fortune trying to improve the ST's front end. I made some in roads but it was a painful journey where the end result wasn't that spectacular. I'll spare you the details but I found the design of the forks to be very basic and there is a limit to what you can do to make it better.
If your happy with the quality of the ride I'd leave it alone and just replace the springs with an OEM set or aftermarket with the same rate depending upon cost. If you go with OEM springs you'll be able to drop them straight in, fresh oil, seals and give yourself an easy job. Sometimes aftermarket springs aren't always an exact fit length wise and there's a bit of mucking around working out spacer lengths etc to get the spring preload right.
I can't comment on progressive springs as to whether they'll improve the ride or not. I've never had great results with progressive springs in other bikes but it depends on the individual and what sort of riding you do.
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For your average sports touring rider, the ST1300 (and to a lesser extent 1100) suspension is adequate for the twisties.
No doubt there are lots of superior riders who are ST owners and want more, but I hope they would be smart enough to realise they need a dedicated sports bike to achieve serious cornering performance.
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are the st1300 standard fork springs a progressive wound spring?
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I forgot to add the link to my above post . . Here it is http://www.ikonsuspension.com/ (http://www.ikonsuspension.com/)
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Hi,
Im just about to update (review after a few thousand klms) my original post after fitting Race tec (RT) front and Nitron R3 rear, when I read this post. Im 120kg. Frankly I consider the ST suspension very poor in standard guise, particularly the rear - well for my weight anyway. I do like to push along pretty quick at times, particularly around corners - so I need it to perform 1 and 2 up. Maybe if you were 60-70kg you may get away with it standard. If your a bit heaver, the bike simply rests on the 63mm air gap as the under rated spring cant cope.
For me - RT 1200 constant rate springs gave the correct sag and ground clearance in corners. Has 13 mm preload, 5 wt oil, 130 mm air gap, with the standard sports RT gold valve (4 large shims each leg). For me works a real treat. You can see the forks working hard, rather the front end riding over undulations.
For what its worth..