- Joined
- Aug 31, 2007
- Messages
- 1,023
- Reaction score
- 10
- Location
- Beaumont, Texas
- First Name
- Ken
- Last Name
- Phenix
Well sure enough my forks are bent thanks to loaning my bike to my B-law awhile back. First I took them to a machine shop that specialized in hydraulics, straightening bent rams, etc. I returned the next day only to find the wouldn't touch 'em - too thin they said.
Then I called Frank's which I understand is the only aftermarket fork manufacturer in the US. Forks for the Bandit were in stock! $249 for the pair plus about $22 UPS. (COD is the only way he ships) The only thing is the walls of the tubing Frank uses is so much thicker than stock, he sez my OEM springs won't fit. He hooked me up with a pair of Progressive Suspension springs through Fast Eddy for $74 paypal with free shipping. I kinda like the idea of beefier tubes & stiffer springs and still cheaper than the $400+ the OEM tubes would have set me back.
The springs arrived yesterday and the Frank's fork tubes came in today. The tubes are definitely heavier and have noticeably thicker walls. According to the digital scale the OEM tube weighs 3lbs 1.6oz and the Frank's unit is 3lbs 15oz. Just as Frank told me, the stock springs do not fit in the tubes but the new ones slide in just fine. I'm still waiting on seals and looking for fork oil cheaper than the dealer. Is there any other 10wt hydraulic oil that will work in a fork?
Then I called Frank's which I understand is the only aftermarket fork manufacturer in the US. Forks for the Bandit were in stock! $249 for the pair plus about $22 UPS. (COD is the only way he ships) The only thing is the walls of the tubing Frank uses is so much thicker than stock, he sez my OEM springs won't fit. He hooked me up with a pair of Progressive Suspension springs through Fast Eddy for $74 paypal with free shipping. I kinda like the idea of beefier tubes & stiffer springs and still cheaper than the $400+ the OEM tubes would have set me back.
The springs arrived yesterday and the Frank's fork tubes came in today. The tubes are definitely heavier and have noticeably thicker walls. According to the digital scale the OEM tube weighs 3lbs 1.6oz and the Frank's unit is 3lbs 15oz. Just as Frank told me, the stock springs do not fit in the tubes but the new ones slide in just fine. I'm still waiting on seals and looking for fork oil cheaper than the dealer. Is there any other 10wt hydraulic oil that will work in a fork?
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