Hey guys,

I'm a little perplexed about how to handle this problem.

Data: 6'1" ~230lbs.

My front end suspension (Intiminators + stock springs) has 0" sag.

Let me give you some back story.

When I installed them initially last year, unknowingly I had received a set of Intinimators that were manufactured large. No one believed me when I said I had to force them into the tube. It took every bit of strength I had to seat them. Installed per the instructions and set fork oil level to approx 5" from the top. (Install calls for 4"-5" from the top of the tube.)

It rode hard.

I got a replacement set when I contacted Brian@Ricor no questions asked. Great service.

When I installed the new set back in December, I had cut a piece of sched 40 pvc -1" (or so) shorter than stock spacer. I don't remember what specs I filled the tubes with, oil wise.

The bike rode hard.

Back in late winter, I tore the front end apart again and found that I had much different levels of fork oil. I'll say that was my error. I don't know how I did it but I did.

The pvc spacer seemed like it was banging hard so I removed it and reinstalled the stock metal spacer.

I refilled the tubes with the stock amount of fork oil (29.6oz), type E. Actually installed 29.5oz. Would love to know how you can accurately measure 1/10oz.

Again the front end is hard as heck. Recently on a ride with Sniper77 I asked him to watch my front end while I sat on the seat. There was no movement or sag in the front forks at all.

I just don't have the time to fiddle with different levels of fork oil, etc.

What's a proven method for adjusting the sag? How much is too much? Obviously having zero sag is very bad. It would possibly explain why when I'm rollin through long sweepers the front end is just wobbly as heck.

Should I just cut down the spacer and/or adjust the fork oil levels?

I remember measuring the oil the last time and at 4"-5" I had ~19oz of fork oil in the tube.

 

Are you saying that when you sit on the bike the forks don't move at all?

At 230 using the INTIMNIATORS and stock springs you should cut your spacer tube about 3/4" to get about 1-3/4" sag on the front of your bike. 4"-5" is a good oil height if you are measuring it with the forks fully compressed.

 

Yes, that's what I'm saying. Zero movement.

Is the stock (29.6oz) amount of fork oil too much?

 

That is on the high side. Also I didn't see in your first post that you used type E fork oil. You need to run 10W with those forks and INTIMINATORS.

Right now I bet your forks are not moving when you hit a bump, then because of no sag the whole bike is moving up then back down.

 

Ok, I'll change the set-up and see how it works out.

As far as how it takes bumps, you hit the nail on the head.

 

Try draining some oil and see what that does, if it doesn't change check the spacers, if it is not moving at all on bumps I think you have a spacer issue.

 

I may get some time today to adjust the front. Let ya know what I found out.

 

Are you getting any brake dive? When I installed the intiminators I didn't cut my spacers down and I filled the forks by measuring the height of the oil to the top of the tube, don't remember the specifics. I only have about 1/4" of sag in the front and 3/4" in the back, have some brake dive but the front handles bumps well, I can see the marks on the tubes from where I clean them so I know they are moving.

 

Try taking the bike down off your jack and see if that helps free up the front

 

For sure, a rock hard front is going to play havoc with handling.
For the issue you express of hi speed sweeper instability, I think the main problem is long, unbraced front forks, a rubber mounted non-stabilized engine/tranny unit. Enormously heavy bike in a non sporting frame that is gonna have some big-time flex in heavy duty usage.... fast sweepers, bumps, hard braking, etc.

After you get the forks dialed in, there will still be the engine mount stability issue, and long front fork issues AND no matter the outcome of a possible engine mount stabilizer system, you will still have a very flexible frame hauling around a mega-weight motorcycle.