Transalp XL600v soft front end

[trh71]

Hi folks, i've just got myself a honda transalp XL600v 50th anniversary model on a W plate, from a lady rider. I'm finding it far too soft on the front end almost bottoming out. Could it've been made softer? She wasn't so tall, i think the rear shock might've been backed off a bit too. Do you have any ideas? Ta

[FatFergie]

Hello trh71, welcome to the site.

Just a couple of Qs,
Have you ridden a bike like this before? If you haven't it can seem very soft because of the weight transfer/longer travel when really it's not that soft.
How do you know it's bottoming out?
What year is a W?

The first thing I'd do is check that you've not got a leak from the fork seals and that you've got the full amount of oil. If you don't know the oil's been changed it's worthwhile doing it. While you have the gaitors off you can see how much travel you're using by tying a cable tie to the stanchion just above the slider and going for your normal kind of ride. Where the tie ends up will be the extent of the suspension travel. Ideally it should be close to the maximum. You can check the maximum by taking out the spring and pushing the leg up as far as it'll go.

[trh71]

Hello fatfergie
I've owned many bikes over the years but not a big trailie before. The bike is a 2000 German import, just before they changed to the 650. the bike is fitted with engine bars and on heavy breaking are starting to catch the front mudgard, i've not had chance or rarther time (you know how it is!) to check the forks, the bike had been stood for 3 years. this'll give me something to sort out when i get back from my hols.
Thanks trh71

[CC Baxter]

I've heard of shorter riders cutting the springs down before. Hardly best practice but one to watch out for.

[africajim]

Hi mate, if a small rider's had the bike last it could easily have the forks dropped in the yolks? Check the position of the fork leg in the top yolk. If it's protruding it's possibly been dropped. Simply slacken off the yolks and slip the legs back down to flush with the top yolk and tighten.
Just a thought!

[FatFergie]

Hope you get it sorted. Fouling like that is potentially very dangerous. Normally the makers of engine bars and the like will make sure there's no conflict so I suspect your forks have been moved or modified. Let us know how you get on.
And enjoy your holidays.

[wheeliebin]

Don't the 600's have large spacers above the fork springs, reducing these would both lower and soften the front end.

[FatFergie]

Don't the 600's have large spacers above the fork springs, reducing these would both lower and soften the front end.

True ( mine does anyway). Something to look out for.

[trh71]

Finaly i've had chance to have a look at my forks, there's no spacer on top of the springs, when the front wheel is off the ground, the springs are flush with the top of the fork legs. Oil is like piss water, would thicker oil slow them down? if so what grade/ how much? is that allen screw in the end of the fork leg the drain screw? How much of a spacer would be good? Ta TIM

[sproggy]

Use 10w oil for slightly more effective damping than standard (standard is 5w). There should be a 125mm air gap (fork compressed, spring removed) on the 600 - oil quantity is done by level rather than volume.

You're better off fitting a standard-size spacer and see how you get on with that before you start experimenting with different sizes. Progressive springs improve the front end (particularly if the old springs are tired) but you may wish to try them standard first before shelling out for new springs.

The allen bolt in the bottom of the fork leg holds the damper rod in place - it's not a drain plug! To drain the forks you need to remove them, remove the top cap and spring, turn them upside down and pump them enthusiastically over a suitable container, leaving them to drain upside down for a while afterwards. Get yourselve a Haynes manual - everything will become clear.