99VFR front forks are stiff

[94caprice]

I recently purchased a 99 VFR complete bike with mods for the parts needed to fix my 98VFR. I am gonna try to sell the 99 or possibly trade my son for his 95 s-10. There are a few issues with the 99, that i have to work out if i trade my son. The thing i am not sure about is the front forks. The guy i got it from who didnt have it long said the front forks were rebuilt. I didnt notice anything on my roadtest, but the next day, i noticed when hitting bumps, there was no rebound. The forks are stiff & dont move at all. You can see where some amateur rounded off the big nuts at the top of the forks & backed the adjusters all the way out. I tried to adjust them, but no luck. I have heard that the wrong weight fork oil will do that? Any ideas?
How hard is it to drain & refill the forks?
I am not a motorcycle mechanic, bua am a car mechanic for 25 years, so i can do most anything on the bike, just dont know how or what is the easiest way to do it. Also does anybody know what years VFR750 forks would bolt up to my 98?

[94caprice]

Also, i dont know what springs they used in the forks.

[squirrelman]

FIRST you need about 3/4 inch static sag and must set preload adjusters and spacers to get it.

excess oil or too heavy oil can stiffen forks, as well as any bends.

[steven113]

I have a set of forks for a 98 one tube is defenetly bent ant the other appears straight ( until you seperate and roll it you dont know for sure). They came off a wrecked bike with only 6k. The lower ends are in great shape as far as I can tell. between What you have and this You may be able to solve the problem. I bought new for my bike and kept these for spare lowers. PM me if you are interested in buying them, Ill send pics if you want and would take $100.00 Plus shiping.

[94caprice]

I got the forks fixed. I removed them today & someone had trans.fluid in them, i believe since it was red. I drained them & added belray 7w fork oil & it seems good.

[relic rider]

Some people use tranny fluid to stiffen things up ,its like using 15w if i remember correctly.

[squirrelman]

NOT correct......


ATF is roughly equavalent to 7wt fork oil, but if caprice feels that his forks are better.....they might have been over-filled to start with.