Rebuild your Front Forks on a Budget

Spending a small amount of cash reviving your suspension makes a monumental difference. Saves buying a new bike... Since my Suzuki SV650S stepped out of retirement earlier this year, one thing in particular has been crying out for correction. After nearly 16,000 kilometers the forks, a soft setup even on brand-new bikes, offered almost no resistance. The springs felt tired, the damping was non-existent, and even gentle braking had them bottoming out.

A cheap fix was needed to suit a budget bike. A local motorcycle shop on Suksawat Road offered a solution. His simple suggestion: stiffer fork springs and thicker oil. Here's how they transformed the bike for under 6000 Baht.

And the difference? Huge - far more composure under braking, no bottoming out over dips and bumps in the road, a nicer ride and a much happier owner. Static sag has improved from an excessive 37mm to a perfect 25mm. Without doubt, the best value modification I've ever experienced on a bike.