[a10ken]

it only happens on bumps/hollows and then mostly on extension, hens the oil check, disc is fine with no slop in the bobbins and pads are ginger greased on the back

[mattsz]

the fork length stays the same but the spacers reduces the available space inside by compressing the spring slightly therefor increasing pressure on the spring and causing the fork to extend taking up some of the sag raising the ride height slightly

Got it.  I thought you were claiming to have increased the actual travel, but it seems I misunderstood - you have simply reduced the sag to make more of the travel usable (or "available," as you said!).  In your photo it looks like the spacer doesn't fit inside the fork tube, but instead rests on top, where it wouldn't compress the spring, and I couldn't get my head around how it went together.

I'm off now, I'll leave you guys to it...

[58webbing]

Hi A10ken,
your comments on the damping got me to thinking, as when I set off on a journey I hear some road bump related rattling which I first thought was something loose however after a few hundred yards it disapeared. So first thing this morning I bounced the forks up and down and sure enough no or very little damping afer a few seconds the damping "became normal". My conclusion is the oil is settling and needs a little pumping to get it to where it is needed. What to do? I dont think a thicker oil would help me as once I am up and away everything is fine. Do I raise the level as this would increase the air pressure in the forks and possibly pop the seals as well as make the forks stiffer. I have come across having to work the suspension on other bikes and is something I can live with.
I look forward with interest on your findings with changing your oil, finding your comments so far have helped me find out more about the Interceptor,s characteristics.
Today I will make and fit some 20mm spacers.

[a10ken]

hi 58, i will be checking the oil quantity in each leg as the manual only gives a volume rather than a more accurate oil level height, apparently inconsistency in fork filling is not unheard of.

[a10ken]

from a previous post.(just had a look in the manual and page 496 fig6.9.115 states 430ml of 2w25 and page 497 in the text top left states 10wt oil)

[58webbing]

I have just replaced the 16mm spacers with 20mm ones and that has made a more noticable difference. The centre stand to side stand sag is about 6mm and the sag with me sitting on the bike is about 15mm. When I rock the bike back and forth pushing down hard on the front while sitting on it the gaiters compress to what I would consider to be OK giving about 35mm "more travel" than std. When the rain stops a road test will show any difference in handling. My current thoughts on the subject are that spacers between 16 and 20mm should give the adjustment/improvement needed with fine tuning of the last 5mm for the perfectionist.

[a10ken]

how very well done sir. i proberbly wont be looking at the oil qty until i put the bike to bed for winter and get a winter hack out for the work commute

[Arizoni]

10 weight oil in my forks works for me.
Heavier oil will just slow down the speed that the fork can compress and rebound so bumps will be much harder on both the rider and the motorcycle.

I can't see that anything is going to be gained by putting heavy weight oil in a front fork.

[Sprinter]

Has anybody else noticed how after around 100 kms the front end seems to feel like the wheels are slightly square i.e. a sort of jitteryness that you feel through the handlebars? (jitteryness is a technical term obviously!) Would different oil in the forks help or should I just check the level/volume of oil in the forks? Any suggestions gratefully received, apart from that a great bike!

[beagle]

do you mean like a slight flat or high spot thumping, but no vibration. My rear does this but I'm told its within the spec limits of manufacturing. Bloody annoying on smooth roads where its noticeable, not so bad on slightly rough surfaces.  Trying my best to wear the rear out so I can put a decent tyre on.

[Richard230]

That could be the result of an imbalance in the front or rear wheel.  It probably wouldn't be the first time that a wheel and tire combination left an India motorcycle factory not properly balanced. 

[a10ken]

hi sprinter, could be a few things, but after a 100k ride,  your body weight may have shifted rearward causing the front end to feel skittish. try leaning in a fraction or dropping your elbows.

[darmahman]

In my case I whined about it on this web site, tried everything but in the end, they must have forgotten to adjust the spokes at the wheel factory, because they were incredibly highly out of spec. Only the front, but at least 10 of them had to be re-torque'd by a mechanic friend of mine. Then all was well.

[olhogrider]

About my only complaint. I couldn't figure out what was causing it. Even changing and balancing the tires didn't help. I did notice that the forks barely moved unless there was a strong force like braking applied. One day I noticed that the bouncing was gone and the forks seemed way more compliant. That was at about 2000 miles. No more bouncy!

[Sprinter]

Thanks for the replies, I did get the dealer to check it out and they decided that the tyre was not bedded properly in the wheel well. Deflated and re-inflated and did seem better for a while. Maybe with a little wear on the tyre I need to do that again. Wheel seems perfectly trimmed so not sure where to go. Maybe I will try the sit further forward approach. Anyway not a real problem just slightly annoying.