[GinoMachino]

I have a 2006 R6. On it were forks. Black outer tubes. I bought a used set of OEM forks with Ohlins cartridges. These have gold outer tubes. I was told by the seller that these were from an 08+

Here is my question in two parts - can the color of outer forks be a definite indicator of bike's generation, and why is it that both sets of forks were the same length unloaded?

 

[TurboBlew]

I have a 2006 R6. On it were forks. Black outer tubes. I bought a used set of OEM forks with Ohlins cartridges. These have gold outer tubes. I was told by the seller that these were from an 08+

Here is my question in two parts - can the color of outer forks be a definite indicator of bike's generation, and why is it that both sets of forks were the same length unloaded?

color doesnt matter. My 07 forks with ohlins carts have ~145mm of chrome on them (unloaded). From what I understand stock is ~120mm (unloaded)

I havent compared them to a stock 08+ set just yet but a stock fork should be ~10mm longer (total length) on the later model.

 

[GinoMachino]

so the difference is in the inner tube, outer tube or both?

I measured my F1 distance for sag and have 142mm from bottom of chrome on inner tube to the bottom of gold outer tube

I suppose i can take the same measurement on the original forks...

 

[MELK-MAN]

the total length is diff on the 06-07 vs 08+ but don't know if it's the upper, lower or both that are different. compare on a parts microfishe. (fische??) As TB said, color is not an indicator. it's just a color.

 

[GinoMachino]

Here is the result of my measurement:

The length of the exposed inner tube is 144mm. This is after I pulled down on the front wheel while the bike was on the stand to counteract the top-out spring. This is exactly 10mm longer than my original forks. From the looks of it, the fork travel is actually longer because the outer tubes are the same length.

So if my bottom out length is the same, should I leave the forks mounted flush with the triple and run 10mm more sag or should I split the difference and raise the forks 5mm and run 5mm less spring preload?

 

[TurboBlew]

Here is the result of my measurement:

The length of the exposed inner tube is 144mm. This is after I pulled down on the front wheel while the bike was on the stand to counteract the top-out spring. This is exactly 10mm longer than my original forks. From the looks of it, the fork travel is actually longer because the outer tubes are the same length.

So if my bottom out length is the same, should I leave the forks mounted flush with the triple and run 10mm more sag or should I split the difference and raise the forks 5mm and run 5mm less spring preload?

The best way to know is to ride it and make adjustments from there. Some guys need the forks flush (more ride height) because of their riding style. Maybe start out with 10mm above the triple then you can always raise the front as needed.

 

[GinoMachino]

Can someone identify a reason why the Yamaha's website does not reflect the difference in suspension travel from 07 to 09 in their specs?

http://www.yamahamotorsports.com/sport/products/modelspecs/8/0/specs.aspx#