[cheezeburger]

Went riding the other day. There had been about a 40 degree swing in temp, but my bike when from "supple" in front to "jack hammer" at about 30 degrees.

Can temperature make that big of an effect on ride (especially slow speed compression)? It was mind blowing, like a different bike.

And if temperature is the culprit, making the fork fluid more viscous, why don't I have the same issues in the rear?

BTW Bleeding in not the issue, I have quick bleeders and was using them a lot that day (not that I heard anything after the first pffft). But I didn't want to take chances.

Discuss:

[Smash]

My guess would be the surface area exposed to the elements. Your forks have a lot of surface area to have cold air rushing across as opposed to the shock which is tucked up in the motor and very close to the exhaust (the reservoir is right above the exhaust). I'd imaging the forks act like big heat sinks to cool the fork fluid.

[OLDFATGUY]

What smash said! OFG

[cheezeburger]

Yep, that makes scense!

[nowazzu]

I'd buy that. Could also be the increased oil volume in the forks compared to the shock. More (quantity) viscous oil to move??

[Smash]

I'd buy that. Could also be the increased oil volume in the forks compared to the shock. More (quantity) viscous oil to move??

Do you happen to know the volume in the shock off hand?

[cheezeburger]

Yes

Less than the fork.

[cheezeburger]

Or according to my shop manual
393 cubic cm
13.9 imerial oz
13.4 us oz

[nminus1]

I agree CB. After camping in 20's (at night), the next morning my forks were harsh to say the least. After about 2 hours of riding, they finally felt normal.