Suspension workshop [QLD] 31 July 05

[mickeyd]

This was posted on OCAU yesterday ...

Silver Star Motorcycles invites you to our
suspension set-up workshop followed by a social
ride to Mount Mee.
A local Superbike racer will be there to help
demonstrate road and track suspension set-up.
Where? Silver Star location
When? Sunday 31 July 2005 at gam
How Much? Voluntary $5 donation to: The
Motorcycle Sportsman of Qld.
RSVP
Peter: 3893 0493 work or 0400 381911
23 BURKE STREET, WYNNUM QLD. 4178 AUSTRALIA
ph: (07) 3893 0493 - fax: (07) 3893 0456
mailto:chmel@froggy.com.au
http://www.silverstarbikes.com

Anyone interested in going ???

[Yankee]

could you take good notes and pics and post them up for those of us that have to WORK
sounds like a great oppurtunity though....
have fun!!!

[Neilp]

I am very interested in this, might be a chance to learn something.Is that time supposed to be 9:00 am?

[HemiDuty]

:cry: could you take good notes and pics and post them up for those of us that have to WORK
sounds like a great oppurtunity though....
have fun!!!

What our friendly import said.

[mickeyd]

Neil - yep 9am (wasn`t my typo )

[Jonno]

Yep, sounds like a good thing.

(brings note back to Yankee & Hemi saying, " was good man shoulda been there"...)

[HemiDuty]

Well that's what happens when ya send a 12R owner I guess. Who needs handling when ya got 121,496 Watts of power or so at the back wheel.

Meh, I got slicks anyway, it won't come unstuck.

[Barrabob]

I have already been told that if the front end on a 12r isnt working out you just hoist the sucker in the air.

[Jonno]

NOTEs:

It was worth the effort to turn up (11 people and one guy who wouldn't shutup and no it wasn't me ), had a bloke who races pro' explain and show us the basics on how to set preload, rebound and compression damping. Worth it for those who had no idea and there were a few of those and a few guys who had read too much and were confused as hell I was one of those, still I did get my preload set finally due to many willing hands to lift the bike a dozen times. I now need new fork springs as I had to wind my preload all the way down which seemed to be common for most of the guys who had Jap bikes, one would think the manufactures would realise us Aussies are not pint size and send the bikes over with a spring set better suited for the average bloke, or supply another size of spring set... blah!.
The rear preload was spot on for my bike and the same again for most of the Jap bikes!
Crazy aye, front springs are out but the rear spring is spot on from factory for all that did the adjustment today *shrugs*

Anyway, most of the links posted on KSRC to suspension setup websites are the same as what we were shown, with the help of a few friends to do the preload anyone should be able to nut it out with that information.
Compression and rebound damping should be initially set at a middle of the road setting and then it is off to your favourite twisty road to play with the damping settings, one good tip was to move the screw at least 5 to 10 clicks so you can actually notice the difference then wind it back a bit afterwards to suit.
Also remember what the settings were on before adjustments are made or better still record them so you have something to go back too if you mess up. The main thing is to set the preload then that can be forgotten about as it won't need changing again unless your weight drastically changes.
Better you read for your self, this site has the low down in all springy goodness>
http://www.sasbk.co.za/suspension_setup_guidelines.htm (one of the better sites I have found)

One final point was that most sportsbikes from factory don't have the preload rings set right or the damping screws set exactly the same (number of clicks), so there ya go kids, go check!

After all the spanners were put away we went for a squirt, I tells ya that preload adjustment has made a world of difference allready kinda new it would

over to you Neil....

[Yankee]

awesome report Johnno! cheers for the info.... will have to have a look at actually setting my bike up properly one day. atm i just have things on the harsh side of middle and it works so i ain't touching it

[Barrabob]

yankee its not the 50 kg guys that have trouble getting it right its us 100kg with gear guys that need new springs at the front the bikes are designed with 70kg riders in mind.

I have my front preload maxed out and it makes a difference, it doesnt bottom out when you hit the wrong sort of bump so you can get some confidance in the front if you try to go softer its ok till you hit a sharp bump or need to get on the brakes hard and suddenly there is no feel there because you are trying to compensate for the lack of spring with valving.

[Jonno]

awesome report Johnno! cheers for the info.... will have to have a look at actually setting my bike up properly one day. atm i just have things on the harsh side of middle and it works so i ain't touching it

If it works it works, leave it for a rainy day.

Thanks to mickeyd_zx6r for posting the info

[Nanna10r]

Good Stuff Jonno & i woulda been there if i wasn't helping a new scoot owner take it out to the country for the first time. Anyway we had a nice little leisurely ride to summerset damn.

I got a question you may be able to answer I havent got a definative answer yet, most supposed experts seem to disagree on it.

"When setting your Preload where should the other 2 adjustments(rebound & comp dampning) be Fully soft, midway or doesn't matter ?.

Cheers Brett

[Jonno]

Good Stuff Jonno & I woulda been there if i wasn't helping a new scoot owner take it out to the country for the first time. Anyway we had a nice little leisurely ride to summerset damn.
I got a question you may be able to answer I havent got a definative answer yet, most supposed experts seem to disagree on it.
"When setting your Preload where should the other 2 adjustments(rebound & comp dampning) be Fully soft, midway or doesn't matter ?.

Cheers Brett

I am glad the ride went well.


IMHO.(and a non-expert opinion, just being a bit of a parrot).....

Set the preload and sag before anything else otherwise you will be confusing yourself and just put aside any thoughts about damping until that is done. Set and forget about it as it is set to your weight and will not need adjusting again unless you are changing to a pillion weight setup or you gain/loose 20kg. Best to have half a tank of fuel and have all your usual riding gear on to set the preload.

[Nanna10r]

So Jonno, to clarify that answer would go in the "it doesn't matter" Box ?.

Cheers Brett