Suspension question, headshake

[AndyBrad]

When riding i tend to be very slow in slightly less slow outof corners. However when im accelerating out of the corner (not much but somelean angle) the front end tends to wobble a bit. Ive got the suspension setup niceand plush for generally pootling about and im thinking that i should probablybe playing around with the front rebound. Could someone confirm this for me?

[SV650Racer]

If you have too much rebound dialled in then the front cant return quick enough to react on the travel at the next bump and therefore can induce headshake as the forks are holding down. Same will happen if you havent enough support on the rear as acceleration will cause the bikes weight bias to go back towards the rear and then the forks will unload more than they need to and if coupled with too much rebound will induce a nasty headshake. If your bike feels like its running wide when accelerating then your rear also needs more support.

(am typing this while on hold on the phone so hope makes sense!)

[AndyBrad]

thats what i was thinking. im curious as to how to determine between the front rebound and rear compression though? as they will both have the same effect?


Also rear "clickers" on the adjusting screws have gone. Does anyone think this is an issue? (rebuild required?) and what could haev caused it?

[SV650Racer]

thats what i was thinking. im curious as to how to determine between the front rebound and rear compression though? as they will both have the same effect?


Also rear "clickers" on the adjusting screws have gone. Does anyone think this is an issue? (rebuild required?) and what could haev caused it?

Do you mean the rebound adjuster on the shock?. Are you running the OEM shock?. Its not unusual at all to see seized rebound adjusters. Dont want to be a numpty but what bike have you got?.

Rear compression can be shown up if the bike wants to run wide when you open the throttle exiting a corner, typically a fairly quick turn on hard throttle.

[AndyBrad]

Yea thinking rear comp then. Will see how we get on :)

the adjusters are all fine but just dont click like they used to.

[SV650Racer]

Yea thinking rear comp then. Will see how we get on :)

the adjusters are all fine but just dont click like they used to.

Giving the rear more support and also checking that you havent got too much rebound wound on would be a good start. Of course with a stuck adjuster that may not be so easy. If there is too much rebound on the rear it can hold the rear down causing symptoms such as your experiencing.

Quite often once they seize they cant be rescued and simply buying a secondhand good condition replacement is more cost effective especially if they are the adjuster that is screwed and pressed in as they tend to break off and you cant always get replacements. It does depend on what shock is in your bike and type of adjuster.

Failing that investing in a Nitron sport shock would be the best way to go but is always dependant on budget and what you want from the bike.

[AndyBrad]

so you think that no click = seized? even though they turn ok ? humph oh dear!

[yorkie_chris]

If the adjusters work then they're obviously not seized? Little ball inside might be stuck.

You checked all usual stuff like head/swingarm bearings and tyre pressure?

[AndyBrad]

yup everything tight and smooth ;)

i was thinking internally. no idea what it looks like (got a picture?) could have cams and allsorts in there for all i know !

[SV650Racer]

Ah you mean its not clicking rather than stuck!. Misread what you meant!.

Some dont click..did your used to? and when you turn it does it increase/decrease the damping?.

[yorkie_chris]

There is usually just detent ball that indexes little cutouts in adjuster.

I can't remember if speed four ones are meant to click or not.

[AndyBrad]

yea they do if i press on them. they dont if im gentle.. guess the answer is to press on them ;)

[Scoobs]

Sorry to hijack, but what is meant when you read "rebound = 16 clicks out"? Does it mean you wind the adjuster to full hard (max damping) then back off 16 clicks or wind to full soft, then increase damping by winding on 16 clicks?

[AndyBrad]

wind fully in then count the clicks out

[Scoobs]

wind fully in then count the clicks out

Nice one. Cheers Andy.

[yorkie_chris]

Yeah that is standard way to count them

[AndyBrad]

few clicks and seems a lot better :D