Lowering forks through triple clamp?

[doofus4000]

I've always found my bike needs a lot of persuasion to get tipped into the corner. At first I thought it was just me, had a few friends have a ride too and they all agree it shouldn't be as hard to tip into the corners without using excessive amounts of force.

I have read that by lowering the forks 5-10mm this may quicken up the steering and turn in and I am thinking when the oil was changed in the fork before, they were refitted too high making the bike more stable and harder to turn in. Don't know much about this but can anyone help? My forks are currently clamped on at the top of the fork, preload adjusters sitting flush with the top of the fork when screwed in fully as required by my weight.

[Teejayexc]

With the front end supported, or held up by an able bodied friend, loosen the top and middle fork clamps, gently let the weight back on to the front wheel and the forks should just slide through the clamps*, 10mm is measured above top fork clamp, tighten all clamps, job done.

*you may need to just open the gaps in the clamps witha lever of some kind when you've slackened them off, they have a tendency to stay nipped.

[doofus4000]

With the front end supported, or held up by an able bodied friend, loosen the top and middle fork clamps, gently let the weight back on to the front wheel and the forks should just slide through the clamps*, 10mm is measured above top fork clamp, tighten all clamps, job done.

*you may need to just open the gaps in the clamps witha lever of some kind when you've slackened them off, they have a tendency to stay nipped.

Thanks, are your forks sitting 10mm from the top then? Seems straightforward enough.

[Teejayexc]

Thanks, are your forks sitting 10mm from the top then? Seems straightforward enough.

They were, I no longer have the SV. Easy enough job to do and try experimenting with different heights* to find what you're looking for, max I would go is 15mm though.

* so long as you keep both sides the same of course ;)

[doofus4000]

Ok yea no problem, thanks for the advice. What changes did you notice after altering heights?

[Teejayexc]

It just helps the bike to tip in to a corner a little easier, as I say have a play with various settings, nothing lost ;-)

[doofus4000]

Cool, many thank bud!

[dkid]

Dropped mine 5mm through the clamps. I find it just right. As said, don't go for a massive drop as you can increase the chances of a tankslapper.

[doofus4000]

5mm made a big difference then dkid? How far from the top of the forks does your clamp sit?

[dkid]

Standard is with the top of the forks (preload adjuster cap) flush with the top yoke. My forks poke through the top yoke by 5mm.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/12/umubyqur.jpg
It made a noticeable but not overly drastic difference to tip in, especially when combined with the longer than standard rear shock - rear up, front down.
Have a play and see how it feels. Also, check your tyre pressures and general tyre condition. Many people notice how the bike will tip in miles easier when they've had new tyres put on (nice round profile). If yours are old/squared off that'll make a difference.

[doofus4000]

Ok excellent info as per usual dkid..many thanks as always!

[jmsvuk]

Dropped mine 5mm through the clamps. I find it just right. As said, don't go for a massive drop as you can increase the chances of a tankslapper.

As dkid said don't go as massive ammount. I dropped mine 10mm and found tankslappers a bit of a problem. But a steering damper cured the problem, but that another expensive item.

[doofus4000]

As dkid said don't go as massive ammount. I dropped mine 10mm and found tankslappers a bit of a problem. But a steering damper cured the problem, but that another expensive item.

Ok cool, did the 10mm drop help your turn/lean in?

[jmsvuk]

Massive change but I had jack up plates on the rear shock as well. Turns into corners very quickly but shook its head on the way out. Depends how hard you ride I suppose too. Best way is to try it and change the depth of fork drop to what suits you and your riding style.

[doofus4000]

Ok thanks mate, good that everyone is singing from the same hymn book on this one! See your from cullybackey, You for the northwest?

[jmsvuk]

Most likely but not on the SV for its still being built as a streetfighter

[doofus4000]

Haha nice one!

[jmsvuk]

Where are you from?

[doofus4000]

Kilkeel mate, south down

[jmsvuk]

You'll be heading up to the north coast then if it ever stops raining lol

[doofus4000]

Lol as always we can't depend on the weather! Yea definitely will be up for it, Tuesday practice looks like its gona be very wet lol

[jmsvuk]

http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/k566/jmsvuk/216252_556430557732796_325169017_n.jpg (http://s1116.photobucket.com/user/jmsvuk/media/216252_556430557732796_325169017_n.jpg.html)

[doofus4000]

So true!! Lol