Front Suspension
 

Iv Read a Thread on here about how to check the suspension front and rear.
i think its all ok, but for some reason iv got this feeling the front suspension should be a bit stiffer.

when road riding approching a roundabout while breaking to slow down for traffic iv started to notice the bike dipping forward a lot. (this feels as though it exerts presser on to my wrists)

could this have to do with the preload ? front and rear ?
iv also done a test which involved using cable ties around the front suspensin forks as close to the dust covers as possible.
the cable ties after riding in diffrent conditions have ended up about 15mm from the yolk and has traveled about 90mm from the dust cover.

static sag = less than 5mm
rider sag = 35mm

from what iv read this is correct ;) but i just cant help feel it dips to much while breaking.

i forgot to add im 6' and weight 14stone.

any ideas would be great:smt006

Re: Front Suspension
 

i for got to say i have a sv650s curvy (1999)

Re: Front Suspension
 

Preload won't stop the bike dipping under braking - you would need to get stiffer springs. Or progressives from Hagon/Hyperpro etc are a good compromise as they have variable windings.

Re: Front Suspension
 

thanks mate.

am i right in saying the bike is dipping if it has that much movement ?

Re: Front Suspension
 

You could try thicker fork oil to slow the "dip" down

Re: Front Suspension
 

You need to measure the static and rider sag for the forks too. Have the forks got adjusters on them?

Re: Front Suspension
 

the forks dont seem to have an adjuster on them its an early sv (curvy)
ill look at changeing the oil and get them checked out before winter,
ill check the front static sag and rider sag tomorrow

thanks guys

Re: Front Suspension
 

If you dont even have front preload adjusters theres no point in measuring sag etc as there is absolutely nothing you can do about it. If you wanted to increase the amount of travel you need that is preload but it wont stop dipping.

You need stiffer springs or a cheaper semi solution for the short term you could use 15W oil to harden compression damping. Stiffer springs will cost around £70 plus Oil so around £80

Re: Front Suspension
 

would it be possible to do this my self ? ive been told i need a clamp or somthing to hold the forks while striping and putting back together ? (i know my way around tools used be mechanic but never on bikes)
oh the garage where i had my rear tyre replace said it was a b"#ch to do.
kinda put me off the idea, so i opted to do the brakes only.
so if anyone has done this before and have any pointers let me know

Re: Front Suspension
 

no you don't need a clamp to strip the forks, the main thing is getting the front in the air, with an stand or a jack under the lower bolt hole thingmabob.
Then some spanners, a socket set and maybe a torque wrench, you do have a haynes manual don't you?
All is explained in it's very pages, I refer to mine all the time.

oh yeah and I ran with 15w oil and it wasn't as good as with .85 springs and 10w oil, those forks are almost as good as my .80 springs, 10w with emulators fitted.