Standard front suspension adjustment (newbie question)

Hey people,

I've had my SV650 2003 (K3?) for about six months, having learnt on 125s and an ER5, so I'm quite new to this.

The one thing I really notice is that the front end dives under breaking, and even engine breaking. The ride seems quite comfy, so I'm thinking I'd like to try and harden the front suspension a little, if that's possible. Reading wikipedia suggests I can do something with "preload", which I kindof understand. I've had a search here, and there seems to be quite a few threads advising people to replace front springs and/or oil, but I'm really just after adjusting what I already have. The bike has just had new fork oil.

So, my search of this forum didn't find anything that told me how to make any adjustment. I can see at the top of the forks there are some nuts. I'm guessing they might be something to do with pre-load? How much science is there behind this? Can I just wind them in a bit? Or if I mess will them will flying monkeys descend from the heavens and set my hair on fire? One turn? Five turns?

Oh, and I'm about 10-1/2 to 11st.

Cheers for any advice!

James

Hi f0rmula,

let me be the first to say welcome to the .org,

to be honest what ive read and seen on the forum everyone seems to come to the conclusion that the standard sv forks are pretty ****e, ive fiddled with my forks like you have by turning in the adjusters, with not much joy, i still find them to soft ( im 13st ). if your thinking of keeping your sv for a while then i would recommend upgrading the springs with progressive springs and heavier fork oil. maybe someone with more knowledge than myself can help you out as im still pretty much a n00b myself.

Take it easy, and ride safe.
ben.

[timwilky]

All adjusting the preload will achieve is setting your sag, it will not change the rate at which the suspension compresses.

Even at your modest weight you are too heavy for the budget factory suspension. Invest in a set of springs. Emulators will enable you to adjust the damping characteristics. or the generally accepted solution is to put on proper forks from a gsxr etc.

[maviczap]

I'm a little bit lighter than you, and the best thing I did was to remove the original front springs and replace them with Hagon ones, plus slighty heavier oil. They are a big improvement

I got mine from Wemoto

http://www.wemoto.com/bikes/

Introduce yourself in the EAR region forums and come and join us in the rideouts

Cheers for the replies. Shame about the preload thing. I might change the springs and oil at some point then, but I doubt that'll be for a while. I spent this afternoon trying to change the front spring on a Citreon C3, and I've had enough for the time being.

Is there a canonical guide that you refer people to for changing the springs and fork oil?

/me heads over to the EAR region.

James

Originally Posted by timwilky

Even at your modest weight you are too heavy for the budget factory suspension.

I find this interesting actually, as that is probably the average rider weight, or very close to.

What weight would you say the stock is set up for?

[yorkie_chris]

About 8 stone with rocks in your pockets.

I'm 8 stone without gear on, sweet

[yorkie_chris]

Never mind suspension performance, you need a pie and a pint!

I probably eat more pies on a daily basis than anyone else on this forum! But my metabolism is way too fast I actually WANT to gain weight and I cant booo hoo.

oops dereail!