Initial suspension setup - help

it could be the gixer shock 2 as ive herd people say they dont really suit the sv all that well tho im not a 100% sure on it as ive never tryed one before!

[northwind]

Do you know what GSXR shock it is? If it's a recent one it shouldn't impact the ride height too much I think, if it's an SRAD one then it would though.

[flymo]

Ok, had a bit more time to look at this. I think the dogbones on it are the original standard length. The 'stock' length ones shown on this page are approx the same length as I have on it http://forum.svrider.com/showthread.php?t=64162 and the 17G code stamped on the side also features in the K3 workshop manual in a photo of them.

So, I spoke to Rob from PDQ (also posts in this forum from time to time) and he told me to forget about using the K4 1000 shock for racing as its totally inadequate. With this in mind I've got a loan K3 standard shock coming (thanks Richie) to get me by and I've ordered an Ohlins race shock that I'm told will take three weeks

The front forks are set as they should be with the top of the stanchions flush with the top of the top yoke (yoke from a naked which is a little thicker than the S).

I measured the sags for static and rider and although they werent perfect they certainly werent anything way out.

I've had the shock and linkages out of the bike tonight to inspect them and I cant see anything drastic, no binding anywhere and everything moved freely. Only minor thing was a very small amount of play in one side of the swingarm bearing. Thats a job for sometime this year.

Blue, the tyre on it at the moment is a 120/60 Metzeler I think so not as tall as a race tyre. It will have Pirellis on it pretty soon so that might in fact help by raising the front ever so slightly. Am I right in thinking that?

So the only thing I can really put this down to is the rear shock. I wonder just how different in length it is to a standard shock. It measures 333mm approx between centers of the mouting holes. If any of you have a stock K3 shock please drop a tape measure along it and see how it compares.

I'm totally open to any ideas on this and would appreciate any help you can offer. Thanks so far for the comments.

[flymo]

Originally Posted by northwind

Do you know what GSXR shock it is? If it's a recent one it shouldn't impact the ride height too much I think, if it's an SRAD one then it would though.

It has K4 1000 written in yellow marker, I guess the breakers did that. I did a quick ebay search too and it seems to look the same as other K4 GSXR shocks. It measures approx 333mm between centers.

[northwind]

OK, I don't think the shock length is the issue here then, according to Kuhnco's figures the K4 1000 shock is 332.5mm eye to eye, and 480lb/in. The standard pointy SV shock is 330mm and 430lb/in. I have no idea what's actually causing hte problems you describe, but if the dogbones are standard and the shock really is a K4 item, it's not that. TBH if that's the case, then the Ohlins isn't going to make any difference to your problems (though it's going to be a nice piece of kit, I love mine) I don't have any race perspective on this, RobW is a top bloke though, but I reckon you could find some different opinions on the shocks (and you'll find plenty of people on a minitwins grid without a proper aftermarket one I'm sure)

Put it this way, my bike is up high at the rear- an Ohlins shock at full length, and it used to have JHS dogbones in- and low at the front due to the GSXR forks, even with the 120/70 tyre it's still shorter. The SV's stock geometry is very conservative, adding height to the rear is usual pure benefit (though it overtaxes the stock shock). Mine has none of the problems you describe. I don't know what's causing it though.

Originally Posted by flymo_racer

It has K4 1000 written in yellow marker, I guess the breakers did that. I did a quick ebay search too and it seems to look the same as other K4 GSXR shocks. It measures approx 333mm between centers.

Could it be thats there is actually nothing wrong with it and it just feels odd because of it being a new bike?

[flymo]

Originally Posted by chunkytfg

Could it be thats there is actually nothing wrong with it and it just feels odd because of it being a new bike?

Well thats possible I guess, but it does feel pretty severe to me. I need to fill and bleed the front brakes which will allow me to test at a bit more speed in the local B&Q carpark.

Is the front tyre soft? that would do it.
Pod

Originally Posted by pod

Is the front tyre soft? that would do it.
Pod

Thats the other thing...I take it you have race pressures in the tyre?

30psi in a cold tyre will feel like that.

My suggestion is to up the pressure to normal road pressures and if the problem persists then it's not that and carry on looking but if it does go away you know that when the tyres are hot from a cold pressure of 30psi you will have 34-35psi and all will be well

[flymo]

Originally Posted by chunkytfg

Thats the other thing...I take it you have race pressures in the tyre?

30psi in a cold tyre will feel like that.

My suggestion is to up the pressure to normal road pressures and if the problem persists then it's not that and carry on looking but if it does go away you know that when the tyres are hot from a cold pressure of 30psi you will have 34-35psi and all will be well

Ok thanks, I must admit I hadnt got to the finer points like pressures yet as I was intending on replacing the tyres pretty soon. I'll check the pressures, get my front brakes sorted properly and give it a bit more of a test.

Watch this space.