Suspension "Balance" question. - SV650.org

09-06-06, 01:31 PM

For the first time since getting the bike from new (August 05), I decided to increase the front preload by one notch after seeing my weight on the scales

.

The front end seems to feel a bit better (more sure footed), but last night it felt almost as it the front wheel slipped a TINY bit in a couple of bends in great conditions. Should I adjust the rear preload too or should I wind the forks back a little? I'm assuming that only adjusting one has no real change to the geometry - right or wrong please?

Cheers,

Garry

09-06-06, 02:02 PM

It doesnt change the steering geometry at all. Thats done by steering height/distance. You're changing the spring load etc internally when changing preload, compression and dampening.

Front and back dont need to be adjusted in tandem. Far from it. Adjust one setting at a time, test, adjust again or move on if your happy. Unless you're a suspension expert thats the way to go.

Thats my understanding. Feel free to tell me i'm wrong

northwind · 09-06-06, 02:45 PM

If you improve one end and start taking advantage of it, it can make shortcomings at the other end more obvious... So it could just be that.

09-06-06, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mysteryjimbo

It doesnt change the steering geometry at all. Thats done by steering height/distance. You're changing the spring load etc internally when changing preload, compression and dampening.

Front and back dont need to be adjusted in tandem. Far from it. Adjust one setting at a time, test, adjust again or move on if your happy. Unless you're a suspension expert thats the way to go.

Thats my understanding. Feel free to tell me i'm wrong

That's what I thought, but I check my pressures (almost) every time and when I felt the wheel slip (or did I?), the only thing to have changed was the preload. It's not something I ever noticed before, but perhaps I couldn't feel it if the forks were a bit soft?

Garry

Sid Squid · 09-06-06, 07:26 PM

Changing the preload will change the steering geometry, a small amount of course, but it will do so, remember changing the preload doesn't make the suspension harder or softer, but it does change the point in the suspension travel you will be at under any given load.

09-06-06, 10:56 PM

I agree

more preload on the front will raise the ride height a bit therefore changing the steering geometry by making the steering head angle less steep(at least that's my understanding)

winding on some rear preload should balance it up

not sure if the amount you changed the preload would make a noticeable difference to the steering though...............

good luck

Stev

northwind · 09-06-06, 11:43 PM

Yep, while it'll change the geometry, we're talking about a sliding rear here, not a difference in turning characteristics... I've done big geometry changes, and you feel the difference, but not like this. I'd think you'd need a shock a yard long, or 6 inch forks, to unweight the rear to that extent.

09-06-06, 01:31 PM	#1
independentphoto Guest Posts: n/a	Suspension "Balance" question. For the first time since getting the bike from new (August 05), I decided to increase the front preload by one notch after seeing my weight on the scales . The front end seems to feel a bit better (more sure footed), but last night it felt almost as it the front wheel slipped a TINY bit in a couple of bends in great conditions. Should I adjust the rear preload too or should I wind the forks back a little? I'm assuming that only adjusting one has no real change to the geometry - right or wrong please? Cheers, Garry

09-06-06, 02:45 PM	#3
northwind Moderator Mega Poster Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: In the garage where I belong Posts: 17,082	If you improve one end and start taking advantage of it, it can make shortcomings at the other end more obvious... So it could just be that. __________________ "We are the angry mob, we read the papers every day We like what we like, we hate what we hate But we're oh so easily swayed"

09-06-06, 07:26 PM	#5
Sid Squid No, I don't lend tools. Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Skunk Works, Nth London Posts: 8,680	Changing the preload will change the steering geometry, a small amount of course, but it will do so, remember changing the preload doesn't make the suspension harder or softer, but it does change the point in the suspension travel you will be at under any given load. __________________ If an SV650 has a flat tyre in the forest and no-one is there to blow it up, how long will it be 'til someone posts that the reg/rec is duff and the world will end unless a CBR unit is fitted? A little bit of knowledge = a dangerous thing. "a deathless anthem of nuclear-strength romantic angst"

09-06-06, 11:43 PM	#7
northwind Moderator Mega Poster Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: In the garage where I belong Posts: 17,082	Yep, while it'll change the geometry, we're talking about a sliding rear here, not a difference in turning characteristics... I've done big geometry changes, and you feel the difference, but not like this. I'd think you'd need a shock a yard long, or 6 inch forks, to unweight the rear to that extent. __________________ "We are the angry mob, we read the papers every day We like what we like, we hate what we hate But we're oh so easily swayed"

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09-06-06, 02:02 PM	#2
mysteryjimbo Guest Posts: n/a	It doesnt change the steering geometry at all. Thats done by steering height/distance. You're changing the spring load etc internally when changing preload, compression and dampening. Front and back dont need to be adjusted in tandem. Far from it. Adjust one setting at a time, test, adjust again or move on if your happy. Unless you're a suspension expert thats the way to go. Thats my understanding. Feel free to tell me i'm wrong

09-06-06, 10:56 PM	#6
stev Guest Posts: n/a	I agree more preload on the front will raise the ride height a bit therefore changing the steering geometry by making the steering head angle less steep(at least that's my understanding) winding on some rear preload should balance it up not sure if the amount you changed the preload would make a noticeable difference to the steering though............... good luck Stev