Front End - Done!

Yesterday, hose delightfull chaps Stewart and Bill of Stewarts motorcycles provided authentic australian music, and in between fitted new head-race bearings and hagon springs to my SV (along with new fork oil).

Now, what came out of my bike was not a standard curvy SV spring - someones modded it all before. I never knew this, and my dad wouldnt have known, so when he serviced the forks when I got the bike he would have treated them as standard SV springs and filled them up with the standard amount of oil, which could have been too much given the springs that came out of my bike where significantly longer than a standard SV spring.

I refer you to the following picture



Top is a standard pointy spring - note the fewer amount of spring coils than the spring below, which is what came out of my bike. Appears it could be of a progressive nature spring. Hagon is the bottom. Bill went on a mission to get some pipe, almost foiled when he walked in the WRONG DOOR of the pipe-selling place. Bill!!!!

Anyway, I am happy to report that the handling of my front end is much improved; damping control is far better, and the steering alot more sure-footed (the bike is now less inclined to follow a rut or crack in the road). The actual stiffness is the same, which given the springs that came out, is to be expected.

I would now present a picture of Bill and Stewarts 4-wheeled weapons, which I will lovingly refer to as "fool" and "slllaaaaggg".



"fool" sounds awesome and does not pity anyone. "slag" will get the job done, then go on a 12 pint bender before sleeing with your sister.

Next job, rear end. This should make a huge differance to the handling of my SV.

Thanks again to stewart and bill for their excellent entertainment, slick work, tea, and also to introducing me to the Wartsila-Sulzar engine. 108,920 hp @ 102 rpm. 5,608,312 lb/ft at 102rpm.

Google it, youtube it. It is AWESOME!!!

Matt

Can you take the srpings out of a pointy and slip them into a curvey? with some thicker fork oil, will this improve the curvy's handling?

I dont think it would, they'd still be bouncy. Thicker fork oil will just change the damping rates, but it dosnt stop the suspension from being fundamentally soft.

Saying tha, yes it can be done - you just need smaller spacers

matt, have you got standard springs and oil in yours?

Originally Posted by AndyBrad

matt, have you got standard springs and oil in yours?

Yeah mate its like sponge, I hit the front brake and my visor scrapes on the tarmac

EDIT: Disclaimer added

DISCLAIMER- Events may be exagerated for artistic effect.

I popped some progressives in mine (sorry chris did ) with new 10w oil. Its about the same but then i increased the preload by about 8mm and its much much better. Well worth the money. Doesnt make the brakes any better tho

Brakes - theres a good point. I was wondering if a differant master cyclinder would help. I like the SV calipers, they are very easy to service

[Spanner Man]

Good evening all.


I'm pleased to hear that your bike's handling better Matt. A worthwhile job well done methinks.

I'm glad you enjoyed the 'entertainment' (Good job you didn't mention my impression of a certain Teutonic Gentleman, a bit too non-PC for here) ........Where's my Gaffa tape again!

Don't be a 'CRAZY FOOL' & get your rear end sorted SLAAAAG!!


Cheers.

[yorkie_chris]

Stewart, you got any good tricks for getting 4-pots apart when siezed up?

Originally Posted by Spanner Man

Good evening all.


I'm pleased to hear that your bike's handling better Matt. A worhtwhile job well done methinks.

I'm glad you enjoyed the 'entertainment' (Good job you didn't mention my impression of a certain Teutonic Gentleman, a bit too non-PC for here) ........Where's my Gaffa tape again!

Don't be a 'CRAZY FOOL' & get your rear end sorted SLAAAAG!!


Cheers.

we'll leave aside that particular streak of humor for people to discover when they come along to the workshop for themselves