Wavey front end on a K6

Oh noes! It's turned into another thread battle between the technically minded suspension aficionados and the layman (of you don't mind being called that Baph ) trying to convey the change in feeling.

The dreaded 'stiffness' word hehe

Out of curiosity, I know that people's impression of 'stiffness' being increased/decreased by changing preload gets regularly shot down in flames round these parts. If you change preload does it ever make the ride more wallowy or at the other end of the spectrum spit you out of the seat? If it does, what would be the best term to describe the outcome...firmer? A harder ride? Or are these inaccurate too?

[the_lone_wolf]

Originally Posted by stuartyboy

SV's don't have damping.

Originally Posted by TSM

Yes they do, but not adjustment as we know it to be on forks which have adjusters. There is a damping rod in the bottom of the SV fork that does the job.

TSM - I wasn't finished typing. The forum screwed up before my eyes. You probably noticed and deleted the duplicate post. Thanks. It should have read "damping adjustment"

Lone wolf - I'm in the Isle of Wight on business next week. We could meet up for a chat and a coffee.

Hi I thought i better post seeing we are talking about my bike, Firstly id like to thank everyone for there comments and help and thanks to Daimo for starting the question.

This is my first road bike, owned it for just over 4 months now, Im not one to start changing things when i dont know what im doing.

I started to notice this problem when i was going through a bend at about 70-80mph... Its hard to explain but the front wheel seems very light to the floor like it could slip away.. i done all the things that i feel i could do myself, as in the tyre pressure... (i know thats all) lol

I got the bike with 1500 miles on it and have over 5500 now so i have managed to put it to the back of my mind and keep enjoying my rides out, but now someone else has felt it i am convinced that there are / is somthing wrong.. if thats the suspension or folks i dont know, im not sure what setting they are on as i havent changed it from when i got it.. If someone would be kind enough to tell me how to check what the setting is then i will do so and let you guys know for more advise.

Id like to try and get to the bottom of this as im due to go for a weekend away soon and would like to know all's fine.

im 12st 9 and around 5ft 9 if that makes a differents to how it should be.

[the_lone_wolf]

ironically, i'm actually going to be in scotland next week...

i'm attending a conference entitled "basics of motorcycle suspension" - i was going to suggest you meet me there

as for the forum screwing you over, the fact that the damping on the SV isn't adjustable doesn't bear any influence on the fact that it's the spring rate and damping that defines how the suspension reacts dynamically, so i've no idea why you made the comment in the first place

@Courty - there's another thread floating around today with some good tips on suspension:

http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=63349

I am a complete suspension numptie but have read threads on it with the wisdom of the more clued up members of the .org. Sure they will be along with specific changes soon, but FWIW Daimo mentioned that your front forks are on the lowest preload setting?

I know the standard complaint with the SV suspension for a UK (read: heavier) rider is that it is not stiff enough. The common mod is stiffer springs and heavier oil in the front forks (hope I'm using the right words here suspension gods). In which case, seeing as I have read most people seem to increase their preload from standard if they are not doing the mod to try to make an improvement, having it on its lowest setting *might* be a potential starting point for changes. I think...but take this with a pinch of salt because I may be wrong. If I got it right then HTH

[21QUEST]

Originally Posted by fizzwheel

Did you check the tyre pressures ?

The most sensible most here.

KISS principle anyone. It might be a bike with very low miles but doesn't mean it was everything is as it should be according to the Suzuki specification. That includes fluids. Anyhoos...

Check cndition of tyre
Check tyre pressures
Steering Head bearing adjustment
Put the Preload adjusters position(front and rear) back to standard
Check the amount the fork height at top yoke and confirm they are the same.

Go ride and take it from there. Deal with it in a logical manner.


Ben

I am unsure on how to tell if its on standard settings.. If i post pic's then would you be able to tell (although cant yet as in parents garage )

Tires are fine, presure is good..

[the_lone_wolf]

Originally Posted by Courty

I am unsure on how to tell if its on standard settings.. If i post pic's then would you be able to tell (although cant yet as in parents garage )

Tires are fine, presure is good..

have a look in the manual - in the K6 manual it's section 2-20

Originally Posted by TSM

From all discussions had the term "preload" is flawed as is CDI to a curvey. In my mind "preload" should be called "sag adjustment" or the like.
Bit of a raggled answer but you get the point, "preload" is not compression of the spring.

Totally lost me there mate. I am sure that when I altered the preload on my rear spring it compressed it slightly.. Like when you do that thing to increase the preload on the K2+ front forks, the springs are shortened in length surely?

If preload does not compress the springs , then what does it do? Anyway, does altering the sag not mean pre compressing the spring?