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Old 12-08-07, 10:28 PM   #11
rob13
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Default Re: Handling.

Without wanting to go too far OT with this thread, an interesting point by Big ape - Perfectly fine for newbies and for riders who dont want to go fast or have miles under their belt.....

I think im in the "getting faster" group at the moment (Sometimes have lapses on that as Tim in Belgium could probably vouch for) but i'm starting to feel as if I could do with that little bit more from the bike, which is something i thought I wouldnt feel for quite a while yet. Ive done about 8k on the SV now and feel as if its time for a change or I'm getting wandering eyes. Would I be better just getting something else or working with what I've got?
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Old 12-08-07, 10:33 PM   #12
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Default Re: Handling.

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Originally Posted by Sid Squid View Post
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrggggggghhhhh!
Oh dear..... Hard / Soft, not the best way to go describing preload. Ian, chill mon.....

Moving on, Lozzo, not sure what's been done to the bike thus far, but at 26,000 miles if no one's bothered to change the fork oil it'll be well past it's best. If you weigh over about 10 stone it may well be worth looking at fork springs better suited to your weight.

Do this first because it's simple and cheap and probably needs doing anyway. then see how you feel about the handling. if it's still not right the shock may be the next port of call. Several other bike shocks fit, whether they're right for the bike is the subject of debate. Ohlins, Maxton etc will make you something that's spot on, but that's "proper money" so it's up to you if you want to spend that.
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Old 12-08-07, 10:44 PM   #13
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Default Re: Handling.

I weigh about 10 1/2 st and the bike is almost completely standard. I doubt the fork oil has ever been changed. As I said, I'll throw some dosh at it during winter and get the best I can afford, the bike cost me peanuts to start with so it's not like I'll lose out.
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Old 12-08-07, 10:50 PM   #14
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Default Re: Handling.

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Originally Posted by Lozzo View Post
I weigh about 10 1/2 st and the bike is almost completely standard. I doubt the fork oil has ever been changed. As I said, I'll throw some dosh at it during winter and get the best I can afford, the bike cost me peanuts to start with so it's not like I'll lose out.
Front fork oil can be done for the price of 1L of oil. Cheap first port of call
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Old 13-08-07, 07:26 AM   #15
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Default Re: Handling.

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Originally Posted by robchester View Post
Without wanting to go too far OT with this thread, an interesting point by Big ape - Perfectly fine for newbies and for riders who dont want to go fast or have miles under their belt.....

I think im in the "getting faster" group at the moment (Sometimes have lapses on that as Tim in Belgium could probably vouch for) but i'm starting to feel as if I could do with that little bit more from the bike, which is something i thought I wouldnt feel for quite a while yet. Ive done about 8k on the SV now and feel as if its time for a change or I'm getting wandering eyes. Would I be better just getting something else or working with what I've got?
The SV is quite acceptable if you address the forks issue. I don't think you could upgrade bike for the few hundred it'll cost to upgrade the forks (and probably shock).

Its only when you want to start increasing power that a new bike makes sense ...

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Originally Posted by jambo View Post
Front fork oil can be done for the price of 1L of oil. Cheap first port of call
This thing is eventually going to find its way to the track (according to his sig) surely there is no point just doing the oil?? .. or indeed just doing the springs?? ... to me it is worth doing right from the off and as it is a pointy, you have the luxury of fitting cartridge internals (or you still have the springs and emulators alternative - which I am happy with on my curvy trackbike (roadbike is 100% standard still and I don't care, it's OK for what I want from it!! )).

Last edited by Blue_SV650S; 13-08-07 at 07:32 AM.
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Old 13-08-07, 07:47 AM   #16
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Default Re: Handling.

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Originally Posted by Blue_SV650S View Post

This thing is eventually going to find its way to the track (according to his sig) surely there is no point just doing the oil?? .. or indeed just doing the springs?? ... to me it is worth doing right from the off and as it is a pointy, you have the luxury of fitting cartridge internals (or you still have the springs and emulators alternative - which I am happy with on my curvy trackbike (roadbike is 100% standard still and I don't care, it's OK for what I want from it!! )).
It was bought primarily as a trackbike, but until I can afford a newish van it'll be used as my commuter. I'll rebuild the suspension in the winter and until then use the Daytona when I want to go round corners without soiling myself.
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Old 13-08-07, 07:51 AM   #17
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Default Re: Handling.

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Originally Posted by Lozzo View Post
It was bought primarily as a trackbike, but until I can afford a newish van it'll be used as my commuter. I'll rebuild the suspension in the winter and until then use the Daytona when I want to go round corners without soiling myself.
Indeed, as a commuter it serves well, even in stock form (hence why I have left my roadbike alone)!!

To be honest even 'spirited' riding is ok - but the thing does complain a bit!! If you want to go fast on it and want the thing to feel more 'planted' you do need to upgrade the suspension - simple!
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Old 13-08-07, 08:48 AM   #18
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Default Re: Handling.

Whats the job of fitting cartridge internals to the pointy like? Im not afraid of giving things a go myself, providing that i've got the tools to do it, however I dont know anything about forks at this present time...
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Old 13-08-07, 09:04 AM   #19
ejohnh
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Default Re: Handling.

When I got my sv it had done 7k miles. I'm a returner to biking so should be classed as a newbie. Right from the off I found the steering absolute crap. Cornering at any sort of speed was sphincter wrenching.

First thing I did was to get some aluminium angle from B&Q to act as straight edges and realigned the wheels. They were about 10mm or so out of alignment with the so-called alignment marks on for the rear wheel set equal. That made quite a difference but the front still felt too soft and was still a bit like a rowing boat on bends.

A month or so ago I fitted Hagons progressives and 15w oil in the forks. The difference is amazing. Solid as a rock an the bends and very stable everywhere else. From Hagonshocks springs+oil+postage = £62.50.
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Old 13-08-07, 09:48 AM   #20
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Default Re: Handling.

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Originally Posted by robchester View Post
Whats the job of fitting cartridge internals to the pointy like? Im not afraid of giving things a go myself, providing that i've got the tools to do it, however I dont know anything about forks at this present time...
This is what a proper replacement cartridge looks like ... as you can see it is EVERYTHING, so just unbolt the old internals, take everything out and drop this in, fill with oil and you are done!!

Plenty of info about cartridge internals on here ... think you can get them for ~£250-300, a search on 'cartridge ' will soon tell you

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