Changing the Suspension setup

changing the rear shock setup is no probs - can any1 advice the best route to make the SV's spongy front suspension harder, i believe there are 2 ways??? changing the fork oil to a harder mixture or tightening the top yoke bolts?? can any1 recommend the best method??

[TSM]

change the springs in the front forks to ones that are better suited to you weight + heavier fork oil.

Well I would have thought you should wind in the preloaders a bit before you even think about messing around with the oil, It only takes a minute and you do even get your hands dirty! Wind them both in a bit making sure the're even and see if it does what you want. ITS FREE! ( assuming its a k3/k4/k5 model and you have preload adjusters....) Changing the oil will effect the damping and wont make the springs stiffer....

But seeing as it's a k1 model you cant do that. Anyone know about fitting spacers or some progressive spring suppliers/fitters?

[northwind]

Mucking about with preload (the adjusters at the top) for stiffness is a mistake anyway- preload is for setting sag, nothing else. If you use it to try and stiffen the suspension, you always impact the handling in other ways. It could be you get more of a benefit than the subsequent disadvantage, but that's just luck.

Springs and oil, emulators if you want to spend more, a front end swap if you want to spend a lot more... It's something that's worth doing, and doing right. £80 or thereabouts really reinvents the bike.

Originally Posted by northwind

Mucking about with preload (the adjusters at the top) for stiffness is a mistake anyway- preload is for setting sag, nothing else. If you use it to try and stiffen the suspension, you always impact the handling in other ways. It could be you get more of a benefit than the subsequent disadvantage, but that's just luck.

Springs and oil, emulators if you want to spend more, a front end swap if you want to spend a lot more... It's something that's worth doing, and doing right. £80 or thereabouts really reinvents the bike.

Nothwind could you explain sag? I appear to have been misguided into believing that these adjusters 'are' for stiffening up the front end??

Originally Posted by DeanoN

could you explain sag?

Sag: To hang limply, be too soft..........also known as brewers droop.

[johnnyrod]

Sag is the distance the suspension sits (squats) from fully extended when the bike is stood up (of the stand). You should measure this without the rider (20-25mm at the front, about 6-8mm at the back I think), plus match the spring weight (stiffness) to the rider weight. Winding the preload adjusters in reduces sag but doesn't make the spring any stiffer.

The best mod for the forks is to add stiffer springs and preload adjusters so you can set the sag correctly. People like JHS or Steve Jordan can also sell you the adjuster tops and other bits you need, these are an easy retrofit. Emulators are great but more money again, as are better back shocks, but new springs will be the best first step. Also if you're over about 12 stone I think 15W oil is better (there is a thread here somewhere with more detail).

[northwind]

Thanks Johnnyrod. I'm no good with the technical side, I'm a faith healer

The main reason it feels stiffer when you get on a bike with loads of preload is that it doesn't seem sink down as much- this is because the sprign's already loaded a little- in fact it squashes down to exactly the same point, just that it starts out lower so there's less travel.

And less travel's what the main problem is- if you use up too much of the spring with preload, your bike is far less able to deal with bumps etc. Think of putting sportsbike forks on a trailbike, and you get the idea.

[northwind]

Oh aye, the good thing about springs and oil is that it's never going to be money wasted. If you decide to fit emulators, that's fine, you keep the same springs. If you go on to a different frotn end like I did, you can sell the springs.