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-   -   Tankslapper, nearly got ejected !! (https://www.superhawkforum.com/forums/technical-discussion-28/tankslapper-nearly-got-ejected-13040/)

8541Hawk 11-03-2007 02:24 PM

I'm starting to think you have a broken spring or some other damage. If you have the preloads cranked down that far and the bike still sags, as much as you say it does under it's own weight, you have a major problem as this is in no way "normal"

gboezio 11-03-2007 02:55 PM


Originally Posted by 8541Hawk (Post 135196)
I'm starting to think you have a broken spring or some other damage. If you have the preloads cranked down that far and the bike still sags, as much as you say it does under it's own weight, you have a major problem as this is in no way "normal"

Yes the adjustment was like this when I took the other 2 inch line from full extent pic above, the thing is that I can't remember my bike to be much higher, I assumed it was like this and people were saying that the front suspension sucks, so I always thought that that crappy handling was the nature of the beast, but it got worse lately, no more riding until fixed then.
With a hard spring on one side and the other not holding anything, a weird force is exerced to the front.
Thanks a bunch, I'm an engine guy so suspension settings are out of my field, so all the inputs are greatly appreciated.
I'll tear it apart when I'm done with the garage and post pics.

Originally Posted by Tweety (Post 135193)
With that setup I would be scared to ride the bike...

I am very afraid !!

hymey 11-14-2007 04:16 AM


Originally Posted by 8541Hawk (Post 135158)
With a few tweeks (like pulling the forks up 10mm and raising the rear ride height 5-6mm) and good suspension the SH turns very quick and firming up the suspension is one of the best things you can do to the bike. YMMV

Exactly Hwak. You said it. Good suspension. Not guess work with clickers. You are effectively shortening the rake by doing th mods mentioned hence making the bike turn faster and bringing out more high speed stability issues.

Firm the ride will make the bike handle better, but not adjusting the rebound to compensate will turn it into a raging bull. In simple terms increase rebound until the rear end starts packing down and then go out 1-2 clicks. Suspension specialists will revalve and replace springs to suit the rider. Making big changes all at once with inexperience with suspension spells disaster.

Tweety 11-14-2007 05:13 AM


Originally Posted by hymey (Post 136594)
Exactly Hwak. You said it. Good suspension. Not guess work with clickers. You are effectively shortening the rake by doing th mods mentioned hence making the bike turn faster and bringing out more high speed stability issues.

Firm the ride will make the bike handle better, but not adjusting the rebound to compensate will turn it into a raging bull. In simple terms increase rebound until the rear end starts packing down and then go out 1-2 clicks. Suspension specialists will revalve and replace springs to suit the rider. Making big changes all at once with inexperience with suspension spells disaster.

Well, I agree with most of the facts, but not some of your conclusions...

We are both saying the same thing as to backing of the pre-load and increasing rebound to balance the suspension...

We may have different opinions about the stiffness of the front springs though... I consider them definetly sub-par at my weigth (and yours) at 95 Kg... Atleast combined with the very firm stock rear spring... And atleast borderline at gboezio's weight...

I agree with the sentiment of not doing to large changes without any knowledge... And I never recommended that... However the symptoms gboezio describes isn't consistent with only setting it up a tad off... to me there is something more here...

So as I said in chopped up parts above... Start by opening the forks up, swapping the oil (standard weight etc.) since that is long overdue at this point... And at this point, have a good look at the springs and adjusters etc. there might be some damage... I would do this regardless of settings... it can't make anything worse...

At this point gboezio can choose to but it all back together as is or with stock replacement parts... and end up with either the same (obviously not working) setup and fiddle with the settings... Or choose to put in Race Tech springs for the correct weight...

This isn't what I consider a "large change"... You are not changing any basic characteristics of the suspension... You are merely moving the baseline to your current weight... It still has the same characteristics and needs the same basic setup, with balanced pre-load and rebound to work correctly...

And I would NOT recommend fiddeling about with raising the forks or shimming the rear at this moment, leave that for later, when you have the basic settings down pat... (or keep the same settings as you have before the spring swap)

However when the fork is taken apart to swap the spring I'd recommend doing the main valve and stack as well... You mentioned pro's to do this... Well I don't know if you ever worked with a RT kit? (Since you have stock) I'm not saying it's as good as what a pro could do... not even close...

But keep in mind that the stock valve is matched to the stock spring and the baseline weight (45 Kg?) so the flow is a bit mismatched with a heavier rider and even more so with the new spring... With the kit you get a chart to calculate a stack for your weight and type of riding (street/track) and that gives you a setup that is evenly matched in both spring and flow characteristics, with your weight as baseline...

This is a bit more a "large change"... but not that large... You don't need much more skill for this than the basics needed for normal service on the bike... The main thing is... Follow the instructions, don't improvise on your own... And keep things clean... And even cleaner than that...

Again a pro would be able to improvise and re-calculate that proposed stack if needed, you and me can't... But it's still a good baseline setup... Atleast as good as the stock in regards to balancing different parts with each other... And the way you set it up with adjustments after assembly is the same... Exactly the same...

Hawkrider 11-14-2007 06:44 AM

OR, send me the forks and $325 and I'll take care of it all. PM if interested.

Tweety 11-14-2007 07:52 AM

Considering I forked out almost that for the parts plus shipping, I'd say that's a bargain...


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