Robert Taylor Strikes Again

[The Stranger]

After the vast improvement in the X11 when Robert Taylor work his magic on that I decided that any bike I got would get the same treatment.

So I ripped the forks out of the GSXR and sent them away to Hawera for some rejuvenation for a few days.

I wasn't sure if the improvement in the X11 was as a result of starting from a lower base or not. But fark what a difference to the GSXR, had an awesome ride on the weekend.

This is an amazing country isn't it. You can get the best people in the world to work on your bike and all at a very reasonable price. Best $300.00 ever spent.
Just waiting on him to build me an Ohlins rear shock now.

Would strongly recommend anyone buying a GSXR get a hold of Robert Taylor quickly, before you write it off and get your suspension sorted.
Sorry Sarge.

[Blackbird]

Scuse my ignorance, but does Robert do all sorts of rebuilds? I'm thinking about my stock 'bird shock as it's done 50000 km and might benefit from a rebuild or replacement.

[James Deuce]

Geoff, if the Blackbird shock isn't rebuildable, just buy an Ohlins. It will be like buying a new bike. You can buy it from Mr Taylor, or from Shaun Harris, and they come preset with baseline settings for your bike.

[Blackbird]

Thanks Jim. It's not technically rebuildable to my knowledge but I know some specialist people are still able to do rebuilds. I suppose I'm up for thousands for a road spec Ohlins?

G

[The Stranger]

Yeah what Jim2 says. The X11 is a Naked Blackbird and he got me an Ohlins shock for that no problem.

2 other things I found with the X11 which you may also benefit from is the ability to quickly adjust the compression and rebound for loads and to easily retune the suspension when you change tyres.

So far with the X11, by far the best advantage was gained from the front however. The rear certainly helped, but at 3 times the cost and half the gain.

I suspect the GSXR will be the same. I really can't imagine that I am going to see that amount of improvement when the rear is done. Will be pleased if I am wrong though.

[James Deuce]

One to two thousand for new or you can get 2nd hand rebuilt ones from Robert for $400-$800 generally. I don't know what year your one is Geoff, but here are the bits you may be looking for: http://www.damper.se/Motorcycle/Hidden/Recommendationlist/tabid/110/Default.aspx

[The Stranger]

Thanks Jim. It's not technically rebuildable to my knowledge but I know some specialist people are still able to do rebuilds. I suppose I'm up for thousands for a road spec Ohlins?

G

From memory the Ohlins recommended shock for that bike has a remote preload system and is quite expensive, about $1,500.00 if I recall correctly. If you speak with him though he may be able to build you one without the remote preload a bit cheaper.

I got him to price me one for the Blackbird, but alas I managed to write it off before I could afford it

[James Deuce]

Uh-Oh.

I just scrolled to the bottom of the page

http://www.damper.se/Motorcycle/Products/Sport/tabid/67/Default.aspx

43mm Ohlins RWU forks. Uh-oh. Let's see, I'll need a new upper and lower triple clamp...... (this is going to hurt)

[Blackbird]

From memory the Ohlins recommended shock for that bike has a remote preload system and is quite expensive, about $1,500.00 if I recall correctly. If you speak with him though he may be able to build you one without the remote preload a bit cheaper.

I got him to price me one for the Blackbird, but alas I managed to write it off before I could afford it


Thank you for that. I might think it's good value but for the life of me, I can't see a line of argument that will work on Mrs B, despite taking her to Chch this weekend for our wedding anniversary.:bye:

[Cajun]

Hey Can what did he acutally did the forks?

New oil, springs?

[The Stranger]

Hey Can what did he acutally did the forks?

New oil, springs?

Correct the spring rate for my weight.
Remove the hydraulic bottoming cones.
Flush out the cartriges
Replace the oil with a heavier weight because of the heavier spring.
Machine the caps to give another 8mm of travel.
Preset the the preload and compression and rebound damping and gave me recommended sag settings, which he had spot on anyway.

[Cajun]

ahhhh okay thats a bit better (c: <
and all that for $300??

[The Stranger]

ahhhh okay thats a bit better (c: <
and all that for $300??

Well it cost a bit less actually.
Another pleasant surprise. He gave me an estimate and final price was under estimate.

[oldguy]

Correct the spring rate for my weight.
Remove the hydraulic bottoming cones.
Flush out the cartriges
Replace the oil with a heavier weight because of the heavier spring.
Machine the caps to give another 8mm of travel.
Preset the the preload and compression and rebound damping and gave me recommended sag settings, which he had spot on anyway.all that for around $300, think its well worth getting the forks on the FireStorm done, got a Ohlins rear shock through Robert Taylor gave all the info he needed, worked out spot-on didn't have to adjust anything.
would recommend to anyone having to do shock replacement to check Robert Taylor out first.

[Leong]

I'm quite a newbie at this suspension stuff so I'm not the most qualified to comment on his expertise. But had both ends of my SV done by Robert, and it made a huge difference to the bike

What I can say though is that he is a TOP bloke to deal with. Extremely helpful and very easy to deal with. What CaN said about coming in under quote happened with me too. Also seems very good at delivering at the time he promised. To be recommended!!

[Zapf]

Ermm... I have ordered an Ohlins rear shock for the CB900... and am wondering if I should do the front as well...

Got quote as follows.... I am wondering if its worth it?

Price menu as follows, all gst inclusive
Traxxion Dynamics digressive piston kit $349
Spring and buffer set suitable for you weight $259
Oil (synthetic) $32
Labour $200
TOTAL $840

[cowpoos]

Ermm... I have ordered an Ohlins rear shock for the CB900... and am wondering if I should do the front as well...

Got quote as follows.... I am wondering if its worth it?

Price menu as follows, all gst inclusive
Traxxion Dynamics digressive piston kit $349
Spring and buffer set suitable for you weight $259
Oil (synthetic) $32
Labour $200
TOTAL $840
worth ever doller bro....I never ever enjoy a bike till roberts had a play...because he did such a awesome job the first time he did the suspension on one of my bikes...I know what a good handling bike should feel like....just do it...the $$$ spent for grins gains is well worth it...it will instantly improve your riding too...especially with confidence!!!!

[The Stranger]

Ermm... I have ordered an Ohlins rear shock for the CB900... and am wondering if I should do the front as well...

Got quote as follows.... I am wondering if its worth it?

Price menu as follows, all gst inclusive
Traxxion Dynamics digressive piston kit $349
Spring and buffer set suitable for you weight $259
Oil (synthetic) $32
Labour $200
TOTAL $840

Well on both the X11 and GSXR the difference made by doing the front end up has been huge, and on the X11 certainly made a far greater difference than the rear. As I say, I doubt doing the rear on the GSXR is going to have such a profound impact as the front, but hopefully I will know in a few weeks when he has the shock ready.

And that is just correcting spring rate, changing the oil and setting ride height correctly.

I guess another point is that I am about 100kg with gear, I suspect that the difference would not be as great if you were say 75 kg as you would be closer to design weight.

[Cajun]

hmmmmm $840 i can't strech to $300 maybe.

Might have to contact robert at some stage, and ask him about my setup.

[Lou Girardin]

From memory the Ohlins recommended shock for that bike has a remote preload system and is quite expensive, about $1,500.00 if I recall correctly. If you speak with him though he may be able to build you one without the remote preload a bit cheaper.



You can have the shock with or without remote adjuster. It may be difficult to get at the preload lock rings on some bikes though.
I've found remote adjustment to great for a lazy bugger like me. Plus the adjuster sits out in public view - extra bling.

[Leong]

Ermm... I have ordered an Ohlins rear shock for the CB900... and am wondering if I should do the front as well...


Remember the SV? We talked about doing the rear suspension on that. Robert convinced me that doing the front is more important, and he was right. If the standard setup is quite soft and you're getting brake dive then the right springs will make a big difference!

[Patch]

Nice to read some good stuff being done - but one important thing has been left out for those like me who have never heard of him.

What are his contact details??

Ta

[soundbeltfarm]

Robert Taylor
North West Motorcycles
5/7 Glover rd
Hawera
06 278 4160

[R6_kid]

is he connected on the inter-web?

[Sensei]

E-mail Address(es):
services@haweramotor.com

Fuck I 'm good , Best book in now as he is always very busy

[Zapf]

Remember the SV? We talked about doing the rear suspension on that. Robert convinced me that doing the front is more important, and he was right. If the standard setup is quite soft and you're getting brake dive then the right springs will make a big difference!

True... the issue with the SV was the front damping... with the Hornet its more the rear shock's ability to control the spring at higher lean angles, as a result I think my tire has strange wear pattens on the sides now. He said the compression is too stiff on forks on the Hornet, so I believe him... just $840 on top of the rear shock is getting a bit pricy...

I really wished I got a ride of you SV to find out what difference it made.

[SARGE]

Would strongly recommend anyone buying a GSXR get a hold of Robert Taylor quickly, before you write it off and get your suspension sorted.
Sorry Sarge.


dude .. dont be sorry .. Dr. Taylor does my shit for me.. highly recommend..him or Craig Brown when he can be bothered to pick up the tools..

Ray Clee is a bit of a WP Wizard too and he's Auckland based