FG Engineering

[Yanosh]

I've got an FG shock on my R1 and was just wondering where I could find some info on it???

Internet search came up with squat!

Anyone else using one??

[R1madness]

Gidday dude. Thats my old R1. I purchased the shock off the net. They are made in italy. The body looks like a copy of a WP unit. So do the clickers.
What info do you want?

[cowpoos]

Gidday dude. Thats my old R1. I purchased the shock off the net. They are made in italy. The body looks like a copy of a WP unit. So do the clickers.
What info do you want?
hope you had a good flight home bro!! Good to see ya again!!

Coz your a all 'ROUND' nice bloke...lol ;)

[Robert Taylor]

I've got an FG shock on my R1 and was just wondering where I could find some info on it???

Internet search came up with squat!

Anyone else using one??

Actually this raises a point generally about importing goods into this in some ways under-regulated country. I know not what the outcome is re this matter but I do wonder aloud about the wisdom of importing goods that have no local backup. By that I am singling out high dollar items that ultimately need service and knowledgable backup to get the best out of them. The most generic rebuild parts in this orphan could well be the same as in other brands of suspension unit, but think of the procurement hassles if they are not? Especially out of Italy where back up is often shall we say ''casual''.
I am also saying this a little tongue in cheek because there are many distributors of product into this country who provide abysmal or no backup for goods that require skill and knowledge to service. There must be some differentiation between such goods and plain expendable non servicable
goods.
An interesting situation occured just before the start of the recent NZ road race nationals. A customer was largely the architect of his own problems because he wanted a full suspension kit for his new racebike at ''five minutes to midnight'' ie right before the start of the nationals with no time to spare. There was no way I could supply in time because of lead times, and in case many have failed to notice the population of this country and therefore the road racing population is very tiny. This means it is just not economically viable to stock huge quantities of goods and supply at very short notice, a fact that many distributors and onsellers get unfairly maligned for.
So, as it transpired the customer bought the goods offshore from some faceless Yankee company who onsold the goods and washed their hands of it, thankyou very much. The problem was that come the Teretonga round ( and probably before )the bike was burning up tyres because the suspension units had not been appropriately sprung and valved for our track surface / temperature and corner exit speed conditions. Cost of spring and my revalve a little over $400.The point is here had the customer allowed a proper timeframe and bought the goods off me as the authorised and LOCAL distributor the shock unit would have been pre-sprung and valved at no extra cost prior to delivery, and backed up accordingly during the meetings. But as I had made no margin on the unit it was appropriately respeced at normal commercial rates, which the customer accepted. Problem fixed.
These offshore parasites only want your money and I cannot see them providing on track service to ensure the goods are performing and readjusted as per a tuning ''setting bank''. If you buy ''grey'' it will inevitably actually cost you more money in the end.

[koba]

So, just out of interest, what does is the price range for the gold gear you do?
I realise there would be alot of variables from bike to bike but for both ends blinged up with mr Ö what would the prices range between? All Mr R. Taylor proper like too.

[Robert Taylor]

So, just out of interest, what does is the price range for the gold gear you do?
I realise there would be alot of variables from bike to bike but for both ends blinged up with mr Ö what would the prices range between? All Mr R. Taylor proper like too.

Its a real shame that a larger number of people think 'to hell with it, it might be unfashionable and not cool to be proper, but I will be so anyway''.
Ohlins list shock specifications specific to each bike, with a few exceptions there is normally one spec. So the price is totally dependent on that and the customer quoting the model and application. Quite proper! If you pm me with the model etc I can quote pricing, it is not a habit to do so on the net due to dutch auction mentality. We make a fair but not by any means exorbitant margin, effectively eroded by a high level of backup service. Refreshingly old fashioned and proper, if you like!

[koba]

Its a real shame that a larger number of people think 'to hell with it, it might be unfashionable and not cool to be proper, but I will be so anyway''.
Ohlins list shock specifications specific to each bike, with a few exceptions there is normally one spec. So the price is totally dependent on that and the customer quoting the model and application. Quite proper! If you pm me with the model etc I can quote pricing, it is not a habit to do so on the net due to dutch auction mentality. We make a fair but not by any means exorbitant margin, effectively eroded by a high level of backup service. Refreshingly old fashioned and proper, if you like!

Good shit and fair enough!

I'm not serious enough about it at this point to waste your time working out prices for things that I proabably wont buy for this bike.
However I will definatley keep the whole thing in mind when I get serious enough to benefit properly from the advandages offered by the quality gear.
Thanks.

[R1madness]

Actually this raises a point generally about importing goods into this in some ways under-regulated country. I know not what the outcome is re this matter but I do wonder aloud about the wisdom of importing goods that have no local backup. By that I am singling out high dollar items that ultimately need service and knowledgable backup to get the best out of them. The most generic rebuild parts in this orphan could well be the same as in other brands of suspension unit, but think of the procurement hassles if they are not? Especially out of Italy where back up is often shall we say ''casual''.
.


Yep true enough Robert but in this case you have missed the point. This shock cost me under $200 brand new. To my door. 5 days delivery.
In my book that makes it a throw away item. Yes it is a lot better than the stock one. As good as an Ohlins? probibly not. But on the road i doubt there will be too much difference.

[Robert Taylor]

Yep true enough Robert but in this case you have missed the point. This shock cost me under $200 brand new. To my door. 5 days delivery.
In my book that makes it a throw away item. Yes it is a lot better than the stock one. As good as an Ohlins? probibly not. But on the road i doubt there will be too much difference.

Thanks for further info. Its certain though that the Ohlins will perform a lot better on the road, its a HUGE misconception that Ohlins are only race shocks. They are primarily developed for road use. At $200 the FG is not going to have the level of precision, sophistication and exhaustive testing to perform in the same league in terms of abrupt bump compliance, dynamic ride height control, mechanical grip, tyre life improvement, servicability and longevity etc. Mathematics.

[JD Racing]

At $200 the FG is not going to have the level of precision, sophistication and exhaustive testing to perform in the same league in terms of abrupt bump compliance, dynamic ride height control, mechanical grip, tyre life improvement, servicability and longevity etc. Mathematics.

I think it's more of a case that at $200 he got a bloody good deal.

http://www.fgspecialparts.it/

I didn't see Gary McCoy suffering from any of the problems you list at Phlilp Island with his FG shock........

[Robert Taylor]

I think it's more of a case that at $200 he got a bloody good deal.

http://www.fgspecialparts.it/

I didn't see Gary McCoy suffering from any of the problems you list at Phlilp Island with his FG shock........

Cheap shot and you know it. Not the $200 budget special was it? And he still burned up his tyres. Same difference between the very average Sachs offerings seen on a lot of production bikes and the unobtanium first class offerings they made for Michael Scumachers Ferrari. You get what you pay for.

Theres also a marked difference between snipers and those that dont hide to shoot.....Even though ( for example ) I have had battles with Shaun on this forum I do respect the fact that he stands up for who he actually is and doesnt hide behind a pseudonym if he is going to say something contestable.

[JD Racing]

Cheap shot and you know it. Not the $200 budget special was it? And he still burned up his tyres. Same difference between the very average Sachs offerings seen on a lot of production bikes and the unobtanium first class offerings they made for Michael Scumachers Ferrari. You get what you pay for.

Theres also a marked difference between snipers and those that dont hide to shoot.....Even though ( for example ) I have had battles with Shaun on this forum I do respect the fact that he stands up for who he actually is and doesnt hide behind a pseudonym if he is going to say something contestable.

No cheap shot, or sniping involved, it's simply that FG do not make a $200 shock for an R1 they retail at around $1300- $1500 depending upon what model it is, the guy got a bargain.

Just because Ohlins and Showa do it it doesn't mean that all manufacturers have one product for the punters and a completely different item full of unobtanium parts for selected racers.
Ben Bostrom used an FG shock when he rode for Caracchi where it could be argued he had better results than when he swapped to ride for the Ducati factory with an Ohlins shock. If I remember correctly I think Pirovano used one for a while as well, they've been around for a while.

[Shaun]

Cheap shot and you know it. Not the $200 budget special was it? And he still burned up his tyres. Same difference between the very average Sachs offerings seen on a lot of production bikes and the unobtanium first class offerings they made for Michael Scumachers Ferrari. You get what you pay for.

Theres also a marked difference between snipers and those that dont hide to shoot.....Even though ( for example ) I have had battles with Shaun on this forum I do respect the fact that he stands up for who he actually is and doesnt hide behind a pseudonym if he is going to say something contestable.




Robert, classic example of what I was talking to you about last week mate.

Ease the brakes on dude, don't snatch at them

[Robert Taylor]

No cheap shot, or sniping involved, it's simply that FG do not make a $200 shock for an R1 they retail at around $1300- $1500 depending upon what model it is, the guy got a bargain.

Just because Ohlins and Showa do it it doesn't mean that all manufacturers have one product for the punters and a completely different item full of unobtanium parts for selected racers.
Ben Bostrom used an FG shock when he rode for Caracchi where it could be argued he had better results than when he swapped to ride for the Ducati factory with an Ohlins shock. If I remember correctly I think Pirovano used one for a while as well, they've been around for a while.

Indeed he got a bargain, hard to see how it was so much so.

Indeed also ( as you mention it ) Ohlins are somewhat better at supplying product somewhat closer to what the racing gods get. And somewhat better at supplying racetrack service in several countries, thats pretty important.

As for Ben Bostrom its arguable that his roller coaster form was more to do with his head and myriad other factors. FG may have been around for a while but they havent set the world on fire, so to speak.

[Robert Taylor]

Robert, classic example of what I was talking to you about last week mate.

Ease the brakes on dude, don't snatch at them

Okay, Ill take lessons from the ''Shaun Harris school of diplomacy'' !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Again I re-iterate that its rather easy to snipe from a pseudonym. Thats a credibility issue.

[JD Racing]

Okay, Ill take lessons from the ''Shaun Harris school of diplomacy'' !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Again I re-iterate that its rather easy to snipe from a pseudonym. Thats a credibility issue.

How is using my name a pseudonym? I was christened John David and have been known as JD all my life.
You were wrongly stating that a shock was a piece of shit when you had no knowledge of what it was, your ranting was misleading to the readers of this board.

[Shaun]

Okay, Ill take lessons from the ''Shaun Harris school of diplomacy'' !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Again I re-iterate that its rather easy to snipe from a pseudonym. Thats a credibility issue.


K mate, I will shut up! Good luck with your rants, there is a forum for that!

[Robert Taylor]

How is using my name a pseudonym? I was christened John David and have been known as JD all my life.
You were wrongly stating that a shock was a piece of shit when you had no knowledge of what it was, your ranting was misleading to the readers of this board.

Well thats letting on more of who you are and how in gods name was anyone supposed to pre-guess what it all stood for? None the wiser really and my point is you are still anonymous and clearly find it very comfortable to remain so and revelled in it. Shame.
I at no time was saying that the shock was as you have intimated, maybe you should read more carefully and not draw the conclusions that suit you. A lot of posts have been economical in providing all of the key facts so when the word misleading has been used it has been misappropriated to the wrong person.
You have otherwise provided some interesting posts.

[JD Racing]

At $200 the FG is not going to have the level of precision, sophistication and exhaustive testing to perform in the same league in terms of abrupt bump compliance, dynamic ride height control, mechanical grip, tyre life improvement, servicability and longevity etc. Mathematics.

So if this doesn't mean that you think an FG shock is a piece of crap what does it mean?

My identitiy is of absolutely no consequence, I'm not in competition with you, I'm not selling anything, at no point have I advertised on this forum and despite requests from the moderators have not submitted my details for inclusion in the list of vendors.
All my comments in this post can be verified.
Do FG make a $200 shock for R1's..no they don't.
Does Gary McCoy use an FG shock..yes he does.
Did Ben Bostrom use an FG shock..yes he did.
These are all facts, whether I was the Queen of Sheba or a drug addict laid in a pool of my own vomit these things would all be true.

For a guy who has a virtual monopoly of the motorcycle market something is really bugging you, your constantly complaining about free market economics that allow customers free choice to buy shocks from who they want and where they want, you want government legislation to determine who is competant to work on shocks, your even demanding the full identity of people on an internet chat forums. Your in a unique position, how can that make you so angry?

[speedpro]

Quote Robert Taylor "At $200 ".

Clearly he is referring to a $200 shock. It turns out that the shock may have been worth more than that in which case RT I would think may use other criteria to determine it's quality. Even I would assume, with no other indicators, that a $200 shock is pretty ordinary at best.

[JD Racing]

Thanks for further info. Its certain though that the Ohlins will perform a lot better on the road, its a HUGE misconception that Ohlins are only race shocks. They are primarily developed for road use. At $200 the FG is not going to have the level of precision, sophistication and exhaustive testing to perform in the same league in terms of abrupt bump compliance, dynamic ride height control, mechanical grip, tyre life improvement, servicability and longevity etc. Mathematics.


Speedpro that's exactly why I have posted, I'm sure lots of people assumed that the FG shock would be a stinking pile because of the cost and the suspension expert had told them so, however knowing a little of FG and their products I thought that to question the integrity of a product without even knowing what it was whilst all the while promoting an alternative was misleading.

[FROSTY]

Please guys can ya pull ya claws back. :girlfight:

[FROSTY]

Robert/JD/Shaun. You guys all come across most of the time as very knowledgeable people.
By allowing your conversation degenerate imto a fight it sounds like a bunch of pre teen boys having a bitch fight.

[Shaun]

Robert/JD/Shaun. You guys all come across most of the time as very knowledgeable people.
By allowing your conversation degenerate imto a fight it sounds like a bunch of pre teen boys having a bitch fight.




MY BAD SORRY ALL- Now just piss off and do some work ya plonker


wooooops, there I go again:buggerd:

[Robert Taylor]

Robert/JD/Shaun. You guys all come across most of the time as very knowledgeable people.
By allowing your conversation degenerate imto a fight it sounds like a bunch of pre teen boys having a bitch fight.

I agree but I still insist that if one wants to make contestable comments then they should have the intestinal fortitude to not hide behind a shroud. My name is up front, so is Shauns, so is yours, we dont have a problem with it. And I make no apology to anyone for complaining about the amount of shonky work going on and the need for some control. I see the end result of this nonsense day in and day out.

[Robert Taylor]

Quote Robert Taylor "At $200 ".

Clearly he is referring to a $200 shock. It turns out that the shock may have been worth more than that in which case RT I would think may use other criteria to determine it's quality. Even I would assume, with no other indicators, that a $200 shock is pretty ordinary at best.

The original purchaser stated that he bought it at $200 or so BRAND NEW. I therefore made a not unreasonable assumption that at such a price it would be ''budget'' in terms of performance etc. If indeed it was a severely price slashed unit that works well then hey thats great! Another post decided to turn this into conflict given the tone of speech. Enough said.

[Robert Taylor]

Quote Robert Taylor "At $200 ".

Clearly he is referring to a $200 shock. It turns out that the shock may have been worth more than that in which case RT I would think may use other criteria to determine it's quality. Even I would assume, with no other indicators, that a $200 shock is pretty ordinary at best.

Thanks, and I think that is the crux of it as the information presented wasnt complete and at no time was there any justification for going for the jugular. I will have no more to say about this in fear of my every word being analysed!!!!

[HenryDorsetCase]

You get what you pay for.




I agree with this entirely.

[koba]

Valid points on both sides really.
I am learning...

[F5 Dave]

I think the issue was started by R1 Madness who is surprisingly quiet (which isn't to say that everyone has to check the PC every day like us sad gits (. . actually I'll be off it for 4 days, - what do you mean you don't all care?).

$200? Brand new? Wow! [gullibility mode switched full on]

hmm, yeah right [scepticisim mode activated, too good to be true routine engaged]. Websearch popped up nothing. (link JD posted finds though).

I concluded that a $200 shock would have to be an enlarged chinese pitbike manufacturer & would be dangerous at best. It's a logical conclusion. Although in this case entirely wrong.

However we were sent down this path by the original preposition. Perhaps for example someone bought one for retail & never fitted it so sold it on Evilbay for as much as they could get. $200 in this case to Mr R1Madness. Perhaps. In which case good score & indeed brand new.

We should try to organise the 3 of you for a pub night some time, would make for a good yarn I'm sure. In some ways these forums are impersonal or veiled identity (who is this speedpro chap for example? I hear he's some short little fat guy:woohoo:). When I chose a name it was so the other bucket racers would work out who it was. If you're a business then it makes sense to log as that if you want the connection.

Ahh what do I know? beer o'clock.

[Yanosh]

Well I have to say I wasn't expecting these responses....

The shock is obviously a high quality unit, great build quality, etc - but back to my original question of setup, I'm none the wiser! I've wound off a few turns of preload as there was almost no sag when I got the bike.. It's tracking much better, no surprises! The rebound adjuster is at the top of the shock, but I still can't see where the compression damping is!? I should be able to see it, surely??

[Robert Taylor]

Well I have to say I wasn't expecting these responses....

The shock is obviously a high quality unit, great build quality, etc - but back to my original question of setup, I'm none the wiser! I've wound off a few turns of preload as there was almost no sag when I got the bike.. It's tracking much better, no surprises! The rebound adjuster is at the top of the shock, but I still can't see where the compression damping is!? I should be able to see it, surely??

Yes indeed, it was a reasonable non-emotive conversation there for a while.
If you can perhaps post some e-mail images of the shock at both ends the questions may be able to be answered. If the adjusters are indeed in the ''regular'' places it will be easy to advise base set-up. I may have been vilified from afar but am nonetheless happy to assist.

As a starting point ( for road use ) you should set the rider sag to between 30 - 35mm. If you go to www.ohlins.com you can download owners and set up manuals that are fairly ''generic'' to any shock. If you have trouble finding same pm me with your e-mail address and I will e-mail manuals to you.

Also dont commit the mistake of many by having the rebound speed set too slow. The rear should return quickly and controllably, but not so quickly that there are ''aftercycles''.

[R1madness]

Ok guys, I brought the shock for $150 + freight. Yes it was a bloody bargin. Yes it was brand new. It came in the box and had never been fitted. Yes it worked very well. Yes i would buy another 1. Yes i knew what it was when i brought it. NO i dont check KB every day. No you dont always get what you pay for. Sometimes you get a bargin and other times you get ripped off. Which was this one???

F5 dave, i take exception to you. To imply that i am not being truthful about the price is to question my honesty. Not cool man.

The dampening adjuster is the black knob below the spriing and above the knuckle.

[R1madness]

Oops sorry. The bottom one is rebound the top one is compression.
Have a fiddle man.

[Robert Taylor]

I've got an FG shock on my R1 and was just wondering where I could find some info on it???

Internet search came up with squat!

Anyone else using one??

I think Ive got a very valid point here to state and I hope no-one takes a negative viewpoint to it....

If ( for example ) it was a second hand Ohlins shock that you happened into you would simply be able to read off the model code number stamped into its cylinder head. By now you would have recieved by e-mail the instruction/ set up manual that comes with it including the base settings and tuning reccommendations. Plus a copy of an owners manual.
That is the value of a company that has a comprehensive and easy to access worldwide network. We offer such service foc to anyone that asks and get enquiry all the time from people that have purchased second hand Ohlins shocks. It is often very prudent that prospective purchasers contact us prior to committing as there have been many private resellers who have brazenly misrepresented what the shock will fit.
If you want a 100% honest answer that is exactly what you will get.

[cowpoos]

If you want a 100% honest answer that is exactly what you will get.

Will you let me Date your eldest daughter?? :clap:

[Pussy]

Will you let me Date your eldest daughter?? :clap:
Shows you have good taste, Poos! She's a little sweetie!

[Robert Taylor]

Will you let me Date your eldest daughter?? :clap:

1) You first have to view my small arms collection

2) You have to have austere protestant sensibilities and work ethic

3) You have to have an intense hatred for megalomaniac dictators such as ''Helen knows best''.

And thats just for starters

[White trash]

My name is up front, so is Shauns, so is yours,


And so is mine. Depends who you're talking to though.

Motorcycle Trader = Jamie McNair
Phil Dark = Jamie Marr, Jimmy Marr, or Jimmy Mair

[cowpoos]

1) You first have to view my small arms collection

If they are small I doubt they would impress me Bob!




2) You have to have austere protestant sensibilities and work ethic

are you reffering to Pheasent plucking again??




3) You have to have an intense hatred for megalomaniac dictators such as ''Helen knows best''.

I know this isn't about plucking pheasents!!


And thats just for starters

oh..thats like foreplay??

[Pussy]

Imagine this.... I'd like you to meet Mrs Poos, formerly Miss Taylor :pinch:

[F5 Dave]

Ok guys, I brought the shock for $150 + freight. Yes it was a bloody bargin. Yes it was brand new. It came in the box and had never been fitted. Yes it worked very well. Yes i would buy another 1. Yes i knew what it was when i brought it. NO i dont check KB every day. No you dont always get what you pay for. Sometimes you get a bargin and other times you get ripped off. Which was this one???

F5 dave, i take exception to you. To imply that i am not being truthful about the price is to question my honesty. Not cool man.

The dampening adjuster is the black knob below the spriing and above the knuckle.

Sorry if offended. No smear intended, if you reread my post I was impressing my train of thought as I suspect was many peoples. For that price it seems too good to be true. Then I proposed a scenario which could explain it, as it turned out correctly.