TTX 36 shock modification. Robert Taylor is a bastard!

**Pussy** · 6th February 2010, 16:22

Get a phone call from RT last week.
"Got another mod I would like you to try" says he.
"Bugger!" methinks to myself. Removing the shock from the K6 sem fiddy involves dropping the muffler out etc.... just time consuming!
Anyway.... drop in to CKT with the shock, and RT fits a new compression piston that Ohlins are developing. Nice looking bit of kit (genuine Ohlins stuff always is!). Ports are quite modified over the original TTX compression piston. Flow characteristics much improved.
Bolt the shock back in last night... go for a 160 odd km ride this arvo. The hassle of removing and refitting the shock was VERY worthwhile!

Even in the first few hundred metres of the ride, the difference is HUGELY noticeable. The feel from the back end is WAY more compliant. Not wallowy, vague mushy compliant, just "smoother".
Robert left my clicker settings, spring preload and internal valving as I had it, so we could get an "apples for apples" comparison. Bloody primo is what I say!

Interestingly... sometimes(rarely) there was a slight feeling of harshness in the front on certain surfaces.... it was actually the compliance of the rear giving the perceived "harshness" in the front. Worth thinking about!
I've had the stock shock absorber on my sem fiddy (only did about 400km on it), a PRX46 Ohlins shock (VAST improvement over stock), a TTX36 with "as delivered" springing, increased spring rate TTX36, and now the modified piston TTX36. Every change has made big improvements.
Those buggers in Sweden, and that bloke at CKT... never rest! Just when I think the suspension on my bike can't feel any better, I end up having to eat my words when I get to try the next improvement!

Edit: When I mentioned front "harshness"... it was a pedantic comment.
I probably picked up being so pedantic from the guy who does my suspension......

**98tls** · 6th February 2010, 18:16

Nice work,would love to ride that bike of yours P though i probably wouldnt ever want to ride mine again after doing so.

**Owl** · 6th February 2010, 18:19

I'd be keen to try any Ohlins/Triumph bits if they need testing!

Still really pleased with my current Race Tech mods Pussy and I've already noticed massive improvement in tyre wear or lack of. The 016 rear that I expected to be toast by 3000km, is still going strong at 4000. Front PP 2CT wearing evenly and not scolloping badly like previous PP's I've had.

I could kick my own arse for procrastinating so long

**Pussy** · 6th February 2010, 20:44

Originally Posted by 98tls

Nice work,would love to ride that bike of yours P though i probably wouldnt ever want to ride mine again after doing so.

Quite honestly, Mike, the bike is FAR more capable than me, the way it is set up. It does, however, give a great feeling of security if/when you come across unexpected road irregularities. You're welcome to have a ride on the sem fiddy when we catch up

Originally Posted by Owl

I'd be keen to try any Ohlins/Triumph bits if they need testing!

Still really pleased with my current Race Tech mods Pussy and I've already noticed massive improvement in tyre wear or lack of. The 016 rear that I expected to be toast by 3000km, is still going strong at 4000. Front PP 2CT wearing evenly and not scolloping badly like previous PP's I've had.

I could kick my own arse for procrastinating so long

I hear what you're saying, Owl! Decent suspension modifications are worth their weight in gold.
Robert always makes sure you're happy with his work, too. Near enough isn't good enough for him

**Rcktfsh** · 7th February 2010, 07:04

By bastard you mean the evil love child of Hitler and Thatcher I take it?

**Pussy** · 7th February 2010, 10:40

Originally Posted by Rcktfsh

By bastard you mean the evil love child of Hitler and Thatcher I take it?

You mean his full name is: Robert Adolf Margaret Taylor? Hmmm... never knew that!

Back to the subject... the piston RT fitted still provides the same damping, just does it smoother. The sharp bump compliance is that next level improved again

**Rcktfsh** · 7th February 2010, 13:12

Close but I think you'll find its Robert Margaret Adolf Taylor, apparently she was on top.

**steelestring** · 7th February 2010, 14:08

Originally Posted by Pussy

Back to the subject... the piston RT fitted still provides the same damping, just does it smoother. The sharp bump compliance is that next level improved again

What type and amount of nazi gold did that set you back? From standard ttx to truely modded?

**Pussy** · 7th February 2010, 15:21

Originally Posted by steelestring

What type and amount of nazi gold did that set you back? From standard ttx to truely modded?

I could tell you, but then I would have to kill you!

Nah... just trying out this mod for RT in a road application. Although I'm keen to have this as a fixture

**Robert Taylor** · 7th February 2010, 18:31

Originally Posted by Rcktfsh

Close but I think you'll find its Robert Margaret Adolf Taylor, apparently she was on top.

Who was on top of Nicolai Ceaucescu planting the seed into him to spawn you as a love child? Liberace perhaps? Thats a union that explains both your voiciferous and vertical disposition. Lots to say but deluded!!! Remind me to have you defend me on a murder charge, you will talk the jury into submission!!!!!!

Margaret remains one of my all time favourite politicians. She inherited an economic basket case and made England strong again, but that has all been flushed away by that dickhead Gordon Brown. Good riddance to him on May 9th.

My father helped to fight the Nazis but it is still a shame to our family that once he voted Labour, a sin that I never forgave him for to his grave.

Anyway, that piston. We have been testing this piston on track with Stroud, Bugden and Shirriffs. It works well on the track, same ride height and squat control but better square edge bump compliance, better tracking and slightly kinder on the tyres

**Pussy** · 7th February 2010, 18:48

I reckon it feels more "refined", RT.
More comfort, without being at the expense of vagueness

**dipshit** · 9th February 2010, 18:56

Originally Posted by Robert Taylor

It works well on the track, same ride height and squat control but better square edge bump compliance, better tracking and slightly kinder on the tyres

If it turns out to work well for road use too... then feel free to go ahead and build one into my shock too when you build my one up after the nats.

**Rcktfsh** · 10th February 2010, 10:21

Originally Posted by Robert Taylor

Who was on top of Nicolai Ceaucescu planting the seed into him to spawn you as a love child? Liberace perhaps?...

Good to see your understanding of suspension is better than your grasp of biology.

**sidecar bob** · 10th February 2010, 11:05

Originally Posted by Robert Taylor

Who was on top of Nicolai Ceaucescu planting the seed into him to spawn you as a love child? Liberace perhaps? Thats a union that explains both your voiciferous and vertical disposition. Lots to say but deluded!!! Remind me to have you defend me on a murder charge, you will talk the jury into submission!!!!!!

Margaret remains one of my all time favourite politicians. She inherited an economic basket case and made England strong again, but that has all been flushed away by that dickhead Gordon Brown. Good riddance to him on May 9th.

My father helped to fight the Nazis but it is still a shame to our family that once he voted Labour, a sin that I never forgave him for to his grave.

Anyway, that piston. We have been testing this piston on track with Stroud, Bugden and Shirriffs. It works well on the track, same ride height and squat control but better square edge bump compliance, better tracking and slightly kinder on the tyres

All hail to Destiny!!!