Wanted: Book about motorcycle suspension

[p.dath]

I've been avoiding learning about suspension because it all seems like a black art to me. Some kind of magic, something that you go to a magician to have adjusted.

But I feel like it's time I started trying to understand it. To that end, I wouldn't mind getting a book (as opposed to an online resource) about motorcycle suspension.

Does anyone have a book they would care to recommend?

[Drew]

Robert might be able to point you in the direction of some good resources.

How they work is pretty simple (the mechanics of it) all things considered, so if that's what you want to understand you shouldn't struggle.

Should you be looking to learn how to spec a shim stack and tune suspension, then you start moving into the world of art rather than science.

[AllanB]

Crack out the card and order either of these. The Racetech one covers everything from simple tweaking to work way beyond the common man!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Suspension-T...item2c7142fed0

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Race-Techs-M...item35c9bcd529

[Robert Taylor]

No need to buy offshore and put money into the pockets of people who put nothing back into our local economy. We have the Race Tech book in stock and its an excellent publication. Call me during the week 0830 to 1730 hours incl, 06 7512100. Or e-mail

[caspernz]

I've been avoiding learning about suspension because it all seems like a black art to me. Some kind of magic, something that you go to a magician to have adjusted.

But I feel like it's time I started trying to understand it. To that end, I wouldn't mind getting a book (as opposed to an online resource) about motorcycle suspension.

Does anyone have a book they would care to recommend?

Instead of buying the book from Dr Robert Taylor...why not take a trip to New Plymouth with your bike? The result will surprise you

[p.dath]

Robert might be able to point you in the direction of some good resources.

How they work is pretty simple (the mechanics of it) all things considered, so if that's what you want to understand you shouldn't struggle.

Should you be looking to learn how to spec a shim stack and tune suspension, then you start moving into the world of art rather than science.

Negative, I don't want to be touching shims. Correct, I want to understand the terms, and what the adjustments actually do.

No need to buy offshore and put money into the pockets of people who put nothing back into our local economy. We have the Race Tech book in stock and its an excellent publication. Call me during the week 0830 to 1730 hours incl, 06 7512100. Or e-mail

I'll flick you a PM shortly.

Instead of buying the book from Dr Robert Taylor...why not take a trip to New Plymouth with your bike? The result will surprise you

Now you see, Robert would probably want to know what I felt was wrong with my current suspension, and I would have to say it feels great to me (with my limited knowledge), and the conversation would probably end. It's hard to ask someone to fix a problem that you don't know exists.
I don't have a suspension problem that I want to solve. I just want to understand it better.

[gwigs]

http://www.gostar-racing.com/informa...ion_set-up.htm

Some good info on how suspension works and how to set up..

You can download a pdf from the site.

[Maha]

I've been avoiding learning about suspension because it all seems like a black art to me. Some kind of magic, something that you go to a magician to have adjusted.

But I feel like it's time I started trying to understand it. To that end, I wouldn't mind getting a book (as opposed to an online resource) about motorcycle suspension.

Does anyone have a book they would care to recommend?

I sat and had a coffee with Graeme Crosby a few years and asked him to explain the workings of suspension, this was when I had the CB. He drew a graph type thing on a pad, explained it all in great detail but did it sink in? no not really , nice coffee though, thanks Mrs C.
It shouldn't be as technically confusing as some try to make it out to be.

[Drew]

I sat and had a coffee with Graeme Crosby a few years and asked him to explain the workings of suspension, this was when I had the CB. He drew a graph type thing on a pad, explained it all in great detail but did it sink in? no not really , nice coffee though, thanks Mrs C.
It shouldn't be as technically confusing as some try top make it to be.

Wait. You have had things explained in detail enough to require a graph, and you think it's simple still after not bloody getting it?

If it's so simple, can you give me a spring weight requirement for a direct mount shock, 25% of the way down a 570mm swingarm. 15 degrees off vertical, and 25 degrees relative to swingarm at static. Combined bike and rider weigh 180kgs.

That'd be super.

[Maha]

Wait. You have had things explained in detail enough to require a graph, and you think it's simple still after not bloody getting it?

If it's so simple, can you give me a spring weight requirement for a direct mount shock, 25% of the way down a 570mm swingarm. 15 degrees off vertical, and 25 degrees relative to swingarm at static. Combined bike and rider weigh 180kgs.

That'd be super.

Where did I say it was simple? I said ''It shouldn't be as technically confusing''
I haven't even looked at the rear shock on my bike as yet. All I need to know (and I suspect many others do also) is the adjustment needed on preload and rebound when adding an extra 90kgs (or there abouts) to the bike with gear and pillion.

[Drew]

Where did I say it was simple? I said ''It shouldn't be as technically confusing''
I haven't even looked at the rear shock on my bike as yet. All I need to know (and I suspect many others do also) is the adjustment needed on preload and rebound when adding an extra 90kgs (or there abouts) to the bike with gear and pillion.

Add as much preload as ya like, it won't change that it's undersprung and damped for the extra weight.

It is very technical, to set up for a massive change like what you have described. Like, owning two rear shocks because the only thing they share is the housings.

[p.dath]

I sat and had a coffee with Graeme Crosby a few years and asked him to explain the workings of suspension, this was when I had the CB. He drew a graph type thing on a pad, explained it all in great detail but did it sink in? no not really , nice coffee though, thanks Mrs C.
It shouldn't be as technically confusing as some try to make it out to be.

I've had people explain it to me before as well, and it didn't sink in. That's why I'm going for a book this time. Something I can go back to and refer to a few times. Then I don't have to take it all in, in one session.

[Maha]

I've had people explain it to me before as well, and it didn't sink in. That's why I'm going for a book this time. Something I can go back to and refer to a few times. Then I don't have to take it all in, in one session.

That Race Tech book spoken of earlier might just be what you're after, you do track days

[Fergus]

Wait. You have had things explained in detail enough to require a graph, and you think it's simple still after not bloody getting it?

If it's so simple, can you give me a spring weight requirement for a direct mount shock, 25% of the way down a 570mm swingarm. 15 degrees off vertical, and 25 degrees relative to swingarm at static. Combined bike and rider weigh 180kgs.

That'd be super.

No one could.

With that information the force the spring must exert at static equilibrium (ie swingarm is still relative to bike) could be calculated but that force could be achieved with any spring as you dont specify spring displacement.

(Assuming 'spring weight requirement' means spring constant eg N/m or kg/mm etc)

It shouldn't be as technically confusing as some try to make it out to be.

Suspension is a really fucking complex dynamic system, if you want to a (very basic) understanding of how to set up a bike read the link gwigs posted. If you want a thorough understanding of how it works you'll need a PhD in Physics (or Mechanical engineering)

[Drew]

No one could. you dont specify spring displacement.

(Assuming 'spring weight requirement' means spring constant eg N/m or kg/mm etc)

Yes, 'spring constant' is what I was after. I just say 'weight' because everyone sorta understands it. eg, "You need a heavier/lighter spring".

Spring displacement could have been worked out, if I'd given a shock and a stroke length...(I think). I left it off the list to see if anyone would try and give an answer.