Suspension not correct for the job

[Robert Taylor]

ok mr taylor... ( related to the taylor in Queen?)

i have a rg 50... CB 125 twin ( with a honda front end. inclosed disc)

how much to make em ....................... work?

( yes i know that chucking the rider away will be a great start!)

There is not a great deal you can do with such forks other than shorten the springs a little to increase the rate ( if reqd ) and mess with oil viscosity. It is probable that emulators are not available in a small enough size, subject to knowing what the i.d of the fork tubes is.

[Robert Taylor]

Cheaply as possible? No, I'd pay a fair amount for a straight one. And I think your quote for a damper and spring was quite reasonable considering what I'd be getting. The thing is, I'm in it for having fun, not winning. I have to balance out fun and dollars.

Yeah, I did take a chance, but I also trust the supplier and I think they will make good.

Okay, that part of my diatribe was pre-judgemental, sincere apologies for that! Perhaps I should have said ''as cost effectively as possible''

Note that most of my suspension sales are to road riders, but also to many road racers who may never stand on a podium. But the benefits are still the same i.e more mechanical grip, much more responsive to adjustment, more ride compliance, better tyre life, safety etc etc.

I sincerely hope that the text I forwarded will be useful to you and others

[Robert Taylor]

I knew you would enjoy this Forum

To paraphrase the immortal words of Winston Spencer Churchill;

''Never in the field of forum posting has so much twaddle been accredited by so many, to so few''

Just a bit of fun, the great mans post Battle of Britain speech lends itself to paraphrasing so well. As Ryan you have notably forwarded much banter I thought you were a worthy recipient!!!

[ajturbo]

There is not a great deal you can do with such forks other than shorten the springs a little to increase the rate ( if reqd ) and mess with oil viscosity. It is probable that emulators are not available in a small enough size, subject to knowing what the i.d of the fork tubes is.

OK .. as they didn't come with names ... i take it ...i.d.. stands for internal diamiter...

just a bit bigger than my thumb!....
now what you say about shorting the springs... you mean cutting????..

ooo i get to play with disc grinder???

lol

[Skunk]

Put down the grinder...
Put it down.
Now step back.

Ok. You can measure (with my vernier that you haven't given back yet) and enquire from Robert about emulators.

[Robert Taylor]

OK .. as they didn't come with names ... i take it ...i.d.. stands for internal diamiter...

just a bit bigger than my thumb!....
now what you say about shorting the springs... you mean cutting????..

ooo i get to play with disc grinder???

lol

The smallest diameter emulator available is 23.8mm so I am guessing that is still too large for your forks.

Shortening fork springs is always a very last resort if nothing is easily available, and that is very much the case for forks made for low cost commuter bikes. No manufacturer ever intended that they would be raced.

The chance of getting the spring ends totally square again are very difficult, so side thrust against the inner walls of the fork tubes intensifies. It is also very easy to over-shorten and increase the rate too substanially

[TDC]

The smallest diameter emulator available is 23.8mm so I am guessing that is still too large for your forks.

Shortening fork springs is always a very last resort if nothing is easily available, and that is very much the case for forks made for low cost commuter bikes. No manufacturer ever intended that they would be raced.

The chance of getting the spring ends totally square again are very difficult, so side thrust against the inner walls of the fork tubes intensifies. It is also very easy to over-shorten and increase the rate too substanially

Use a cutoff saw, you know the ones just like a miter saw for wood but with an abrasive blade, keeps the ends square and its easier to get them the same length.....

[Robert Taylor]

Use a cutoff saw, you know the ones just like a miter saw for wood but with an abrasive blade, keeps the ends square and its easier to get them the same length.....

That makes perfect sense. The sad thing is there are always those who are not prepared to tool up to do it properly OR have absolutely no conception of a quality job.

Last Thursday I sorted out a set of forks that had aftermarket springs fitted. The dealer had cut new alloy preload spacers. The ends were up to 3.5mm out of square. That puts a sidethrust on the springs and makes them rub harder onto the internal fork legs, increasing friction and sending shards of metal down below where it can over time get trapped in the valving. Just wonderful, for the sake of the equipment you mention or having someone square them off properly in a lathe. All of the suspension tuners that I authorise for Ohlins work have lathes or appropriate equipment for such work.

Lacklustre or no quality control sucks.

[Pancakes]

Last Thursday I sorted out a set of forks that had aftermarket springs fitted. The dealer had cut new alloy preload spacers. The ends were up to 3.5mm out of square. That puts a sidethrust on the springs and makes them rub harder onto the internal fork legs, increasing friction and sending shards of metal down below where it can over time get trapped in the valving..

Holy crap! I can do better than that in a hurry by hand!! If you do cock up something like that surely they at least know enough to throw a poked part in the bin? Thanks for the time you take on here Mr T. one of the reasons I bought brand new is from pulling heaps of bikes apart (I'm not great at it - never said they went back together again!) and some of the complete rubbish that came out of machines that were supposed to be rentals owned by one dealer the whole time (and the VIR confirmed that) was not just crap, it was amazingly shit!! Anyhoo, thanks and have fun!

[emaN]

great stuff!
thanks mr T.
I'll be in touch with Col to find out what you told him 'bout RF shocks

[Pancakes]

This Mr T has no pity for the fool. Now stop yor jibba jabba!