Futura-mille shock- falco forks

Message

blinkey501 · #1 Post by **blinkey501** » Fri Mar 21, 2014 8:39 am

As mentioned in another post.
I managed to get time to visit Revs racing on Tuesday of this week
I took two ohlins rear shocks down as well as a pair of falco forks.
The two rear shocks were the AP8230 (early mille R) shock
And the later post 2001 AP8240.
I have looked on AF1 at some of the posts, and some do use the later shock. But john advised that with the later spring a thicker bump stop would be required due to the length of the travel on the shock. In other words he said the back wheel in effect could hit the under tray without
John from revs did a lot of comparisons using the computer to work out which shock would be more compatable with the futura.
The length of the piston rod on the futura is 55mm stroke. The AP8230 has a stroke of 56mm where as the AP8240 has a stroke of 65mm.
John advised that the early mille R shock would be a wiser choice because of the same comparison in the length of the travel.
The distance between the mounting eyes on the futura is 4mm longer than the mille shock in standard form.
But due to the ohlins having ride height adjustment the shock can be adjusted to the same mounting centres as the futura shock.
It was established that I am a rider that weighs 98 KG's.
Again with my weight, the calculation of what the kit I would be wearing whilst riding and the weight of the bike, a spring with almost twice the standard weight bearing load would be required to enable the use of the standard dog bone and linkages from the futura with this set up.

The falco forks.....
John found this a tricky one due to cross matching fork/bike.
The showa forks have spacers fitted inside. The spacers would have to be shortened by 20mm to allow springs that could be used for my weight.
It also turned out that the futura uses 35mm dia springs and not the 38mm springs that the forks of the falco/mille uses.
Through more research it was decided that progressive springs and not linear would be required to make things as they should be.
John has told me he will give me details in writing of all work done to create a set up which should be near a perfect set up for my weight on the futura.
I look forward to fitting and trying the set up and will post results when the bike has the suspension fitted.

#2 Post by **mangocrazy** » Fri Mar 21, 2014 9:42 am

Interesting stuff, Jay. Presumably John will revalve the Ohlins AP8230 to suit the Futura triangles and dogbone? Sounds like the way to go. The only thing I'd say is you don't want to get it too firmly sprung and lose the plushness of the standard setup.

As regards Falco forks, I'm a big fan of progressive rate springs. I know the prevailing wisdom is that linear springs are better, but I beg to differ. I've use Hyperpro and Wilbers and both are excellent. In fact I'm fitting a set of Wilbers progressive springs to the 'secret' Falco right now (well, not as I'm typing this, obviously. But...)

MartDude · #3 Post by **MartDude** » Fri Mar 21, 2014 11:26 pm

blinkey501 · #4 Post by **blinkey501** » Sun Mar 30, 2014 7:08 am

mangocrazy wrote:Interesting stuff, Jay. Presumably John will revalve the Ohlins AP8230 to suit the Futura triangles and dogbone? Sounds like the way to go. The only thing I'd say is you don't want to get it too firmly sprung and lose the plushness of the standard setup.

As regards Falco forks, I'm a big fan of progressive rate springs. I know the prevailing wisdom is that linear springs are better, but I beg to differ. I've use Hyperpro and Wilbers and both are excellent. In fact I'm fitting a set of Wilbers progressive springs to the 'secret' Falco right now (well, not as I'm typing this, obviously. But...)

Yes graham the shock will be re valved .
I will be getting the parts back this week

blinkey501 · #5 Post by **blinkey501** » Sun Apr 06, 2014 5:50 pm

I managed to get the shocks and forks back from REVS.
John is sending me my worksheet through later this week, so I can post if what exactly has been done with the falco forks for the futura.
But anyhow......
I am looking forward to fitting this little lot

This is the spring rate required with the AP8230 with a 98 KG rider.

It also turns out that the spring that was fitted to the AP 8230 is the correct spring for my weight on the AP8240....Result!!!!

#6 Post by **mangocrazy** » Sun Apr 06, 2014 8:16 pm

So you've got one of those rare twin-shock Futuras then, Jay?

HisNibbs · #7 Post by **HisNibbs** » Sun Apr 06, 2014 10:50 pm

Have you not seen his twin shock conversion post with two Futura single sides welded together?

blinkey501 · #8 Post by **blinkey501** » Wed Apr 09, 2014 4:22 pm

mangocrazy wrote:So you've got one of those rare twin-shock Futuras then, Jay?

Thought I would get the bike set up for next time I meet hisnibs on track.

blinkey501 · #9 Post by **blinkey501** » Mon May 05, 2014 6:55 pm

Managed to fit the forks today and the linkages to the ohlins shock already in place.
The ride seemed a lot firmer but the bike changed direction easier?
I think if the bike was pushed hard into a corner it would be well behaved.
I need to get some miles on the futura to feel the full benefit of the expensive mods I have just done.
Martdude and oldgit are more than welcome to try the bike and give their thoughts on the set up.