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Help guys!
I keep seeing that you NEED the RSV linkages with the sach (yellow spring shock) I bought mine with it already fitted with the falco linkages.

I have taken it to a guy who does suspension. I mentioned that it had the falco linkages and he said it didn't really matter?

The bike rides superb since he set it up (but I did come from a wallowing bandit).

Can anyone explain WHY I need the RSV linkages?
I have seen in previous threads about the spring rate, but as I metioned the bike rides great over all types of road surfaces.

Any advise would be greatly appreciated

I do have RSV linkages but don't want to fit them and upset the bike

Thanks in advance

As I understand it and I'm probably wrong so dont quote me, the different linkages change the ratio so the shock either moves further in its stroke or moves less than it was designed for. I also have a mixture of linkages but havent had it set up by a pro. Unless it threw me off I dont think I could tell good from bad setup anyway
If it feels good then its like a self answering conundrum 'init.

Yes - what Pierre says!

If memory serves correct, the yellow springer is designed to have a longer stroke with a lower spring rate - therefore, to get it to work in the way it was designed, for any given wheel movement the linkages must be designed to move the shock further than would be the case for the blue springer.
This is mainly controlled by the triangles.
The length of the dog-bone sets the suspension to give an appropriate ride height - but also dictates the angle of the triangles and, as they rotate around a pivot, will change the rate at which the shock moves depending on their angle of rotation.

Now whilst all of the above is true, the shocks/linkages are designed to work for a particular range of loads. Although it is most common to correct for loads outside this range by changing the spring, I guess that changing the linkage could have a similar effect - so your suspension chappie could well be correct that a setup for you could be OK with the Falco linkages (and, after all, I'm sure he knows a hell of a lot more about this than I do).

If it works and an expert has told you it's OK, that sounds as though it is probably good advice.

If it rides well, has been set-up by a pro, what's the point in changing linkages? You'd need to have it set again... Instead, just enjoy! And don't forget to post me your linkages

Funny that.
Id heard that the white and yellow spring shocks up to 2001 used the same linkages as the Falco.
Also, there is an Ohlins for the 2000 RSV, (maybe other years), that bolts straight in as well, (part number; AP8230). I know this because the guy selling it was also selling a set of RSV linkages which were identical to mine, (from the same RSV)!
Curiouser and curiouser.....
Oh, and Moose; 'If it aint broke - Dont fix it'!

My understanding is like DR, in that the different linkage causes it to have a different "effective" spring rate because of the different leverages involved. How much it changes it I don't know, sure I read somewhere that if you used the yellow spring with Falco linkages, it caused the spring rate to be a bit softer. Depends on how heavy you are I suppose, but if it feels OK go with it.

Anyone know if I should get some RSV linkages, (longer dogbone etc), for this;
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... :IT&ih=002
I just bought it, (Yay! My limit is about £100; With a service on top of that it should be about right! ), and Im also watching some linkages but they are off an 04 RSV.
Do I have to get the 2001 linkages, (are they significantly different from my 02 Falco?)?
Anyone heve em perchance?
Im a fast road rider, only 5' 9" and weigh in at a hefty 11 stoneish when leathered-up, (ooer missus).
(Heh. I think just figured out why some folk reckon its a long reach on the Falco; Its fine for skinny-boy me...)

Early RSV Linkages on ebay now, ends in 15 mins, no bids so far - open at £15
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Aprilia-rsv-r-rea ... dZViewItem

The first set off an early RSV, in post above, look a lot like the Falco ones to me!
This is a second lot off a later Mille -
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/APRILIA-APRILLIA- ... dZViewItem
Note the different length of the sides of the triangle.
First lot fit with the White spring shock.
Second lot go with the Yellow spring.
Also Buy it Now at a decent price!

Thanks Howard - that's sorted out the replacement for the triangles I damaged when my suspension came unbolted ..... the Ohlins will return!

..... oh I'm all excited ..... several months on the blue springer will let me appreciate the Ohlins benefits all over again.

D-Rider wrote:Thanks Howard - that's sorted out the replacement for the triangles I damaged when my suspension came unbolted ..... the Ohlins will return!

..... oh I'm all excited ..... several months on the blue springer will let me appreciate the Ohlins benefits all over again.

Nice one Andy, not bad on a Buy it Now for that price.

Dammit!
Too slow again!...

I got the linkage bit wrong and ended up with a space hopper

A further £60 later and aset of the correct linkages I'm Valentino Rossi

Yellowduck wrote:
A further £60 later and aset of the correct linkages I'm Valentino Rossi

I'm assuming the linkages were less than a fiver and the rest went to score a selection of class-A drugs to induce that belief.


BTW .... is yours to be the first Falco with a big Fiat paintscheme?

D-Rider wrote:

Yellowduck wrote:
A further £60 later and aset of the correct linkages I'm Valentino Rossi

I'm assuming the linkages were less than a fiver and the rest went to score a selection of class-A drugs to induce that belief.


BTW .... is yours to be the first Falco with a big Fiat paintscheme?

I have no illusions but thought it was good way of describing the improvement

The Yellow one is staying yellow, just like it was when god rode black, white and orange bike and then blue. Like I said in another post, all those yellow t-shirts and caps are going to look outdated this year. Yellow Falcos will never go out of fashion though. Italy won't know what's hit it when we roll into town in June