Ground clearance

[D-Rider]

How do I get more ground clearance then?

one of these?

[Aladinsaneuk]

yes mango

but if he is running low at the front as well it will have an impact on the bike - reason why i ask is he has taken the hero blobs off....

[Falcorob]

How do I get more ground clearance then?

one of these?

I'm liking that.

[Falcorob]

As for the other suggestions, I have a mate that can coming round on Saturday to have a look at my front and rear ends to see what can be done. He's already suggested looking at the increase in ride height I can achieve by dropping the forks through the yokes until they're level with the top yoke, and compensating at the rear by raising the ride height a similair amount. He reckons that will keep the steering the same but make it slightly more top heavy.

He also agrees, after looking at the piccies, that I need to hang off more. Another mate, who happens to instruct for No Limits, agrees. So I shall be practising that at Cadwell.

The only codicil to all of this is that I may need a change of tyres as the Strada's, which are fine for the lean angles I can achieve with the set-up as it is, may not be able to cope with the higher corner speeds. However, that's a bridge I'll cross if it comes.

The Cadwell TD is on May 23rd. There's an Open Pitlane the next day for all you superfast boys too if anyone's interested.

[D-Rider]

Crikey - pulling the yoke to the top of the forks will make it turn in slower than a supertanker - wouldn't advise that myself.

[Falcorob]

Crikey - pulling the yoke to the top of the forks will make it turn in slower than a supertanker - wouldn't advise that myself.

I'll bear that in mind. I'll be test riding it around some of the local roads when we do it so should be able to fine tune it - at least to road spec.

[Aladinsaneuk]

i think the standard on the front is three rings showing

[D-Rider]

i think the standard on the front is three rings showing

On the Falco with Showas or Marzocchis

Ohlins shod MilleRs are 4 rings (that's where mine is but with max rear ride height)

[Aladinsaneuk]

nod - but i think that the front end in question is standard?

either way, adjusting the ride height will make a huge difference i think - but then if i could scrape my corners i would be mighty impressed with myself

[mangocrazy]

Hi Rob, I'd agree with the other guys that the front is best left alone. After all, it is the rear that's grounding, not the front, isn't it? Raising the fork tops to level with the yokes will make it feel very ponderous and slow-steering; just what you don't want at the track.

Increasing ride height at the rear has to be the place to start, possibly with some added preload for track use. Tracks are so smooth compared to our rubbish roads, that the extra firmness in the suspension won't be noticed and will probably be beneficial.

Track Day at Cadwell on Monday 23rd, eh? That's the day after our meet up in Shropshire, unless I'm much mistaken...

[Falcorob]

Well he came and looked and has wound up the rear ride height. He's refused to touch the front for much the same reasons you've all already stated. We have added a touch of preload too but, he says, as it's also my road bike, he didn't want to go too far for fear of mucking the ride up completely.

And he's had another look at the static sag and professed it to be fine as it is.

Talking to another mate who's a TD fiend today and he's told me to hang off more. He's also said that I could probably do with rearsets and a high level exhaust but budgetry constraints may mean me having to be slightly less 'enthusiastic' at Cadwell.

On another front I reckon it's about time I sorted the braided hose situation because, even though the brakes are still superb, the initial bite at the lever leaves a lot to be desired. So the question is, 'Which manufacturer do you lot recommend?'

If any of you do come to Cadwell I'll be the guy on the black bike with black and red leathers. Be nice to say hello to a few of you.

[mangocrazy]

I'm sure that will do the trick, Rob. You should find it steers very nicely now, as well. As a no-cost initial 'upgrade', it has to be the way to go. As your mate says, the next step would be aftermarket rearsets and exhausts, but I'd see how you go at Cadwell before splashing the cash (unless you're looking for an excuse, of course...)

As for braided hoses, Hel will give a forum discount (although some will say they're overpriced to start with), but have had some complaints about delivery times. Cobra seem to come recommended (I think D-Rider used them and was happy with the service and goods).

[D-Rider]

Cobra seem to come recommended (I think D-Rider used them and was happy with the service and goods).

Not me Graham - I've still got the original Freudenberg lines on there .... though will be changing to the braided ones that came as part of the deal with the radial master cylinders .... once I find time to fit them.

[Falcopops]

I've got the Cobra ones and they're tip top.