(Yet another) Rear Shock Question

[FalcoJock]

I've had the Falco 5 1/2 years and much reading of other bike reports doesn't convince me I want anything else. I like it just fine, especially after a few months getting my riding skills & technique sorted out by IAM (I highly recommend it). Get to the point...

It's still on the original rear shock (it'll be 8 years old in November) and I've decided to invest in an upgrade at the end of the year. Some of the threads I've read comment about the rear being raised a bit by better shocks (like that's a positive selling point). Trouble is, I'd rather the riding position didn't change - I don't want any more weight on the wrists when speeds are low. Above 55 and the wind pressure makes it comfortably neutral.

So, question is - what do I fit that won't change the rear height?

[GregD-UK]

Hi,

WP shock matey, got one on mine Althou, I am trying to sort out the mille swingarm conversion.. That's another story. Look on the WP site for fitment.

Hope all goes well...

No ride height difference as well.

Ur friendly lens guy.

[FlyingKiwi]

I recently put a white spring Mille shock on and the ride position doesn't feel alot different from before.

[HowardQ]

When I fitted a White Spring Mille shock to mine a while ago. I decided to keep the ride height very similar to the standard Falco unit. Dead easy with this shock or any others with ride height adjustment. Just a case of measuring the distance between the top and bottom mountings on the Falco shock and then adjusting the Mille (or any other with similar adjustment), so the length is roughly the same. To keep things similar I set factory preload on each shock first to put similar tension on the spring.
I set mine just slightly longer than the original, (think it was about 1/4" to 3/8")_, as I wanted slightly better front turn in, but not too twitchy and not too much weight on my wrists. At 5'9" I also wanted to be able to keep my feet firmly planted,
Also used the standard Mille damping settings for starters and just adjusted the sag for me when fitted, and it seems pretty good for me personally.
It did leave the height adjuster wound well in towards the minimum setting, but so what.
It worked for me, it may well work for you.
Can't comment on other shocks with adjustable ride height, but can't see any reason not to start in a similar way.
Others who want even quicker turn in (and have longer legs than me!), may prefer a much bigger change, but I would rather adjust it gradually.
Ultimately once you have a workable base setting, it's always better to take it into a specialist, tell him what type of settings you want and let him sort for you. Not got around to that myself yet, as I was much happier with this set up than the 16k Falco shock.

[sabestian]

When I fitted the yellow Mille unit, I set it approx 1/2 inch higher than stock. And TBH I did not notice any negative impact on my wrists. But to be fair they had been killing ever since I got the bloody bike.

Edit:
Just read this:

I am 6'1" and with a Mille swingarm & Penske shock I couldn't stand completely flat-footed on the Falco. Compared to another local Falco, my seat height was significantly taller.

Bottom line: don't listen to me or others for that matter, just take measurements.

Edit2: FWIW I can stand flat footed both sides easily (5'11). Yello shocker. No stilletos. Not on a bike, anyway.

[FalcoJock]

As always, thanks for the info. I'll start looking for a new shock later in the year. I could do with just a tad more confidence on bumpy bends. IAM like taking you down little country lanes, and they are never billiard table smooth. Also my missus came on the back a while back and felt she was going to get catapulted off. Still, I learned with IAM that the bike was way way more capable than me - getting there though.

[HowardQ]

Because the Falco standard shock ain't perfect, most people wind up the preload to (slightly) lift the ride height and stop the bike the bike squatting at the rear when under power out of bends. They usually end up winding up the rebound damper a bit as well, as they are the only two things adjustable on the standard rear, (although some mags do occasionally say its fully adjustable), so it ends up pretty stiff.
I know cos I ran mine this way for 10k miles, before I fitted the Mille shock.
This helps a bit but as you say it will then try and throw off a pillion down bumpy roads. If you can't source a new shock before the IAM run, you could try backiing off the settings a bit, (preload and damping) and you may find a setting thats a bit softer and still works. Note you original settings, so you can go back.
Once you have found a setting, if its too soft for normal jast riding you co go back to as now, and just chage it when you need it.
They can both be adjusted on bike with a screrwdriver and a "C" spanner.

On second thoughts, I should just check the rear SAG first as it could have been set up incorrectly, with too little movement.
If out adjust it and road test to see if it helps before changing the rebound damping.

[Firestarter]

They can both be adjusted on bike with a screrwdriver and a "C" spanner.

For "C" spanner read "C-spanner plus extension bar and bl**dy big hammer", as there's some sort of threadlock on the locking collars for the pre-load adjustment, I didn't manage to get mine to move until after I'd removed the shock to fit the new one.

[HowardQ]

Perhaps I was lucky, (but have had a hugger most of the time), I needed the extension and other bits but managed without the hammer!

[shootmyscoot]

hijacked white spring shock for sale???


sms

[exupmonkey]

hijacked white spring shock for sale???


sms

You have a PM (also hijack )

[gt.jacko]

I have the yellow springed shock and mille swingarm conversion have ride height set the same as stock (coz I,m a short arse) but I also have the gilles adjustable bars on and they make a huge difference to your wrist ache highly recommended if pricey top quality though.
I also have the oz wheels off the mille r and this made an amazing differnce to turn in and the ammount of effort req . I,ve had my Falco since 2001 and would n,t sell it now been the best bike I,ve ever owned and I,ve had a few.

Gaz

[sabestian]

I,ve had my Falco since 2001

Where have you been all that time, then?

Edit: just checked your profile, you scored an amazing:

0.00 posts per day

Cudos!

Sha gay?

[gt.jacko]

well i,ve not been online since this site changed to it, s present form I posted a lot on the origional aprilia rider site.

[D-Rider]

Yep - 67 posts on the old forum

Welcome back