Front suspension travel/set up

Message

dyzio · #1 Post by **dyzio** » Mon Mar 28, 2011 12:31 pm

Hi,
Bike's been recently fiddled by a mechanic, I've put a zip tie on the fork and noticed that it the suspension travels a bit less the it used to. If I remember correctly it used to go a further 10mm down (you can see it on the pic).

I've also noticed that the preload was increased from 4 lines showing to 3.

I know he'd measured the suspension travel before setting the sag, but... does this look right after a ride? Or should it be travelling a wee bit more?
What do you think?

#2 Post by **Kwackerz** » Mon Mar 28, 2011 12:48 pm

Does it feel better or worse than before he adjusted it?

This is a good guide for suspension..

http://home.comcast.net/~sl_mille/sag.html

dyzio · #3 Post by **dyzio** » Mon Mar 28, 2011 1:09 pm

Unfortunately, the new settings and I didn't agree, so I've spent most of yesterday on getting it to what it was/what I like, however I haven't touched the preload.

Just thinking I should be using more of suspension travel

#4 Post by **Kwackerz** » Mon Mar 28, 2011 1:16 pm

Depends how hard youve ridden it.
If you're backing it into hairpins I'd expect a bit more travel to be showing, but normal roadriding, I (this is all my personal view btw) would want some 'left in reserve' so when I do slam on hard, im not going to bottom out..

Plus how warm was it? Cold fork oil or had it had a decent rideout?

dyzio · #5 Post by **dyzio** » Mon Mar 28, 2011 1:22 pm

It was around 12-15C yesterday, done about 60 miles. Local B roads, some fast and slow corners, no hairpins though.
Something like this: http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&ie= ... 9,,0,13.72

#6 Post by **mangocrazy** » Mon Mar 28, 2011 9:18 pm

To me, that looks as though the suspension isn't using enough travel. I'd reduce the preload in stages and see how/if the zip tie moves. Ideally you want about 10mm unused travel in reserve to cater for extreme events.

D-Rider · #7 Post by **D-Rider** » Mon Mar 28, 2011 9:22 pm

Must move my cable ties up again ..... they are in the zone that signifies some "extreme" events have occurred .....

HisNibbs · #8 Post by **HisNibbs** » Tue Mar 29, 2011 12:38 pm

Looks too much preload to me. I think mine end up about 20 - 25 mm from the bottom of the tube normal but bumpy road use. Not got a rule to hand but yours look twice that or more.

#9 Post by **mangocrazy** » Tue Mar 29, 2011 6:27 pm

D-Rider wrote:Must move my cable ties up again ..... they are in the zone that signifies some "extreme" events have occurred .....

You ran into a container load of pies?

D-Rider · #10 Post by **D-Rider** » Tue Mar 29, 2011 7:30 pm

mangocrazy wrote:
D-Rider wrote:Must move my cable ties up again ..... they are in the zone that signifies some "extreme" events have occurred .....
You ran into a container load of pies?

Hmmmm - that'd be nice

rick · #11 Post by **rick** » Tue Apr 05, 2011 9:41 pm

Too much preload for sure.

Mine is around 15-20mm from end of travel... she feels a lot better... travel used to be more like you have there before my "winter work"

do it in stages and see how you feel

falco_phil · #12 Post by **falco_phil** » Mon Jun 02, 2014 2:40 pm

I realise this is an old thread but I wonder if anyone can tell me how much (if any) fork tube is left with the fork bottomed out? I.e would the cable tie be against the bottom casting after a BO event or would it be sitting ??? mm above? I've backed my preload right off and I'm still not using it all.

#13 Post by **mangocrazy** » Mon Jun 02, 2014 6:53 pm

At full bump the fork tube is completely covered by the outer tube. You don't want it to get to that, so as long as you have 10-15mm fork tube showing below the cable tie, that's about right. My experience with OE Falco fork springs is that they're too stiff, but that's just a personal opinion.

falco_phil · #14 Post by **falco_phil** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 10:37 am

I've about an inch left, so will leave it fully backed off. I'll pull them out during the winter and send them off for a rebuild & re spring. Thanks.

#15 Post by **mangocrazy** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 3:00 pm

If you don't know the history of the bike, a previous owner could have over-filled the fork legs with oil and reduced the air gap. That could cause what you're seeing.