This post is mainly to get some input about the various suspension set-ups that everyone in using and also to clear up some questions and confirm some information that as been given to me.
To start when I bought my bike the owner said it "was" lowered but he changed it back to stock. After purchasing the bike and riding I liked the feel of the suspension for the most part. Note I am a new rider and have no experience with tuning for the best feel or have a guage for good bad really.
Well my wife was unable to reach both feet to the ground so I decided to lower the bike. I contacted the owner about the specifics of lowering it. Well come to find out there is no links to lower it all he did was crank the preload on the rear spring all the way. To lower he said to back off the preload. Anyway I did and it does sit noticably lower. He now says that I must drop the triple clamp down on the tubes some to compensate???
Is this true? I figured if perhaps I had used links to drop it then yes but just the preload? Also the rear end now is a bit how shall I put this squirmy under heavy acceleration and some bumpy cornering.
Sorry to run on and on. What about it gang how do you guys tune the settings and do I need to drop the clamps down?
Thanks for your input [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]
I run 10-12mm sag in the rear tuned to my weight and completely stock rebound and comp both ends and front preload. Feels good, turns nice ahven't really tried anything else. Nothing else to really say. By lowering the back end that far you probably would have to compensate by dropping the front a little to get the stock steering geometry back. The reason why it is so non compliant on bumps and under accel. is cause you've practically taken all the "give" from the rear end. Everything I've ever read said the stock settings were pretty good so I'm staying with those.
your right in having suspicions about that setup. Mine was setup very similiar when i got it, thanks to the previous owner being about 5"6".
You could revert back to standard settings but it would be better to spend some time on the drive getting the sag loked after. Sag's the amount you and the bike wieght into the suspension. Not sure on the measurements, but i'd aim at 1/3rd travel for now. This will roughly set the basics up to your wieght, (what is your wieght?) and see you at the very start of getting the right setup.......
here's a link It's actually for lighter race bikes but the principles and procedures are the same.
get that sag sorted, keep the rebound/compression pretty standrd at first and see how it goes.
others that'll reply know alot more than i do about this, and have more setup experience. But i wouldn't go into springing, valving untill you've exhausted what you've got considering your relativly limited experience with the bike, and riding in general.
THE SAG IS ALL WRONG... Dont use sag to adjust ride hieght.. Get dog bones for it...
Set your sag at 30mm and if you lower the back 2" then you should lower the front 2"...
You are better off trying to "lower" the bike as little as you can and then cut some of the seat foam out to make the seat lower... The more you lower the bike the more you take away from the handling of it...
As for the guy that has the sag in the rear set at 10-12mm, try running it at like 25-30mm and then use some washers to raise the ride hieght back to the same place you have it now... It will ride much better... What is your sag at in front??
Well at 150lbs your stock springs should be OK... I would look into getting a stiffer spring for the front. Run one stock and one that is a bit stiffer... This would make the bike a bit stiffer and not over stiff for your wieght.
As for the rear is should be fine with the stock spring.. I think they say it is good up to about 160lbs rider. if you ride hard it might not be a bad idea to look into a new spring (but if you are going to get a new shock I would hold off).
You say that you are going to change the seals and oil, are doing this to the forks or the shock?? If you do it to the shock you really need to know what to do.. and you need to have a nitrogen(sp) tank to recharge the shock with.
I was doing the 'service' to the forks, just trying to get some better feed back than what i have currently, i'm sure it's the vagueness that's affecting confidence in the wet/slippery conditions we have during this rainy season.
Be another 3 month before we have some decent dry roads to go at.....
Well I have a how to in the tips and tricks forum for the 750 forks.. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] It might help you out a bit...
Stick with the 5w oil.. it seems to work the best.. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] I have tried 7,10,15 and 5... 'I' think that 5 is the best (it is also what suzuki thinks is best). Anyhow... Fresh fork oil is always nice... [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]
still on the topic, does anybody know what the total suspension travel is on our bikes front and rear ???
I have the measurements for the later generations but i'm sure they changed slightly.
Hi John, I weigh 150lb's (without any gear), i'm running standard springs (and shock) which i'm about to change the oil/seals in. Would it be worth my while getting sprung/valved up ?? as for the rear, i'm saving for a better unit.
Thanks for the info guys. SO let me see if I understand. First and formost the preload seting of the spring should be adjusted to allow the rear of the bike to drop "sag" 25-30 mm when I sit on it?
Second dropping the front i.e. the tubes in the clamps is not necessary until the rear is actually lowered with dog bones?
I weigh 200 lbs. and the rear shock is designed for up to 160 lbs you say. Damn what options do I have for modifications? When I first got the bike the preload was maxed out and the sag was very small if any. I liked the firm feeling compared to the now soft feel it gives. But the sag is too much for sure. I will adjust it today, as for the front the preload I think is set to the 4th mark on the adjuster. No front end sag that I notice.
What is the ideal set-up on the front? I will check the link also to the bike set-ups, thanks.
yes to the first two paragraphs, that much sag with ALL your gear on.
to the third, it's not as straight forward.
that static SAG is definately the first thing you need to sorting - and a couple of tie-wraps round the forks will help in the measurements. Though at your wieght it will not be perfect unless you replace the springs all round to suit and even get a valve job
For the rear sag, I measure from a rear bunjee hook on the tail, to a point on the swingarm. (two people required, so get the mrs and her tape to assist.
The 'soft' feel you say could be the damping adjustment settings, what are they at ? try turning them in counting the number of turns in or turning out from fully in about 1 3/4 turns to compensate for your wieght and the extra preload your gonna have.
with the tie wraps on the forks (and on the shaft under the shock if you can get one on) will tell you how much travel your using during a ride, you should always have a good 5mm of unused travel.
gets messy from there, i'd say print off that info page above somewhere, and just read and read it untill you have a good mental picture of what it's all about, and what will do what.
wee all have different idea's on what it should feel like, what we like and how we ride. It's just a case of practice makes more practice makes more after that untill YOUR really happy.
from a selfish point of view, i wouldn't really worry about lowering the bike, if the wife wants to ride one, get her a 400 [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] Or, do what i have done, ban her from the bike, tell her to go make a nice sandwiche and be wife like [img]graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]
Well Dan I wish it were so easy. To be honest I origionally bought the bike for her. I know I know but hey it is practically the same weight as a 600 so I figured what the hell. Plus I got a hell of a deal. She is content with the seat height now so it is all about getting some time practicing. If she could ever get me off of it. I "was" and I emphasize was a chopper man but after a week or so of riding the gixxer I am hooked.
I enjoy going out and improving my riding and browsing the posts here, it is a wealth of knowledge. Also let me say that everyone here is very helpful, not like some other posts for other ttopics I frequent.
In any case I am probably gonna buy another bike more suited for her she really wants a ZX6R so that will probably be my next move.
So I am just trying to make due for now and wish for some warm weather to blow through.
Thank you all for your input and advice. [img]graemlins/thumbup.gif[/img]
so when measuring static sag, should I measure from when the bike is just sitting with no load on it or should I actually have the wheel off the ground with the suspension fully extended?
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