Setting Up Front Suspension
Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2011 6:19 pm
I'm not sure that my front suspension is set up right for me and I want to sort it. I've been reading around on here and elsewhere about setting it and, to be honest, I could do with a bit of help as I'm not that sure what to do next.
I've got a White Power booklet which tells you how to work out how much static and rider sag there should be dialled in on preload, but this depends on the total stroke. It is quoted as a percentage. But I'm not sure what the total stroke length is on the L4 forks. So, first question is, does anyone know?
Once I have this it suggests static sag should be 15-30% of total stroke, and rider sag should be 35-50%.
One thing I have measured already is the amount of travel on the front forks between the static position and with me on the bike. This is around 18mm. According to the advice here http://www.gostar-racing.com/informatio ... set-up.htm that sounds about right. So I might be alright with it set how it is.
Another question - is the whole length of the chromed bit of the fork stanchion available for travel? What I mean is, can I assume that the dust seal will travel all the way to the bottom of the chromed part, and the bottom out point is where the chrome ends? Or is there an internal limiter in the fork which stops travel before this point? I've read somewhere that however you set the forks up, once you road test you should have 10mm travel left during normal riding for emergencies without bottoming. So I want to be sure about where I'm measuring this 10mm.
Now to the rebound damping. I find I'm running wide in corners. I'm set up right but as I go through I drift unexpectedly wide. From what I've read I suspect the rebound damping is a bit on the soft side.
My conclusion so far is that the preload is probably about right but the rebound damping needs a tweak.
Any pointers to get me sorted much appreciated.
I've got a White Power booklet which tells you how to work out how much static and rider sag there should be dialled in on preload, but this depends on the total stroke. It is quoted as a percentage. But I'm not sure what the total stroke length is on the L4 forks. So, first question is, does anyone know?
Once I have this it suggests static sag should be 15-30% of total stroke, and rider sag should be 35-50%.
One thing I have measured already is the amount of travel on the front forks between the static position and with me on the bike. This is around 18mm. According to the advice here http://www.gostar-racing.com/informatio ... set-up.htm that sounds about right. So I might be alright with it set how it is.
Another question - is the whole length of the chromed bit of the fork stanchion available for travel? What I mean is, can I assume that the dust seal will travel all the way to the bottom of the chromed part, and the bottom out point is where the chrome ends? Or is there an internal limiter in the fork which stops travel before this point? I've read somewhere that however you set the forks up, once you road test you should have 10mm travel left during normal riding for emergencies without bottoming. So I want to be sure about where I'm measuring this 10mm.
Now to the rebound damping. I find I'm running wide in corners. I'm set up right but as I go through I drift unexpectedly wide. From what I've read I suspect the rebound damping is a bit on the soft side.
My conclusion so far is that the preload is probably about right but the rebound damping needs a tweak.
Any pointers to get me sorted much appreciated.