Lowering the fork tubes

[HYPRmoTARD]

Are most people dropping the fork tubes down in the triple clamp along with the recent suspension suggestions in the stabilizer not needed thread. All input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[GHEZZI]

The whole experience of the Hyper is centered around its manouverability, that is its quick, light, precise steering. Of course you can expect it to be Hyper-sensitive on the odd occassion, but only when you are pushing it.

Dropping the forks/raising the yokes or lowering your bike in the rear will only serve to increase both rake and trail which will slow down the steering response, and that TOTALLY DEFEATS THE PURPOSE!

So if your bike is too twitchy take it to a suspension specialist and have it set up properly for your weight and riding style/skill level.

Then maybe add a stabilizer, for security purposes only as others have suggested.

My set up (see thread 'Steering damper not needed') includes raising the rear ride height by 8mm measured vertically from the axle. This made the bike TURN IN QUICKER. I have since fitted a Michelin Pilot Power 2CT which made a massive difference to the steering, IT TURNS IN QUICKER AGAIN!

I will at some point in the future, add small increments of more ride height in the rear, so it will TURN IN EVEN QUICKER .

This bike is amazing, why do I do this? "To increase the agility in the flip-flop considerably". (Quote Bruno Saturno of Ghezzi & Brian fame).

The whole reason behind my suspension setting search, was to dial in compliance, to make the ride more comfortable so I could ride further over rougher roads. If the bike is kicking and bucking over the humps, bumps and potholes, it all gets pretty tireing after a while, from fighting the 'slapping bars' and hanging on for grim death.

I now have a smoother ride, which = a faster ride and at the same time it is a much safer ride.

I also have a suspension kinematics program purchased from www.tonyfoale.com (I did the 2 day seminar in Sydney)
which I will use one day to determine my final rake and trail settings. I can assure
you it will be steeper and shorter than stock. Don't worry about loosing ground clearance because the quicker your bike turns, the less you have to lean it.

I wouldn't want to be at full lean with harsh suspension that doesn't keep an even (as possible) downward pressure on the tyre, keeping it glued to the road. If others can see daylight under your tyres all the time when you're riding straight, I can guarantee it will not feel good when you loose traction through a corner.

[GHEZZI]

I would just like to add, I didn't buy into the slow steering 'drop the fork' thread because I've never read so much crap. I couldn't believe it had so many views and positive replies. Don't believe nothin ya hear, and only 'alf wot ya see!

So if ya don't believe me and ya weigh 85kg, come ride my bike and see for ya self! By the way, the standard springs at .095kg/cm are too stiff for me. Optimum would be .0841kg/cm, .085's are available but I'm not chasing the world championship, yet.
Ciao

[dukepilot]

Originally Posted by GHEZZI

I would just like to add, I didn't buy into the slow steering 'drop the fork' thread because I've never read so much crap. I couldn't believe it had so many views and positive replies. Don't believe nothin ya hear, and only 'alf wot ya see!

So if ya don't believe me and ya weigh 85kg, come ride my bike and see for ya self! By the way, the standard springs at .095kg/cm are too stiff for me. Optimum would be .0841kg/cm, .085's are available but I'm not chasing the world championship, yet.
Ciao

Ghezzi, thanks for sharing your suspension setup wisdom. I have a question about the spring rate you mention.

Did you verify that it is in fact .95kg?

I've heard from another source (Lindemann) that the actual spring rate is .65 which would be extremely soft, and that the rebound/compression rates are too high, causing the forks to pack up. This gives the forks a stiff/harsh feel.

After some period of adjustment, my current settings are very close to yours. My fork still feels a little harsh and for the most part I'm not using all the travel available. The bike turns well and is stable but I think it can be better. I'm about to take the forks apart to have the springs measured and to experiment with oil weight.

[GHEZZI]

I got the fork spring rate from a link to a thread somewhere on this forum yesterday, I may have the decimal point wrong but standard springs are definately .95 whatevers. Am considering pushing the envelope just to see how freaking good this bike can be made to ride and handle.

Just got back from a 350k ride around Wivenhoe and Somerset dams upto Melany and back. This bike just amazes me every time I ride it. Others keep complaining of the shit roads. I thought they had been resealed. Don't get me wrong, my setup is still very firm, I can feel all and I mean ALL the bumps, but the ride is so controlled that there is no real harshness. I hit a massive depression midcorner at about 120kph while cranked over a fair way, thought I was in for a sideways slapper, Naahh! Piece-a-piss mate, it's all good!!!

As well as new fork springs, been looking at some pdf. files from Ohlins, I would like to add a hydraulic pre-load adjuster to my rear shock. Yes it can be done! Will talk to my suspension guy to work out if I use angled or straight adjuster, position of handle and how long a hose to connect. Obviously while I am at it, I should get a new spring hey .