Author Topic: Race tech front suspension help  (Read 2122 times)

Offline Simmo50

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Race tech front suspension help
« on: March 22, 2017, 01:21:05 AM »
Had the st1100 in at local bike shop ,suspension front and rear just wasn't right. They changed the oil in forks but it's still not right. Go over the slightest pot hole and it feels like there's no air in tyre. Can almost feel the rim. No damping .Does anyone know someone in Perth was area that can do race tech spring and gold valves and actually knows about suspension. 
 

Offline Yorkie

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Re: Race tech front suspension help
« Reply #1 on: March 23, 2017, 08:56:15 PM »
What weight oil did they use and how much, police have 10 wt and more than the civilian models, if your suspension is not stock it will be a raffle trying to get it sorted
Brian 0418937173
Manager York Motor Museum

In the shed
1999 ST1100A
1971 CB750K2
1980 XV750
1977 GL1000
FR#720
CMRCWA #133
York,WA

So at what age does this "old enough to know better" kick in?
I believe in the "hereafter", every time I go to the shed I have to think "what am I here after"
 

Offline Simmo50

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Re: Race tech front suspension help
« Reply #2 on: March 23, 2017, 09:17:32 PM »
They said they put 10wt in.  It's locking upon the slightest pothole. Not bottoming out. It's not damping properly.  I'm thinking , they put too much or not enough oil. I also believe one leg is not the same as the other in oil volume. 
Considering doing it myself.
 

Offline Yorkie

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Re: Race tech front suspension help
« Reply #3 on: March 24, 2017, 08:48:46 PM »
You are correct with different volume of oil in each leg, is the anti-dive the problem?
Brian 0418937173
Manager York Motor Museum

In the shed
1999 ST1100A
1971 CB750K2
1980 XV750
1977 GL1000
FR#720
CMRCWA #133
York,WA

So at what age does this "old enough to know better" kick in?
I believe in the "hereafter", every time I go to the shed I have to think "what am I here after"
 

Offline Greencan

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Re: Race tech front suspension help
« Reply #4 on: March 26, 2017, 07:43:40 AM »
Quote
They said they put 10wt in.  It's locking upon the slightest pothole.

Pretty convincing for hyrdraulic lock...what diameter are your forks, 41 or 43mm?
 

Offline Simmo50

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Re: Race tech front suspension help
« Reply #5 on: March 26, 2017, 10:00:55 AM »
41mm . Took the forks apart ,put new seals in. Wanted to check what the bike shop had put in and at what. Volumes.
For some reason it looks like they put new oil in the left leg. But left old oil in right leg. unbelievable. Won't be going there again.  They left an air gap of 190mms. Should be 177mms and 174mms.  Going out today to test.
 

Offline Greencan

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Re: Race tech front suspension help
« Reply #6 on: March 26, 2017, 02:09:05 PM »

Quote
They left an air gap of 190mms. Should be 177mms and 174mms.  Going out today to test.

OK...with that air gap, that should rule out it hydraulically locking up.

Not sure what manual you are using for reference, but I'd recommend you look at the one Alan has posted under Alans1100...

...also its a little old, but the youtube clip below should be helpful on the practical level.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrmYJgcGX30

Your forks are quite simple and basic, so not a lot can (should), go wrong....the only suggestion I can make is to us a lighter grade oil, say 7.5wt (mix a 10 and a 5wt at 1:1), also if your intent of making physical changes, Progressive do (did), make quite nice springs for your forks and the 2 bikes I have ridden with them fitted, I was pleasently supprised.

The post 96 1100 A's utilise 43mm forks for which Progressive do not make springs, so what I have done to soften the ride for my aging arse is to use 7wt oil in the compression leg and a 10wt on the rebound and I turned up a heap of varying thickness spacers to preload one of the springs under the top cap...thus acheiving an approx 30mm drop from unloaded to loaded drop and a best I can get dampening...yes my forks are different to your, but the principles are the same as defined within the youtube clip.

Good Luckn n Cheers, the can :-)
 

Offline Simmo50

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Re: Race tech front suspension help
« Reply #7 on: March 26, 2017, 04:26:12 PM »
Took the bike out for a long run today and its a huge difference. Not once did it lock up. I didn't find it to be too hard. I'm happy with the feel at the front.   Going to save up now and get a decent adjustable rear shock.

The air gaps sizes were given to me by a mechanic at a Honda dealers. He looked it up .
 

Offline Greencan

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Re: Race tech front suspension help
« Reply #8 on: March 26, 2017, 06:14:58 PM »
That's good...