Author Topic: Gen 1 Pre-load settings (Read 5212 times)

FuZzBoM · « **on:** 30 August 2012, 09:26:00 pm »

Hi all, as i often get flashed by car drivers i decided maybe i should get my preload setup correctly. does anyone know if each increment of adjustment has a weight guide at all? i am 6'3 and about 17 stone fully kitted up. it is adjusted 2 from top but i still get flashed. (in truth it does light road signs up) is it worth me going the extra 2 notches or should i get another spring? spotted a hyperpro for about £85 so thought that might be worth the investment.

cheers for your thoughts..

Falcon 269 · « **Reply #1 on:** 30 August 2012, 09:31:41 pm »

Definitely go to max preload and max compression damping. Set rebound to 4 clicks out from max.

Then go get a spring rated for your weight. The standard spring is OK for riders up to about 14st in kit. Yes, feeble but a fact.

The Hyperpro ain't bad but you need something a bit firmer again. Straight rate, not progressive, and have the shock overhauled (new gas and oil) when you have the spring changed. You need the rebound damping to be at its best to cope with the stronger spring.

FuZzBoM · « **Reply #2 on:** 30 August 2012, 09:42:01 pm »

thanks for the quick reply. i will keep those settings in mind go adjust shortly. i think the shock itself should be ok. it is a 51 plate but only has 7000 miles on the clock. 2000 of these are by me since March.
I had a Hyperpro on my 600 an was very impressed with it. i have seen the R6 shock mod but it looks kinda expensive.
what spring should i consider?

FuZzBoM · « **Reply #3 on:** 30 August 2012, 11:27:19 pm »

Preload now at max and rebound 4 from top. that was set to about standard i would guess.
I will test on my ride to work tomorrow and let you know if its any better. cheers again

Falcon 269 · « **Reply #4 on:** 31 August 2012, 06:05:32 am »

It may be marginally better, but that's all I'd hope for.

The oil in the shock gets tired quick and a good few owners have found the damping noticeably reduced in as little as 10k miles. That's why I recommended getting the oil and gas changed while the spring is off. Your call but IMHO, a false economy to leave it as it is now.

FuZzBoM · « **Reply #5 on:** 31 August 2012, 08:11:03 am »

Is it possible to home rebuild or will i need to send it off somewhere?
What spring would you suggest if not the hyperpro?
thanks,

Falcon 269 · « **Reply #6 on:** 31 August 2012, 12:56:45 pm »

Any reputable suspension specialist will be able to offer you advice on the ideal spring rate to fit and do the oil and gas change. It's not a job you can do yourself.

K-tech & MH Racing are well-known to regulars on this forum.

PaulSmith · « **Reply #7 on:** 31 August 2012, 03:59:04 pm »

Check out the R6 shock mod thread.

Fazerider · « **Reply #8 on:** 31 August 2012, 04:16:30 pm »

Admittedly I'm not a Gen 1 owner, but can't help thinking there must be a simpler way to adjust headlight aim on them.

Falcon 269 · « **Reply #9 on:** 31 August 2012, 05:16:41 pm »

Yes, I should have mentioned the R6 mod option. Well worth considering although a bit more expensive than a re-spring & refurb.

FuZzBoM · « **Reply #10 on:** 31 August 2012, 06:09:05 pm »

I have seen the threads on the R6 shock mod but the first rule of 6 shock mod is no one divulges the price of R6 shock mod

The bike passed the mot with the light adjusted where it i but this fat git isn't on it at the point of mot.

Jinx46 · « **Reply #11 on:** 31 August 2012, 08:40:20 pm »

Fuzzbom,have a look at my post on the s1000rr shock mod http://foc-u.co.uk/index.php/topic,4041.msg33026.html#msg33026

FuZzBoM · « **Reply #12 on:** 02 September 2012, 09:07:18 am »

I went out yesterday with the suggested settings and it does indeed feel much better. Trying to keep up with my mate on his 998 wasn't so good lol. Down the straights not a problem. round the bends he can carry much more speed. but then that is to be expected.

I have seen the s1000rr shock thread jinx but all of these style mods worry me a little. when you need drill things and change dog bones to get the ride height back surely that messes with damping rates and geometry etc.
Sorry if i sound like a cynic but i work in IT and us lot are generally a sceptical bunch lol

I am much more happy with it now so i may leave it for a while and see if something comes along.
Cheers for the help though. much appreciated

locksmith · « **Reply #13 on:** 02 September 2012, 11:14:23 am »

Can you keep up with your mate better or worse before you moved settings?
Although for a fat foccer max preload is a no brainer

Falcon 269 · « **Reply #14 on:** 02 September 2012, 01:53:36 pm »

Quote from: FuZzBoM on 02 September 2012, 09:07:18 am

I have seen the s1000rr shock thread jinx but all of these style mods worry me a little. when you need drill things and change dog bones to get the ride height back surely that messes with damping rates and geometry etc.
Sorry if i sound like a cynic but i work in IT and us lot are generally a sceptical bunch lol

FWIW, I've run an Ohlins shock for a good few years but took it off this Spring to get it serviced. In its place, I fitted an R6 shock with dogbones bought from Devilsyam. I haven't yet got around to having the Ohlins serviced but I guess that says I'm happy with the R6 shock option.

What you say about altering linkage geometry affecting rising rates and damping response is true. Fortunately, the R6 mod doesn't seem to induce any problems as a result of the changes.

1967fazer · « **Reply #15 on:** 04 September 2012, 09:50:47 pm »

R6 shock kit from Devilsyam bolts straight in! I had mine jacked up slightly with shorter(?) dog bones, now my h/light beam is too low! Much cheaper option than Ohlins etc and very effective, cost to me including postage was £225, if your local to Devilsyam it'll be cheaper to pick it up. Or if you can find the correct r6 shock, I think Luke will do a fitting kit, tho to be honest his shocks are brand new and very good value. Quite possibly after you buy the hyper pro spring and then get the shock refurbed etc it'll be a close run thing in price. The bonus of the r6 shock is more adjustment (I think). Hope this helps

jeffco · « **Reply #16 on:** 10 September 2012, 07:04:31 pm »

Fuzzbom
I will soon have a refurbed standard shock with a H yperpro spring as surplus. Give me a PM if your interested

Jeffco

mikelockyer · « **Reply #17 on:** 19 September 2012, 01:03:05 pm »

Why dont you just adjust the headlights. Simples !!

FuZzBoM · « **Reply #18 on:** 19 September 2012, 01:49:51 pm »

Because i am unsure how that stands from an MOT perspective.. it passed last time OK but this fat git isn't sat on at the time. if i adjust it will it be to low for an MOT???
Do they even do the light box test like they do on a car?

Falcon 269 · « **Reply #19 on:** 19 September 2012, 02:23:59 pm »

Quote from: FuZzBoM on 19 September 2012, 01:49:51 pm

It passed last time OK but this fat git isn't sat on at the time. If i adjust it will it be to low for an MOT???

If your weight makes such a big difference to the attitude of the bike, passing MOT is the least of your worries.

The bike should sag pretty much evenly front - rear.

It's been a while since I put a bike through a UK MOT but IIRC, the beam checker unit is moved up/down until it aligns with the centre of the beam. They check for lateral alignment to make sure the dipped element of the beam is where it should be.

If there's major concern about the vertical setting the tester should mention it and if rider weight is a factor, you could discuss that point with him.

The more important thing for you to do is to get the spring preload set correctly for your weight, upgunning the springs if you max out the stock items.

1967fazer · « **Reply #20 on:** 26 September 2012, 08:29:50 pm »

If your getting flashed by cars and lighting up road signs, then adjusting your beam down slightly shouldn't fail the mot test. Find a wall that you can mark up where your beam is currently, then adjust the beam down a little. Then find a friendly mot tester, who if necessary, will let you adjust the headlights there and then. That'll do it.
On the shock side of things....r6 shock mod is very good, but then I've already said this. At least you've got choices:-)

FuZzBoM · « **Reply #21 on:** 26 September 2012, 10:52:15 pm »

I was discussing this topic with a bloke i met the other week. He has a Gen 1 and done many little tweaks to it over the years. He suggested dropping the forks 10mm through the yokes. He thinks it would also sharpen the steering a little.

I like free mods so i may give it a go some time