Front Suspension Set-Up for 1st Gen SV

[grasshopper]

I'm curious what other people are using and what #'s they are getting for there front suspension (STOCK FORKS) that are my size and weight.

Fully geared up I weigh 165lbs.

At the moment I have:

- Race Tech Emulators (Turned 3 Turns in)
- 20 Weight Oil
- Race Tech 0.75 springs
- Spacers Cut so I have 15mm of sag when I'm sitting on the bike (I do not have pre-load Adjusters, If I need to change sag I Cut a different spacer)

Whats a good starting point for front suspension sag when I'm sitting on the bike?

How much travel on the front suspension should I have after I've applied my brakes to the fullest extent after racing. Of course using a zip tie to measure.

Thanks

Nick

[Protein Filled]

I agree with Dave. When I was running stock forks, I think the springs I used were .90's and I weigh around 170 or so. Also, 15 mm seems like way too little sag in the front, specially with such light springs. Are you sure they are not .95's?

[grasshopper]

I have 2 of my friends hold the motorcycle up while I sit on it in a race tuck position. I bounce on the front to give the forks movement. I move my zip tie up so it is against the fork seal. While I'm still sitting on the bike my friend lifts up on the bars as I get off the bike. We try not to let the forks compress from me moving too much.

Then measure the distance between the zip tie and the fork seal.

Rider Sag

15mm - too stiff eh?  ;D

[Super Dave]

Give me a measurement from fully topped out at the dust cover to the zip tie after you're on it.

[grasshopper]

You're Killing me Dave!!!

What # do you want to see?

[grasshopper]

What # am I looking for?

A 1.18 lap time at BHF would be great!

My fastes last year was a 1.21 and that was with the bike doing all kinds of funny things and completely riding over my head.

Suspension settings and numbers confuse the hell out of me!  >:(

I'm doing the best I can to learn all this stuff on my own and its not easy. Some people have someone by there side at the races who are educated and know alot about suspension. I do not! This little mouse and keyboard is good link to finding information. I don't have the luxiary of a good friend who has been road racing for years to help me with these things.

I'm also on a budget, so I really can't afford and I'm a little too stingy to pay a guy big money to help set up suspension at the track and hold my hand.

I have .75 springs for sure!

I may have too much oil in my forks though. because I added some in trying to stiffin the front up late last year because I was getting too much dive hard on the brakes.

I ordered the .90 springs and I'll go back through my forks to make sure my emulators are set rite and I have fresh oil at the CORRECT level.

Thanks for your time

Nick

[Super Dave]

Suspension settings and numbers confuse the hell out of me!  >:(

I'm doing the best I can to learn all this stuff on my own and its not easy. Some people have someone by there side at the races who are educated and know alot about suspension. I do not

Nick,

I asked you a question.  My question is related to the fact that I want to make sure that you're using the same ruler that I am...

If you're measuring sag in a way that isn't in sync with what I am doing...my number isn't going to do any good.

I never had anyone by my side helping me.  I don't have anyone in my pit helping me with my ideas.  But I do find time to work with people that came to my school in spite of the fact that I'm doing all my own work too.

I hope that the information that I gave you...the oil possibility...has helped you.  Maybe we can work together some time at one of my schools and we can continue a bit more.  

[zoner]

Grasshopper,  Have your help lift the bike up untill the front tire is off the ground and measure from the bottom of the bottom tripple clamp to the dust seal,  note the measurement.  Then hop on the bike and load the front end a few times and measure again from the same places.  Subtract the second measurement from the first and it should be in the 30-35mm range.  If it truely is 15mm you are asking for problems.

[grasshopper]

Yea, I was measureing it all wrong. Are you shocked?

Didn't think so!  ;D

I have 32mm rider sag in the front.

I'm learning here, gimme a break!

So I have the correct rider sag, but why is my front diving so much when I'm hard on the brakes? I have the .75 springs is that why? I hope so, because I just ordered the .90 springs. I'm hoping that takes care of my issue, at least for now

[Protein Filled]

Front end diving can be caused by a couple of different things. Too soft spring, too light of an oil, not enough oil, too grabby on the brakes, etc. can all be part of the cause.

I would recommend you do bring your bike to someone who can help you set ip up. It will make riding it a lot easier and you will go much faster. It will also be cheaper in the long run since you may very well end up crashing by trying to over-ride the thing. Like Dave has said plenty of times, suspension setup is the most important thing for fast lap times.

I think Lithium Motorsports can help you get the numbers you want and they are priced well. You can also bring it by my pit sometime and I can feel the bike and tell you what my opinion is...