So I changed the fork fluid at the weekend and went for a ride. I stuck with the recommended 10W weight and put some Motul stuff. Got it all together, dialled in my settings and went for a run. I still think the front end is too hard, so maybe the next option is to get lighter springs. I weigh 73kg with no gear on. But looking at the travel I still have around 60mm left of travel. Pretty sure you should only have around 25 to 30mm at the bottom. Any idea folks.
I added 4 turns of preload to each fork. But surely adding preload increases the fork length or have I got it the wrong way round
It's a bit long winded to explain. Look up setting the sag on a sports bike, you can't just add extra to the preload. There are settings you need to be within. Can't just remember what they are. You'll find it online.
Agreed. Sag needs setting but I reckon at 73kg the springs are too stiff. IIRC they are 1.1kg/mm which is about spot on for my weight at 90kg.
I think for general road riding SAG, the ballpark is usually around 30% to 35% of the total fork travel.
You need to take preload off not add it on, but to get the preload correct you need to measure the sag so as per suggestions learn how to set your sag then start from there
Correct. I checked what the forks had been like before I took them apart and then once the fluid was changed I put the same settings back in. I'll try taking two turns off the preload (from 4 to 2) and see if that improves things. Difficult trying to measure these settings on your own Don't trust my wife with a tape measure, she can barely read Google maps...
RamJam, you need to set the sag correctly first so your bike itself is balanced, then you have a base to work from. It's no good just taking two turns off here and two off there. You'll also be able to work out if you need stiffer springs. I'm sure you can get someone to help you with the measurements, it really is quite important if you want a decent set up. If you took it to a suspension specialist for a set up its the first thing he would do.
FWIW, I'm about the same weight as you but run 9.5Nm springs, #5 oil and k-tech valves. This is the travel I use
yes its difficult on your own and ideally you need a bike chock to hold the bike up ( watch Dave Moss videos) Can you get a mate round if you don't trust the wife ( I wouldn't trust mine either she cant tell the diff between a CM and an Inch )
Reading some info from Ractechs website the stock spring rates on the RR9 are 10.5 Front and 12.0 rear. Assuming this is accurate then they say for my weight I need 9.5 upfront and 10.5 in the rear which matches you'rs Slick. Therefore no amount of preload adjustment is going to get me anywhere near the SAG settings required to get the bike balanced for my weight. Might give K-Tech a wee phone and see what the recommend and go from there.
I've managed to get the bike booked in with Russell at ECS next Tuesday. He does a lot of work with BSB teams so he should be able to point me in the right direction. I think I'll need the bike re sprung as the recommended springs for someone of my ilk are 9.5 front and 10.5 rear.
That could be unfortunate for you when she's on a boozy ladies night out & they're all discussing their hubby's... errrrm...attributes
