Shogun
Expert Class
Posts: 274
|
posted November 21, 2008 06:17 AM
Novice Question - front suspension
Sorry to ask such a basis question, but I would appreciate your input to get me going in the right direction. Here goes: on a lowered extended bike do you typically need fewer or more lines or preload showing vs a stock bike? How about compression and rebound settings?
As you can tell from my question I don't have a firm handle on what preload does. If anyone's up for responding with a quick 101 lesson for me...thanks!
FYI - my bike is an 06 ZX14, middle hole on the lowering links, 3/4" lower in front, 6" extended swingarm. I weight 185 (want to weigh 170) + gear. Street riding, straight flat roads (FLA)
Thanks again,
Shogun
____________
06 ZX14 - Arata exhaust, PC III, McIntosh Ext swingarm, Vortex lowering links, Racetech rear shock, Marc wheels, To be continued...
  
|
BobC
Pro
Posts: 1736
|
posted November 21, 2008 07:00 AM
 Edited By: BobC on 21 Nov 2008 15:04
If the bike is lowered at the front by strapping it down then you have effectively increased the preload. I have only ever done this at the strip where the surface is very flat and you can get away with little or no suspension travel.
If you lowered it by dropping the triple clamps down the fork leg then nothing will change. Just mind you don't end up using the underside of the fairing as a bump stop. The correct way to lower it would be to fit shorter springs.
Something else to beware of when street riding with the 14 lowered is the sump plug grounding.
____________
Candy Thunder Blue 2006 ZZR1400
Stock wheelbase
Max: 205.4 mph in 1.25 miles
2012 ZZR1400 in Golden Blazed Green
Brock CT Full System. etc
Max: 203.1 in 1 mile (so far)
|
Sticks_n_Stones
Needs a job
Posts: 3930
|
posted November 21, 2008 12:25 PM
Rebound controls how fast the returning fluid allows the forks to come back up after a compression (bump). Compression controls how fast the fluid exits during a compression. Both are VERY affected by spring rates as you can imagine!
The "lines showing" as you call them, are called the Preload. The more you tighten down that nut, the tighter the preloaded pressure is on the spring. A little goes a long ways!
Not into lowering/extending, but I can tell you that with a lowered bike you are gonna run into the issues BobC just pointed out- bottoming out. A quick fix is to add a line or two (screw the nut down) of Preload to stiffen it up, which will help keep it from bottoming out. One good bottoming out is all it takes to ruin your oil pan and coat your rear tire in oil! Its an expensive fix if you do.
For ANY lowered bike you should pull the pan and weld shut the drain plug, then tap the side of the pan per the directions listed on this site. Use the Search function and the numerous threads about it should come up.
____________
'06 zx14
Muzzy M10/M14
PCIII w/ Muzzy map
Flies out K&N in!
bits n pieces...
|
|
|
|
|
HOME
NEW TOPIC