Suspension adjustment

UncleFester · World Chat Champion Joined: 30 Jun 2013 Karma :

Posting from mobile so will flesh this out later.

But what causes a very hard front end that chatters at speed over road bumps and imperfections?

Fcuk me is it hard on the wrists.

Bearing in mind this has never been set up.... is it best to just set it back to stock settings in case previous owners have meddled?

Front fork springs have been swapped for hyperpro AFAIK new 'correct" replacement oil done at the same time.

On smooth roads its bang on. But on rough rippled concrete type surface it's horrible. Just feels hard and unforgiving.
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2017 Z1000SX

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

It's not as simple as just changing something and just because a previous owner has got it how they want it, it doesn't mean it's right for you.

Suspension setup is an extremely personal thing for psychological and physical reasons. I would guess that your compression damping is probably set too high, but it could also be spring rate or spring preload.

Check the static sag and if that's correct back off the compression damping a couple of clicks at a time. Take the bike for a ride between each change and see if you can feel the difference.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

UncleFester · World Chat Champion Joined: 30 Jun 2013 Karma :

Ta. It's only one adjuster for compression damping on this so easy to do.

I've got the rear set how I like - whoever had it before me had zero preload set and it was as wallowy as hell with my fat arse on it.

Will try a couple clicks less tomorrow on the front and see how it feels. Will also check static sag.

Also off to look at an RE Interceptor Smile

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2017 Z1000SX

UncleFester · World Chat Champion Joined: 30 Jun 2013 Karma :

I reckon by spring next year I'll be on a Royal Enfield. Had a look / sit .... its a perfect fit.

Time for a change.
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2017 Z1000SX

stevo123 · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 10 Aug 2004 Karma :

Hi mate. Set back to standard again and adjust for your weight using sag as a guide. tweak only one setting each ride and you will dial it in in no time. If changes induces confidence it's probably 90% there.

UncleFester · World Chat Champion Joined: 30 Jun 2013 Karma :

Thanks Stevo - that's what I ended up doing. All the things i read suggested that before doing anything, put it back as it came from the factory.

Most of the rest of the things i read suggested that for 'most' people that once Sag / Rider sag was set / compensated for that the rest of the factory settings were fine.

I think i fall fairly and squarely into the category of 'most people'.
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2017 Z1000SX

Keithy · Spanner Monkey Joined: 22 Sep 2020 Karma :

UncleFester · World Chat Champion Joined: 30 Jun 2013 Karma :

Interceptor 650 - it just feels right. Low down weight. Saddle is wide enough to be comfortable but narrrow enough to get legs down. Bars and levers where they should be.

And as it leans so far over on its side stand it's a doddle to swing a leg over, with that low down weight easy to stand it up once on.
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2017 Z1000SX