What's the anatomy of suspension and a bike's front end?

byke95 · World Chat Champion Joined: 25 Mar 2004 Karma :

Hi,

I'm trying to make that leap from basic servicing knowledge to knowing the bike in a bit more detail...

I'd like to know what makes up the front of a modern bike (in the range of sports to street). Folks, yolks (triple clamps right?), head stock etc. What are they exactly and how they fit together.

I'd also like to know more about suspension: Pre-load, sag etc. What's good, what's bad and what does it all mean?

Many thanks, Thumbs Up

Phil

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

You don't want much do you? Laughing

The forks are the boingy telescopic bits, the Yokes (correct spelling) are the bits that hold the boingy telescopic bits to the front of the frame which is known as the headstock.

Suspension stuff is vaguely explained here:

https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=21874&highlight=suspenders
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Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

veeeffarr · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Jul 2004 Karma :

The Motorbike Suspension Bible

Dark · World Chat Champion Joined: 02 Jun 2004 Karma :

https://www.sportrider.com/tech/suspension/
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My Bikes in order:- Yamaha RXS100 / Suzuki X7 250 / Yamaha RD350LC / Kawasaki
KR1S 250 / Kawasaki ZXR750 H2 / Honda C50 / Kawasaki ZX7R P5 / Kawasaki ZX10R / Suzuki GSXR 400 / Honda CBR1100 Blackbird & Yamaha FZR 600

Dark · World Chat Champion Joined: 02 Jun 2004 Karma :

Double Post
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My Bikes in order:- Yamaha RXS100 / Suzuki X7 250 / Yamaha RD350LC / Kawasaki
KR1S 250 / Kawasaki ZXR750 H2 / Honda C50 / Kawasaki ZX7R P5 / Kawasaki ZX10R / Suzuki GSXR 400 / Honda CBR1100 Blackbird & Yamaha FZR 600

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Or buy a scrap bike off ebay for £50 and have yourself some fun with a workshop manual taking it to bits and seeing if you can get it to work.

I recommend any 1980's honda air-cooled 4-stroke of 250cc or less for this purpose because they are comparatively simple, parts are cheap and they are 'universal', ie. they have all the bits on them that make up an 'average' motorbike.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

byke95 · World Chat Champion Joined: 25 Mar 2004 Karma :

Nath · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Jul 2004 Karma :

Inside each fork stanchion is a big long spring, and a load of oil. Basic dampening works by having a piston in the bottom of the fork stanchion with a hole through the middle of it. Because the piston is a tight fit in the stanchion the oil can only get through the hole, which is nice and small to create a restriction. The restricted oil flow makes the movement of the stanchions nice and smooth.

If you don't fancy Stinkwheel's idea, then buy "Motorcycle Basics" by Haynes. Buy a cheap copy of eBay or from a second hand bookshop, as the book has been in print for years.
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Hard livin', hard luck.