That looks right to me Tim. For others; there has been considerable private correspondence between Vibrac and myself over the fact that his fork movement seems too stiff. He has gone from 33 lbs/inch springs to 30 lbs/inch springs and put a softer damper on there. He has checked that without springs and dampers the forks move easily. Other ideas have been explored and I am now out of ideas. No one else has found the same although at least two relatively light weight twin owners have found the 45 lbs/inch springs too stiff and have moved to 36 lbs/inch springs with total success. This is one of the reasons I need feedback. Only when enough people have used this modification can we decide which combination of parts will suite what weight of rider and bike. Chris Launders, who did all the test riding, weighs nearly 300 lbs and with the Greg conversion needed 45 lbs/inch springs and a stiffer damper. The Tlleys, two up and with touring gear, seem to be happy with 36 lbs/inch springs. The 45s have 2" of preload and the 36s, 33s and 30 have 3" of preload. Vibrac tells me that if he puts the brake on and pumps the handlebars up and down he gets movement but as he lives 120 miles north of me I cannot just pop round and check the system out. Any ideas welcome.
FF: Forks Modified Steering Stem
- Thread starter greg brillus
- Start date
Has Tim checked just without damper and then just without springs?
I have asked him to do just that and he tells me that the forks move easily. However I feel there must be something he is missing but I can't imagine what it is. Tim's bike was one where there was no need to remove any metal from the inside of the top link to clear the AVO damper, but once again, I cannot see what could be different there that could cause stiff movement. The new steering head and spring set up is so compliant to road surface changes that I think there has to be something Tim is missing on his bike.
I am distracted by motor problems at the moment ( don't ask how many times the tank has come off) but I have found time to check the free movement of the forks a couple of times they have been used for a number of years and are good the only real change to them in terms of pivot points are the concentric eccentrics in the MSS which are bearing type and I guess are not adjustable
I guess will have to reduce the spring pressure again the bike may not get to the rally but the new AVO damper certainly will
I am missing the plate under the lower bearing it was never fitted in previous incarnations and although mentioned by (Martin?) I like Timetraveler cannot believe that it's loss makes a big difference
Perhaps I should say I may being a bit precious about the performance of the fork but it certainly seems a bit wooden and ridgid
I guess will have to reduce the spring pressure again the bike may not get to the rally but the new AVO damper certainly will
I am missing the plate under the lower bearing it was never fitted in previous incarnations and although mentioned by (Martin?) I like Timetraveler cannot believe that it's loss makes a big difference
Perhaps I should say I may being a bit precious about the performance of the fork but it certainly seems a bit wooden and ridgid
At risk of stating the obvious (but I do like to do the really easy things first when fault-finding), undo the spindle-nuts - and pinch-bolts nuts where applicable - say 2 turns and then with a small hide mallet tap each end of each spindle to see if you get reasonably free movement back and forth. If you get a tight one - this might give you an indication of the problem area....(?). Before tightening it all up, try the up and down motion again.
Peter B
Peter B
Righto, been away racing this weekend and only just got home............Ok I just installed yet another kit to a 600 Comet, this with a pair of the 33 Lb springs and a new AVO shock absorber and Kwaka steering damper. I had to grind a good amount of material from the lower inner of the upper link as per normal ( sorry Tim) and once assembled the front end was way too heavy and topped out, I mean I could not push down on the bars and compress the suspension at all. Ok remove each spring box and cut about 25 to 30 mm off each spring, reassembled and now the front end is better. Test ride after finishing steering damper installation and the front end was ok but quite stiff non the same. I removed the front shocker and the front end felt excellent with regards to the compression of the springs and the fork action. The AVO was on its weakest setting on the rebound adjuster. I have refitted the Icon shocker for now as I feel the damping of the AVO is way over the top, perhaps it would get better after some miles, but I will test ride again in the next day or so, and if I'm happy with the Icon I will leave it on there. PS: In the racing in the period 3 class i won outright and it was a state championship. Cheers............Greg.
Post photos of the bike, please.
