I removed the spring boxes on my Series C Rapide to a) get the spring case bottoms FF16AS rechromed; and b) work out what is going on with the springs.
Bike is a Touring Rapide, with 19" front and 18" rear wheels, its got a twin disc set-up on the front. I ride solo at a reasonable pace rather than insane, and am just under 12 stone before I put the bike kit on.
The bikes handles great, very precise and predictable etc, until I hit a bump in the road when I get a bad shock through the bars.
I presumed I had 'hard' springs.
Once apart I found the 2 outer FF13 springs to be slightly different lengths (15.25" & 15.5"). No inner springs at all, but the outer springs were packed out with a spacer of about 1.25" sat in the bottom of each spring box. the Girdraulics move freely with the springs off. No play detected. Grease in all the right places, I can feel and hear the oil within the damper moving. The damper appears 'standard' but seems to work. In the past, the bike had a sidecar fitted and rode distances over bad roads.
I now assume I have two 'tired' C springs. These appear to have been 'firmed up' with a couple of spacers, this having the effect of pre-loading the springs. Odd why there are no inner springs; or ( unlikely) have I got 2 very tired D springs?
Anyway; the Spares Co. stock inner & outer springs for small money, so one option is just to buy the 4 and fit.
My question would be if this is the best option? KTB mentions the option of discarding the inner springs; would fitting D springs be an improvement?
I've read a bit and there doesnt seem to be a concensus ?
Any thoughts?
Many thanks
Bike is a Touring Rapide, with 19" front and 18" rear wheels, its got a twin disc set-up on the front. I ride solo at a reasonable pace rather than insane, and am just under 12 stone before I put the bike kit on.
The bikes handles great, very precise and predictable etc, until I hit a bump in the road when I get a bad shock through the bars.
I presumed I had 'hard' springs.
Once apart I found the 2 outer FF13 springs to be slightly different lengths (15.25" & 15.5"). No inner springs at all, but the outer springs were packed out with a spacer of about 1.25" sat in the bottom of each spring box. the Girdraulics move freely with the springs off. No play detected. Grease in all the right places, I can feel and hear the oil within the damper moving. The damper appears 'standard' but seems to work. In the past, the bike had a sidecar fitted and rode distances over bad roads.
I now assume I have two 'tired' C springs. These appear to have been 'firmed up' with a couple of spacers, this having the effect of pre-loading the springs. Odd why there are no inner springs; or ( unlikely) have I got 2 very tired D springs?
Anyway; the Spares Co. stock inner & outer springs for small money, so one option is just to buy the 4 and fit.
My question would be if this is the best option? KTB mentions the option of discarding the inner springs; would fitting D springs be an improvement?
I've read a bit and there doesnt seem to be a concensus ?
Any thoughts?
Many thanks
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