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Tech. Advice: Series 'B' / 'C' 500cc/1000cc Bikes
Modified Steering Stem
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<blockquote data-quote="greg brillus" data-source="post: 98154" data-attributes="member: 597"><p>The Comet I have here, I have been able to try several different spring and shock absorber combinations. This is with the bearing mod to the lower link........With a pair of 33 lb springs, with one inch cut off so it is not topped out and the new AVO damper supplied by the owner, I found the front end very stiff and only move up and down over heavy bumps, I swapped back to the Icon it had before and this was really no better. I then put one of the original Armstrong's that was on my Rapide, and the front was much more alive, but on a downhill run and hit the front brakes quite hard I could get the front end to bottom out quite easily. This is without chopping the spring cases, I have not done that to any bikes yet, but this one might need it. I then removed the left spring and replaced with a 45 Lb spring again with one inch removed. This was much better, but I could still get it to bottom on heavy braking..........Yesterday I removed the Armstrong and replaced with a new Thornton shock and this is probably the best so far, but again I can still get it to bottom out if I try. This to me means that it really needs the heavier springs both sides............To me it appears that a stiff shock absorber is "Masking" the springs.......I would say you need heavier springs with less preload, and a shock absorber with far less damping. the easiest way I proved this, was you remove the front shock absorber all together and push up and down on the bars to see how weak/stiff the front end is resting on the springs only. This not hard to do and it proves how freely the front moves up and down without being inhibited by the damping of the shock absorber. Remember it is not the job of the shock absorber to arrest the weight of the bike, that is the job of the springs, the shocker just removes the oscillation's of the forks. I feel the AVO is way too stiff, this makes the front end feel like the springs are stronger than they actually are. With this bike I will probably end up with a pair of 45 Lb springs and try to work out which shocker will suit without either being too stiff, or too soft. But a softer shock gives a much softer ride and allows the forks to work far more freely. Most of the conversions I have done have been on the heavier twins, and this is probably the first time since the very first Comet I did that I have been able to experiment so much. That first Comet probably had springs around the low 40 lb range, with an original Koni shocker on its weakest setting. The owner feels the shocker could be a bit softer...............This almost confirms my findings.............. This should raise a few eye brows.................<img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite2" alt=";)" title="Wink ;)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=";)" />.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="greg brillus, post: 98154, member: 597"] The Comet I have here, I have been able to try several different spring and shock absorber combinations. This is with the bearing mod to the lower link........With a pair of 33 lb springs, with one inch cut off so it is not topped out and the new AVO damper supplied by the owner, I found the front end very stiff and only move up and down over heavy bumps, I swapped back to the Icon it had before and this was really no better. I then put one of the original Armstrong's that was on my Rapide, and the front was much more alive, but on a downhill run and hit the front brakes quite hard I could get the front end to bottom out quite easily. This is without chopping the spring cases, I have not done that to any bikes yet, but this one might need it. I then removed the left spring and replaced with a 45 Lb spring again with one inch removed. This was much better, but I could still get it to bottom on heavy braking..........Yesterday I removed the Armstrong and replaced with a new Thornton shock and this is probably the best so far, but again I can still get it to bottom out if I try. This to me means that it really needs the heavier springs both sides............To me it appears that a stiff shock absorber is "Masking" the springs.......I would say you need heavier springs with less preload, and a shock absorber with far less damping. the easiest way I proved this, was you remove the front shock absorber all together and push up and down on the bars to see how weak/stiff the front end is resting on the springs only. This not hard to do and it proves how freely the front moves up and down without being inhibited by the damping of the shock absorber. Remember it is not the job of the shock absorber to arrest the weight of the bike, that is the job of the springs, the shocker just removes the oscillation's of the forks. I feel the AVO is way too stiff, this makes the front end feel like the springs are stronger than they actually are. With this bike I will probably end up with a pair of 45 Lb springs and try to work out which shocker will suit without either being too stiff, or too soft. But a softer shock gives a much softer ride and allows the forks to work far more freely. Most of the conversions I have done have been on the heavier twins, and this is probably the first time since the very first Comet I did that I have been able to experiment so much. That first Comet probably had springs around the low 40 lb range, with an original Koni shocker on its weakest setting. The owner feels the shocker could be a bit softer...............This almost confirms my findings.............. This should raise a few eye brows.................;). [/QUOTE]
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Tech. Advice: Series 'B' / 'C' 500cc/1000cc Bikes
Modified Steering Stem
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