Improving the front end

[Sean]

As a first stage in improving your forks, the progressive springs should be removed and replaced with linear rate springs. " This reduces the dive under braking, meaning the bike doesn’t pitch forward so much and it

remains more stable when the brakes are used hard. The forks are also less likely to bottom-out, all of which improves wheel control and hence grip, plus stability. It’s not expensive, either, with a pair of Ohlins springs costing around £68 a pair. On many bikes, such as Honda’s FireBlade and SP-1 or Suzuki’s GSX-R600, fitting them is easy, too, and well within

the scope of the home mechanic, though on others, such as the R1 and GSX-R1000, Brendish describes it as " a pig of a job! "

 

This already makes a big improvement, which is noticeable on the road and which many riders say transforms their bikes on track days. But there’s more which can be done.

 

Stage two is to change the original 5W damping oil for a heavier 10W oil (these ratings apply to specialist fork oil). According to Brendish, this is effective on a lot of road bikes, especially the R1, but it’s not that easy on inverted forks, which have to be removed and then turned upside-down so the old oil can be pumped out. It should then be replenished to

the recommended level.

 

" With the linear springs, this will bring the damping adjusters back to the middle of their range, " said Brendish. " Otherwise, a lot of riders find with the 5W oil they have the adjusters wound up fully, right on the limit of their damping for the forks to work properly. "

 

The damping action can be improved further using revalving kits. The damping works by an internal piston forcing oil through a stack of shims at each end of the fork. Ohlins produces kits to replace the pistons and shim stacks with more finely-machined and calibrated ones. The firm won’t sell the kits on their own in the UK because fitting them is such a specialist job – the potential for damaging the forks is considerable. But the cost is still not excessive.

 

Take your forks to an official Ohlins centre and for most superbikes the cost is around £350 (with a two-day turnaround time), though R1s and R6s cost around £400 as they also need to have a rebound piston holder fitted.

 

The pistons used are the same as those fitted to the 1997 Ohlins superbike racing forks, while the shim stacks are carefully calibrated by Ohlins technicians. You’ll then have forks identical to many used on the current Superstock race bikes, which means front-end control and grip is transformed.

[RobVanDam]

Take your forks to an official Ohlins centre and for most superbikes the cost is around £350 (with a two-day turnaround time), though R1s and R6s cost around £400 as they also need to have a rebound piston holder fitted.

 

Good article dude. But just too bad we do not have an Ohlins centre in s'pore. Only in Britain, where the Britons have a wide variety of parts and parts centre to choose from.

[Guest Dee Kay]

Hi all,

 

Actually they've got a shop in Singapore that stocks Ohlins stuff. Can't remember the name but its just 2 to 3 shops away from the Ducati showroom at Lavender. Don't expect premium stuff to be cheap though..

 

Dees

[Guest BoBOKik]

Hi all,

 

Actually they've got a shop in Singapore that stocks Ohlins stuff. Can't remember the name but its just 2 to 3 shops away from the Ducati showroom at Lavender. Don't expect premium stuff to be cheap though..

 

Dees

 

its Sporting Motor

[RobVanDam]

yup. it is sporting motorcycles.

[kata_killer]

Anyone know d extact location? CAn provide Tel no. plus map so tat other bikers can go down to see easily...

[Andy]

Anyone know d extact location? CAn provide Tel no. plus map so tat other bikers can go down to see easily...

 

sportings is just opp the classic motorcycles, diagonally across the eminem plaza/lavendar foodcourt.

[R11S]

 

sportings is just opp the classic motorcycles, diagonally across the eminem plaza/lavendar foodcourt.

 

 

whoaa 2yrs nvr been there since my R1 RIP........anyparts for africatwin or not......hehee

[Andy]

ring ring? 6396 0230

[stanboy]

can XR2 spring changed 2 linear as mentiond above???oso if change oil can improve the performance of front fork???

hw do i improve the front forks as i find they tend 2 dip 2 easily when i use front brake...

[Andy]

can XR2 spring changed 2 linear as mentiond above???oso if change oil can improve the performance of front fork???

hw do i improve the front forks as i find they tend 2 dip 2 easily when i use front brake...

 

david from teck thye did up dawn's XR2 for both front and rear, excellent setup.

 

You may wish to consult him for a front susp rebuilt.

[stanboy]

 

david from teck thye did up dawn's XR2 for both front and rear, excellent setup.

 

You may wish to consult him for a front susp rebuilt.

 

o...the suspension wont feel so soggy after dat???

ard hw much did she spend har???

and can giv mi the addy n tel. no so i can call up n enquire??? thx andy!!

[Cool79]

 

david from teck thye did up dawn's XR2 for both front and rear, excellent setup.

 

You may wish to consult him for a front susp rebuilt.

 

i went to david le...

i rebuilt my front n rear shock

f up

super soft

sigh...

spend 1k there.....

[stanboy]

 

i went to david le...

i rebuilt my front n rear shock

f up

super soft

sigh...

spend 1k there.....

 

huh????u sure????

[Andy]

 

i went to david le...

i rebuilt my front n rear shock

f up

super soft

sigh...

spend 1k there.....

 

did u feedback to him?

[Guest FireSpitter]

 

sportings is just opp the classic motorcycles, diagonally across the eminem plaza/lavendar foodcourt.

 

Brudder...Brudder...

 

EMINENT lah... not EMINEM (Real Slim Shady?)

[Guest FireSpitter]

 

did u feedback to him?

 

David of TT is quite responsive to feedback. If not happy with the results, have a nice talk with him and get him to settle it till you're happy.

[Andy]

 

Brudder...Brudder...

 

EMINENT lah... not EMINEM (Real Slim Shady?)

 

too much of rap aint good! I think i shall listen to more classicals.

[stanboy]

so wheres this david's shop n got ani number i can ring???

[Andy]

David Ong Thian Poh (Teck Thye)

12 Braddell Road Singapore 359900

Tel: 62803138

Fax: 62800342

[terri_one]

you can find articles on the internet on improving XR200 suspension without spending a bomb. Do a search.

[stanboy]

David Ong Thian Poh (Teck Thye)

12 Braddell Road Singapore 359900

Tel: 62803138

Fax: 62800342

 

oki...thx!!!

[stanboy]

you can find articles on the internet on improving XR200 suspension without spending a bomb. Do a search.

 

thx bro...wil search n c wat i can do...true though i do nt wish 2 spend a bomb on it...

[stanboy]

rd up on some but dunno hw 2 do leh...sounds complicated...

[BabyVTEC]

the suspension is really funny one..hard to find 2 riders totally agree on a same setup..some may like it a bit harsh..some may not..even 2 person with excatly same riding style might not have same weight....even both with same weight might not have same riding position..so the set up might be mighty perfect for me..might not suit you.....LOL...its just like Rossi gives you his bike with setup according to his liking might be totally out for you....

best way is to get some one set the SAG properly for you first then slowly play with the rebound and compression damping for those who have adjustable option....take time and patient of cos....best way is to find a route u ride everyday best is desserted....keke click a bit here and there everyday..feel the diff...

find the best set up...dun think stock suspension will go so wrong that it throw u off ur bike....cos everymanufacturer r prepared to have suspension idiots like me....who will try things ard...lol