Need some new fork springs in Aust

[Andre]

The bike rode fine with loaded panniers but had a change when i fitted that17kg army bag which makes me think it may be a rear shockie thing, are they wound up equal or do they need to be wound up to make them a bit stiffer? I will read up on how to stiffen them up. Thanks again 😎

When you have done all the basics, you need to set sag for your load. It's not to make your springs stiffer but to get the proper geometry. When the rear goes down due to load, the front lifts up. Set fork and shock sag for you without luggage first. With luggage you likely will not need to change fork sag by much (if at all) unless you have a loaded tank bag on. For the shocks I figure one ring for each additional 20 kg on the rear. As there are only 5 rings available and the standard setting is 1.5 rings, there are only 70 kg to add before you run out off adjustment (guess work here). If that happens you got a few options. Get new rear shocks. For example Wilbers shocks build them according to your weight, added load, and riding habits. Or get stiffer springs for your current shocks. Recommend having them calculated and fitted by a suspension specialist. That is also a good time to have the original shocks rebuild and set up for you. Recommended to have any shocks serviced every 20-25 k km.

A quick and cheap as well as questionable solution MIGHT be to install a jack-up kit for the rears.

Lots of videos about setting sag on YT. I recommend the ones from Dave Moss. https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=dave+moss+suspension+setup

[Chop1961]

Thanks for that mate, after i post this i will go on web and see if there is a someone up here in Darwin who plays around with bike suspension, if there isnt i will have a crack at what you explained and if all else fails look at getting some rears made up to my specs 👍

[Sweaty]

I would start with changing the front tyre, which you mentioned, has worn unevenly and needs replacing.
As Grog said, it is probably your main problem, so I would tick that off before you start looking for problems, that might not be there.

[Chop1961]

Grog, just a quick update on the tank slapping issue i was having.. it turns out its the panniers catching wind, they are big panniers too. When on i can not go over 140kph, mate was behind me yesterday when the rear end started floggin from side to side at bout 160, (it was a test run) after removing panniers bike was perfect, il try to add pic, there pretty big. Thanks

[grog]

Chop, get rid of the panniers or slow down a tad. Might just save your life. Advice from me, get rid of your luggage, buy a Ventura rack and two bags. Aero Spada. 51 litres each, huge. one sits behind rack, other zipped to it, in front. Both behind you, no turbulence. Can fit a carton of beer in them, top quality, id never have a bike without them. Take them off, rack is off in one minute, just a naked bike. https://www.ventura-bike.com/Aero-Spada-VII-P0651-2-B

[Hooli]

That's rather odd as I've got the same panniers & can max my 14 out with no instability. I loose 2mph compared to it 'clean' and it uses more fuel but those are the only differences.

The rubber bungs that stop the panniers wobbling aren't missing are they?

[Kiwifruit]

Yeah Hooli l have same panniers, had no issues. As others have said its very likely a combination of factors. I have been a bit remiss and have not serviced the steering head bearings, this l need to do. My bike will shake its head if l let go of the bars at low speed. I'd like a bit of preload.
Tyres are a huge factor in how a motorcycle rides. My belief is that many are trying to get too much mileage from their tyres at the expence of ride quality. Tyre pressure plays a big part.
Back to luggage. I always load my luggage with the heaviest items down the centreline of the bike and as low in the luggage as possible with the lighter items in the panniers. I use a tanklock tankbag, this is also loaded with some of the heavier items but helps with front/rear weight distribution. As mentioned in the previous post, are all your bungs in the mounting brackets. Are your pannier brackets bent ? Luggage must be predictable and tight on the bike.
Hope you get it sorted Chop, its a problem you should'nt have.

[Chop1961]

Thanks for replys once again. It is good to know that the bike can be ridden with the panniers left on. The panniers must be amplifying what the original problem is because without the panniers on you can take it up to full speed but you wouldnt be game to take your hands off the handlebars, she is twichy (if thats the right word) at high speed. I will just keep plugging away at it until i find the culprit.
I will check for the rubbers you mentioned about Kiwifruit but i do know the panniers a solid, not loose but i did notice yesterday that one pannier is bent to a bit of a different angle comoared to the other and also the right side handlebar is at a slightly different angle then the orher meaning i think shes tipped over at sone stage but i dont think that would be the problem, i will be looking at front tyre and steering head bearing, i will keep use posted if and when i sort it out, so once again thanks for replys 😎