MCN Suspension Settings

[Andre]

I would suggest that getting the bike setup for you by a suspension specialist would be a top move, a number of us have had this done in the past and it transforms how the mighty 14 handles. Cost generally is around the £80 mark, but its money well spent. Maxton's is always a good shout for getting it setup up your way, not sure how far a trip it may be , but would be a worthwhile trip.

I am on that track as I find it the most optimal and efficient. I'll have it done at a renowned suspension specialist near me. First I'll get my original rears (absolutelly don't want anything else) rebuild there and change the forks's oil. I have to wait another 6 weeks as everything they do is by appointment only.

I am contemplating if I should put new fork springs in. I would appreciate you guys' advice as to linear or progressive springs or to just keep the original. 14 has 45000 km. I am 105kg. Riding style is 'mixed'. Routes are either small roads with lots of corners or high speed Autobahn. Appreciate your input.

[gsxbarmy]

I would suggest that getting the bike setup for you by a suspension specialist would be a top move, a number of us have had this done in the past and it transforms how the mighty 14 handles. Cost generally is around the £80 mark, but its money well spent. Maxton's is always a good shout for getting it setup up your way, not sure how far a trip it may be , but would be a worthwhile trip.

I am on that track as I find it the most optimal and efficient. I'll have it done at a renowned suspension specialist near me. First I'll get my original rears (absolutelly don't want anything else) rebuild there and change the forks's oil. I have to wait another 6 weeks as everything they do is by appointment only.

I am contemplating if I should put new fork springs in. I would appreciate you guys' advice as to linear or progressive springs or to just keep the original. 14 has 45000 km. I am 105kg. Riding style is 'mixed'. Routes are either small roads with lots of corners or high speed Autobahn. Appreciate your input.

The debate on whether linear or progressive springs has been long ongoing Andre! The purists will say linear, however many (including myself) fitted progressive and were very happy with the results. Having said that, in all honesty could I REALLY tell the difference between after market and original? No. I think if you get the fork oil changed so its all fresh before you get your forks set up, then the original springs will be just perfect once they are set up by the specialists. But if you really want to change them - why not ask the suspension shop you have your appointment with what they would recommend?

[Andre]

gsxbarmy, thank you much for your honest advice! I will likely go with that. Just for kicks I will ask the suspension guys the question about linear vs. progressives. When someday in the future fork seals have to be replaced, the spring-decision will be made then.

Thank you so much resurrecting the forum and for the plethora of information you and others provide.

[gsxbarmy]

gsxbarmy, thank you much for your honest advice! I will likely go with that. Just for kicks I will ask the suspension guys the question about linear vs. progressives. When someday in the future fork seals have to be replaced, the spring-decision will be made then.

Thank you so much resurrecting the forum and for the plethora of information you and others provide.

Thank Mike (Vladtepes) for that, without his foresight we'd all be lost! 

Just for your interest - and if you really want to know the ins and outs (and there is a summary at the end!) - you might find these articles of interest:

http://www.promecha.com.au/springs_advanced.htm

http://automotivethinker.com/suspension/linear-vs-progressive-rate-springs/

The second one is more car related, but the principles are the same.

[Andre]

OK, the kudos go to Mike ( @VladTepes )

Thank you for the articles. Not a racer but I like performance in the corners and don't mind a harsh ride - linear it will be (as currently in the originals). And I like the more consistent dampening and simpler adjustment of the linear springs. For me that is 3:1/2 points for linear.

[Harvey Astell]

Grog you mentioned something I have an issue with..
I Just purchased a K5 and the suspension drop through gear changes unsettles the bike to the point I don't like opening it up hard
Please advise me on what to do as my dealer wants to change oil, is this the answer possibly?

[seth]

if it's done a few miles or never had the oil changed putting new oil will make a big difference to how the forks work .

[Andre]

The debate on whether linear or progressive springs has been long ongoing Andre! The purists will say linear, however many (including myself) fitted progressive and were very happy with the results. Having said that, in all honesty could I REALLY tell the difference between after market and original? No. I think if you get the fork oil changed so its all fresh before you get your forks set up, then the original springs will be just perfect once they are set up by the specialists. But if you really want to change them - why not ask the suspension shop you have your appointment with what they would recommend?

The suspension guy favors linears, which is no surprise as part of his business is service at the races. He told me that the 14's springs are progressives but it is so minor that they are practically linear.

[Harvey Astell]

if it's done a few miles or never had the oil changed putting new oil will make a big difference to how the forks work .

It's only done 5k miles but I presume oil is original and around 12 years old.

[KiwiCol]

Yep, I'd be doing the fork oil if it were me.  It's not a mammoth undertaking & one you can do yourself with a few std tools. There's a PDF file on the site - under downloads (up the top where it says 'Home' 'Forum' 'Help' etc) - general section.
Do the oil change & see how she feels after that.  5w is factory spec, some folk use 10w. There's pro's & cons for each, I'm not opening that can of worms here tonight.

[KiwiCol]

@Andre - 105Kg!!  Geez, you want to eat a few more dinners man!  I'm a third heavier than that!  135kg.    (Poor bike thinks it's 2 up all the time!)

[Andre]

Yep, I am a light weight  Now down to 102kg (from 117 last year). All weight loss due to being infected by the Barmy disease - polish, polish, polish  I just can't stop, no time to eat 

Just been shooting for another weight class in my sport of powerlifting 

+1 on the fork oil

[KiwiCol]

I'd love to get down to 117kg,   too much beer though.       Life is for living & enjoying, not being slotted into some ideal 'weight bracket' for my age.  Right, next beer, here I come!

[Andre]

One has to set priorities  Beer is Liquid Bread (German piece of wisdom). 6 bottles (.5 L) a day and you have your maintenance calories on board.

[Blubber]

One has to set priorities  Beer is Liquid Bread (German piece of wisdom). 6 bottles (.5 L) a day and you have your maintenance calories on board.

We share that wisdom also in clogland.. 1 beer 330ml equals 2 slices of whole wheat bread calorie wise.

Must be because we adopted the bavarian brewing method 


And...
We could start a 100Kg plus subsection .. depending on what season ( Spring BBQ / Summer BBQ / Autumn BBQ / Winter BBQ  )  it's 110 - 115 kg here.