Posted by ? on July 11, 2010, 9:50 pm
On Jul 11, 6:27 pm, "tomor...@erols.com"
> Perhaps you can give an example or two of the race
> course destined Japanese bikes of that era that had springs that were
> too soft?
My 550# 1974 GT750 had 44 pound/inch front springs, and the front end
feel made me very confident.
My 450# 1986 GSXR came equipped with 27 pounds/inch springs in the
front forks, instead of the 33~35 pound springs one would expect for a
lightweight machine like that.(1)
Progressive Suspension front springs were the correct rate, but PS
failed to tell home mechanics that the standard fork oil level would
be too high with the extra
coils on the end on the spring instead of the stock sheet metal
spacers.
I ran into premature hydraulic lockup before the forks compressed
fully...
(1) During that particular era, Suzuki forks had an adjustable
"Positive Damping Force" valve and the fork leg which could be used to
adjust compression damping and make up for the limp springs.
Posted by The Older Gentleman on July 12, 2010, 2:11 am
> During the early 1970's, Japanese motorcycles were often oversprung
> (my GT750 had 150# rate rear springs)
But, but, but, you tol us a while back that it was designed properly
that way.
--
BMW K1100LT Ducati 750SS Honda CB400F Triumph Street Triple
Suzuki TS250ER GN250 Damn, back to six bikes!
Try Googling before asking a damn silly question.
chateau dot murray at idnet dot com
Posted by The Older Gentleman on July 12, 2010, 2:11 am
> I see people on the FJR forums blindly upgrading their shocks
> and forks despite the fact that they've probably never even tried
> to optimize their suspension using the built-in adjustments
> available on the stock components, simply because they've read that
> it's the "thing to do".
This is fair comment, actually. In every case I've known of someone
fitting such kit, it's been justified - crappy forks fitted to old BMWs
and Yamaha, or just stuff that's worn out and needs replacing.
However, a Triumph Bonnie really isn't that well suspended as new. Trust
me.
--
BMW K1100LT Ducati 750SS Honda CB400F Triumph Street Triple
Suzuki TS250ER GN250 Damn, back to six bikes!
Try Googling before asking a damn silly question.
chateau dot murray at idnet dot com
Posted by The Older Gentleman on July 11, 2010, 1:12 pm
> Would it be worth my while going for these?
Yes.
--
BMW K1100LT Ducati 750SS Honda CB400F Triumph Street Triple
Suzuki TS250ER GN250 Damn, back to six bikes!
Try Googling before asking a damn silly question.
chateau dot murray at idnet dot com
Posted by sean_q_ on July 11, 2010, 7:20 pm
The Older Gentleman wrote:
>> Would it be worth my while going for these?
>
> Yes.
Thanks for the advice, even if it's a bit terse.
What does "improved handling and ride" mean in practice?
And why didn't Triumph make these springs standard
in the 1st place?
TIA, SQ
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> course destined Japanese bikes of that era that had springs that were
> too soft?