Front Shock

[guised]

When I ordered my Technoflex shocks, one of the reasons was to ensure I had a suitable spring rate for my not insignificant mass (6'8" and 20st, kitted up) and riding style (spirited ).

When they arrived for fitment the rear had a 140-150 rated spring, I verified with MCTechnics that this was right and they confirmed it so.

I just got on with riding and found them to be superb over the standard suspension. Have never bottomed out and have only had to tweak the damping once since fitting.

[stempy]

My front is still standard so it's got whatever sag it came with

[winger]

Mine to


Chris

[andrew s]

Thanks Chaps for the info, looks like I'll just have to fiddle. I'll do small adjustments and write it down (cheers Chris)

Guised, I have sent a PM to you if that is alright.

Andrew

[winger]

Well i have to say Guised there sure as hell something wrong somewhere cuz you wouldn't get away with 20 stone on a 150 Ohlin that is for sure,but what's has thrown me is when you said that you tweaked the damping????? compression or rebound or preload,as much for Andrews info as mine


Chris

[guised]

Hi Chris,

The only damping adjustment I made was to the rebound, the only damping adjustment on the shock, although the compression is linked to rebound internally, don't know by how much or whether its even linear.

The reason for this adjustment was that the shocks were brand new and after a few hundred miles had bed in a little and needed a little tweek (increase rebound) to bring them back to the feeling I had when I left MCTechnics who originally fitted them.

I was as surprised as yourself when they fitted a 140-150 spring as I was fully expecting a 160 or 170. I contacted MCTechnics about this and they confirmed that the rate was correct

Incidentally my Tuono has an Ohlins 150 on the back and also feels fine, i.e. not bottoming out and compliant. Maybe the diet is working or my bathroom scales are knackered !

I don't profess to be a suspension expert although I think I've an understanding. Unfortunately I don't have the resource to fully experiment with different spring rates etc. Love to give it a go though!

One question I have about a higher rate spring is how the damping is effected, presumably the larger forces required to move the spring are harder to control. If you go to a higher rate spring do you loose some compliance due to extra damping requirements?

Regards

Dan

[winger]

Hi Guised

You say about going to a harder spring,but the assumption it's the correct spring for the job,the object of the excercise is to keep the preload to a reasonable minimum,the moment you start haveing increase the preload on the spring the more compression and rebound you need to keep it under control which puts more force on the shock which makes it overheat quicker and really your back to square one and it's going to go off just as quick as a stock shock,i could have got away with a 150 on my Ohlin and did,because we used it to go to Le-Mans last year but there was way to much preload on the spring and it just felt wrong went to a 160 but with hindsight should have gone 170 but maybe for one up would have been to hard.

All a bit of a minor detail as you going to a Touno!!! i'd love one but can't see my missus sitting on the back even going to the shops!!!.

Chris

[andrew s]

Chris,

With the 140 spring on my Wilber shock, I am not running any preload on the hyd. adjuster. Have not done the loaded sag for the wife on the back so will have to see how much preload I will need then.

I have the rear rebound at 12 clicks out of 26 from soft. Have not touched this solo yet. Waiting to ride the bike for a couple of weeks first, before playing with it. Did not go for hi/low compression on the rear as I did not want to many things to fiddle with.

Going to phone MH Racing and ask them if they know of a ball park figure for the loaded sag on the front. I know people say it should be 1/3 of total shock travel, but would like a figure to start with.

Will let you know how I get on if you want.

Andrew

[guised]

Hi Chris,

I have to admit that preload is something that confuses me. I was under the impression that the preload only affects the attitude of the bike (sag etc) )and that by preloading the spring you aren't actually changing the rate but rather how much travel is left. For example if a 150 kg spring compresses an inch for every 150kg then if you preload it the equivalent of 150kg you've used an inch but the next 150kg will only move it another inch. Why would this make the damping work harder?

This is an interesting topic that I need practical demonstration to fully understand.

Just out of curiosity, is it an expensive process to get springs changed? I would consider upping the Tuono rear to a 160 as it seems reasonable to do given my weight and would help my understanding.

BTW the Tuono is excellent fun, but you're right about the pillion.

Cheers
Dan

[winger]

Hi Guised

Going from one up to two means your going to need more preload to stiffen the rear up,by putting more tension on the rear spring you makeing stronger in it's reactions,so when you go over a bump in the roas it'll spring back quicker because you have put more tension on it,that isn't what you want,the object of the excercise is to keep control of the shock which means you'll have to put more rebound on to stop it springing back so quickly,thats why you have to select the right spring in the first place,so you don't have to go over the top with compression and rebound.

Andrew

When you out try the suspension and you haveing your doubts on ajustments(we've all been there) make a major a ajusment so you can really feel the difference then when you feel you've gone to far work you way backwards.

The front shock??? personally i think your opening a hole can of worms,do one at a time,i've never bothered as the front suits me fine,funny how you remember certain postings Carl Tyer who was one of the first on this board with Ohlins.discribed his front Ohlin as plush!!! thats the last thing i wanted,defeats the object of the excercise with the different BM front end,which is what i like for two up rideing so i don't get 'Knutted' in the back of the head when i'm rideing quickly!!!!.

Chris

[stempy]

If you are measuring sag on the front on the fork sliders I think you should have a little more that a third on a telelever front end, remember you dont have to allow for dive under braking, I think just under a half of total travel would be about right. Remember, the fork sliders aren't actually an active part of the suspension. If you look in the handbook it gives figures for suspension travel in compression and rebound strokes.