TROUBLE SHOOTING SUSPENSION

REAR SUSPENSION

Complaint

too little negative suspension travel

motorcycle shocks through the steering in ruts or when accelerating

shock absorber appears immobile

uncomfortable

overloading on front forks when travelling downhill or braking

Cause

spring pre load too high

Solution

reduce spring pre load

fit a softer spring if necessary

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Complaint

motorcycle dips too deeply on suspension

too much negative suspension travel (“sag”)

uncomfortable

tendency to shocking

motorcycle wanders on uneven surfaces

Cause

spring pre load too low

Solution

increase spring pre load

fit a harder spring (or springs)

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Complaint

very uncomfortable

rear wheel tends to bounce in fast bends especially when accelerating

rear wheel bounces over uneven surfaces

Cause

compression camping too hard

Solution

adjust damping to softer level

have the shock absorber adjusted internally

have worn shock absorbers repaired or replaced

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Complaint

Rear suspension bottoms out

motorcycle and rider subject to hard bumps

Noticeable movements in the frame, particularly when accelerating out of bends

Cause

compression damping too soft

Solution

set compression damping harder

have the shock absorber adjusted internally

have worn shock absorbers repaired or replaced

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Complaint

motorcycle suspension extremely sluggish

rear wheel unable to cope well with uneven surfaces

tendency to bounce on bumpy surfaces

uncomfortable

tendency to snake in ruts

Cause

rebound damping too hard

Solution

decrease the rebound damping

possibly increase spring pre-load

replace shock absorber

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Complaint

motorcycle suspension extremely lively

constant movement in the rear suspension

rear wheel has tendency to bounce / wobble

Cause

rebound damping (rebound) too soft

Solution

increase the rebound damping

reduce the spring pretension if necessary

have worn shock absorbers repaired or replaced

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FRONT SUSPENSION

Complaint

front forks sluggish/nearly immobile

handlebars “jump” in your hand when accelerating and crossing ruts

uncomfortable

front wheel bounces / chatters on poor road surfaces

Cause

spring pre load too high

spring too hard

air chamber too small

Solution

reduce spring pre load

fit softer springs or progressive springs with a lighter initial strength

increase air chamber (reduce oil level in front fork)

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Complaint

motorcycle sags to deeply on the springs

too much negative suspension travel

suspension occasionally bottoms out

front forks shake when braking and travelling downhill

Cause

spring pre load too low

springs too soft

air chamber too large

Solution

increase spring pre load

fit stiffer springs or progressive front fork springs with a heavier initial strength

reduce air chamber (increase oil level in front fork)

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Complaint

front forks sluggish/nearly immobile

shocks in the steering when accelerating

front wheel chatters when braking hard

Cause

ingoing (compression) damping too hard

Solution

reduce the ingoing (compression) damping

possibly use lower viscosity fork oil

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Complaint

front forks shock when braking and on uneven road surfaces

and dips rapidly when braking

Cause

ingoing (compression) damping too soft

Solution

increase the ingoing (compression) damping

possibly use higher viscosity fork oil

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Complaint

front forks spring back slowly

uncomfortable

front wheel unable to cope with uneven surfaces

indirect steering behaviour

Cause

outgoing (rebound) damping too hard

Solution

reduce the outgoing (rebound) damping

possibly use a lower viscosity fork oil

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Complaint

front end is lively

bouncing and shocking on uneven surfaces

front forks spring back too quickly

Cause

outgoing (rebound) damping too soft

Solution

increase the outgoing (rebound) damping

possibly use a higher viscosity fork oil

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Complaint

front forks shock

front wheel shudders

not enough progressive hardening of the spring towards the end of travel

Cause

air chamber too large

Solution

increase the oil level in small steps of 5 to 10 mm

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Complaint

forks hard

tendency to shock in the steering

front wheel bounces when braking due to hydraulic stop blocking

uncomfortable

Cause

air chamber too small

Solution

decrease the oil level in small steps of 5 to 10 mm

Very useful, thanks Stu

I had trouble shooting suspension, so I went back to shooting pheasants.

I had trouble shooting suspension, so I went back to shooting pheasants.

you always get one!!!

got any going spare for xmas

Not a p take but, less responsive steering - check tyre pressures