setting up suspension - input

[pur pony]

I originally had standard XB forks on my tuber with a penske rear shock and the bike handled great. I have since swapped to Scg front forks and a west-tek lowering link for the rear. The rear looked too low, so I put the factory rear shock mount back in. First test ride of the bike, the front now seems very heavy, the best i can describe it. I ended up lowering the rear a little using the adjustable length of the penske. Front still feels a little heavy and twitchy. I havnt played with the front settings yet but the rear penske setup really has not been touched from when it was used with the standard forks.

Just figured i would ask and see if i got any feedback before i start playing around this, trying to dial the suspension in.

 

[go cytocis]

Front still feels a little heavy and twitchy

Strange; normally "heavy" & "twitchy" would fall at the opposite ends of the spectrum of words to describe the front end.

Going to a lower front fork setup while leaving the rear stock would tend to make a 'twitchier' front end due to the decrease in rake angle it'll produce.

On the other hand, a lower bike will always feel 'heavier' because of the decreased leverage you have over it.

I'd start by just playing with one parameter at a time, taking notes for each setting, until you've honed-in on a suitable set-up, but I think you're going to be challenged to replicate the ride quality of the stock set-up with lower suspension, front or rear.

 

[nicholas900]

I ain't no expert on this. But in my experiences over the years. By trial and mostly error...

Lowering a M/C equally will make it feel harder to turn because the center of gravity is lower. If the bike was twitchy before, it usually still is equally lowered.

Lowering just the front decreases rake and trail. This makes the bike handle super sharp and at high speed it will be twitchy and "a hand full". (Same could be said for just raising the rear).

Lowering just the rear increases rake and trail. This will make the bike feel stable at speed but sluggish on turn in. (The same would be said for just raising the front)

In creations like yours, I always tried to get the ride height adjusted and a good balance until it felt pretty good. Then mess with the rebound and compression.

Good luck with it! Love that bike.


Pretty good article: Ride height 101

 

[heagachongoose]

^[up]

 

[Fatty SS]

Very nice, Nicholas.

OP, sounds like the front and rear have not dropped proportionately. Time to start playing with fork position and link length.