| Author | Message | ||
     Zacks |
One frustration of my 1125 is that the front end never has felt right. There's been a couple of comments in threads lately that got me wondering a bit and I haven't been able to find the answer. What is the fork level supposed to be relative to the top triple? Mine is set from day one (and the dealer) with 2 lines showing. SportRider has the recommended settings at flush along with some of the comments I've seen. Nothing I can find in either the owners manual or the service manual gives a factory setting for that. Rebound, compression, preload - sure. But not for height. | ||
| Rpm4x4 |
2 lines showing is what I believe to be correct | ||
| Jcjohnson33 |
Two lines is correct from factory. I'm not sure on the CR but my '09 R has a snap ring around the forks that the top triple clamp sits on. When the triple clamp is sitting on the ring there are two lines showing. So I'm sure that is the lowest setting and can be mover up from there. | ||
| Jdugger |
> What is the fork level supposed to be relative to the top triple? That's really the incorrect way to measure it, though it will work if you are comparing to two bikes exactly the same. Better is to put the bike on stem stand and measure from the center of the axle to the bottom of the triple. That way you can change the triple or the spacers in the forks and not mess up the measurement. I'm using 693mm from the center of the axle to the bottom of the triple, and 328mm for the free length of the rear shock. | ||
| Rogue_biker |
I'm not understanding why one would move the fork tubes close to or flush with the triple clamp. Would this not raise the front of the bike, which in turn slow the steering down? | ||
| Jdugger |
> which in turn slow the steering down? It adds a titch of rake and some trail, which does slow the steering down, but also adds swing arm angle, which helps the bike hold a line under throttle/corner exit. So, the adjustment can be a bit counter intuitive, as you might add stability AND improve cornering... | ||
| Pwillikers |
What do you mean "adds swing arm angle"? From my experience if you raise the front end you slow the steering. | ||
| Rt_performance |
That sport bike rider article. is the set up i been using. with preload set by sag it's nice for street and track use. a ton softer than the harsh service manual setup | ||
| Rogue_biker |
If the front end sits higher, the swing arm angle is increased. It all makes sense from a handling standpoint. | ||
| Thefleshrocket |
"So, the adjustment can be a bit counter intuitive, as you might add stability AND improve cornering..." This is exactly what happens when you make the fork tubes flush with the top of the triple. I highly recommend setting the fork height as such. | ||
| Duphuckincati |
The flush works better for me too. Just feels better all around. | ||
| Lemonchili_x1 |
I have been chasing a setup I like too. After trying quite a few variations with front to rear preload, I have now dropped the forks down about 5mm (so not quite flush with the triple clamp) and I definitely prefer it. The steering is maybe a tiny bit slower/heavier, but the steering feels more "direct" and so I feel more confident in the front end, so I can throw it around more easily. |
