Front suspension work: is extending the front helpful for corner stability?
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From: Niles Canyon Ca.
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Joined: Apr 2018
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From: Vancouver, BC
Thank you everyone, i've got a lot of info here.
Did some digging around and it looks like Sputhe is well regarded. A side benefit being Sputhe uses OEM mounts, so i can change them out first, see if it helps, and if not get a sputhe. I think I'll also replace the top heim joint with the one mentioned in this thread just to be safe.
I also did some reading on a few threads regarding this wobble and how to do the powertrain alignment with an inclineometer (aka iphone lol). going to give that a go too. hopefully with some careful adjustment, patience, and replacement of stock mounts i can eliminate some of the wobble.
the suspension upgrades will still happen, but i'm not gonna do +2 up front. The drag spec's are 13" with .5" in either direction, so i'll maybe start at 12.5 and then go from there- the improved springs both rear and front should at least make for a more pleasant ride overall.
going to also give the neck tightening a try- i'd like to unpack it and have a look at the bearings too and see what kind of condition they're in. might as well do that when i've got the front end off anyway.
i think that should cover the bulk of it save for wheel bearings... will look into checking/replacing those too.
Did some digging around and it looks like Sputhe is well regarded. A side benefit being Sputhe uses OEM mounts, so i can change them out first, see if it helps, and if not get a sputhe. I think I'll also replace the top heim joint with the one mentioned in this thread just to be safe.
I also did some reading on a few threads regarding this wobble and how to do the powertrain alignment with an inclineometer (aka iphone lol). going to give that a go too. hopefully with some careful adjustment, patience, and replacement of stock mounts i can eliminate some of the wobble.
the suspension upgrades will still happen, but i'm not gonna do +2 up front. The drag spec's are 13" with .5" in either direction, so i'll maybe start at 12.5 and then go from there- the improved springs both rear and front should at least make for a more pleasant ride overall.
going to also give the neck tightening a try- i'd like to unpack it and have a look at the bearings too and see what kind of condition they're in. might as well do that when i've got the front end off anyway.
i think that should cover the bulk of it save for wheel bearings... will look into checking/replacing those too.
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From: Vancouver, BC
Just as a follow up to this thread, i did the following to find a huge reduction in corner wobble and increase in overall stability:
Replaced front springs/oil/seals (patriot genesis)
Replaced steering head bearings and races (good lord)
Replaced front motor mount (oem)
Replaced rear shocks (drag specialties, measured and then re-measured)
Replaced top heim joint (chevvy small block from ebay) and did drivetrain alignment, in within 1 degree
Added front fork brace
Replaced rear wheel bearings (time to buy the damn tool i think)
It's still not perfect, and that may be down to the heim joint not having space left to get closer than 1 degree, or rear mount, or just generally a stabilizer needed, but **** is it ever better.
Thanks for the help in this thread and elsewhere, my bike is riding like it never has (in my ownership)
Any future newbies who have questions about what i've done or want further details, don't hesitate to ask
Replaced front springs/oil/seals (patriot genesis)
Replaced steering head bearings and races (good lord)
Replaced front motor mount (oem)
Replaced rear shocks (drag specialties, measured and then re-measured)
Replaced top heim joint (chevvy small block from ebay) and did drivetrain alignment, in within 1 degree
Added front fork brace
Replaced rear wheel bearings (time to buy the damn tool i think)
It's still not perfect, and that may be down to the heim joint not having space left to get closer than 1 degree, or rear mount, or just generally a stabilizer needed, but **** is it ever better.
Thanks for the help in this thread and elsewhere, my bike is riding like it never has (in my ownership)
Any future newbies who have questions about what i've done or want further details, don't hesitate to ask
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Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 2,840
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From: Philly Suburbs
Just as a follow up to this thread, i did the following to find a huge reduction in corner wobble and increase in overall stability:
Replaced front springs/oil/seals (patriot genesis)
Replaced steering head bearings and races (good lord)
Replaced front motor mount (oem)
Replaced rear shocks (drag specialties, measured and then re-measured)
Replaced top heim joint (chevvy small block from ebay) and did drivetrain alignment, in within 1 degree
Added front fork brace
Replaced rear wheel bearings (time to buy the damn tool i think)
It's still not perfect, and that may be down to the heim joint not having space left to get closer than 1 degree, or rear mount, or just generally a stabilizer needed, but **** is it ever better.
Thanks for the help in this thread and elsewhere, my bike is riding like it never has (in my ownership)
Any future newbies who have questions about what i've done or want further details, don't hesitate to ask
Replaced front springs/oil/seals (patriot genesis)
Replaced steering head bearings and races (good lord)
Replaced front motor mount (oem)
Replaced rear shocks (drag specialties, measured and then re-measured)
Replaced top heim joint (chevvy small block from ebay) and did drivetrain alignment, in within 1 degree
Added front fork brace
Replaced rear wheel bearings (time to buy the damn tool i think)
It's still not perfect, and that may be down to the heim joint not having space left to get closer than 1 degree, or rear mount, or just generally a stabilizer needed, but **** is it ever better.
Thanks for the help in this thread and elsewhere, my bike is riding like it never has (in my ownership)
Any future newbies who have questions about what i've done or want further details, don't hesitate to ask
Again, thanks for sharing your results!
EDIT: The issue you had with the length of the top link can probably be solved with a hacksaw/cutting tool. Several other people have mentioned the same thing, while others haven't. Seems to be slightly different bike-to-bike.
Last edited by F86; Apr 21, 2020 at 12:42 PM.
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From: Vancouver, BC
It's far more common for people to start threads, ask a million questions, and never let anyone know what they actually ended up dong and how it worked out!
If you decide to try one, I would recommend Sputhe, TrueTrack, or Alloy Art
The issue you had with the length of the top link can probably be solved with a hacksaw/cutting tool.
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Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 233
Likes: 50
From: Canada
Google, "setting suspension sag on a motorcycle",
For wobble ensure there is no play in forks and rear swing arm. This is almost always caused by worn bearings (not wheel bearings).
For wobble ensure there is no play in forks and rear swing arm. This is almost always caused by worn bearings (not wheel bearings).
Last edited by adam_nrod; Apr 21, 2020 at 01:04 PM.
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