How do I fine tune my new Bitubos?
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 922
Likes: 898
From: Upstate NY
How do I fine tune my new Bitubos?
I installed my new Bitubos tonight, and as I feared, Im still not pleased. Every frost heave feels like Im getting thrown in the air. The bike lands fine, doesnt bottom out at all and I can also feel a significant improvement during acceleration, so thats cool, but this air launching **** needs to stop. Im honestly getting tossed into the air, I have to readjust myself in the saddle every time.
Now, to be fair, I had DK set them up for two up riding and I DID NOT have my wife with me tonight, so I may still feel a nice difference with her on, but how do I adjust this 'launching' feeling from going over the road heaves? More or less preload? I played with the little dampening lever, going from 3 to 1 seemed to help a wee bit, but these frost heaves are still sending me to the moon. How do I adjust this moon launch???
Now, to be fair, I had DK set them up for two up riding and I DID NOT have my wife with me tonight, so I may still feel a nice difference with her on, but how do I adjust this 'launching' feeling from going over the road heaves? More or less preload? I played with the little dampening lever, going from 3 to 1 seemed to help a wee bit, but these frost heaves are still sending me to the moon. How do I adjust this moon launch???
Last edited by internet troll; Jul 6, 2020 at 09:59 PM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 4,356
Likes: 887
From: san diego
Are you expecting to soak up the bumps to where your seat stays relativley level but the shocks completley dampen the heaves?
your front end might be the cuplrit as well. You most likley need a high quality cartridge kit.
The rears you should call bitubo. Talk to them, maybe different shock oil? Maybe its actually easy adjustment.
Id check with them first before buying catrige kit. Big bear performance now make a catrige kit better than ohlins. Literally an inverted front end suspension retrofitted into your bikes current tubes and legs.
your front end might be the cuplrit as well. You most likley need a high quality cartridge kit.
The rears you should call bitubo. Talk to them, maybe different shock oil? Maybe its actually easy adjustment.
Id check with them first before buying catrige kit. Big bear performance now make a catrige kit better than ohlins. Literally an inverted front end suspension retrofitted into your bikes current tubes and legs.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,998
Likes: 655
From: bklyn,ny
if your bike is setup for 2 up, you'll have to set the sag for just you. Get the rear sorted before you start on the front end.No dig at gatec, but i don't think big bear
has anywhere near the r & d capability of ohlins. and they never produced faulty products or ripped off hundreds of people.
has anywhere near the r & d capability of ohlins. and they never produced faulty products or ripped off hundreds of people.
Banned
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 4,506
Likes: 2,361
I just put on Bitubos and had them set up for a plush ride and kept bottoming out so I I took a full turn and put the fine adjustment on 3, rides much better now, no more spine jarring, you just gotta play with it. You gotta remember, youre gonna feel bumps, when I anticipate a big bump, I lift my butt up.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 307
From: Houston, Texas
DK has instructions on fine tuning on their site. I'm very happy with mine but no shock is going to keep you in the seat over every bump but it will take a little of the jarring feeling out of it.
http://www.dkcustomproducts.com/medi...structions.pdf
http://www.dkcustomproducts.com/medi...structions.pdf
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,899
Likes: 3,412
From: OH
Sounds like too much spring if it's launching you. If they set you up for 2 up that is a significant change over being by yourself. I think I have my rebound set on 3.
No shock is going to kill all of that launching. Should take the edge off of it though.
No shock is going to kill all of that launching. Should take the edge off of it though.
Last edited by todd-67; Jul 7, 2020 at 05:41 AM.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 10,804
Likes: 7,444
From: OH
I suggest less preload, one full turn changes the distance between the body and the adjuster by .050"
I weigh 180lbs and have the spacing set @ .150
I weigh 180lbs and have the spacing set @ .150
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,185
Likes: 248
From: Sterling IL.
I had mine set for 2 up soft ride but also noticed when in solo, it too was a bit rough while it was very nice 2 up. I made some changes per the DK documents to soften but yet keep plush on the 2 up. I didnt stray far from the initial setup, measure the threads b4 changing.
