I get the front forks issue now.

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Oct 7, 2013 | 03:10 PM

beary

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Joined: Mar 2007

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From: Edmond Oklahoma

I get the front forks issue now.

It took riding a big heavy Ultra, but I can see it now. I picked it up a 09 Ultra few months ago thinking my wife would start riding with me, she hasn't. So I'm with two bikes now; the Ultra and an 09 SG to compare rides. I rode the Ultra yesterday in the gusty Oklahoma wind and the front end just kind of wobbles around. I don't feel it on the SG, but it's there on the heavier Ultra. I can see how the beefed up forks on the 14s make a big differnce.

Beary

Oct 7, 2013 | 03:26 PM

grbrown

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Joined: Jun 2007

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From: Bedford UK

Salvation is at hand! You can convert your bike to a similar top tree design, to cure that fork flex problem, by using a Custom Cycle Engineering TourTrac Tree kit.

Oct 7, 2013 | 03:42 PM

jefla

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From: washington dc

With apologies for not first researching this question .. given that Ultras aren't that much heavier than SGs, do the CCE TTs improve the handling of an SG?

Oct 7, 2013 | 04:01 PM

mikeo33y

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Joined: May 2012

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From: Southeast NC

If worked on off road forks over many years and i can tell u now that its more about the oil amount. the oil weight. the spring weight and the damping. Its not just about the diameter of the forks. And in fact sometimes bigger stiffer forks give a more harsh ride. Ive seen it and experienced it over the years. Im not sayin the 14 forks are not better but it could be more to do with set up and u can duplicate the 14 forks or make the 13 forks better than the 14 forks and ride with some set up work done do them. Its an art in itself

Oct 7, 2013 | 04:18 PM

jefla

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From: washington dc

mikeo, yes. I have been fooling with oil viscosities and have found the ride much better. Stock brake dive is ridculous. I'm always solo and weigh around 200. I'm happiest w/ a mixture of 30% sock 70% SE. I'll do the internals once I have a handle on what really is better.

Oct 7, 2013 | 05:06 PM

fabrik8r

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From: earth

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeo33y

The forks aren't really the focus of this issue, its the tree design. I agree the diameter of the forks is probably the least important consideration. While valving, fluid type and amount, springs, and proper tuning are all key elements to a good front suspension, the fundamental weakness in the touring front end is the lack of clamping on the top tree. The top tree fork cap bolts do not prevent the tubes from rotating in the top tree, nothing ties the upper and lower tree together to keep them from rotating out of alignment while under strain. I'd bet most of those off road platforms you worked on had clamping on the upper and lower trees.