fleetingyouth
Active Member
Basically, this thread is on my upgrade and results and trying to better understand how changing different things correctly effect the bikes suspension so I can better tune it for myself.
Ok so My other thread was about a fork seal leak so when I installed my DDC kit from Cogent Dynamics this weekend I also replaced all the seals and bushings.
I'm terrible with suspension tuning and knowledge. While I can usually follow a discussion I don't really understand the finer points or math. I watched several videos from other NC members and read all the relevant threads.
So here is how I installed the DDC kit, new .64 springs and caps from a CB1100.
I measured the sag with me on the bike at 65mm which seemed like too much. I know Dave(dduelin) in his thread mentioned his was 55mm and that was 40% of the full 137mm. So mine is roughly 48% and it was mentioned that 33% was a good range to be in.
Now the springs I installed are closer to my weight(.64) than stock and I'm pretty sure I weigh more than Dave. I wasn't sure how or if the new spring would change the sag being for a heavier weight so I did the installation to match the original sag measurement.
I measured the DDC thickness and cb1100 caps at half extended. The new springs were shorter even with the added thickness of the DDC and caps so I made a new spacer longer than the stock by the difference.
I also did the 5wt Honda oil and measured it out to 140mm per recommendation.
After put the bike back together the sag is still measured at 65mm which I suppose means I did the correct math? However, the front end does feel a little higher though I don't notice it in my stance on the ground.
I still have to install the new rear shock from Cogent but I believe the overall geometry of the suspension is now off and I'm not very happy with the result which I believe is because of the rear as a result. I need help understanding what adjustments need to be made etc because I just don't know enough.
I took the bike down a dirt road on my way home(by accident) plus an hour on the highway and yesterday road my usual commute.
The sharp bumps on the front end feel worlds better but the front also now feels floaty all the time on every little surface. The rear feels hoppy like the front is taking the hit and the rear is made worse by that. I dont know if that means the rear needs to be stiffer or what etc.
In the corners, the bike holds a line way better than it ever did I honestly feel like I could do a corner with no hands where I never felt that tight on it before. It also feels a little harder to turn in once in the corner though. Also as mentioned the front end feels a little high.
I'll probably do the rear shock soon but want to have a better understanding of how to adjust the suspension to work better with the front but also adjust the front if I need to which seems like I do?
I believe the caps have about 10mm total in adjustment and I set them halfway so about -+5mm. My understanding is the caps adjust the preload of the fork spring for weight but I'm unsure how much is being adjusted in either direction or which is for more or less haha
I'm also confused about how a bigger spacer or smaller one changes the sag and how getting my sag closer to the 33% would affect the bike geometry and seat height. Or whether I should not and wait till I put on the rear shock?
The bike is ridable but not overall great and I'm pretty sure its because the front and rear arent in balance with each other now. I did the push test on the front end and it seemed alright maybe a little too much settling back in place.
Sorry for the long and detailed post I really just want to try and provide what might be useful so I can learn to better make adjustments moving forward.
Mike
Ok so My other thread was about a fork seal leak so when I installed my DDC kit from Cogent Dynamics this weekend I also replaced all the seals and bushings.
I'm terrible with suspension tuning and knowledge. While I can usually follow a discussion I don't really understand the finer points or math. I watched several videos from other NC members and read all the relevant threads.
So here is how I installed the DDC kit, new .64 springs and caps from a CB1100.
I measured the sag with me on the bike at 65mm which seemed like too much. I know Dave(dduelin) in his thread mentioned his was 55mm and that was 40% of the full 137mm. So mine is roughly 48% and it was mentioned that 33% was a good range to be in.
Now the springs I installed are closer to my weight(.64) than stock and I'm pretty sure I weigh more than Dave. I wasn't sure how or if the new spring would change the sag being for a heavier weight so I did the installation to match the original sag measurement.
I measured the DDC thickness and cb1100 caps at half extended. The new springs were shorter even with the added thickness of the DDC and caps so I made a new spacer longer than the stock by the difference.
I also did the 5wt Honda oil and measured it out to 140mm per recommendation.
After put the bike back together the sag is still measured at 65mm which I suppose means I did the correct math? However, the front end does feel a little higher though I don't notice it in my stance on the ground.
I still have to install the new rear shock from Cogent but I believe the overall geometry of the suspension is now off and I'm not very happy with the result which I believe is because of the rear as a result. I need help understanding what adjustments need to be made etc because I just don't know enough.
I took the bike down a dirt road on my way home(by accident) plus an hour on the highway and yesterday road my usual commute.
The sharp bumps on the front end feel worlds better but the front also now feels floaty all the time on every little surface. The rear feels hoppy like the front is taking the hit and the rear is made worse by that. I dont know if that means the rear needs to be stiffer or what etc.
In the corners, the bike holds a line way better than it ever did I honestly feel like I could do a corner with no hands where I never felt that tight on it before. It also feels a little harder to turn in once in the corner though. Also as mentioned the front end feels a little high.
I'll probably do the rear shock soon but want to have a better understanding of how to adjust the suspension to work better with the front but also adjust the front if I need to which seems like I do?
I believe the caps have about 10mm total in adjustment and I set them halfway so about -+5mm. My understanding is the caps adjust the preload of the fork spring for weight but I'm unsure how much is being adjusted in either direction or which is for more or less haha
I'm also confused about how a bigger spacer or smaller one changes the sag and how getting my sag closer to the 33% would affect the bike geometry and seat height. Or whether I should not and wait till I put on the rear shock?
The bike is ridable but not overall great and I'm pretty sure its because the front and rear arent in balance with each other now. I did the push test on the front end and it seemed alright maybe a little too much settling back in place.
Sorry for the long and detailed post I really just want to try and provide what might be useful so I can learn to better make adjustments moving forward.
Mike