Setting up Suspension

Hi,

I have a TL1000S I love it, I was about 15stone when I 1st bought it and it handled amazing for me and I couldn't see how people say they dont and i'm used 2 race spec supermoto's

Now the last few rides it's all over the place, I can't believe how unpredictable the handling is on it.

I rang a few normal bike companies and they say it could be because I am not 12ston 9 and because of the weight loss I need to get the suspension set up on it. is this true?

The back end is bouncing all over the place and the front end feels really light round corners, I want to take it to a company to get it set up but I can't seem to find one. I know they used to do it at Mallory Park but I can't find them on the net. I want a company that I ride the bike down, i've heard they weigh u, and set the bike up exactly right for u.

Is there such company in UK? I am in the midlands but don't mind travelling. I don't want to touch it myself as part of me need peace of mind knowing it's set up 100%.

Any help is much appreciated.

Cheers,

http://www.protechmx.co.uk/Details/about_us.html

have a set up service, hear good things.  About 10 mins off the M6 in Lancashire, so hour and a bit from you, ish

Him

Cheers mate, i have just rang them, they only deal with off road and not road bikes

yeah?? they've changed then, or pick and choose their customers cos I know a couple of lads who've had their road bikes fettled there.

bollox. . . i was planning a trip there in the nearish

Steve Jordan's near Dorking will do it... he's a Suzuki dealer/specialist.

I've heard he's OK, but his wife, Sarah, is a right pain in the arse bimbo.

Haha

I don't mind travelling for a good service to be honest but... if there is anywhere nearer to the midlands i'd prefer that.

 i'll give him a call cheers mate.

I can understand you not wanting to fiddle with the suspension, but it's really not that hard. PM me and I'll send you a copy of the full service manual (if I can on this shitty laptop).

If you fancy a go yourself, write down the suspension settings as they are first. To do this, wind the damping adjusters clockwise, counting the number of turns, until it stops turning. Turn it anticlockwise by the same amount to return to the original settings. Then check the number of rings showing on the preload adjusters (on top of the forks).

For rear preload, count the number of threads showing above the spring, then check the damping adjusters as above.

In the meantime you can check your tyre pressures. My TL liked 37psi front, 42psi rear, with me at 15 stone. Try dropping to 36/39

Brilliant mate i'll pm ya my e-mail addy.

 I could give it a go but how much do i adjust it? i mean if the front feels light and the rear feels too soft then im guessin the rear needs hardening and the front needs what?

The only thing is i've lost the weight, but why would the rear feel too dippy and soft?

I run 36/36 on my TL have done since i owned it and check them every time I go on a ride.

I have 2 Michelin Pilot Races on at the mo, did have a rennsport on the front and a michelin at the back but the front was just too soft so had to change it when it needed it.

Really appreciate your help and I can give it a go, worse case i'm in the same boat arent I and just need it doing again.

I'm a bit stuffed for helping you on rear suspension settings because my bike had an Ohlins rear damper. I'd be tempted to set the suspension to standard settings (shown in the manual, if you've managed to download it ok) and go from there.

The key to suspension adjustment is to take it one step at a time. Make one adjustment only each time(and write it down somewhere), and spend time riding the bike along various road surfaces. Most times I've ended up nearly back to standard settings on all the bikes I've tinkered with. Which must say something.