Bike Set Up

[Shaun]

Can anyone tell me where I could go to get my bike set up properly. I got right in to my track days this year, but I was suffering because of the way the bike behaves under hard breaking and accelerating.

I want to do more track days next year, but it would be good to have the right settings. I don't really want to spend money on a new shock, just see if it is possible to adjust what I have already got. Some people have metioned stiffer saprings, new shock, but I was hoping for a simpler solution in the first instance.

The bike is a K4 thou on standard settings at the moment, and you've probably gueseed I am no light weight. Is there anywhere local to Swindon where I could take the bike and let someone set it up for me ?.

Cheers!
Shaun

[Stu]

Ypu could always use MH racing in Corsham - he set up my most of my other bikes.

Otherwise you could get it set up for track companies like No Lomits have a suspension specialist there who will look after you all day and get the bet settings for you and your riding - this was only £40 at Brands the other week

[Shaun]

MH Racing sounds like a good place to start as it could do with a tweak for road use. Then at my next track day I will try and get it set up by a suspension specialist.

Cheers!

[GixerBoy]

The rear shock on your bike isn't the best Shaun,especially if your cracking on during track days......Plus that rear spring was meant for some 10 stone jap jockey! :o
I used to have a K2 and the rear shock used to overheat during very fast road riding so I had Mark rebuild it for me.....Two weeks later bought a K3 and put a WP race shock on it within a few months......Night and day mate and thats on the road and track! (Made sure that I ordered the spring suitable for my weight)
Haven't found any problems with the front,just had it set up by Mark then played with it myself on trackdays!
Hope this helps.

GB.

[Shaun]

Cheers! it,s probably not fair that there is close to two jap jockeys on it when I ride it. I will go down to Corsham in the new Year and get some advise.

With this sort of weight I am expecting him to suggesst a stiffer front spring as well or a good diet!

[Dabz]

I'm planning on going to see the guy in corsham next year too, I think mine's set up for track use at the mo which is pointless for me!

[GixerBoy]

Wait untill after Christmas for the diet eh mate! ;D
Might just go for some heavier oil in the front Shaun,all depends on how much you wanna spend...... :o

[GixerBoy]

I'm planning on going to see the guy in corsham next year too, I think mine's set up for track use at the mo which is pointless for me!

Not after a day out with me it won't be matey!! :o ;D

[Shaun]

I have no choice on the diet, my leg is in plaster and will stay that way until end of Feb. This will keep me out of the pub, chineese and indian to some degree. Good in some ways, but boring has hell in others.

Not a bike related injury I hasten to add, just an old Rugby injury that never really healed properly.

Anyway I will be down to see Neil in March and I should have a few TD's booked by then as well. I may even have a quick trip to the ring again next year

Thanks all for the advise guys, and |I look forward to a few ride outs with you all next year

Merry Xmas
Shaun

[GixerBoy]

Thats a pisser mate,crock over christmas!
Probably didn't make it clear Shaun the 'M' from MH Racing is the Mark that i've been talking about!

Have a good one mate,look forward to meeting you in the new year! :)

GB.

[desmojen]

Ring K-Tech, they'll give you an idea of a base set up over the phone. Do the static sag yourself and save a bundle of cash paying MH racing to do it (that is all he'll do anyway) Then, do a No Limits trackday and pay Colin £30, he'll spend all day with you and get your bike as good as it can be with the stock suspension on it. He'll also give you good advice on upgrades to suit your pace/budget.

Also, practice the art of good throttle control and being smooth, this will pay huge dividends in terms of giving your suspension and tyres an easier time.

Jen.

[Shaun]

Thanks for this, I have just been on their web site to get the number. There was also a facility to ask the questions by email.

At the risk of having the piss taken by everyone - what's a sag test ???? or is there a letter missing

I don't think the smooth throttle control is a big issue, however I do understand the need to be smooth. My biggest issue is braking from high speeds or breaking from acceleration. My weight moves forward to the front of the bike and causes and almighty dive (19st +), I then lose some traction at the back, the forks can sometimes bottom out and the whole bike shakes like mad.

I then have to get off the brakes and tip into the corner. I can be controlled to some degree by trailing the rear brake. At tghis rate it is only a matter of time before I make a mistake and it all ends in tears.

Anyway I have to get somthing sorted before next season, I will let you know how things go.

Cheers and thanks for the help

Shaun

[desmojen]

Thanks for this, I have just been on their web site to get the number. There was also a facility to ask the questions by email.

At the risk of having the piss taken by everyone - what's a sag test ???? or is there a letter missing

I don't think the smooth throttle control is a big issue, however I do understand the need to be smooth. My biggest issue is braking from high speeds or breaking from acceleration. My weight moves forward to the front of the bike and causes and almighty dive (19st +), I then lose some traction at the back, the forks can sometimes bottom out and the whole bike shakes like mad.

I then have to get off the brakes and tip into the corner. I can be controlled to some degree by trailing the rear brake. At tghis rate it is only a matter of time before I make a mistake and it all ends in tears.

Anyway I have to get somthing sorted before next season, I will let you know how things go.

Cheers and thanks for the help

Shaun



Static sag is simply setting the attitude of the machine using the preload adjusters. You can then set the ride height using your weight on the bike (K-Tech can give you the figures you need for this) They will also give you a rough idea of the damping settings you need.

Fork dive is always going to happen under heavy braking, you are supposed to use all the travel, and the back end is bound to move around to some extent.
What you need to do is to concentrate on holding yourself back a little using your legs to support your weight. Having the rebound set right at the back will help you with this, as having it roght at the front will help you on turn in. I don't recommend trail braking with the rear brake to keep things together!

You will always be a little limited by the standard suspension, since the range of settings is quite small. It is fair to say though, that it can be sorted for a reasonable price. You need to get different springs on there as a minimum because at 19 odd stone you are a bit on the heavy side (should have bought a ZX10 mate, they're rock hard! ;))

If you are riding at a half decent pace you will find that the SUzuki suspension isn't really up to the job, I'd recommend getting the forks resprung and re valved (around £300) and the same on the rear shock. As I say, call the experts, they will sort you out, no bother!

Jen.

[Shaun]

Cheers!, I will save this thread so I don't forget all the good advise. :)

By the way I will be up for quite a few track days in the New Year - prob March onwards, should be able to keep pace with the imtermediates ok. The leg should be out of plaster by end of Feb. I am sure everyone will post their intensions 8-)

Would love to do Silverstone and Brands next year, as well as the Ring :)

Thanks everyone for all the tips, it is very much appreciated. I don't know whether to be excited about the prospect of going faster and safer or depressed about the fact that I can't do it sooner.

Merry Xmas!!
;D ;D ;D

[GixerBoy]

Don't worry Shaun,Jens a bit of a track day warrior.....Ahem...... ;D ;)
Yes,we know the rear shock aint up to much but we also know that the forks are fine.......Well they are for me and I'm just a 'tad' quicker than you my dear........(well it is christmas! ;))
And no more comments about my bollox or i'll have to tell Lee!! :o ;D :-*

[Shaun]

Below is the reply and subsequent advise from K Tech, which I will arrange to do early in the new year or as soon as I get the plaster off. I think it just reiterates the same advise that you chaps gave (Nice 1). ......................

Thanks again guys !!

Hi Shaun

The forks on your bike aren't produced for track day use. If you want to use your bike on the track and want the bike to work well you need to improve the damping in them. I would recommend our 20SSK fork internals and 20K-FCV compression adjusters. These consist of new compression and rebound piston assemblies and new rebound adjustment circuits, these give much better damping control in compression and rebound and a wider and finer range of rebound adjustment. The compression adjusters also give a finer and wider range of compression adjustment. The std fork springs in the bike are 0.95Kg/mm which with a piston kit fitted should be OK for your weight. The cost of the piston kit, compression adjusters, seals, oil & labour for fitting would be £315.00 + VAT.


Best Regards

Chris Taylor

K-Tech Suspension Ltd
Unit 1 Forest Court
Linden Way
Coalville
Leicestershire
LE67 3JY

Tel:-+44 (0)1530 810 625 Ext 3
Fax:- +44 (0)1530 832 061
mail:- chris@k-tech.uk.com

[GixerBoy]

Sounds good Shaun and a quick reply too! :)

[marcmywordz]

K-Tech are very highly regarded in the Motocross world.........and so is Mark Hammond.........both of whom service forks for the worlds elite riders, and them Motocross boys know a thing or two about abusing forks!!