help with ride height suspension set up

[dan]

hello all. have just bought an 888 (it is infact Gorgy's old sp5 rep - thanks to Gordy and to Kev (owner before Gordy) for their help in confirming that the bike was legit). As some of you in previous threads noted, it looks like the guy who bought it off Gordy and sold to me made a tidy profit, but I'm very happy as I now have the bike that I have admired since hearing one ride through Leamington Spa high street as an enthusiastic but broke teenager. Rest assured it is now in the hands of an enthusiast who intends to keep it for a long time.

The bike rides very well and has obviously been set up well by Kev and Gordy. I, however, am 16 stone and 6 ft 4 in and was, therefore wondering if anyone could advise on the following:

Increasing the ride height. Is the only was to do this to alter the bolts on the yellow u shape suspension bow? this only seems to raise it by 10mm or so. How much will raising the ride height to the max sharpen up the handling, will it be too twitchy?

Setting up the rear suspension. Obvioulsy being heavy, the ride height with me on the bike is quite low. Can anyone advise on how to correctly set up spring rates and rear shock (which is an ohlins) for my weight - I would like to do myself rather than take to a specialist if possible.

Finally I would be grateful if anyone who knows anything of the early histroy of the bike could let me know.

Many thanks

[Jasper]

I have about 10mm of extra rid eheight on my SP5 and it's great.

[Nattyboy]

I went about 10mmm too Dan...world of difference. So that was the bike on ebay then...!!

Nat

[dan]

Yes Nat you were right: it was the bike on e bay. guy who bought it off Gordy had front fairing resprayed, hence the slightly different appearance from the pictures Gordy posted when he was selling it.

any thoughts on how i should set up the suspension for my heavy weight?

[Nattyboy]

The rear spring rates are quite stiff and to be honest, the adjustment has probably gone on the rear shock anyway (mines a year younger than yours and theres no adjustment left in it..just hard or hard!!).

Im getting a new shock fitted and have a few spare if you need a deal on one !

Cheers
Nat

[Edited on 7-5-2005 by Nattyboy]

[Rob B]

You can adjust the loaded sag by winding up the spring platform, if that doesn't get you where you need to be, you'll need a heavier spring.

There are a number of sites on the web that point you in the right direction. This is one that takes you through it: http://www.racetech.com/articles/SuspensionAndSprings.htm



Rgds, Rob