Ducati Sporting Club UK > General > Idle Chat > Suspension !

[Totto]

After getting my 998 forks revalved by K-tech i am finally happy with them !
What i am looking for is some info on suspension , ie books training or similar as i am fed up with not knowing whats going on inside my forks , and it it would seem that localy the experts are not talking my language !


I know the basics & prob a bit more after struggling for a year with my 998 forks , i am looking to get into shim stacks rebound/comp pistons type depth & being able to set up forks/shock from scratch !


Any info would help , i have emialed k-tech asking the same questions



[Edited on 11-11-2004 by Totto]

[Felix]

Asking K-Tech is certainly the good start. The best book I've ever come across, although it deals with far more than just suspension is Tony Foale's book: Motorcycle Handling and Chassis Design

I got this book as a birthday present and it is fascinating reading. I know, I know you're gonna call me sad now...

[skidlids]

I know Race tech do a instruction video on their Gold valve emulator kits etc. Maybe worth trying to get a copy.
Justin who used to be WPS and now does the suspension for the Rookie Redbull squad, was very helpful whenever I popped around to see him as was Derek Chittenden of Heijera Racing.
Get on the race tech website and see if they offer the vids for sale.

[Totto]

Been on the Race tech site already & found the vid , was thinking of getting one , will add it to my list of suspension stuff to get

Where do all these dealers learn about suspension ,they cant be all ex race'ers

[skidlids]

I don't know many bike dealers that really know suspension, usually its the specialists like K-Tech, Vic Lamb, Dave Parkinson and quite a few others and even then a lot of them have all the info from the suspension companies. Ohlins do specific shim stacks etc for each model that gives a base setting, then if they get the right feedback like the compression damping is to much or not enough they can then adjust accordingly.
getting the spring rate and the air gap right is always the first port of call.
Fork oil grade is critical to the shimstacks and valving used. Using to thick or to thin a oil can screw things up, but if you have standard parts then experimenting with different grades can sometimes bring benifits.

Kev

[Totto]

After lots of surfing i have got two good sites with lots of suspension info .

The first one is V good and goes onto more techie stuf , the second one has more info & if you go to the forum there are more questions answered !


http://www.peterverdonedesigns.com/motorcycle.htm


http://www.traxxion.com/index.shtml

[Totto]

In depth one on Shim stacks for anyone interested !!!!!!!


www.suspensionnetwork.com/shimprogram/index.php

[Edited on 13-11-2004 by Totto]