1100 ride height / front shock

[ArgyBargy]

Hello again. Sorry, it's a bit of a long one:
Well, I've refitted my Fournales front shock, and I can't help thinking that something is amiss; It's difficult to pinpoint, as I'm comparing the newly rebuilt Fournales with the previous worn out Ohlins, but the bike ('94 1100GS on 17" alloys & BT020s) seems to be 'lifting' excessively on hard acceleration from rest - ie the forks extend quite a lot. Going up through the gears, it extends under acceleration, dipping when the clutch is pulled, extending again in the next gear and so on. It also seems to be riding too low at the front, as though it's going downhill, which is the same as it was with the Ohlins.
So (eventually) the question: Is there anything other than the front shock that would effect ride height? I noted in the Clymer Manual that the fork sliders contain oil - I have oil on the fork slider as though the seal is leaking, would this be the culprit? as far as I know, this oil has never been checked or changed; or is it just a dodgy shock?

It would be good if someone out there with an 1100 could check some dims for me (none in my manual): nb- all dims are from underside of top yoke to top of fork seal, ie the exposed chrome fork tube.
1. On centrestand, bike resting on front wheel, forks fully extended: 215mm
2. Bike off stand, upright, no rider: 135mm.
3. As 2, but with rider sat on bike (all 12.5 stone of me): 115mm.
Comparing 1 and 3, that's a difference of 100mm. Surely that isn't right?
Oh yes, the Fournales is set at 19BAR, the recommended setting for the 1100, and seems to be riding OK, the forks going up & down normally over bumpy roads etc, handling is OK, it just seems too low at the front - what do you think?

 

[Le singe]

Measured,as requested.
I've also got a '94 1100,alloy 17" wheels,BT020's,and in black! Who needs a 1200?
O.K., I've removed the centre stand so had to pull the forks up and measure, giving 205mm.
Bike off stand,supporting itself, 160mm.
Me on the bike,(about 15 stone), 145mm.
This is with a standard shock on the softest setting,but it's well past it's sell-by date.
Hope this helps.

 

[(RIP) Kaister]

do you want to sell me your worn-out ohlins for a pittance ?

sounds like its too low - has too little damping - compression and rebound - and/ or the oil isn't thick enough in the shock.

fork oil is a lubricant only - needs bugger all - the shock oil does all the work.

accelerating on my low km bike the front hardly rises or dips on acceleration or braking - only what i'd expect.

i'll measure stuff later

 

[ArgyBargy]

cheers for that chaps - I didn't think the fork oil did much other than lube the sliders, so that's one thing checked off. I've just talked to Peter Spence at Fournales, who says I need to set the shock pressure with the bike on the stand and with the weight off the wheel, so I'll give that a go tonight to see what effect that has. As the Fournales has no spring, if the pressure is low, the bike sits lower. Their biggest drawback is if the shock fails (loses all pressure) it drops down to the bumpstop! which makes for 'interesting' handling. At least the spring keeps the bike on an even keel.
I'm holding on to the old Ohlins; I may have to get it rebuilt and put up with its 15K miles lifespan if I can't sort out the Fournales.

Thanks for the measurements dude, makes me realise mine is definately sitting too low.

Mine's black too, so there's at least 2 1100s in black with alloys. The connoisseurs choice!