R80G/S Front End Set-Up

[Benjamin M]

Ello ello,

Just wondered if someone might be able to lend some helpful advice with regard to improving the performance of the front end?

I managed to replace the front wheel bearings by the way, which wasn't such a big deal, and also fitted the HE 320mm disc. It actually stops now which is quite something oh and it passed the MOT immediately after, which was nice.

Enjoying the ride but the front is just too soft. Not much fun even on light trails.

I've got a Fournales shock on the rear which I've set to be pretty stiff, and I weigh about 10 stone for what's worth.

I guess the best thing to do is to replace the springs and change the fork oil, and I just wondered what peoples experience with different springs was, and which weight of fork oil to use?

Trial and improvemnt or should I be able to calculate it?


Ta very much for any help offered,

Benjamin

 

[England-Kev]

10 stone is nothing, I would soften up the rear spring, and increase the fork oil viscosity by one grade.

 

[(RIP) pastyman]

It is a common trait to stiffen uyp the suspension on bikes, partrly due to the info on MCN. suspension should be able to "work". At 10 stone I would be inclined to slacken it off quite a bit but trial and error might be best.

 

[Thunder]

It is a common trait to stiffen uyp the suspension on bikes, partrly due to the info on MCN. suspension should be able to "work". At 10 stone I would be inclined to slacken it off quite a bit but trial and error might be best.

Total agreement on this one

 

[Flipfly]

Don't expect it to be like a modern bike nd you should be less disappointed.

Try new springs *they may be 20 years old, and re-do ya fork oil. You'll feel the difference (cause you worked all saturday to do it) but in reality it'll probably make little difference

Good luck, but the answer will probably be to fit more modern forks off a 650GS or XT.

 

[(RIP) pastyman]

Flip you Heathen, wash your mouth out. its OK to do that to a 650 but a thorobred airhead should be left as is ( unless for competition) in my book.







Bloody kids hey.

 

[MickDB1]

Ride with Flipfly on the back for a few trails
front will seem great afterwards
the mono front forks are definitely softer than the Para ones
If yer back end is tooooo stiff maybe its putting the bounce over to the front
I quite liked the softer front end - eventually
got rid of the bikes for Para's though - they are better bikes but you dont seem to love um as much as the Mono's

 

[Rob Farmer]

Setup the rear end before worrying about the front.

Get a stick and put a piece of tape on the frame or seat so you know where you are measuring to. back off the damping completely before Lifting the bike so the back wheel is just about to come off the floor and put a mark on your stick next to your measuring point. let the back end down and bounce it about a bit before measuing your point again, the difference between the two marks should be between 15 and 25mm depending on your riding preference. Sit on the bike and measure to your mark again - The back end on the Mono has 170mm of travel so with you on it you should be using a third of this (56mm). If it's less then the springs too hard, too much and the springs soft.

You will probably find that the front ends a lot better if you get the rear setup.. Won't be a patch on a Paralever though

 

[Flipfly]

Ride with Flipfly on the back for a few trails
front will seem great afterwards

His next post will be "what's happened to my forks, they aren't doing anything!!"