B3 800 Detailed Suspension Spec?

3337 Views 25 Replies 6 Participants Last post by silentservice703, Apr 12, 2014

Welshboff

Discussion Starter · Mar 10, 2014

Hi,

I'm off to get my suspension sorted out for myself at the end of the weekend. Really just want to get the stock stuff adjusted for my lump.

The guys has asked if its possible to bring from suspension specs, he's interested in what the spring rates are in the front and rear so he can give me better advice.

Looking through the manual it just goes into how to adjust but not other details other than the brand names.

Does anyone have any specific suspension details for this bike that I can use please?

Many thanks

1 - 20 of 26 Posts

Ackers

· #2 · Mar 10, 2014

No idea, the only thing I do know is the factory settings that are in the back of the manual. I guy that did mine didn't want to know anything like that, he just checked the static sag for my weight and then he did everything else by feel.

PACABADA

· #3 · Mar 11, 2014

I would go to the parts list as if ordering the internal springs for the forks and it should note the spring rate on them. Dealer can do this for ya easily. Guessing 95's the way the reviewers talk about the firm suspension. That's what my Duc has. The rear spring should have the rate on it.

Welshboff

Discussion Starter · #4 · Mar 14, 2014

What a difference

Well I went and get the bike set-up and what a difference it made. I feel so much more connected with the bike and road.

I went to http://www.lrs-mech.co.uk/LRS Mechanical Engineering.html

And highly recommend them if your near the Hampshire UK area.

Ackers

· #5 · Mar 14, 2014

Did they change the internals at all then or just check the preload and adjust the compression and rebound?

Welshboff

Discussion Starter · #6 · Mar 16, 2014

Ackers said:
Did they change the internals at all then or just check the preload and adjust the compression and rebound?

They just changed the stock settings (preload / comp / rebound)

They can change internals etc but for my lump and for what I want it to do (road riding) stock stuff was fine but I am close to the limit. Obviously if I want more out of the suspension I will need to shell out some money.

Ackers

· #7 · Mar 16, 2014

Welshboff said:
They just changed the stock settings (preload / comp / rebound)

They can change internals etc but for my lump and for what I want it to do (road riding) stock stuff was fine but I am close to the limit. Obviously if I want more out of the suspension I will need to shell out some money.

The guy who set mine up said the rear shock isn't a bad unit but the front forks didn't really have enough rebound adjustment available, only the last 3/4 of a turn actually made any difference so it's wound almost fully in so there's no room for further adjustment. It is a lot better but like you say, to improve it further will require shelling out some dough.

BrutaleHornet

· #8 · Mar 31, 2014

My Dragster feels a but bouncy around 80-100 km/h.
Can't say if it's the front or the rear, I think its the rear but I'm not sure.
With my 77kg I'm not really a heavyweight:wtf:

The manual isn't really clear on suspension settings and I have almost no experience adjusting suspensions.

What's the best way to start and even as important, which bolt/screw to turn....

Thnx :yo:

Donsy

· #9 · Mar 31, 2014

BrutaleHornet said:
My Dragster feels a but bouncy around 80-100 km/h.
Can't say if it's the front or the rear, I think its the rear but I'm not sure.
With my 77kg I'm not really a heavyweight:wtf:

The manual isn't really clear on suspension settings and I have almost no experience adjusting suspensions.

What's the best way to start and even as important, which bolt/screw to turn....

Thnx :yo:

Honestly mate, if this is the extend of your knowledge, it's best to take the bike to a dealer who can deal with suspension, without trying to be rude.

BrutaleHornet

· #10 · Mar 31, 2014

Donsy said:
Honestly mate, if this is the extend of your knowledge, it's best to take the bike to a dealer who can deal with suspension, without trying to be rude.

Don't worry Donsy, I'm not offended

The problem is my nearest dealer is 85 km from where I live.
A bit of a long drive to make for every minor adjustment.

I'm planning to take the bike in for the first 1000 km service within 2 weeks.
I was hoping to try some adjustments myself prior to the service.

It's all a learning curve :naughty:

silentservice703

· #11 · Mar 31, 2014

Hornet, the first thing to do is get a bud to help with this: stand beside the bike and have it upright on its wheels. Have your bud hold the handle bars so the bike stays upright, but he doesn't resist what you are going to do next. You push down hard and quickly on the seat with both hands and then release the bike...in short, bounce the bike at its center point. Observe how the bike behaves....does the front squish faster than the rear? Vice versa? Does the front return faster than the rear? Vice versa?

You will have to repeat the process a few times to see what is going on.

That will give you and idea of what is bouncy...

Let us know....I'll watch for your report.

Ackers

· #12 · Mar 31, 2014

BrutaleHornet said:
My Dragster feels a but bouncy around 80-100 km/h.
Can't say if it's the front or the rear, I think its the rear but I'm not sure.
With my 77kg I'm not really a heavyweight:wtf:

The manual isn't really clear on suspension settings and I have almost no experience adjusting suspensions.

What's the best way to start and even as important, which bolt/screw to turn....

Thnx :yo:

When you say bouncy do you mean it feels soft or it bounces up quickly almost kicking you out of the seat?
Details about your suspension should be in the manual somewhere, they might be on a separate sheet in a pocket on the inside of the back cover?

I would check first that the suspension is set up to the stock setting as per the manual, seeing as your dealer felt that 41psi was correct for the tyres did they mess around with the suspension too?

If your really not confident about having a go yourself then look to see if you can find a race shop or similar with someone there who knows their stuff, it doesn't have to be your MV dealer you take it to, I didn't.

I could point you to the settings for my bike but I don't know if the Dragster is the same, they are very similar so I suspect they are but I don't know. If you want to have a go then we can lead you through the basics and tell you what changes will make what effect, to be honest stock suspension has a far narrower range of adjustment so I doubt you can change thinks to make it dangerous, just uncomfortable. But to get it right is quite an art and 10mins with someone who knows what their doing will be a lot easier even if it does cost you a little.

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BrutaleHornet

· #13 · Apr 1, 2014

I found the chart with the factory settings, it indeed was a separate sheet in the back of the manual.
So if I mess up, I can always go back to the factory settings

Did the "bouncing" test today, this part of the suspension seems ok.
When I say bouncy I mean it feels uncomfortable.
Like riding on a rough surface, but with no vibrations in the steering part.
Feels like it's the rear and only at 90-100 km/h.

I've had no time yet to try some adjustments, planning to play with this next weekend.

Did I mention, apart from this minor suspension issue , I'm incredibly happy with the bike :yo:
She's sleeping under a blanket in the garage at this moment:zzz:

Ackers

· #14 · Apr 1, 2014

If you take a look at my settings I have put into the B3 suspension thread you could try that, after all if you don't like it you can always go back. Mine was set up by a suspension specialist. He first checked the sag of the suspension with me on board, this checks the full amount of suspension travel and how much it sags with me on the bike. I weigh 87kg with all my riding gear on and so around 77kg without so we may be similar and the guy said there was no need to change the sag, so you should be able to improve things by just adjusting the compression and rebound damping

Mine and yours have the same suspension and chassis so I suspect they are the same set up

Ackers

· #15 · Apr 1, 2014

I suspect the rebound damping is way too soft on the rear shock so it is un compressing way too fast which is giving you the uncomfortable feeling in the seat, that was the main problem with mine

BrutaleHornet

· #16 · Apr 3, 2014

Ackers said:
I suspect the rebound damping is way too soft on the rear shock so it is un compressing way too fast which is giving you the uncomfortable feeling in the seat, that was the main problem with mine

Thanks for the advice, I'll give it a try this weekend to see if the B3 suspenions settings will work on the Dragster.

Everybody seems pretty happy in de B3 suspension thread

BrutaleHornet

· #17 · Apr 7, 2014

I've tried your suspension-settings today and did a small trip.
The bike indeed feels different, although the bouncy feeling is still there......
Your suspension settings are way different from the settings I used.

Going for the 1000km service next week, let's see what my dealer has to say.
Could be a bit of balancing in the rear wheel ???

silentservice703

· #18 · Apr 7, 2014

Can you be a bit more specific with the description "bouncy"?

Is it harsh?
Is it soft?
Wallowing?

Does it come up too fast?

BrutaleHornet

· #19 · Apr 8, 2014

silentservice703 said:
Can you be a bit more specific with the description "bouncy"?

Is it harsh?
Is it soft?
Wallowing?

Does it come up too fast?

I'll give it a try...
Remember the feeling you have in your car, in the steering wheel, when you lost a piece of lead from one of the wheels. Only not that strong.
Or
The feeling you have when riding on rough tarmac.

That kind of bouncy / shaky feeling , and only between 70-90kmh and not always as strong...

It's the kind of feeling that starts getting annoying after a while...

Gonna contact my dealer tomorrow.

silentservice703

· #20 · Apr 8, 2014

I'd be looking at wheels/tires for balance, bent rims etc.

1 - 20 of 26 Posts

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