RVF front end issues?

[skinnydog0_0]

Hi all,
I did a track day yesterday (Pembrey), and had a few little niggles from the front end.
It may well just be me, but i thought i would ask to see if anyone has any advice ?

I had the preload set at 4 rings from top and rebound set 5 back from max. I was getting chatter(well i think it was chatter, like running over a wash board) in slower corners.
So i changed rebound to 6 back from max and this sorted the slower corner issue.
I noticed that i wasn't using all of the front suspension travel, so i put preload to 5 rings from top, and even though i think i was breaking harder into the first hairpin i was getting less front suspension travel.
I also noticed that in the last corner i was now getting front chatter, could this be because i have reduced preload?
The springs have done about 20k miles and as far as i know thay are standard.
Do you guys think that the Rick O internals will make much difference over the standard ones, as it seems like i am far from reaching the max output of what i have, unless they are not working properly?

Sorry for asking "how long is a piece of string" but no one else there had a 400 let alone an NC
Any advice much appreciated.
Cheers

[CMSMJ1]

what tyres and pressures you using?

I reckon this might be in your head....don't reckon that 1 click of rebound damping is going to make much difference as it is slow speed rebound and as far as I know chatter is a high speed issue?

Was your slow speed chatter on corner entry?

Is your last corner chatter high speed and on the gas?

[skinnydog0_0]

what tyres and pressures you using?

I reckon this might be in your head....don't reckon that 1 click of rebound damping is going to make much difference as it is slow speed rebound and as far as I know chatter is a high speed issue?

Was your slow speed chatter on corner entry?

Is your last corner chatter high speed and on the gas?

I tried both Bt090's and pirelli super corsers
The first corner is very slow, 1st gear almost stopped, and that was fine, then into the next corner 2/3 gear and this was okay when i short shifted to 3rd but it would happen if i stayed in 2nd.
I guess that slow speed corner was approx 60mph 2nd gear and it seemed like it started as i was at max lean angle, fine under breaking and exit but unstable while i was between being on and off the gas.

Last corner is higher speed 5th gear about 12.5k and seemed to be as soon as i tipped it in it was chattering. I would get on the gas just after the apex, and it would start to fade away.
Could it be the track surface, or perhaps having a strong head wind unsettling the bike, or could my lack of corner speed be the trouble? But i tend to agree that it might be in my head, looking for something that isn't there

[CMSMJ1]

I only say as I reckon I've never had chatter myself and all my issues involve me as my bike works alright..

One of the main things I try to do is always be on the throttle. Seems obvious, but being in no mans land and coasting is not good at all. Getting some gas on takes weight off the front and allows it to react better to the track.

Are you using the tyres in the same sizes?

[skinnydog0_0]

I only say as I reckon I've never had chatter myself and all my issues involve me as my bike works alright..

One of the main things I try to do is always be on the throttle. Seems obvious, but being in no mans land and coasting is not good at all. Getting some gas on takes weight off the front and allows it to react better to the track.

Are you using the tyres in the same sizes?

Thanks, i will try to stay on the throttle next time, i think the bike reacted better when i broke right into the apex, and gassed it out, but i was out breaking someone when i did that so not really thinking about what the bike was doing, more thinking.... dont crash £££££....... dont crash ££££££
The bt90's are 120 and 150
Supercorsers are 120 and 160
Do the springs loose their ability to absorbe the bumps making the front chatter, or is it something else?

[CMSMJ1]

Tyres wise - are the fronts 120/70? I have never had an 090 in 120/70 but all my pirellis are that size.

I am no expert but I see chatter is a tyre issue rather than in internal suspension issue. What pressures you running?

Springs do have a limit but the elasic properties of steel is well known and age should not make to much difference.

You can try to set it up a long way away (in both wyas) from the current settings and see how you like it. Run it hard and harshly damped...see what goes on. The run it very soft and see how you like that.

If nothing else it will show you where the bike is now when you put it back.

Do you have any riding knowledge books - twst of the wrist 1 or 2 or the soft science of road racing motorcycles?

Worth getting and reading. I have twotw2 on pdf if you want a copy..mail me.

[skinnydog0_0]

Tyres wise - are the fronts 120/70? I have never had an 090 in 120/70 but all my pirellis are that size.

I am no expert but I see chatter is a tyre issue rather than in internal suspension issue. What pressures you running?

Springs do have a limit but the elasic properties of steel is well known and age should not make to much difference.

You can try to set it up a long way away (in both wyas) from the current settings and see how you like it. Run it hard and harshly damped...see what goes on. The run it very soft and see how you like that.

If nothing else it will show you where the bike is now when you put it back.

Do you have any riding knowledge books - twst of the wrist 1 or 2 or the soft science of road racing motorcycles?

Worth getting and reading. I have twotw2 on pdf if you want a copy..mail me.

I was running 29F 30R when cold, and when i got back i measured them hot/warm and they were 31F 33R
The 090 front is a 120/70, so i guess it could be the side wall moving a little.
I will take your advice and set it to both extremes and see how it goes

Sadly i have no riding knowladge books to read, i have been trawling the net looking for advice on set up and there is alot of contradictory advice. I have had a chat with a friend that used to race, but he has never had an rvf/vfr so was unsure about the actual suspension itself, although he said the same as you, go to both extremes and see how it rides. I think i need to do an open pitlane trackday to get things sorted
A pdf copy of twotw2 would be very very good thanks
PM sent.

[Cammo]

Try going back to the basics before getting in too deep with suspension adjustments - I generally leave them alone and use only for very fine tuning. IMO it's usually something else to blame rather than settings.

How is your bike's geometry set up? Are you running standard rear ride height (e.g. modded shock link, longer shock or forks through the yokes)? This is far more important I think than suspension settiings.

Also, I think standard springs are too soft for the track (especially for heavier riders). Rick's front spring upgrade is a must I reckon. Make sure also that the suspension is in good nick, this could be something as simple as making sure all shock mounts are greased up.

Get all the basic stuff right first: Get the ride height right, set the suspension sag correctly, set all other suspension adjsutments to the middle of their range then work from there on the track.

[hunter]

skinnydog, have a look through this it may help you.
http://www.gostar-racing.com/informatio ... set-up.htm

[skinnydog0_0]

Try going back to the basics before getting in too deep with suspension adjustments - I generally leave them alone and use only for very fine tuning. IMO it's usually something else to blame rather than settings.

How is your bike's geometry set up? Are you running standard rear ride height (e.g. modded shock link, longer shock or forks through the yokes)? This is far more important I think than suspension settiings.

Also, I think standard springs are too soft for the track (especially for heavier riders). Rick's front spring upgrade is a must I reckon. Make sure also that the suspension is in good nick, this could be something as simple as making sure all shock mounts are greased up.

Get all the basic stuff right first: Get the ride height right, set the suspension sag correctly, set all other suspension adjsutments to the middle of their range then work from there on the track.

Hi Cammo,
I have a Nitron rear shock, and 30mm increase ride hight on the back.
Front forks are dropped 10mm through the yokes. I greased all the dog bone bearings, and have fitted new head race bearings.
Front static sag is 20mm rear is 10mm
Rider sag front is 20mm rear rider sag is 30mm
I guess it could be that the front is too low?
Cheers