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SETTING UP
INSTRUCTIONS FOR YOUR FALCON SHOCK ABSORBERS |
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Many people ring up enquiring about the best way to set
up their new shocks or their front forks. There really is no one
correct way, as the settings to suit one rider, may not suit another,
but most suspension can be set up to get the best from a bike. |
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From experience, I have found that it is best to start
with
the rear suspension first of all, as it handles all the power from the
engine. Then set up the action of the front forks so that the movement
compliments that of the rear suspension, so that forks and shocks work together as a team, instead of fighting
each other, as they so often do on many bikes. |
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As a starting point, the spring preload should be
adjusted to a position, so that when you stand alongside the stationary
bike and push down on the seat, the springs should have enough strength
to return the suspension to the top, or nearly to the top, of it's
travel.
The preload adjuster is simply a ride height adjuster, and does not make
the springs any stronger or softer. |
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If the spring rate is correct, then with the riders
weight on the bike, (Please note; with motocross and trials bikes the
riders weight should be on the foot pegs, and with road and road race
bikes, the riders weight is on the seat), your suspension should
compress around 25% of the total travel. It is best to get someone to
measure this for you, as your estimate of the travel whilst astride the
bike can be very inaccurate.
Please note, that this setting, is only a starting point for your
suspension experiments. |
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The rebound damping should be set so that the rear
suspension will return reasonably rapidly over the first half of it's
travel, and then slow up as the suspension extends to it's full
movement. Rebound damping is usually set up with regard to the strength
of the main springs being used, but can, on our Falcon shocks be varied
to suit individual requirements. |
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Front fork damping action should have a similar feel
as the rear shocks, on compression and rebound speed, so that they works
together providing a balance between front and rear suspension.
If the forks tend to be too soft, more oil can be added to help them
stop bottoming out. Air caps can also be fitted, and with a small amount of
air pressure in each leg can help to prevent bottoming out of the forks. The
speed of the fork movement can be changed by varying the oil viscosity
inside each leg and also the ride height can sometimes be
increased at the front end, by putting spacers on top of the springs to
bring the ride height to the top of it's travel. |
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Any suspension settings are always experimental, and are
best tested under the actual working conditions. All operation of the suspension should then be
assessed, with a view
to make any adjustments you feel may be necessary to correct any
behaviour problems that you come across while riding the bike.
If you need any further advice on setting up your suspension, then
please contact us during our telephone answering hours.
(click here for our contact details) |
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