First impressions

[SteveC#222]

Not a great picture but from the top of the yolk to the top of the fork nut is approx 50mm.

[mthee]

Cheers for that reference pic - very useful. I'm considering redrilling the top yolk to move the risers back to give clearance for my tubes to come up past the bar (see 1st pic of LSL kit) Then a clubman bar would transfer weight over the front like the original clip ons, whilst allowing me to retain the decompressor lever on the bar.

[Propellor]

If you're thinking of putting preload spacers in there, won't that increase the already over raked rake ?

Having seen your earlier posts on suspension mods, can you explain this for a complete novice, like me? I thought rake was just about how far out the forks were set?

Sorry to hear about your thumb. Which tyre caused your off? Mine's a Cougar which appears to be cheap enough to be discovered in a family size box of sugar puffs!

A spring will adopt a certain length when a certain load us applied. So, with either just the bike weight or with you on board but stationary the spring will still go to the same length. But if you add a spacer you're increasing the ride height. In effect you're lengthening the portion of fork sticking out of the slider. Longer fork length equals more rake angle.

The tyres were Michelin pilot road, but old and hard. Shiny and slippery on the sidewalls. They were fitted to a firestorm I bought. My plans were to swap em for some bt023''s pronto. Obviously not pronto enough!

[mthee]

A spring will adopt a certain length when a certain load us applied. So, with either just the bike weight or with you on board but stationary the spring will still go to the same length. But if you add a spacer you're increasing the ride height. In effect you're lengthening the portion of fork sticking out of the slider. Longer fork length equals more rake angle.

So how about spacers if I get the forks back to stock position first and find the front still needs firming up?

[Propellor]

A spring will adopt a certain length when a certain load us applied. So, with either just the bike weight or with you on board but stationary the spring will still go to the same length. But if you add a spacer you're increasing the ride height. In effect you're lengthening the portion of fork sticking out of the slider. Longer fork length equals more rake angle.

So how about spacers if I get the forks back to stock position first and find the front still needs firming up?

Depends on what you mean by firming up. You won't change the spring rate. You'll need a new spring to get a new rate.

[Moto63]

Hi Matt, the hagon progressive springs do away completely with any form of spacer, defo made for a confident feeling front end. I had avon,s on front and rear, again quite a decent tyre, although I personally prefer the feel of Bridgestones, which I,ll be going with on the street tracker project I'm on with.  Cheers. Michael

[mthee]

Thanks for all the info. I'll get cracking asap. I enjoyed the first outing and am pleased there are instant improvements to be had for little cash. Can I try those spacers first, Steve? To go in once I've repositioned the bars, sorted the fork position and put a BT45 on the front.  Hagon progressives worked well in my GS500, but after the new tyre, a further £85 spend will have to wait.

[Moto63]

A GS500 ya say Matt, got one of those myself on the bench undergoing eerrr shall we say "a little surgery" starting to look nice now tho....
Cheers...Michael

[manxie]

Hey Matt, if you fancy leaving your bars as they are, how about fitting something like these...bit pricey but may be of use?

Happy five-o by the way 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/262305743789?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[Propellor]

Hey Matt, if you fancy leaving your bars as they are, how about fitting something like these...bit pricey but may be of use?

Happy five-o by the way 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/262305743789?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

That's exactly what I intend to make to convert my firestorm to renthals.

[mthee]

Right oh, Dr. Michael! Now, how does that forum saying go? Oh yeah - "pics or it didn't happen" Great bike which I used to embarrass those sports bike riders I met on my local twisties who thought I was a  learner to be overtaken as a matter of course!

[mthee]

Hey Matt, if you fancy leaving your bars as they are, how about fitting something like these...bit pricey but may be of use?

Happy five-o by the way 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/262305743789?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Nice! I'll see if there's room on the top clamp to reposition the existing risers so that the tubes aren't obstructed by the bar and blank off the old hole. If not, you've got the solution - thanks. 50?! Still trying to get my head around that particular number!

At least 6mm out, so no chance of reusing the existing risers on that top yoke. Looks like I'll be asking for a late birthday pressie on top of the new tyre.

[Moto63]

Right oh, Dr. Michael! Now, how does that forum saying go? Oh yeah - "pics or it didn't happen"

Oh it's happening mate, looking pretty groovy too, can't post pics on this site, (I'm not techno'd up enough sorry) however if you (or anyone else for that matter) wants to send me your e mail address I'll glady send some pics over to you. Plus this is the thumper club site so possibly having pics of a TWIN on there may just tip a few folk over the edge
Cheers..Michael

[Moto63]

See I told you I'm not techno'd up just can't Suss out how to do the quotation thing

[Propellor]

Hey Matt, if you fancy leaving your bars as they are, how about fitting something like these...bit pricey but may be of use?

Happy five-o by the way 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/262305743789?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Nice! I'll see if there's room on the top clamp to reposition the existing risers so that the tubes aren't obstructed by the bar and blank off the old hole. If not, you've got the solution - thanks. 50?! Still trying to get my head around that particular number!

At least 6mm out, so no chance of reusing the existing risers on that top yoke. Looks like I'll be asking for a late birthday pressie on top of the new tyre.

I was speaking to a couple of guys at the Stafford show, "cnc yokes" I think the business is called. Nice blokes. Anyhow, they said they can do one off jobs......

I have their business card somewhere.