Author Topic: FAC dampers  (Read 767 times)

Offline mtiberio

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FAC dampers
« on: September 28, 2021, 03:03:21 PM »
I picked up a Lemans 4 that had been front end crashed. I'm going through the forks, and the FAC dampers seem to have an absurd amount of rebound damping. Compression damping is fine. Any experiences amongst y'all?
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Offline danomar

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Re: FAC dampers
« Reply #1 on: September 28, 2021, 04:33:30 PM »
Yes. Which is to say my experience is the same, but once inside the forks the dampers enter a quantum Italo-bike field that somehow seems to make them work more or less as expected. I was lead to believe many years ago that FAC dampers are better than Bitubo but neither seems better than the other.

Why the FAC? FAC if I know.

Sorry, I could not resist the play on words.

Offline 80CX100

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Re: FAC dampers
« Reply #2 on: September 28, 2021, 05:01:16 PM »
Yes. Which is to say my experience is the same, but once inside the forks the dampers enter a quantum Italo-bike field that somehow seems to make them work more or less as expected. I was lead to believe many years ago that FAC dampers are better than Bitubo but neither seems better than the other.

Why the FAC? FAC if I know.

Sorry, I could not resist the play on words.

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Offline Scout63

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Re: FAC dampers
« Reply #3 on: September 28, 2021, 10:45:17 PM »
I went with the FAC’s, but only cause they were way more expensive and Dave Richardson equated the stock dampers with screen door hardware.
Ben Zehnder - Orleans, MA USA

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Re: FAC dampers
« Reply #3 on: September 28, 2021, 10:45:17 PM »

Offline Turin

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Re: FAC dampers
« Reply #4 on: September 28, 2021, 11:57:40 PM »
I put a set with Wirth springs in my 850T. I'm happy with it.
1997 Daytona RS
1991 Rennsport California III
1991 LeMans 1000
1987 LeMans SE Dave's Cycle Racer
1984 LeMans III
1985 Sidlow Guzzi
1974 850-T Sport
1969 A-series Ambassador
1996 Triumph Daytona 1200
1996 Triumph Daytona 900
1982 Alfa Romeo GTV6 Balocco SE 3.0

Offline blackcat

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Re: FAC dampers
« Reply #5 on: September 29, 2021, 08:05:06 AM »
I went with the FAC’s, but only cause they were way more expensive and Dave Richardson equated the stock dampers with screen door hardware.

When I restored the 76 LeMans I went with the stock dampers and for my weight they are just fine, way better than I expected.

On the CX I installed FAC’s but from adding too much air they blew out the bladders so a new set of Bitubo’s were installed with Wirth springs. It took almost two years before that set up finally broke in and that was after a 1,500 mile ride.
1968 Norton Fastback
1976 Lemans
1981 CX-100
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Offline Mayor_of_BBQ

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Re: FAC dampers
« Reply #6 on: September 29, 2021, 08:44:45 AM »
I have pretty much a full LMIV front end minus a wheel, axle, and brake discs. if you need anything let me know, fender/fork/calipers etc.....
« Last Edit: September 29, 2021, 08:45:17 AM by Mayor_of_BBQ »
Chad (Shadrach) in Asheville NC
1979 LeMans CX-100 (battle axe)
2007 Breva 1100 (Sport 1200 tribute)

Offline guzzista

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Re: FAC dampers
« Reply #7 on: September 29, 2021, 10:57:56 AM »
From my limited experience with FACs,  ( only installed 4 sets so far)I have learned that the correct springs will have the best outcome .
A small example: Wirth springs with FAC s on my tribute bike work very well  (as a  good 1970's front suspension anyway ).
Wirth springs with FACs on my Cali 1100= not so much . Very little travel, (too soft) and bottoming out excessively . No  heavy fairing used    and 180 # rider 
Only way I got any improvement   was to use bespoke  non progressive springs.  ( Sonic Springs).
That took a couple tries, but now the FAC dampers are now doing their job, bike is well suspended for my weight . YMMV
1975 750S Tribute bike, 1994 Cali 1100, 2007 Ducati GT1000, 1983 SP1000, 1973 V7Sport project, 2017 California1400 Touring

Offline Stevex

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Re: FAC dampers
« Reply #8 on: September 29, 2021, 11:16:19 AM »
My RC36 (VFR750) Showa cartridges work great in my stock LM2 forks.
Pre load and the ability to tune with different oil viscosity and air gap.

Offline guzzista

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Re: FAC dampers
« Reply #9 on: September 29, 2021, 11:21:48 AM »
My RC36 (VFR750) Showa cartridges work great in my stock LM2 forks.
Pre load and the ability to tune with different oil viscosity and air gap.
I am working with a Cali3 fork and will be trying both  a RC36 setup I have had on the bench for a couple years and  a FAC setup with bespoke springs.
I am curious as what will work better for me and will be happy to report the outcome
1975 750S Tribute bike, 1994 Cali 1100, 2007 Ducati GT1000, 1983 SP1000, 1973 V7Sport project, 2017 California1400 Touring

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