Review: RAM Twin Shocks and Andreani cartridges for V7 Racer

[rbm]

Since the end of last season,  I've been in the market for a set of shocks to improve the handling and suspension performance of my 2011 V7 Racer.  I'd been very dissatisfied with the Moto Guzzi Bitubo's because the ride was harsh and bike was ill-mannered on the road at times.  It's no fault of the Bitubo's; just that I am heavier than the range for which they were designed to work.  I was eyeing the Mupo offerings from Guzzitech.  I then read that Realm Engineering in the UK was producing RAM shocks for vintage motorcycles including BMW, Harley Davidson, Ducati, Moto Guzzi, Yamaha, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Triumph, Norton, etc.  I decided to contact them to see if they had a shock that would fit my V7R.  The Moto Guzzi compatible shocks listed on the Realm web site were for older M-G's and were shorter in length than what I required.  Pleasantly, I found out that they could manufacture shocks for the later model Moto Guzzis, and at good prices.  The reason I decided to even look at RAM shocks was because I have had a RAM mono shock on my 1987 BMW K75 for well over 5 years.  Realm Engineering have been producing suspension components for Cobra and Jaguar cars for a number of years, later developing a shock offering for the BMW K-bikes.  I've found this to be an amazing emulsion mono shock, which transforms a mediocre suspension on an 80's BMW into a modern well mannered system.   I hoped that the RAM shocks would transform this V7 beast into a beauty.

Technical Features
Here are some of the features of the RAM shock pair for the Moto Guzzi:

• 45mm diameter 6262 aircraft spec aluminium alloy body.
• CNC machined for looks and performance.
• Beefy 16mm plunger rod.
• Deep clear anodised for looks and protection.
• Hand made in the UK to your specs.
• Competition versions available for all applications.
• Fully rebuildable using inexpensive kits available from Realm Engineering.
• Adjustable spring platform for pre load adjustment.
• Easy to operate compression / rebound dampener control knob.
• Quality Swedish steel spring, powder coated black standard; other colours available for an additional cost.
• Up-side Down (USD) or normal orientation from the box.
• No extra charge for longer or shorter versions.
• 2 year guarantee!

This shock set is comparable in performance and features with the Mupo ST03 Emulsion Twin shocks that I was eyeing.  The compression and rebound dampening is integrated into one control, adjustable with a single knob on the bottom of the shock.  The external adjustment is via a knurled knob which can easily be adjusted with gloves on. There are 13 click adjustments for compression - rebound.  The "Competition" version of the shock has different valving and is fitted with pressed Heim joint style rod ends. Realm then supply suitable top hat bushings compatible with the mounting bolt size.  They are currently developing an offset mount.

Customer Service
I exchanged several emails with Adrian at Realm, detailing my requirements and necessary options.  They build the shock to order,  sizing the spring based on rider weight, desired static sag, riding style and other factors. If you get the RAM shocks,  then be sure to tell them what your normal rider / passenger / luggage load will be.  Their default is to put a spring on it for 2-up fully loaded riding. I selected a shock / spring pair for a single rider weight of 100KG and spirited riding, making sure that the overall length was 390mm and static sag of about 20mm.  The price was very agreeable, including shipping from the UK to Canada -- $400.

Shipping from UK to Canada took 4 days door-to-door by UPS.  That was a plus.  The minus was UPS charged a brokerage fee, which is not levied should Realm send the package through the Royal Mail when shipping to Canada.  Might be different for the USA and other countries.  The shocks were well packaged.  They came with an adjusting tool, a terse set of instructions and a sticker.

Installation
I've fitted the shocks in place of the Bitubos that came stock on the bike.  Installation was straightforward and they went on without any drama.  Having a friend help me, I set the rider sag to 30mm and compression/rebound dampening to 3 clicks clockwise, as specified by Realm in the installation manual.

Performance
I have not had enough saddle time on the bike with the new shocks to give a definitive assessment of the performance and ride qualities of the RAM shocks.  I will say that the shake down ride after doing the sag adjustment was night and day from the OEM shocks.  Bumps are significantly smoothed out and the harshness of the ride is gone.  I know that I have work to do in the front end setup which would skew any objective statement about how the shocks have transformed the ride.  I am pleased with the purchase, as I was expecting to be given my previous experience with this company and their products. I hope to add more to this section of the review once I've done some more riding.

Contact
For more information about these shocks, visit

• DWMS Racing for United States Purchases
• Realm Engineering for European And Other World Wide Purchases

Photos

[tiger_one]

Very good detailed info.  Nice looking product for sure.
Keep us posted on your final settings and review.

[SmithSwede]

Thanks for the update.   Please keep us posted.  I'd like to do something similar for a 13 Stone.   I put on some used Ikons, which were vastly better than stock.  But I bet it could be better yet. 

What are your plans for the front end?

[Yukonica]

An observation based on returning from my first ride of the season: if you upgrade at all ... do both ends.
Last summer I upgraded the rear shock on my V7s (2013). Major advance in handling.
Over winter I installed springs and an emulator in the front. The improvement is astounding.   
I think I'd go so far as to say "I'd scrimp a little on quality components if it allowed me to balance the suspension upgrades".

[rbm]

Yukonica:  I agree 100%.  Changes have to be balanced to get a balanced performance improvement.  That's why I'm not going to evaluate the performance of the shocks until I can get the front suspension looked at.

SmithSwede: I'm planning on getting a Mupo V7 Full Fork Kit from Guzzitech.  I was travelling in LA a couple weeks ago and contacted Todd for a local pickup.  Unfortunately he did not have stock on the kit.

[nikwax]

If you want the full Guzzitech experience: set fire to a few hundred dollar bills and pound your head against a wall for a few months. Then do business with someone else.

[Yukonica]

Nikwax, I take it you've had less than satisfactory dealings with that business.
Can't say I've had the same experience.

Over the past year I've bought Mupo suspension components (front and rear) as well as Sato rearsets. Everything came as described and in a timely manner.
He answered every question I asked, sent tracking numbers and invoice on the day items were shipped... pretty seamless overall.
Is his website a constant shameless plug for his business?; yes. But he also provides a great deal of 'free' technical advice to anyone who asks.
He isn't the cheapest source of anything but I'd do business with him again.

Apologies for highjacking the thread.

[nikwax]

I apologize as well for thread hijacking.


My experience with Todd: sold products that he had no experience with for a bike that he has no knowledge of. Imagine how well that went. Charged a 10% restocking fee. Didn't offer to refund my shipping expenses, then agreed to, then decided not to. Walked away from the transaction by explaining that Guzzitech is a hobby for him and not a business. Lives in a house in Malibu Canyon valued in 8 figures and solicits $5 donations to keep his website going that supports his business/hobby.


Am I buttsore about all of that? Apparently i am. 

[fred garvin]

Any update on the RAM shocks and how they worked with what ever set up for the front that you used? Looking to upgrade both front and rear on mine and am now in search of some real world experience.

[rbm]

Latest on the suspension: No changes to the bike since I last posted in April.  I did try and get the preload set properly in the rear but with the poor front end, I was not having any success in getting an overall comfortable ride.  The suspension is harsh because of the OEM forks.

The reason for the delay was that I was eyeing several different solutions for the forks.  These were mostly addons from Mupo or Race Tech or Ricor, that attempted to alter the characteristics of the damper rod system in use.  After much searching and research, I eventually came to the conclusion that adding emulators, or intiminators, or preload adjustors, or air ride or any other snake oil was not going to do anything for the inherently bad damper fork design.

Current state: is that I purchased a set of Andreani cartridges for the Marzocchi forks.  These cartridges completely replace the damper assemblies inside the stanchion tubes and provide the bike with a modern racing-quality front suspension with preload, compression and rebound adjustments.    I received the cartridges this week and am having the local Guzzi dealer install them.  Winter is nearly upon us here in the North so I will not be able to test the bike or to offer real world experience with my setup until the spring.

I can still vouch for the company (Realm Engineering) and their products.  They are well designed and well built; for the money, they are good value.

[salsaman1964]

I used a set of M Shocks from the shock factory on my Lemans 3
www.shock-factory.co.uk/
They look very similar to the Rams. The quality is superb and they are built to the customers specific requirements.

[jas67]

I put these in my Kaifa forks.  .....
All that being said, the Andreani cartridges are great.

Is there are different part # for the Kaifa forks?   

Also, any source for these in the US?

This is encouraging, because I've wanted to upgrade my V7R's fork for about two years now.
That sad thing is that I now have two V7's to pay for the upgrade for.

[rbm]

The part number for the Kaifa forks is 105/G04.  For the Marzocchi it is 105/G01.  the same challenge facing the Kaifa forks also faces the Marzocchi forks.  My M-G dealer has that all in hand since there is a machine shop not a few doors down from his store.  Quoted me $25 to remove the reduction bushings on the lathe.  I'm also getting him to polish the upper and lower stanchions before reassembly to reduce stiction.  A small detail but so important.

[jas67]

Hmmmmm, I'm definitely considering this for at least on of my V7's, though, I'll likely have to wait until next winter to send the forks off to get 'em done.

[rbm]

Current state: is that I purchased a set of Andreani cartridges for the Marzocchi forks.  These cartridges completely replace the damper assemblies inside the stanchion tubes and provide the bike with a modern racing-quality front suspension with preload, compression and rebound adjustments.    I received the cartridges this week and am having the local Guzzi dealer install them.  Winter is nearly upon us here in the North so I will not be able to test the bike or to offer real world experience with my setup until the spring.

Spring has arrived in Canada (not like the winter has been horrid, quite the contrary).  So, I'll complete my review of the RAM shocks as well as add my thoughts on the Andreani cartridges.  I've only just complete setting my sag and rebound adjustments this past weekend and gone for a short test ride.  I reserve the right to come back and alter any of my impressions once I have more time in the saddle with these shocks.

First off, installation of the Andreani cartridges was easy - pull forks, bring to dealer, pull small wad of bill from wallet, hand to dealer, receive forks some time later.  Easy.  The dealer did a great job.  He showed me a video of the machining needed to break the welds on the interior bushing. Very quick for a machinist with a lathe.  He even polished the insides of the stanchions to reduce stiction and installed new seals as part of the service.

The ride of the bike has been transformed by the addition of these Andreani cartridges in the forks and RAM shocks in the rear.  As mentioned, prior to these changes being made, the bike rode poorly.  In the first place, my weight is outside the design range intended for the stock springs and suspension components.  The OEM parts are made for lighter people than I.  The first order of business was to change the rear end.  At the time I purchased the RAM shocks, I didn't have the luxury of choice in springs and shocks that is available these days.  Changing the rear shock only did nothing to improve the ride; it was still harsh. I then contemplated altering the front, but I wanted to add better quality components and improve adjustability.  So, I chose the Andreani cartridges.  They promised to alter the fork characteristics making it more "sports bike" like - compliant, precise and adjustable to aa wide range of loads and road conditions.  Together, both suspension components makes the bike handle great, makes the bike comfortable to ride and makes fatigue a thing of the past.

Below are the specifications for my adjustments.

Rider weight 97kg (213 lbs) [including helmet and gear]
Bike: 2011 M-G v7 Racer

Front suspension: Andreani Cartridges model 105/G01 for Marzocchi forks
Special conditions:  Rider weight declared 80kg/90kg, Street  I specified 10kg less than my actual weight so that spring was not too stiff and more of preload adjustment was available.
Front fluids:
   Compression Leg: Bel-Ray High Performance Fork Oil ISO 10W (33 cst at 40 deg C) @ 165mm air gap  [manufacturer recommended height]
   Rebound Leg: Bel-Ray High Performance Fork Oil ISO 10W (33 cst at 40 deg C) @ 165mm air gap [manufacturer recommended height]
Front setting:
   Total (Unladen sag): 200mm (measured between lower triple and reflector)
   Total (Static sag): 180mm
   Total (Rider sag): 145mm (35mm being 30% of full travel 130mm) The preload adjusters are showing 4.5 rings above the top cap.  I have a warranty claim in with Andreani (May 2016) because the adjusters are not working.
   Compression: 2.5 turns (clockwise) from full open.
   Rebound: 2.5 turns (clockwise) from full open.
Fork tube height: both tubes set even with  triple clamp

I'm finding the rebound damping is possibly a little under-damped.  On full compression, the fork rebounds just past the rest position then settles.  The handling over rough roads is adequate.  Road shocks are not transmitted through the bars as they were previously with the standard damped forks.

Rear suspension: Realm Engineering RAM shock
Rear Fluids: stock
Rear Spring: RAM powder coated Black [specified for 100kg rider weight, spirited riding]
Rear Settings:
   Total (Static sag): 363mm (between top of shock stud and tape on seat)
   Total (Rider sag): 330mm (33mm being 33% of full travel 100mm)
   Preload: approx. 19mm of threads showing below preload adjuster collar.
   Compression & Rebound: 3 clicks, All clockwise turns from full open

The photo below shows the adjusters on the Andreani's.  The right fork holds the Compression cartridge, and the left fork hods the Rebound cartridge.  You can tell which is which because each has an embossed "C" or "R" on the preload adjuster.



Preload is set using a 17mm T-wrench on the Gold coloured adjuster.  Clock-wise increases preload and decreases dynamic sag; counter-clockwise decreases preload and increases dynamic sag.  The silver Hex adjuster sets either the compression damping or rebound damping depending on which fork leg is adjusted.  Clockwise will increase damping effect making things stiffer; counter-clockwise will decrease damping effect making things softer.  There is a maximum of 4 of turns of adjustment in either control.

I chose Bel-ray 10WT fork oil because that was what was specified by Moto Guzzi.  On reflection and based upon further testing, I might change out the oil for Maxma 7WT.  The ride still feels fine, but the thicker oil doesn't allow for much adjustability of either compression or rebound.  The suspension is much more behaved now and much more adjustable than stock.  Temperatures in May are still on the cool side so I haven't any data for how the forks and shocks respond with higher ambient temperatures.

Overall, I can highly recommend the Andreani and RAM suspension components.  They are well priced, easy to install replacing the OEM components and perform according to their price-point.

[rbm]

Thanks John.  I studied a lot of posts on fork oil, watched lots of Dave Moss videos on Youtube and tried to rationalize my choice.  I started with manufacturer speced oil but, as I gain experience, I'll certainly change to a lighter fork oil if conditions dictate it.  That's part of the fun and part of the journey in learning.