Suspension Tips for Light Weight V7 Rider?

[kingoffleece]

Nice.  Interested to hear about Shock factory as a few I know on a very casual basis have them.

[Andy1]

Malik may well be right about less than 300ml fork oil being needed - I could not find a value when I changed the oil in mine.  Instead I measured what came out and one leg had 280ml and the other 320ml so I averaged them out and put 300ml back in both.
Hagon Nitros on the back helped a lot but took about 500 miles to loosen up - which Hagons had said might happen.

Sounds you are on your way to sorting the bike out now Sarah

AndyB

[Dirk_S]

A while back I downloaded a V7 II list of tune-up parts and measurements from Moto International’s (US west coast MG dealer) website. Looks like the website might no longer be up (they went out of business), so here’s a pic to save. You’ll see they have the fork oil measurement listed as 400 cc (ml) per fork (the service manual uses a depth measurement instead). That’s the amount I used when I changed my oil, although some on here pointed out that it might be better to focus on depth measurement as provided in the manual.

[acguzzi]

I would second checking sag (cheap and easy to do), since that will tell you absolutely if you are sprung right, static sag at 25mm, loaded at 40mm or thereabouts, you are light so as has already been stated your springs are likely too stiff, if you lighten up the springs the damping should also be reduced (lighter oil) to match. Check the rear as well as the front.

[malik]

300ml in each leg sounds like a lot. My V7 Special sport the Kaifa forks (there's a "K" embossed on the inside of the leg) which specify a 120mm air gap, which corresponds to close to 200ml. I had the impression that those on the II were the same, but maybe not. Setting the sag(s) is important. You may well need lighter springs at least, but by taking it slow, steady, & bit by bit, you end up educating yourself in this often neglected realm. Operating from a better knowledge base can't hurt. And it's all good, clean fun.

Double checked my notes - 120mm air gap in the Kaifa (& 150mm in the Marzochhi) translates to 400 ml or thereabouts in each leg - sorry for the bum steer - should have remembered that there's not much left from a litre after the oil change.

[Muzz]

When I did the Marzochis on the Breva one had too much oil in, one had not enough.  I think they came with about 10weight in them.  Lightened the weight, set them with the air gap and they improved dramatically.

Fortunate my weight is about right for the springs.

The rear shocks are awful, spring is way too strong, compression damping too hard and rebound too soft.  Preload backed right off is about right for the bike fully loaded or running two-up.

[greer]

Thanks again, everybody.  No worries at all malik, this is a work in progress anyhow. 

Just got off the phone, Race Tech said I require a custom spring and referred me to Cannon Racecraft in Oklahoma.  They made note of the spring specs and recommendations from Race Tech and said I should have my springs in 2-3 weeks.  So just like the shocks, I'll have to hurry up and wait.

If this all works out, it won't have been too, too bad on my pocketbook, $160 plus freight on the springs, $463.50 delivered on the shocks.  Thanks again for the help, I'll keep you posted.

Sarah

 

[kingoffleece]

That would be a great price paid if it works as well for you as we all hope (expect) it does-it most certainly will be an improvement.
Riding a motorcycle with the proper set-up for that rider is a truly beautiful thing.

[twowheeladdict]

Riding a motorcycle with the proper set-up for that rider is a truly beautiful thing.

 

And the only bikes I miss are the ones with perfect suspension settings. 

[greer]

Just got an email from Winding Roads, shocks have arrived and will be shipped to me via Fedex.  No word from Race Craft on the springs, but they'd warned me they were 10 days or so behind.

Sarah

[greer]

FedEx truck rolled in with these yesterday:





Nothing yet on the springs.

Sarah

[subin]

It looks like Guzzitech's GTM 2WS are from Shock Factory.

I am about 155 lbs with full gear and I have found the 2019 V7 III stock setup is fine, except that the front could be a little firmer.

[greer]

And these arrived yesterday:




upload image


Low 20's this morning, so it may be a while before the suspension gets a test.

Sarah