Fork and Shock advice for Track NC30

[Haydn]

Hi,

I've searched the forum, looked at RO offerings and spoke to K- Tech and racing lines.

I've had the bike on track for 2 years, the front end has always felt ok to me but the rear has always sat really low unresponsive. It's an early 89 K model with early forks but what looks like a later rear shock with the remote res. the bike was previously raced in the Formula 400 championship so I'm unsure if the internals at both end are standard. This year will be just track days but my plan next year is to do a few rounds in the BEMSEE formula 400 sub 64 rookie class.

Rear Shock.

The shock is a standard shock but has a non standard purple spring. I'm unsure of the spring rate. I removed the small bolt from the remote res and there was hardly any pressure in it. It looks in ok condition. Racing lines will service it for £100, K-Tech want £240 to strip, rebuild, revalve, correct spring for my weight etc. Or I could get a Nitron shock, road version £350 ( compression&rebound adjusted together) or track version for £500 ish. Also is the 35mm jack up kit and upgraded bottom link worth the money?

Front Forks

Early type forks, again K-Tech want £240 to strip, respring, valve, seals etc or I could just get the RO upgrade kit and do it myself. I've read that the early fork can perform well with the more expensive emulator upgrade?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Cheers
Haydn

[NGneer]

As with all things racing - how fast do you want to go...and are your pockets deep enough?

The uprated RO fork springs are fantastic and in my opinion transform the front end. I have only ever had the later model forks and only ever done track days as oppose to proper racing - but for circa £100 (allowing for new fork seals as well) well worth the money.

As for the rear shock, you can go anywhere from the £100 service on the OEM unit to the ultimate £800+ Ohlins - built to your spec, and anywhere in-between. For what its worth I have a Nitron Track shock on one of my bikes and it is indeed very nice but really it comes down to how seriously are you looking at taking your racing....and once again, how deep are your pockets.

What rear wheel are you running (18" or 17")? As it has been raced before I am assuming it has the correct linkage in for the rear wheel that is fitted (i.e. the RVF linkage as oppose to the VFR linkage if a 17" wheel) otherwise this could make the rear end sit lower.

I am sure the hard core race crew will be along very shortly with some much more race focused thoughts, but good luck anyway

[Haydn]

Thanks for the reply. I don't want to throw money at it as I'm only planning on doing a few rounds next year for a taster. I know some people can justify it but I just want it sitting right and feeling right for now. When I bought the bike it had the Honda Bros 17" wheel on it but it was a botch job so I'm now back to the 18" rear and running BT-90's. I think the rear linkage is the standard VFR one but I'm not sure. Can anyone confirm? I also cannot find anything on the spring which indicates its rate.

[Cammo]

It sounds as though the shock needs a service and regas at minimum.

Get the jack-up kit fitted (or do it yourself), standard NC's sit way too low in the back for track action and it improves the handling a lot. Info on modifying the link yourself here: viewtopic.php?f=24&t=11399

When you get the shock back try to set rider and static sag (guide in link below - lots around), if you can't obtain suitable numbers the spring is the wrong rate for you. Jacking up the rear will change the spring rate so make sure you take measurements after you've raised the rear.

https://www.google.com.au/search?q=moto ... 2&ie=UTF-8

I would try this before spending up big.

[Haydn]

Quick question, I whipped out the rear shock tonight, all the bushes rotate freely apart from the shock bottom bush. Should it be fixed or should the centre insert rotate like all the others?

Cheers
Haydn

[RRossi]

sorry to but in but can the rear stock shock be serviced?


I thought it was a throw away item??


RR

[Cammo]

Quick question, I whipped out the rear shock tonight, all the bushes rotate freely apart from the shock bottom bush. Should it be fixed or should the centre insert rotate like all the others?

On the nc30 the lower link bush is fixed. The nc35 uses a bearing, it can be retrofitted to the nc30 link.

[Cammo]

sorry to but in but can the rear stock shock be serviced?

Standard NC30 shocks can be rebuilt, NC35 cannot.

[RRossi]

sorry to but in but can the rear stock shock be serviced?

Standard NC30 shocks can be rebuilt, NC35 cannot.

are there any guides on this? one work shop that I use sometimes has said if it has a valve he can fill it with nitrogen and will take 2 seconds?

I cant see however any valves so not sure what the go is there?


RR

[Cammo]

The workshop needs to install a valve on the end of the gas reservoir (applies to late model nc30 shock only).

Any shock place can do this work.