Set up ( front forks and rear shock) help please

[Snooky]

Hi guys
Help needed to set up the front forks and rear shock on my vfr nc30 , just got the bike and dont have a glue what to do with it .
I have an idear that the front will need rebuilding or at lest new springs and oil as prob still the orig ones in it
the rear looks good nice and clean but the screw at the bottom of the shock was all way in so i but it back to what the book said was std, but its crap , feels to soft but i am not shore how far to go so any help with this would be great as every time i go out on it i get it does not track well atall.

many thanks
Snooky

[wullvfr]

first of all,what year?

on the nc30 all of them,the front forks are adjustable for spring pre-load and damping except for the k model.
the k model is 89 with initial frame number nc30-1000001,just to give you an idea!!!!
if you have the book then im a sure you will know if the front forks are adjustable or not.
because it is a jap import then the standard setting for the rear shock would be too soft....for us uk lards!!!!!
so just turn the screw clockwise 1 turn to increase the damping and see how that goes.
as for the front forks,you are as well treating them to service before changing any setings....but keep a note of the current settings and start from there after you have serviced them.you will probably get better results after servicing them and would be wasting your time fiddling with the settings just now.


william

[Snooky]

Hi William
Thanks for the help, the bike is a 90/91 code L and initial frame no: nc-1050001 and has adjustable forks and they are really soft and sponge .
When i got the bike the the spring preload was all the way down i think or my have had 1 ring showing and the damping was one click from full on but it was like riding a house brick.
so a friend told me the standard setting was 3/4 rings out and 3 clicks for damping, it was ok when just keeping to the speed limit but went out with some mates for a blat and it was crap , at speed its all over the road and feels like the back an front are not part of the same bike,

The rear shock is the one with the 2 locking rings and the screw on the bottom , this had thr spring pre - load just above half way add the damping screwed all the way in .

so my weight is um 12 stone have you got an idear what the setting should be , i no i shuld just adjust it and go out on it but that could take all weekend and still not get anywhere.

thanks again
Graham :D

[Cammo]

At this age most nc30's standard suspension will be stuffed. You'll never be able to adjust it to suit you.

They were a bit undersprung to begin with, and now the suspension will be well and truly worn.


Best to upgrade the fork springs and get a new rear shock or get the original one resprung and revalved.

[wullvfr]

i have to agree with stickshift,

to take full advantage of adjusting the suspension i think it would be better to give them a service.......

but if not then,
put the settings back to what your friend told you,then go from there............if its too soft then adjust accordingly until it suits you and you are happy.go out on a stretch of road you know well and will be able to notice the differences after tweaking the settings.always keep a note of the original settings and the new ones you are trying......

it is also recommended to set the sag on the bike which http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/advic ... &R=EPI-683" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; explains quite well.




william

[Le_Blur]

Snooky, I'm sorry to hijack your post but this is related and it's only a quick question. I've seen a Honda RS250 rear shock on ebay and I know that Aprillia units are a common upgrade on NC30s. What are your thoughts on using the Honda shock with an heavier weight spring?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0269419548" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Jon]

As per Stickshift and Wullvfr you need to get the sag settings right first.

Set the static sag and then check the rider sag, if after setting the static sag the rider sag is too much the bike is undersprung and you need stiffer springs. This is almost a given on a bike this age as Stickshift said.

Once you have the springs right you can then set the damping to suit those springs, the adjustment both front and rear is realy just a fine tuning the internal valving should be modified to suit the spring rates that you put in.

Rick Oliver does a kit for the front which should get you sorted on that end.

As far as revalving the original rear shock with a bigger spring or going aftermarket it depends on what is available at a reasonable price, both can give good results, the aftermarket will have more external adjustments but the original if revalved can give very good results as well.
Be careful if buying an aftermarket replacement, talk to the person you are buying it off, they should ask about bike, your weight, use of the bike, wehter you go 2 up ect. A properly revalved original will give better results than a poorly matched aftermarket.

regards
jon

[Snooky]

Thanks guys for all your help , i think i will have a play at the weekend and see if i can make it any better for now as need to use it for work , but will look into getting it all re-done.
has anyone got any idear's where to get the rear shock re-done in the south of england as i see some of you guys are in aus.

many thanks
Graham ( snooky )

[Neosophist]

http://www.uponone.com/howtos/4.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That is a wicked guide on how to set-up motorbike suspension and how it works ^_^

[wullvfr]

very good link neosophist....

got it saved to have a good look at later :D


william