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Suspension problems 2002 GSXR 1000

  
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Suspension problems 2002 GSXR 1000

 
gixxervan1000 gixxervan1000
New User | Posts: 2 | Joined: 06/04
Posted: 05/14/05
05:20 PM

Been having about a year and a half long problem with the handling of my front wheel/turning characteristics on my 2002 gsxr 1000.  I had some race tech gold valves installed in the front forks and rear shock.  After putting everything back together, the bike turned like piss (front wheel turned in and felt heavy like the tire was flat).  Later we found out the tire was recalled (M1 recall).  After replacing the tire the bike seemed to turn much better, although the front wheel still seemed to want to fight the input instead of just going with it like it once did.

Later attempted to sag out the bike, got the rear shock at 30mm of rider sag (with abt 8-10mm of free sag) and the front we couldn't get to go less then 34mm with external preload maxed out! (free sag was 26mm)  Called race tech, they told me to get bigger spacers, said the mechanic installing them should have added 15mm of internal preload (but didn't).  I have since had them fabricated from aluminum equaling 100mm total (was 85mm) and the mechanic is installing them over the weekend.  The rebound and compression have always been at just closer in from the halfway point of dampening, and the rebound right at about halway between full in and full out.  (both front and rear).  Pressing down on either the front or rear has the bike rising back up in about a second.  Compression feels good when riding.  But that damn turn in/resistance to the counter steer is still there even at speed.  My bike when I first got the m1's, with a light input would almost lean in for me without any effort at all, almost as if the tire realized what I wanted and took over for me.  It allowed the countersteer and would simply arrest it's leaning when I stopped pushing instead of trying to turn in when I stop pushing like now. My goal with installing the race tech valves was to soften the suspension while keeping it's firm handling...not to ruin my turn in characteristics.  

Over all this time I checked the stem and it looked straight, the bearings looked good and I regreased them before install.  The stem nut was torqued to spec, the brakes were checked for dragging.  The front tire is a new one (replaced the recalled one-another m1) the fork tubes have 5w silkolene fork oil at 90ml, with stock springs.  My weight w/o gear is 160.  

If my putting the spacers in and sagging it out to 30/30 frt to rear doesn't help the situation...does anyone have any idea of where else to look for the problem?

One more thing...(as if this wasn't enough already)
What is the definition of oversteer, understeer, and tucking?  I think my understanding of it might be different then what it is.  Thanks guys...  

 
grayCBR954 grayCBR954
New User | Posts: 20 | Joined: 09/04
Posted: 05/17/05
03:58 AM

It sounds like your front ride height was too high compared to the rear.  My bike was hard to turn when I first got it (used) and the tuner at GP Suspension said that was due to the higher profile rear tire (Michelin Pilots) turning it into a chopper.  I put on new Pirelli Diablo Corsas and they made it much easier turning.  Check the front rake against spec, after your mechanic finishes adding the recommended spacers.  

 
gixxervan1000 gixxervan1000
New User | Posts: 2 | Joined: 06/04
Posted: 05/17/05
05:16 AM

I thought at first it was from the front ride height being too high as well, trailing out the bike.  But even when I lowered the front (and completely maxed preload in the rear due to no shims at the time) it didn't seem to help the resistance to countersteer. It quickened the steering but the wheel still did the "turn in" thing.

In trying to sag out the bike once the RT forks come back with the lengthened spacers, I'm going to go for 30/30 front to rear, with the forks at 6mm above the clamp and see what happens then.  

About checking the rake/trail...that's a good idea. I have the factory manual but didn't see anywhere that it would give me the rake and trail figures for a standard setup.

Currently the standard forks (my spares) are on the bike, but I still have the redone RT shock on it.  I have a spare standard shock as well though. What I'm thinking of doing is installing the standard rear shock back on, and then adjusting the standard forks all back to stock settings to then see how it rides.  If everything is not back to normal, then I know there is something wrong besides the chassis setup and I need to keep looking at maybe the tire or something.  Maybe I should switch to diablo's instead of the M1's? Hmmmm....but I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.  

 
nig nig
New User | Posts: 11 | Joined: 06/04
Posted: 05/17/05
09:11 AM

Your front sag is perfect at 34mm, don't touch it. Getting it down to 30mm will effectively increase rake/trail and make it turn in slower.

The obvious things that come to mind--

_Check tire pressure
_Check steering stem by propping front end up and seeing if the bars will fall to the side when lightly tapped; also check for rough spots on the bearing while moving the bars left/right (you will be able to feel it)
_See if steering damper is in working order, not binding or something. Take it off and see if that helps.  

 

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