Suspension issues.

dicko187
Posts
15
Joined
6/5/2009
Location
Wollongong, AU
Edited Date/Time 1/23/2012 8:00am
Hey guys., just wanting some input on a slight problem,

Here's the story, I recently changed the springs in my Yz250 to 0.50kg/mm front and a 5.5kg/mm rear to suit my weight, the change is unbelievable to say the least, the bike steers, tracks and jumps better than I every expected.
All clickers are in the stock position according to the manual.
I have no complaint what-so-ever with the rear, it's perfect in my opinion.
But the front works awesome at slower speeds and over the rough stuff but once I get onto highspeed straights, 3rd wide open, I get alot of headshake, no matter how smooth or rough the track is.
I know of 2 options I can go with, one being re-valve, which I think would be best, the other being to fit my MSC steering stabilizer, which I'm not so keen on due to the fact that I then have no bar pad because they only make the mount to go on the top of the bars, and I don't think my chest or face would like that too much.

So, does anyone have any other ideas, or do they recomend go with what I've said?


Thanks in advance for any help..
|
lumpy790
Posts
11450
Joined
9/18/2007
Location
York, SC, USA
8/26/2010 7:11am
What springs are in the front? By going to the heavier rear spring it is putting more pressure on the forks so they will need to be firmed up also.

Did you add rebound to the rear shock to compensate for the additional stored energy? Try going in 4-5 clicks.
Jakes Dad
Posts
1864
Joined
6/22/2009
Location
Brooksville, FL, USA
8/26/2010 11:16am
Lessen the rear sag and try.
BIGHEAD1
Posts
418
Joined
1/8/2009
Location
Compton, FL, USA
8/26/2010 12:46pm
Forks are too stiff, and shock is too soft (your bike is out of balance) .50 fork springs would be good if you are 250lbs (113kg) and a 5.5kg shock spring would be good for 210lbs (95kg)

When you installed .50kg fork springs and only a 5.5kg rear you changed the balance of the bike decreasing trail. Decreasing trail makes the bike easier to turn, but at the expense of headshake. If you are on a budget, try raising your sag, if it's at 100, try 90. This will increase trail, and/or put more weight on the fork springs while riding.

You are either going to need softer fork springs or a stiffer shock spring. If your shock's sag numbers are correct (30mm static, 100 rider), then your fork springs are just way too stiff. When forks have head shake while accelerating, it is caused by a lack of traction, this is caused by deflection, (too much spring, or damping) or oscillation (lack of rebound damping control during small movements)

Also, check your tire pressure and steering stem bearings. You should tighten your steering stem so that it can't fall from side to side on it's own. It should require just the smallest amount of pressure to move but it will stop once you stop applying pressure. If it keeps going and "falls" until it hits the steering stop tighten up the steering stem collar.






Craze
Posts
1412
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Sin City, NV, USA
8/26/2010 12:56pm
Slid the fork tubes up 5 mm

The Shop

Craze
Posts
1412
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Sin City, NV, USA
8/26/2010 12:56pm Edited Date/Time 8/26/2010 12:57pm
...ooops...dbl post...he he he
CamP
Posts
6826
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
Colleyville, TX, USA
8/26/2010 1:03pm Edited Date/Time 8/26/2010 1:07pm
The .50 front, 5.5 rear spring combo is about right on a late model YZ250 if you weigh about 240lbs.

Those springs are quite a bit stiffer than stock so you'll need to crank in 2-4 clicks more rebound, front and back, to control them. Stock compression settings should be close. Run 4" of sag.
dicko187
Posts
15
Joined
6/5/2009
Location
Wollongong, AU
8/26/2010 2:48pm
CamP, I'm 105kg, which is just shy of 240lbs.
I'll give your suggestion a go next time on on it.
Thanks.

And BIGHEAD1, I got those rates off the RaceTech calculator and then double checked it with a suspension tuner.
BIGHEAD1
Posts
418
Joined
1/8/2009
Location
Compton, FL, USA
8/26/2010 3:13pm
(Facepalm)



CamP
Posts
6826
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
Colleyville, TX, USA
8/26/2010 6:57pm
Not sure if you are aware of it, but the leverage ratio on the YZ rear link is different than the YZF and it requires a softer spring by comparison. That's why the .5 fronts match the 5.5 rear on a YZ250.
BIGHEAD1
Posts
418
Joined
1/8/2009
Location
Compton, FL, USA
8/26/2010 8:42pm
It is? How much different? Can you explain it further? Makes perfect sense to me, that a lighter bike, with less rotating mass, identical valve specs (some years), more chain torque and a shorter swingarm would have a more agressive linkage ratio.








CamP
Posts
6826
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
Colleyville, TX, USA
8/26/2010 10:16pm
It's not much different but it's enough to change the rear spring requirements.

Post a reply to: Suspension issues.

The Latest