Suspension setup - mainly sag ..

[endoracing]

I spent about 3 hours trying to set the sag on my f4i and I still have no clue where the hell it is set ..

I guess my question is, should a stock 2001 f4i suspension be able to be tuned to a 150lbs rider for the track ? I think I'm about average as far as weight, so I dont see how it could not be possible. I tried a few different sag setting methods and some said the sag was way too low and some said the sag was way too high, so now I'm really confused as to where to set everything. I'd like to have a good general place to start, but I cant figure out wtf is up with it.

anyone know a correct way to measure the sag and what the ideal track ranges are for that particular method ?

Any advice is appreciated =/
Thanks,
Jeff

[th12t33n]

i have no clue but good luck to you on finding out buddy im sure someone here will be of help =D

[endoracing]

after doing a little more digging, I've decided I need stiffer springs ... so after my first race weekend I will order some race tech springs and some new fork oil .. possibly a gold valve kit, but we'll see what money allows.

edit; I've also discovered that my f4 has stiffer springs than the f4i does .. do you think it would be worth swapping out the .660 kg/mm springs of the f4i for the .751 kg/mm f4 springs ? or is this more work then it is worth for 1 weekend?

race tech's calculator recommends .858 for the f4i, so I was going to get the .900's, which means I'm not going to leave the f4 springs in it if I swap them since they still aren't stiff enough ( I guess ).

Am I worrying too much before I even get a chance to try the bike ? =/

[bobbo84]

this guide is one I've found to have a lot of good info.

Yeah, I'd say you are worrying too much about your suspension right now. get some buddies, set your sag, dial in your rebound and compression to about midway of their respective adjustment range, and have at it. Whilst at the track, bring along the tools necessary to make some adjustments as you see fit.

Also, these initial settings by Sport Rider may give you some where to start if you are still totally baffled trying to establish a baseline by yourself.

[nig]

Here is how to set sag:

http://www.sportrider.com/tech/146_9508_tech/

[endoracing]

Yeah, I'd say you are worrying too much about your suspension right now. get some buddies, set your sag, dial in your rebound and compression to about midway of their respective adjustment range, and have at it. Whilst at the track, bring along the tools necessary to make some adjustments as you see fit.

the problem is I dont have stiff enough springs to get the sag set correctly...

[Murf99]

It sounds like you do not have a long enough preload spacer. This is independant of spring rate.

Set your race sag (bike upright, with you on it, in race position with race gear) to 30mm F/R, if attainable. Look for 6-9mm free sag (just the bike upright). If you have less than 5mm free sag, you need stiffer springs.

From the Racetech reccomendations - it sounds like you could benefit from mixing a 0.85 and a 0.90 spring (this is accepted practice).

It's not the end of the world to ride a bike with too soft of springs. Be careful on the brakes, as this is where the problem will manifest itself first. If your ride quality goes to shit (feels like chatter) that's the feeling of the forks bottoming. Don't bother trying to adjust this out with compression damping - it's an overall bad idea, trust me.

[Eskimo]

Originally Posted by Murf99

Look for 6-9mm free sag (just the bike upright). If you have less than 5mm free sag, you need stiffer springs.

Don't you mean softer springs if you don't have enough free sag?

[nig]

No, when you have correct rider sag but not enough free sag you need stiffer springs. The springs you have are preloaded too much and so don't sag much under just the bike's weight. Of course it's up in the air what "correct" free sag is.

[Eskimo]

Gotcha, thanks!