Topica Loopframe_Guzzi Archive
 

Subject: RE: Forks

Author: Charlie Mullendore

Date: Mar 26, 2003, 3:46 PM

Post ID: 1712394821

Hi Keith,
Here we have the classic "Goldylocks Syndrome". Without the spacers it was "too soft", with the spacers it's "too stiff", hopefully you can find the happy medium "just right".

Try going to a heavier weight oil instead of lighter to control the topping. Going heavier may make the compression damping a little more firm, though. I'm using 30w fork oil in my '69 Ambo and have noticed little difference from the ATF the PO had in there. But then I was always happy with the way my forks worked. They do top out, but usually only over railroad tracks, potholes, etc. or when I'm pulling wheelies (hah, hah!)

Drum-brake Loop forks are really crude - there's just a rod that goes into the hole in the nut holding the lower fork bushing in place to control bottoming and rebound seems to be controlled by nothing more than oil trapped between the upper and lower bushings at full extension.

I'm not sure what weight or type you should try - maybe someone else has a suggestion? In the end it may come down to replacing the springs to get total satisfaction. But that too has it's problems... Cheers,

Charlie.


Keith Ruff <klru-@fcc.net> wrote:

 Bought 7 weight fork oil yesterday, will change fork oil soon. Has
anyone noticed a difference in dampning with different weight oils?
Should I remove the spacers from the fork springs? If yes, how do I get
to the springs?

Keith Ruff
71 Police Ambassador - NJ


Keith Ruff wrote:
 man, horrible vocabulary this morning, haven't had my coffee yet, off to

get a cup now. Corrected version below.

Finally the warm air is hitting the northeast, had the Ambo out the past

2 weekends, feels good to be back out on the road. Patience ran well,
still have some character oozing out of the main seal and tranny case
shift return spring cover, think the main seal may seat itself a little
better over time though. Question on the forks, Andy added spacers to
the springs to relieve the sag, but now it is too stiff and I get
horrible bangs over bumps, think the forks are topping out on rebound
and that bang makes the tank bang as well. I have 30 weight fork oil in

there now. Will going to a low weight oil help soften up the forks?
Perhaps a 5 weight fork oil? Any other oil suggestions? Andy told me
he used just 1 inch of PVC and is surpised the front end is banging, I
agree with him, but something is not right. Need to soften it up.

Keith Ruff
71 Police Ambassador - NJ



Keith Ruff
71 Police Ambassador - NJ

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