Bimota Forum

[Duquois]

Hi all,

Can anyone recommend suspension settings on an SB6 for a 13 stones rider for brisk road use please? I'm a bit of a numpty where preload / rebound are concerned and would appreciate some advice.

Alternatively, any suspension gurus in the north of England who are worth visiting to sort the settings?

It's too firm at present and I'd like a suppler ride, but wouldn't we all...

Cheers

Andrew
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SB6, Moto Guzzi Griso 8v, Guzzi 1100 Sport inj

[Pompey]

You can have a go to make it safe before finding a specialist. Two parts to it. The preload and the damping.

The preload adjusts when the spring starts to work.

The damping has nothing to do with the spring but adjusts how quickly the shock can move in and out...The spring just tries to get back to its original shape, the damping insures how quick or slow it achieves it.

Simple basic guide.

1. Do the preload front and rear. Get a mate to lift whichever end you are adjusting slowly. You should have 30 odd mil of travel before the wheels are lifted off the ground. If you dont then unwind until you do. If you have to much, wind in.

2. The damping should be done when the bike had warmed up a bit and the oil is warmed up in the forks. For the 6 and not knowing how hard you ride and when you throttle on/off during corners I would say put all settings in the middle of the range to start. You dont know whats been done previously so anyone elses settings are useless. To find the range get a flat head screw driver and be brave. Wind the adjusters all the way in, clockwise. Then unwind counting the clicks. 24 I think on the front? Then wind back to half way. Do this to top and bottom of forks and rear shock.

3. Then ride on a fav stretch of road with bumps and corners. No to far as you want to stop to adjust. If its to hard then undue counterclockwise by 4 clicks. If better then stop and undo again by 4. if it gets worse go back 2 clicks and you will be in the ball park.

If its to bouncy and soft then wind in clockwise by 4 clicks and repeat above process.

This will at least get you safe without risking bottoming out the suspension thru a corner and the tires loosing grip.

Your first instinct is right though. I would recommend that you see a specialist every time. Rossi does.
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Pomps
Bimota's Db2, Db5 ,Ducati's 851' 92, 888' 93, Honda blade' 93, Triumph speed triple' 07, kawasaki zxr 750 k1

[Evilchicken0]

If your new to the SB6 they do have a firmish ride but you're right they should be supple too.
Man ton are near Elsmere Port Cheshire WA6 6HX
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Don't read everything you believe

[Duquois]

Thanks for the advice.

I've just had some nice sticky tyres put on so will try and sort the settings this weekend, once the tyres have bedded in of course!
Using mid settings and then going either way sounds the best way to go. I've already made a note of the current settings so can't cock it up too much.

I've had the bike a few years but it's always been used as a second bike, however I find I'm using it more and more of late. That together with the state of the pockmarked roads we're forced to use has galvanised me into sorting the suspension.

Andrew
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SB6, Moto Guzzi Griso 8v, Guzzi 1100 Sport inj

[Mako]

I did the preload setting looking at the SAG rules, but I still struggle with damping clicks....
I mean thet the bike seems right to me in cornering, leaning in and accelerating out the turn... but when I stop at low speed I notice a double rebound that sound strange to me...
sounds like it has low rebound damping. Does anyone have the number of clicks out in the front suspension?
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Honda CB450K1 - CB750K2 - CB500K1 - RC30 - Ducati 750SS - Bimota SB6

[Pompey]

For what its worth my compression damping on the last sb6 was so week I changed to heavy weight oil. Not the best thing but the cheapest rather then have internals changed. Other wise it bottomed out and loaded the front tyre to dangerous levels. The SB6 I currently own is 4 clicks out from fully in and working fine, but, it will pure luck if its correct for you... My front rebound is 6 clicks out.
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Pomps
Bimota's Db2, Db5 ,Ducati's 851' 92, 888' 93, Honda blade' 93, Triumph speed triple' 07, kawasaki zxr 750 k1

[Evilchicken0]

You should really thing about suspension as a whole not really front and back. Remember when the front goes down the back can be coming up ...
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Don't read everything you believe

[Evilchicken0]

Try this


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Don't read everything you believe

[oily]

[Pompey]

you can really tell that my forks have been tweaked. very different feel to standard... check, fat, aye.
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Pomps
Bimota's Db2, Db5 ,Ducati's 851' 92, 888' 93, Honda blade' 93, Triumph speed triple' 07, kawasaki zxr 750 k1

[Mako]