profWacko Posted February 15, 2003 Posted February 15, 2003 I just got my bike back from evoluzione, where Quentin Wilson did a major service and spring change on my forks. If any of you out there are wondering how your bike would feel with the correct springs for your actual weight, let me answer that question for you: IT IS SO MUCH BETTER YOU JUST WILL NOT BELIEVE IT!! Now, I know that my forks needed some attention after 20k miles or so on the last fork service, but getting the right spring rate and the correct spacers to set the sag to where it should be has absolutely transformed the ride and handling of my bike. And what's really remarkable is that it was pretty good before, or so I thought. It now tracks really well even over bumpy turns, and just overall feels far more secure. I am sure that the Ohlins shock in the back helps quite a bit as well. But the difference in the before and after on the spring change was really a huge improvement, and not really very expensive. You can contact them at evoluzione.net Ken has a Tenni, so there may be some good things in the works for the future from them. This is not intended to be a commercial for them, as I have not received any special consideration from his shop, other than the really excellent service about which I am reporting here. Ride well. Ride safe. -Jack Price Glendale, CA 02 V11 Le Mans 01 KTM Duke II 83 V50 III
docc Posted February 15, 2003 Posted February 15, 2003 I am due for fork oil change and had heard ( Guzziology- Dave) thicker oil and stiffer springs are a plus. At 160 pounds riding v11 s aren't the stock springs about right? Your setting your sag at 1"? You mentioned Ohlins. That's stock on the Scura but the Lemans and Sport are WP, yes? I'm assuming you changed over to the Ohlins. Is this big bucks?
Guest Darth Maul Posted February 15, 2003 Posted February 15, 2003 Even with a factory Ohlin on my Scura, the setting is just so wrong. The stock settings for the rear shock is a joke. Maybe the Italian Factory tester weighs only 100 pounds. ha,ha,ha...!!! I thot the rear Ohlin shock seems to be bottoming up when i hit a pot hole. Anyway I weigh bout 170 pounds or 75kg. So i did a test by coating the shaft in the spring with a little grease to check how much is the travel. True enough the movement cleans up the grease all the way. I have since, add more preload, that is turning the ring more towards the rear end. Can't really remember how much I turn but it really helps a lot now. I m fiddling with the compression n rebounds at the moment. Might takes me a while to get it right. I wish i have a suspension specialist here.
Janusz Posted February 16, 2003 Posted February 16, 2003 I am in desparate need of higher rated fork springs since my weight is 230 lbs. I did check evoluzione page and they show a rear shock but no fork springs for our bike. What exactly springs did you have installed and where can I find them? Do you know their rate? Thanks, John.
al_roethlisberger Posted February 18, 2003 Posted February 18, 2003 Ken at Evoluzione quoted some general pricing for the work in this thread: Forum Suspension Mod Thread ..Lex has his at LE right now, as mentioned in the thread above. I don't know if they actually replace the front springs as well, but they're highly rated also. al
Lex Posted February 18, 2003 Posted February 18, 2003 My forks and shock are supposed to be done today. I should get them in my hands and the bike back on the road next weekend. LE will be replacing all the springs, they described them as too light for an average rider, much less one that weighs 260#. I would have one comment on the docc's post. I would absolutely not put heavier oil in the forks, at least not on the compression side. My experience and what I have been told by LE is exactly the opposite, stiffer springs and less damping is what the forks need. LE did the same thing to the shock on my K1200LT. The improvement was amazing, much better ride and better handling. Even with the pre-load maxed I was dragging things at the posted speed limit stock, after the work I never drag anything. Before the work the bike was limited to the kind of speeds people think luxury touring bike are ridden, after the work I am able to use all of the BT020 tires and even, on occasion, do a "blackie" out of low speed corners. All this with the CD player going. I'm hoping the work on the V11 will be similar if not as dramatic. Lex
profWacko Posted February 18, 2003 Author Posted February 18, 2003 I got my Ohlins from Mr. Ed's Moto (mredsmoto.com). It took a really long time to get it, but it was really worth it. Judging from what I have read about the stock Ohlins setup on a Scura, the shock I got must be setup very differently. It also has the hydraulic preload adjuster. It cost me $750 delivered to my door with a spring rate chosen by Ohlins for my bike and weight. When I first bolted it in place with the preload adjuster all the way off, it had 10mm static sag, which is exactly the measurement stated in the setup guide that came with the shock. Meesathinkin I have the right spring rate back there. Ken at evoluzione recommended the .95 kg/mm fork springs for my 190 lbs with gear. Also judging from what Lex said above, I might want to go to slightly thinner fork oil because my bike seems to like having the compression damping adjuster set on the absolute minimum, and only slightly more rebound. Phlegm at Eleven. Ride well. Ride safe. -Jack Price Glendale, CA 02 V11 Le Mans 01 KTM Duke II 83 V50 III
al_roethlisberger Posted February 19, 2003 Posted February 19, 2003 Jack, Coupla questions... 1) When you say it took a "really long time to get"... about how long? 2) Is this "gray market"... i.e. no warranty, etc? Or is it all kosher? I ask because I'm thinking about the Ohlins or the Penske through Ken at Evoluzione. Talking to folks, they are supposed to be fairly comparable, and at $750, the price is the same. thx! al
profWacko Posted February 19, 2003 Author Posted February 19, 2003 I originally spoke with them in March 02 to arrange an order. At that time, they said that due to some problem at the Ohlins factory having to do with a huge order from an un-named factory (Guzzi?) I could expect delivery in September. I said that I would persue alternatives to solve my suspension needs, and thanked them for the information. I checked into getting the same Ohlins shock from other suppliers and was told basically the same thing: there was just no way I was going to get one in any kind of reasonable time frame. About a month later, they sent me an email and said that they could get me one for an August delivery, and I elected to proceed with the order, and I got in about the middle of August. I am fairly certain that this is a 'grey market' item that I have, but so far - so good. That really loud knocking sound you hear is me knocking on my wooden desktop. If you can get the fully realized Penske with the hydraulic preload adjuster and high and low speed adjustability for rebound and compression for $750, I would say "DO IT! DO IT NOW!!" When I was pricing alternatives, I was getting quotes around $1100 for the Penske with all of the options. HTH Ride well. Ride safe. -Jack Price Glendale, CA 02 V11 Le Mans 01 KTM Duke II 83 V50 III
al_roethlisberger Posted February 20, 2003 Posted February 20, 2003 Will do Jack... ..I've dropped don@mredsmoto.com an email to check on pricing, availability, warrantee, etc... I've also dropped Ken at Evoluzione a note to check on his pricing. After checking out their website, I think the Penske with preload is about $1100 as you mention. I suspect the ~$750 he quoted me some time back was for the Penske without. But we'll see. BTW, you didn't happen to be "the guy" that Ken had such a hard time with installing the air-box kit on a LeMans are ya? If so, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the kit, experiece with Ken's shop etc... as I'll probably ride down there to get the ECU flashed when the heads come back. That is, if your review is positive thx! al
profWacko Posted February 21, 2003 Author Posted February 21, 2003 I have nothing but positive experiences with Ken's shop. I have bought several items from him for the Ducati's I used to own, and his guy Quentin Wilson did the fork service on my bike. I do not believe that they are the cheapest shop to be found, but I believe that they provide excellent value for the goods and services they offer. Ride well. Ride safe. -Jack Price Glendale, CA 02 V11 Le Mans 01 KTM Duke II 83 V50 III
al_roethlisberger Posted February 21, 2003 Posted February 21, 2003 Jack, I guess Mr Ed's has gone up in price a bit. I just heard back from them and this is what they said: OHLINS for MG V11 LeMans Rear---MG127-46HRCS----------------------Mr. Ed's price $891.00. hose mounted external reservoir adjustable rebound damping adjustable compression damping hose mounted preload adjuster We order shocks either fitted with springs or valved for your riding weight. This service is part of the price. We order direct so delivery is approx. 8-12+ weeks, we keep you informed. Price includes ground shipping in US. al
Mike Stewart Posted February 22, 2003 Posted February 22, 2003 Hey Rex, I finally got my bike back from the dealer and was thinking of sending my forks and shock out for the LE treatment. How much did it cost for a revalve and respring for the front and rear? Need to let the wife know before and not after I get the bill! After riding my Falco for three months and then climbing back on the V11Sport, I really see an improvement is needed for the suspenders. Where is Central California are you located? I am in Oakland. Thanks, Mike
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