Suspension Upgrades for the Le Mans

[P3GA]

With the scooter now 3+ years old, I figured it was time to do something about the suspension. I could sense the springs & shock were just plain tired of lugging my 230 lbs around.

 

I had heard good things about Traxxion Dynamics in Woodstock GA, so I dropped the bike off, giving Mike and Lee a full 10 days to monkey around with the forks & shock.

 

There was no rush as I was traveling on business while they had it, and I believe that with the bike in their possession, they were able to capture some good baseline data for use in assisting other V11 owners.

 

The rear Sachs, while generally ok, has limited stroke, so after much experimentation with different springs and various rates, they replaced the spring with one rated at 650lbs, and the front spring were replaced with something around 1.05's & fork oil changed to 7 weight.

 

Conclusion: Best investment I have made in the bike, period. The Le Mans is now far more composed in curves, quicker in transitions from left to right & vice versa, smoother on the highway, and generally, more confidence inspiring.

 

A unique - but welcome - benefit is that I am getting even less vibration through the Verlicchi bars (fitted with Throttlemeisters) than before. While I never thought of a connection between suspension compliance & vibration, I can understand that if the bike was wallowing through corners with sloppy settings, any road-borne vibration is bound to get through the suspension & simultaneously amplified through the chassis.

 

If I was to do it all over again, I would definitely spend the $$ getting the suspension sorted before installing new mufflers, cross-overs, power commander, etc...these folks did a very fine job.

 

Highly recommended.

 

Phil

Atlanta GA

'02 Le Mans

[dlaing]

Wow! 650lbs sounds stiff, but maybe it is the ticket. Traxxion has a great online reputation.

If you have any other details like what the previous spring rates were, or what your current sag is, let us know!

I am glad it is working well for you.

I got a 475# spring and suspect it is a little too light for my 210#+++

I was thinking a 500# spring would be better, but your post is now making me want to go even higher!

[txrider]

Phil, thanks for sharing the good news. So basically spring replacements and 7 wt oil replaced the 10 wt? I've been interested in what Traxxion Dynamics has to offer on suspension upgrades for our bikes, now we know. Did they suggest a possibility for rear shock replacement?

[al_roethlisberger]

If I may ask, if the "$$ was well worth it" ... you've described the "worth" but not how much equivalent $$ that represents

 

 

How much did the work cost?

[P3GA]

1) Phil, thanks for sharing the good news. So basically spring replacements and 7 wt oil replaced the 10 wt? I've been interested in what Traxxion Dynamics has to offer on suspension upgrades for our bikes, now we know. Did they suggest a possibility for rear shock replacement?

 

Replace springs w/ 1.05's (not 1.07's as I had stated previously); complete cleaning, manufacure & install spacers, & change of oil.

 

We talked about rear shock upgrades - but left it at: If the rear shock was too far gone; -or- Changing springs could not get the performance to a level that they would find acceptable [if it was their bike], we would explore options. But we didn't need to.

 

Please keep in mind that I explained to them that the majority of the time I would be traveling solo, playing in the N GA mountains; touring at 'elevated' speeds, and maybe, just maybe, a track day sometime in the future. I'm sure that if they were to install an Ohlins or Penske, there would be a difference. But I don't know if I could objectivley quantify the benefits.

 

2) If I may ask, if the "$$ was well worth it" ... you've described the "worth" but not how much equivalent $$ that represents

How much did the work cost?

 

I was out the door for approx. $450, which includes $125 for the labor to take humpty dumpty apart & put him back together again. Considering I haven't the time nor the talent to do such a job, I consider it money well spent.

[BrianG]

I had them pit in Max's new cartridge valve pack and 1.05 springs, in my 2000 V-11 Sport. This made a night and day difference in the ride.

 

I have a Penske shock, with 500lb spring sitting in the garage awaiting installation. I hope for another order-of-magnitude change in the ride from this, too!

[dlaing]

I had them pit in Max's new cartridge valve pack and 1.05 springs, in my 2000 V-11 Sport.  This made a night and day difference in the ride. 

 

I have a Penske shock, with 500lb spring sitting in the garage awaiting installation.   I hope for another order-of-magnitude change in the ride from this, too!

57437[/snapback]

How much was your fork work?

The cartridge valve pack probably made it better than the Ohlins as it customized it for you.

The Ohlins are great, but I think they are heavier, and I know mine could use some re-working.

[richard100t]

I weigh about 165lbs. Would these improvements/adjustments better my ride? I need to have my forks serviced soon anyway SOooo...while they are off & all apart I would like to get it right, right away.

[Guest Bruce]

Good post Phil.

 

I've occassionally wondered if the set up was more important than the actual components. You've motivated me to get off my backside, roll up my sleeves, and get to it.

You didn't mention bumps so I am wondering if you've noticed any difference in how it does on bumps, particularly the sharp types ( ie a pothole )?

 

Thanks

Bruce

[dlaing]

I weigh about 165lbs. Would these improvements/adjustments better my ride? I need to have my forks serviced soon anyway SOooo...while they are off & all apart I would like to get it right, right away.

57442[/snapback]

You are probably fine with the stock springs, but I am sure the cartridge damping will help.

I think the biggest problem with the Marzocchis is that the high speed damping is too stiff.

Do the Marzocchis in our bike even have sprung valves to decrease high speed damping????

The Traxxion cartridges must, right?

[helicopterjim R.I.P.]

If I may ask, if the "$$ was well worth it"  ... you've described the "worth" but not how much equivalent $$ that represents 

How much did the work cost?

57356[/snapback]

.....and how much do you weigh?

[dlaing]

.....and how much do you weigh?

57663[/snapback]

Phil wrote that he weighs 230 pounds.

Oh, and back to Richard, while the stock spring rate may be fine, Traxxion claims to sell very high quality springs that would likely be lighter.

To see if you need a different spring rate, you need to measure your free and static sag.

Also, tie a zip tie around the fork and do a aggressive stop. If the tie gets pushed all the way down, you probably need a firmer spring.

If you don't have the money for Traxxion, a lot of people seem to do better, just adding bigger spring spacers(really easy) and going to a lighter weight fork oil.

I theorize that if you add just a little more preload in the rebound side, it will balance out the compressive forces on the compression side. But too much could be a bad thing.

Suspension specialists regularly set up bikes with different rate springs in each fork.

I don't really like the idea, but I guess they know their stuff.