The link is to a company in Chico, CA A Main Hobbies 424 Otterson Drive Chico, CA 95928 USA 1-800-705-2215 (Toll-Free) 1-530-894-0797 (International or Local)
Interesting, A-Main does radio controlled cars/planes/helicopters,etc. Ive heard their online biz did almost 2 million on Black Friday. Ive never been in to check it out.
Do you mean static sag? Like with no rider on the bike? 75mm seems quite a bit for the forks without rider on board. As a rough guide, your rear race sag (rider on board) should be in the 100mm to 105mm range. This is sort of industry standard for dirt/dual sport bikes. What weight fork oil is in there? Lots of guys go with heavier fork oil as a cheap (and dumb) way to firm up the front forks. You should have 5 wt. So, that could be part of the reason for firmness up front. Only Rick (Cogent) would know how the DDC valves affect spring rate and firmness. Stock DR650 Spring Rates: Stock Fork Springs: .40 kgs. Stock Shock Spring: . 6.5 kgs. I would talk to Rick about what rates he recommends with his DDC valves to work with your weight. As a guide, I'm just under 200 lbs. I have Eibach straight rate fork springs: .47 kgs. (with Race Tech Emulators), 5 wt. oil at standard height. Before I got my Ohlins shock I ran a 7.6 kg. shock spring with stock rear shock. It was OK, even on a loaded bike. But lack of rebound made it untenable. The Ohlins solved all that. Yes, there is an imbalance front to back. I'm guessing you've got the stock progressive springs in your forks, and stock steel spacers. But what oil? Once again, talk to Rick and get proper springs for your weight/use. I'm guessing .50 kg. fork springs with the DDC valves and 5 wt. oil. You can experiment with oil level to fine tune. It does make a difference. Try to use the same "test track" to test out changes ... and make notes as you go and note every change you make. If not ... you will end up chasing your tail forever. (don't ask me how I figured this one out!)
The other company the distributor pointed me to is in Dupont PA, but they are closed on Wednesday and I couldn't find it on their web site, so I'm waiting to confirm availability with them. Cycle Playground 343 Main St Dupont PA 18641
My Friend Ivan (Motorrad unlimited) was the east coast distributor for a while (hence, our using the products in our suspension). I agree, I think procycle should get on it ;-)
Wish I could work with ya - I would love to learn the machining business. Anyway, looks good as long as we get a few color choices beyond orange, lol. But, erm... I know we're not KLR riders, but do try to keep that price down for us common folk, would ya?
No By dynamic sag I am refering to wht you call race sag (with the rider on board fully geared, as opposed to the forks/shock fully extended) I generaly only check static sag after I have the correct dynamic/race sag. before disasembly I cannot confirm what fork oil was used (it was red) after installing the DDC I used the 5wt fork oil recomended by Rick. Only Rick (Cogent) would know how the DDC valves affect spring rate and firmness. Stock DR650 Spring Rates: Stock Fork Springs: .40 kgs. Stock Shock Spring: . 6.5 kgs. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o> I've been communicating with rick via email and he has suggested I check for binding. If my fork springs are original than the recommended fork springs would be an even higher rate, and would be a step in the wrong direction for what I am looking for from my front suspension. The information Im looking for now, is weather 75mm of race sag with completely stock forks sounds normal? This strikes me as odd, especially considering my weight (240#) and how soft the rear spring was.<o></o>
Great! I've been thinking about replacing the cheesy stock pegs. I'm 200 lbs and the stock ones look like they might break if I stand on them to much.
I actualy pulled off the better looking grippier pegs that came with my pro-cycle lowered bracket and reinstalled the stock pegs with a 8mm spacer (a conveniently sized nut) this effectively moved the peg 4mm farther down and 4mm back. It sounds like a small change, but the difference is noticeable, and I can more comfortably stand and it's easier to get my boot under the shifter in its new lower position now.
Lots of good reasons to replace your pegs but..........I've never heard of anyone breaking the stock pegs. ............shu
NO, 100-105 mm for dirt bikes with 300 mm travel maybe. Too much for a DR and 90 mm max I reckon. 85 mm is good, with 20-25 mm static. The rule of thumb is, and has been for ever AFAIK is 10% static and 30-33% laden. That's % of available travel. Fine tune that for load variations and links if you have them.
Beautiful! Ya'll sure make some sweet products. I'll be in the market for a 950 soon. Can't wait to see what you've fabricated for the Giant Pumpkins....
Right you are! What is your explanation for the excessive static rear sag on a stock DR650? I've never quite figured that out. Someone from Suzuki claimed it was due to the link design. What are your thoughts? Those are very good rough percentages to start with, spot on.
Agree. Pretty. That's some nice work there. I'm always in awe of the beauty of machine work. This craft took the USA to the moon and back. It's sad that we're now tolling out everything to China / India / Dumfukistan, sacrificing quality for price and disposability. Then again - does a hammer need 0.1mm tolerances ? More power to ya' in your endeavors. (and lose the orange... ).
Usually you set the race sag and if your static sag isn't right, you have the wrong spring. Adjust accordingly. After setting race/rider sag if your static sag is too little, you need a heavier spring. Sounds counter intuitive, but if you reason it out, you'll come to the same conclusion In other words if you have to crank in way far to get the correct race sag. your bike won't settle the right amount when you aren't on it. With a heavier spring you don't have to crank in as much preload and the bike will settle farther, as long as it isn't too heavy..