Andreani Cartridges Facts, Reviews, Install, and Comparison

Took the bike out Sunday in the warm weather.

I found the ride to be pretty rough with the new setup.

Dampening is set in the middle, 5 turns out from seated. Compression and rebound are also set in the middle, 2 turns out from seated.

I changed the compression to 4 turns from seated, hoping that helps things otherwise i'll pull the forks and ship them to Fastbike so they can make sure everything is installed correctly although from talking to them, I believe I set it up properly.

I also turned down the dampening in the rear shock from full to a few turns in, I know that can play a part in the feel of the front suspension as well.

If it wasn't crappy out today, I'd go see how that feels.

When I did the initial sag settings for the cartridges, I followed the Ohlins formula. I ended up dialing in a lot more preload than I expected to get to the numbers they recommended. Once that was set, it took about 1.5 turns of rebound and compression to start to get things feeling like it was getting dialed in. My testing so far has only been on several mile loop of dirt roads with some normal potholes, washboard, etc. It's at the point now where it feels much improved and probably still could use some fine tuning with more testing in new environments.

BigBrian was your Spring Preload 5 turns out or Damping. You stated that you rebound and compression were two turns out and those two are your damping control. They determine how fast your spring moves in either direction.
Should have your Sag checked. A lot of times that can be adjusted with preload before having to switch spring rates. Your looking for about 30% race sag. You can also check static sag. I forgot the spec for that.

Note: with ESA need the ignition on I believe. I know 1200’s go stiff when the ignition is turned off.

What would be a good rear shock to match up with the Andreani Cartridges?

Thanks for the advice. I reset the compression & rebound to 2 turns in from all the way out (zero) and I moved my preload to 4 turns in from all the way out (zero). And of course now they decided to cover the roads in brine & salt so I can't go out and ride and see what difference things have made.

I will be adjusting the sag tonight, let's see if that helps.

Usually takes two people to measure sag, three would be best. You on the bike and one buddy holding it upright while third performs the measurements

Had a buddy come over and give me a hand with setting sag last night. We got it dialed in as best we could. Target of 30% was 69mm. With the preload cranked all the way up on the rear shock (with a progressive spring) and my fat ass on it, the closest we could get is 64mm.

Close enough I guess

Is that 64mm compresses from full extension? If so you can pull some preload out to achieve 69mm.

I realized I wrote that backwards. 69mm is the goal, I could only get to 64mm.

if youve got a progressive spring id be happy at that, the intitial bit will be softer anyway

Yeah I'm pretty happy with the rear but I cannot get the front dialed in at all.

Why what have you got ?

I have the Andreani cartridges. They feel so harsh over bumps despite playing with the preload, compression & rebound.

how much sag have you got.

What oil height did you have compressed with no springs.

what weight oil did you use

I set the rear to around 30%. I need to set the front but I was unable to find numbers.

Oil is set at 90mm from the top as per Andreani. I used BelRay 5wt full synthetic as per FastBike's recommendation.

numbers ?, 30% is your target

i thought oil height was 65mm on them ?

just put a cable tie around leg, get front wheel off ground and set cable tie up top, gently get bike back on ground, gently sit on it with your gear on and get your feet to compress, back up on the stand to get front off ground and measure your cable tie to fork seal

I'll play with the preload until I get to 30%

I called FastBike and they also echo'd the 90mm with the spring installed.

mine came with andreani instructions, no spring, sure it was 65mm

even my ohlins are set with no spring

Mine are the offroad cartridges with the spring at the bottom of the fork

This morning I pulled the forks off the bike and completely disassembled them.

Come Monday I am going to get on the phone with FastBike and confirm with them that I did indeed install these correctly.

I am heading to March Moto Madness in TN in 16 days and have a lot of work to do yet!

I am feeling the pressure...