I want to upgrade the front suspension a bit i.e on a budget. Has anyone tried the hyperpro kit using different springs and oil? Thanks Andrew
Hi, I put Öhlins front (spring kit) and rear (shock). TBH, although it looks prettier it's not a night / day transformation. Getting the weight -matched spring from Hyperpro and changing the front oil (for lighter - Putoline is good), and dropping the forks 4mm through the yokes should deliver as good an improvement. Seat upgrade more worthwhile than suspension upgrade IMO. I got a Sargeant and it's great. No complaints.
Thanks I appreciate comments, I am considering chopping 3/4 inch off the right preload tube as described on US site
Check in with someone who knows what they're doing on that. My suspension science isn't good enough to tell you whether that'll help or bugger the job completely. Jonathan at Kais Suspension knows these quite well, and I'm sure would be a good person to ask.
ha ha will do, to me all this does is reduce the amount of preload on the spring which can't be all bad eh. Ironically my other bike, a 1988 K100RT has a pathetic soggy front end which I am trying to sort out!!
I cut 15mm off right preload tube and it works a treat, then pull your fork tubes through 4/6 mm of black tube showing, happy days.
I guess you’re finding the front suspension a bit harsh?, flat bars helped with mine, I think it’s because it puts a bit more weight on the forks due to bringing your body weight forward, or maybe the original chopper style bars exaggerate the impacts?, who knows but mine definitely feels comfier to me, also it takes a bit of weight off your sit bones making the pathetic scrambler seat a bit more comfortable
Great!! Still not done mine but will do soon. Was it hard to undo the fork nut at the top, some say it can chew up if not careful>
Yes the forks are horrible, already have flat bars and fitted a Sergeant seat which is great. I will do the preload tube mod before riding this summer !!
yes, be very careful, buy yourself a plastic fork cap spanner , made from a special hardened plastic the fork caps are made of really soft aluminium.
Alternatively you can wrap the fork tops with electrical tape and use a good quality single hex socket.
Having trouble removing fork cap, fully unscrewed but wont budge. Is suction holding it in place or is it connected in some other way to fork internals. I haven't removed fork, just moved handlebars and speedo aside? Thanks
It is held on with a nut. You need to insert a flat spanner between the spring to hold the nut while you unscrew the cap. Bit fiddly, need the front lifted.
Just answered my own question. Forgot I bought a Haynes manual doh. Fork out so I can slide down the outer tube. Will start again after I have refitted speedo and handlebars and worked out how to raise front of bike securely!!!
All done and noticed the difference on a short test ride this morning (snowing now). Just what I wanted, softening that choppy front end. As James May would comment, once again the ride is ruined by being tested at the Nurburgring! And all done for free. Well ok I spent £300 on a Sargeant seat too. Thanks as ever for helpful replies. Keep safe.
Yes it’s annoying that Ducati put the bike out with a basically unusable seat and overly harsh front suspension, given the amount of dev hours they will have done they must’ve known, on my test ride I immediately noticed the front but decided I’d sort it myself, the seat became apparent as a problem on my first long ride, sorted by buying the leather seat from the italia and removing the tool recess from the seat pan, I recently got a Triumph Thruxton 1200, all day comfortable seat and plush suspension as standard, Ducati take note!
