Hello! Could anyone tell me the air gap measured with springs present for the adjustable Showas please? I was going to go for 5W for fast road riding...sound reasonable? Cheers Grant
Bump...could really do with some input, there is soooo much conflicting info on t' 'net. If it helps they are 43mm Showa GD131 Thx.
I know just what you mean about "conflicting info" . I have 43mm Showas on my bike although they may not be exactly the same as your's , so anything I say regarding tests and experiments relates directly to mine..... OK ? First off , the oil viscosity ..... stay with the 5w oil . You can dial-in extra resistance , but you can't dial it out if the oil is simply too thick ..... exactly the same as over-salting food during cooking . I searched for the oil that is recommended in the owners manual ..... Showa SS8 but it turned out to be unobtainium . So idiot boy here ordered some 8W hydraulic oil , and I might as well have put treacle in my forks ! Second point ..... the air space above the oil in the forks . Fairly crucial IMO , so I made a two-foot long dipstick that reached below the oil level but has a hacksaw mark for my ideal level , based on many road tests . I'm away from home right now , but get back to me if you want the measurements off that stick . Just for reference purposes , I do not pootle around back roads . I ride my bike fast and hard , and I thrash it like a cheap dog . Doh ! ..... look at what I've just written ..... now I'm going to get crucified by animal lovers !
Thanks for the reply oldtech, I'll go with what I've found and report back on my build thread regarding the 5W...I'm actually using "cSt @ 40C" as the variation is ridiculous across manufacturers..no sense of "norms" at all. Unfortunately I have never ridden this 900ssie before stripping back, but my carby 900ss is "firm" to say the very least. Just for reference for others searching: Carby: 900ss SHOWA GD011 SHOWA S.S8 or AGIP Fl - ATF. DEXRON (SS-8: 36.8cSt @ 40C) 439 ml (each fork leg) Standard oil level/air gap: 108 mm Everyone says this is too thick and to drop down to 5W (though the variation in 5W means that this doesn't really mean anything) Injection: 900ssie SHOWA GD131 SHELL Advance Fork 7.5W (22cSt @ 40C) 531 ml (each fork leg) Standard oil level/air gap: 108 mm Other things currently considered, setting up one fork for compression and the other for rebound as the rebound adjuster compromises the compression circuit.
There is also the option of "roll-your-own " when it comes to customizing oil weight . For example - 500ml of 10w mixed with 500ml of 5w will give you one litre of 7.5w Shake well and drink ...... sorry , I meant to write "use" .... I've got beer on the brain at the moment , and the thirst is strong with this one ! . " Many people die of thirst , but only the Irish are born with one . " One of Milligan's I think ..... In terms of physics/chemistry it's fine . After all , it's exactly what manufacturers do when they offer a range of fork oils . ..... but just a thought ( ..... well several thoughts actually , but half were gibberish )
