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Another braking thread: re-learning braking limits after suspension change

zixaq

zixaq

New member
Joined
Oct 3, 2015
Location
San Francisco
Moto(s)
FZ6
Name
Scott
Long story short: I stiffened my suspension and now something is chattering/stuttering under hard braking now. Trying to figure out if it's normal, user error, or suspension adjustment problem.

Long story long: My FZ6 was diving WAY too much under hard braking (stoppies all day erry day) with stock setup. I replaced the front fork springs and oil and brought the oil level up quite a bit (10mm less air gap). It doesn't dive anymore; in fact, the rear rarely ever comes up. The limit now is that if I get on the brakes hard, there is this shudder/chatter thing that happens on the front. I can't tell whether the front wheel is doing some slide-grab-slide thing, or if it's the pads slipping on the rotor, but I'm not a huge fan of the feeling. It doesn't feel like I should be at the traction limit of my tire when it happens.

A) Any idea what I'm talking about and exactly what it is?
B) Is this caused by too little air gap in suspension, or by some dumbass newbie riding mistake?
 
If you got the spring rate and sag correct I'd suspect you may have enough extra oil to cause a hydraulic lock when the fork is compressed. Remove some oil and try it again.
 
a 10mm change in air gap isnt a big change. but i probably would have gone the other way. if your springrate is closer to ideal for your weight and riding style, u might not need the oil level as high as OEM.

btw, springs and oil control how FAR the forks dive under braking. but a lot of the sensation of dive and how easily the rear tire comes up is produced by how FAST the forks dive. thats controlled by compression damping. springs and oil barely change how fast the suspension moves. too little damping can cause some shuddering feelings through the bars. uve got all that energy stored in the springs when on the brakes. but the brakes, tire, and road arent perfect, so it will oscillate. without enough damping, ull feel it.
 
I'll try pulling some oil. Thanks.

Unfortunately, my damping isn't adjustable. Shitty damping rod forks, and the higher spring rates kind of exacerbate the problem.
 
not necessarily solving the problem with the chattering under braking, but you can do a fork swap with a 2003/2004 R6 front end if you want adjustable suspension (if it's worth the money to you)
 
zixaq said:
I'll try pulling some oil. Thanks.

Unfortunately, my damping isn't adjustable. Shitty damping rod forks, and the higher spring rates kind of exacerbate the problem.
Click to expand...

of course u can adjust the damping. u just can do it with only a screwdriver.

talk to a suspension pro about it and your specific bike. im sure they can recommend something thatll feel A LOT better.
 
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