Supension setup after swapping front and rear end

[Cozzy]

I just put the bandit 400 front end and rear swing arm, with a piggy back suspension, on the gs500. I measured the distance between the sub frame reference point and the orginal swing arm and used that meaurnment to set up the new swing arm, am I using the right method?? If not how can I set the suspension correctly?
Also, I have no ideal about setting up the front, any advice welcome

[Danny500]

You should have recorded some numbers from your stock setup and applied those to the new setup.

Measuring from the axle to the same reference point and comparing the numbers on bike/rider sag.

Otherwise you're kinda shooting in the dark on a reference point.

Dan

[Cozzy]

so I am heading for the right track for the rear, somehow, as the bike was an accident repair the orginal fork were quite bent, therefore, I can get any measuremnt for the front, can I  work it out from the rear.......

Also, how to determine the right sag?

[Danny500]

I just got some info about my sonic springs and setting up the suspension.

Here are the things you want to look for:


1. Rebound/Dampening: When you pump or apply pressure to the shock to simulate a bump it should go down smoothly, come up smoothly (a tad slower than it went down) and stop. It should not bounce bottom out or come up too fast/slow. The ways to adjust this are via oil level and spacers for pre-load. (do a search)

Get the shocks working properly for your weight first before you attempt to adjust the actual sag. Normally if you do this you'll be within your sag limits or very very close to them.

2. Sag: 30-35mm in the front AND rear. Stock bike, you may need to add a 20-25mm spacer to the front springs. The easiest way to do it is to put a zip tie around the fork leg and push it down to the fork seal, then sit on the bike and push down on the forks allowing them to come up slowly while holding on the front brake. Then let it settle. While you're settled push the zip tie back down to the seal. Now, get off, (carefully to not move the tie) and then jack up the front end... measure the distance between the suspension completely extended and the zip tie... that's your sag. You can do this with a tape measure or calipers, doesn't matter. But that's it... now just work with spacers to get your desired sag.

Depending on the rear (assuming you're using the bandit shock) you'll have to adjust pre-load to adjust sag. I'm guessing if it's a standard 7-8 way adjustable you can just click it up one at a time until you're within limits. You'll use the same push down allow to rise slowly method and then allow the bike to settle, but this time you'll need a buddy or two to help. With your weight ON the bike they need to measure from a pre-determined point on the tail down to the rear axle. Record that measurement... call it L2. Now, get off the bike, kick up the center stand and let it sit on the front tire (rear tire off the ground). Measure from the SAME point on the tail down to the axle... record number as L1. L1 - L2 = Sag. Click up the suspension and repeat.


Sorry I didn't quite read your original post correctly... Sounds like you've got everything square if you went off stock measurements. Regardless, you just want to match up front and rear so you're not diving or squatting during riding.

The gentleman from SonicSprings.com actually sent me this link to help setup the front end.. but all of their steps require slightly different measurements and at least 1 friend for both front and rear.

http://www.sonicsprings.com/catalog/setting_sag_street_tech_article.php

good luck. 

Dan