EC250 Forks???

[darren]

Has any body had issues with forks on 1998 EC250.
The story is like this.
Have been practising on fields for a few months when 6 weeks ago the front end appeared really bouncy, i increased the compression and rebound settings which made it better. Then the same day same again happened.
I stripped the forks found no problems. Sent the forks to WP who serviced them finding no faults.

Back on the field the forks seemed no better i felt that this is just the way that they are so i will have to live with them.

Recently entered an enduro (1st one ever) the front end wouldnt turn in to tight corners I lost the front on two corners, the front end kept riding over the berms.

Is it me or do i have a problem if so where would it lie.

I have currently Marzzochi magnum 50mm forks on. I have purchased some 45mm magnums because i was informed that they were a better fork.

Any ideas would be much appreciated. I love the gas gas as it steers me away from them orange bikes.

 

[skid jackson]

have the forks been serviced lately??

 

[darren]

The forks were serviced after i had the problem but on refitting them it seemed that it had not cured the fault. I did wonder if it may be the rear shock at fault although all the settings seem to be working as they should.

 

[JoshP]

Sounds like your suspension front to back is really out of balance. If you rear is too hard or rebounding too quickly it will make it seem
as though your front has a hard time turning. Hence why it got a little better when you stiffened up the rebound and compression. I always get my front end to where i like it as far as compression / rebound and then I will sync the rear with the front end. When the bike is balanced you should be able to push down on the middle of the seat and the bike should push down evenly. You should try this prior to changing anything to see which end of your bike is causing the issue but it sounds like your rear. It's very common for a rear end issue to cause poor front end handling and seem like a front end issue. Hope it helps. Also you should make sure you sag is setup up properly along with the amount of rake you have on those front forks. In the future post your questions in the matching forum, you probably would get more response on this in the suspension section as to where not everyone will check out the U.K. section. Good luck with it.

 

[Cruiser]

Darren,,
I have the 45's on my 97,, keep your 50's! the 50's are better/stiffer in terms of flex. as posted before me balance of front to back will make your front end push out.. Do you have a manual for your 98? Mine for my 97 had some basic setup in it that covered the front end push and helped in seting that bike up.. Do you have your forks flush at the top or 5/10 mm showing,, also stock links? 124? And for too bouncy,, that would be more of a rebound issue.. When it happens is it over the same type of bumps,, can you dumplicate the bouncyness,, try running the clickers up a few clicks at a time then down a few clicks at a time going over the same obstacles over and over so you can see the difference in the setting.. Also double check your sag and preload of springs,, are they the right springs for your weight??

 

[darren]

Joshp and Cruiser thanks for your replys and information
I have no users manuals on this bike i would appreciate if any body has some info on the basic settings so i could start from a factory setting.
I did check the sag on the bike when i first got it and it appeared perfect 100mm.
I have noticed that the spring preload is set with a lot of tension as there is at least 3-4 inches of thread showing above the lock nut. Am i right in assuming there should be between 8-10mm preload from the distance the nut takes the slack on the spring.

 

[darren]

I also meant to say i did also post this inthe suspension technical forum but have had no replys/?

 

[Cruiser]

I'll see if I can find my owners manual and scan/post it up here..

 

[Cruiser]

Also,, you should check your static sag in relation to your sag, it helps determine if the springs are the correct rate..

 

[darren]

Thanks cruiser.

Regards to the static sag the rear olins has the preload set well down the thread there is probably nearly three inches of thread showing from the top of the lock nut, that is also another setting i wish to get adjusted correctly do you know how much preload to put on the spring i read somewhere to preload the spring by 8 - 10mm.
All your help is appreciated thankyou
darren

 

[Cruiser]

I'm still trying to find my manuals,, I also have a book on tunning the suspension somewhere.. Tho it sounds like too light a spring,, cranked way down to the right sag.. might be throwing everything off.. Whats your weight and what springs are on yours?? fr & r??

 

[darren]

The spring fitted to the rear ohlins has some numbers on it but i dont really know what they mean. they are 596-09/05 088 I weigh Just under 12 stone.

 

[Cruiser]

Stones?? Like big boulders or small roller rocks? LOL I dont really get the euro type weight references,, I went with a 5.4 rear and rather heavy front in my 97.. Got them off?? GMP? maybe.. The stock spring is a >.40 front and 4.6 on the rear? and was way way soft for me,, and that was when I was around 160-180 lbs.. I guess with gear probably close to 200lbs.. I'll go thru my box and see the # on the factory spring.. How tall and rough build as I have no clue what stones=lbs.

 

[darren]

I am told 14lb to 1stone so that makes me 168lbs not far away from you.

My front forks i believe are stock springs

 

[Cruiser]

Ok,, That would be what I weighed when I rode that bike regularly.. I've put on a few to say the least.. I'll get the #'s for you..
Steve

 

[JoshP]

Sorry brother been away from the forum so I haven't posted anything.
I have nothing for you now but will look for my manual at home but I'm
still laughing at the stones comment from Cruiser. I'm running .42kg's up front right now since I'm at 13.5 stones give or take a pebble with no gear and need to check on the rear when I get home as well. Like Cruiser stated that rear sounds a little tight on the spring and if it's rebounding too quick would give you that bucking bronco feel when corning. As a quick test slow your rebound down almost too much and see if there is any change in the handle.
You need that rear dailed in before you want to touch the front. I beleive in my manual it states to start with the 8 - 10 mm on preload and adjust from there but if you are far off from that it couldn't be a bad starting point.
Good Luck, I will take a look tonight.

 

[darren]

Thanks for that. I have been looking at some posted pictures in the gallery and came across an ohlins shock. it looked like the spring was nearer the half way notch in the thread rather than like mine which is wound fairly way down the thread. I have the shock off at the mo as i have replaced the swinging arm bearings. I wound off the preload on the shock and wound it back down to 13 mm. I think i will start again back to 8-10 as you stated.

Does any one know what the numbers on the shock mean?

Also setting the static sag looks like a time consuming task. I take it i have to set the shock then put all the sub frame etc back to gether measure up and if i need to readjust, remove subframe again adjust ?? and so forth.??

Im off out on a practice track this weekend so once every thing is set i will make a few minor adjustments and see what happens.

It would be helpful if anybody has the basic settings for the R&C for the forks and shock.

I may even drop a few pebbles for good luck!!!

 

[darren]

Back to the forks

Since i had issues with my 50mm magnums last year (in the end i set every thing to baseline settings and the bike seemed perfect)

I had been practising on endo practice tracks and fields mostly flat stuff.

At the weekend i found some land where someone had made some jumps and table tops.

My problem now is that each jump (no down side ) flat landing. The forks bottom out big time, so much that it spat me off as i landed forks bottomed rebounded up as i accelerated really big off.

I know the forks are very basic compared to todays standards.

I did increase the compression and rebound by 3 clicks which greatly inproved cornering but did nothing whilst landing.

fork oil height is 140mm est.

On the compression fork i know the free bleed is excessive it does nothin for the first 3inches of compression.

I am currently looking for replacement forks (later model) if any one has any for sale,
Other than that if i raise the oil height would that help?

I know the bike is not made for motocross but it should cope with the odd jump or two.

Any help would be appreciated.
thanks
darren

 

[darren]

I meant to say also same day i rode mates YZ250 same track jumps etc and it soaked up all the landings perfect, even the buff ones!!!