Springs vs. Dampening… a love story

[Mark DrinkwalterMember]

Spring vs Dampening… with thanks to Dr. Nick

I get lots of calls every day, people hating their suspension in some way and want springs to fix it, but have never considered a revalve. Here’s a brief explanation.

You need consider springs and dampening as two different characteristics; as individuals then as a harmonious congruence.

The springs are the easy part. They are only sensitive to how much weight is on them, the mass that they carry. It does not matter how quickly or slowly that are compressed, their rate does not change, like bouncing on a trampoline (for those that wonder which way to install a progressive springs that should have answered it for you – there isn’t a wrong way).

If you stand still, you make the trampoline sag (me more than others). If you jump then you only need to put energy into the down stroke, the energy stored in the springs provides the up lift. How high you jump depends on the energy you put in, the springs don’t change.

If you were heavier, it would be beneficial to run heavier springs as your mass pushes the trampoline down further. The further you push the trampoline down the more stored energy in the springs and the more force the springs provide, in a linear fashion.

In a motorcycle we change springs to suit your weight so they carry you and keep the suspension in the part of the stroke we want it to work in, so it’s not about being fast or slow, riding in the bush or MX.

Dampening is the characteristic that is sensitive to speed. Image standing in a pool. Is there any force on you when you stand still? No. what happens when you walk slowly? Some resistance, perhaps? Try running. Lots of resistance! It does not matter where you stop, as soon as you stop the force stops. So we say that dampening is sensitive to speed.

This is why we re-valve, changing valves and pistons, manipulating the dampening force so it’s soft where you like it to be on small bumps yet firm on bigger hits.

So I hope now that it’s crystal clear… two great things that go great together, springs and dampening; or peanut butter and chocolate, or single malt and a Cuban, or single malt and a petite Cuban samba dancer… but I digress.

ER

[ChrisMember]

Great write up mate…

If I send you my model year and make etc and the previous owners name would you be able to tell me what work was done.. When I bought the bike I was told Teknik’s did work on the front end..

Cheers…

[GregMember]

Thanks for that fast response Rudy (I pm’ed him last night requesting an easy to understand explanation of the importance of dampening in relation to springs)

Thanks mate take the rest of the day of with full pay

TB

[Mark BuntingMember]

I agree with Krusty….great post Evil.

Perhaps you could continue with some of the other elements to good suspension.

Kram

[PeterMember]

Great post, thanks Evil.

But how do you know if “suspension” eg springsdampening is setup wrong for you ?

Cheers.

[Mark DrinkwalterMember]

maybe, we switch accounting packages 3 years ago so anything before that is gone.

[Mark DrinkwalterMember]

Like most things in life, if it doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. Are you completely happy with all aspects of your suspension? Do you have any complaints about particularly trails or aspects of the action in differing terrain?

A good thing is if you can get a ride on a bike that’s been set up.

ER

[Adrian SnowdenMember]

OK. Ill admit it, I have no fn idea if I need suspension work on the mighty drz. Its front end has not been touched the rear has but it may just be the paint on the spring, but I asume that any weird feelings in cornering or lack of turning ability are related to my lack of skill. I will admit that my body is a bit bigger than average at 190cm and 105kg and yes the front tyre has met the mudguard on some steep high speed ruts. But how do I know the suspension will benefit from spending the equivilent of 25 cartons of beer or 60 good porno flicks on it when it may just be that I suck not the suspension?

[GregMember]

Snow ask the people that have had the their bikes done, better still ask the DR riders. And ask the ones that had it done properly not just springs. It’s costs, but ask micknmeld how much your skin is worth as he had a big moment that he admits he wouldn’t have rode out before he had his done. Organise a ride on Nickjs or Boulders at Wauchope, it’s as much for safety and enjoying your ride as it is for the extra pace you will gain safely

TB

[Adrian SnowdenMember]

Ill try it TB I just look at the $ involved and quiver in fright at the $ and how I justify it to the minister for finance when im cuting back on the quality of sewing machine thread to fund my bike fetish

[GregMember]

Yeah I hear ya mate, all you can do is give it a try I guess

TB

[Mark DrinkwalterMember]

Ok let me relay a story I got Monday.

One of our preferred tuners in Vic who uses our stuff pretty much exclusively did a similar weekend like we’re about to do in Yamba. He had five or six mates who all decided to get a range of WR/CRF-X/EXC bikes and started racing local enduros and a bit of MX etc. C grade nuffers. Couldn’t lube a chain let alone oil filters when they started – if you know what I mean.

They have local practice loop, bit of single, bit of grass track, few mx section with jumps – a few kays long. They all got properly sprung front and rear and got t-valve fork kits.

They all went 6 to 10 seconds a lap faster within three to four laps and that was using the DIY specifications in our instruction book. Now they have had the valving changed to an expert spec for the past few months and our tuner has come back to us asking for some of our in house specifications (a spec if our word for the shim stack set up) because they are blowing through the travel late in the stroke they have improved so much.

Now when you get to know me, you’ll realize I take all stories with a shaker of salt, not just a grain. But somewhere in there lies some truth. A bunch of guys are enjoying their riding more, motivated to ride even more and some are training, and two are moving up to expert supposedly for this enduro season. That is a win in any book.

Like I like to say – we’re happiness consultants. Riggs and Snowy if you trust us to do a job for you and you’re not happy, we’d keep working with you on your settings or even go so far as to re-do the job as many times as it takes until you ARE happy.

Failing that Snowy, if you still cant tell the difference, you do suck and I’ll trade you your bike for 50 cartons, a ballet tutu and a bag of cement so you can harden the $@#% up.

Peace love and moonbeams,
Rudy

[scott bockingMember]

Hey Snowy
Until you have ridden a bike that is set up for you it makes no sense. Some Japanese bloke has tuned your bike to the stock spec and packed it off to Aus. Do the tyres ever skip under braking? Does the front end chatter when you grab a handfull? Do you feel like your tyres struggle for traction or that sticks make your front end deflect yet jumps make it bottom out. I am average at best and have had no engine mods done on my little 250f but I did spend what it cost to have Tekniks dial my bike in and it has not only transformed my bike but it has improved my riding.
What price can you put on that?
STM

[Nick JacksonMember]

Hi Snowy
You’re welcome to ride my Drz at wauchope mate, we are similar size and although it won’t be a perfect set up for you , you will notice a huge improvement over stock. This may give you an idea of what potential your bike does have.

[ChrisMember]

After riding Dan (suttos) bike on the hampton ride, It would be money well spent for me, bike was a lot firmer, tracked a lot better especially the rear didn’t step out at all like mine does, front felt a lot firmer, especially coming into tight turns and out of turns basically dans bike just felt more “stable” and I felt like I could ride it faster but I was too paranoid about stacking it then I would have to pay for it. I would get get mine done now, only I will be replacing bike this year and until I can find out wether I can transfer shock etc to new one I’ll hold off.

Cheers
Chris.

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