Sports: Re: [DucatiST] DC but not ST

--- In st2_owners@yahoogroups.com, Jan Wysocki <st@...> wrote:
>> Nick, you didn't get any advice!
>
> Changing the grade of the oil in your forks will have an equal effect
> on the compression and rebound damping. Only changing the spring will
> change the travel for a given load. If you've got 50mm forks, I have a
> pair of Marzocchi forks, with rebound adjustment that you could borrow,
> to try and maybe buy. They're from an M900 "dark".
>
> I had my rear shock absorber rebuilt at 55,000 miles. That made a big
> difference to the ride as it had lost a lot of compression damping.
> Now, with another 37,000 miles covered, it's feeling tired again.
> I don't know whether to get it rebuilt again, as I'm tempted to get
> one with an external preload adjuster (probably a Hagon since an Ohlins
> would probably cost as much as the Monster is worth)! A rebuild would
> certainly be softer on the wallet.
>
> Talking of Hagon, you could buy Hagon progressive springs for your forks
> for GBP 80. They will certainly be lighter at small loads.
> See http://www.hagon-shocks.co.uk/
>
>
> --
> Jan
> On the road:'03 ST4s ABS (since April 2010), '99 M900 (since new)
> Languishing: 'Guzzi V50 III & that legend of unreliability: a Lario!
> Norwich, UK
>

Thanks Jan; no, I didn't get a lot of help but I consulted Darren at MCT suspension specialists in Stowmarket. Naturally, they like Ohlins and the other techno-shocks, but are realistic about customer's requirements and budgets. Darren said he could strip and do some mods to the OEM shock for maybe £150, but I've opted for his very strong recommendation; a custom-specc'd basic Wilbers. He speaks highly of their suitability, performance and resale value if I come to sell the bike, and the price is just about affordable at £400. The fork he sees as no problem, given some progressive springs and tweaking the oil and level, but thanks for the offer of the 900 parts. Mine is the single disc 750, and I actually prefer it that way! Once Darren has waived his magic wand over it (as he did with the ST4), hopefully I won't need adjustability.

Personally, I've gone right off Hagon shocks, as the internal friction of their twin-shocks, at least from new, is so high that they are hopeless. I've wasted money on them for the Sachs, so will not fall into the trap of paying a meagre £250 for a Hagon Monster monoshock, only to find it isn't an improvement.

Currently, the little Monster is with Carl for a valve check, plus I've asked him to trace an unpleasant noise coming from the wet clutch. I really like the bike, but it's taking some time and money to refine it....

Nick, UK