Hard suspension on front when braking

[valhalla]

Hi one and all,
Has anyone had problems with with very hard suspension when braking with the XVZ1300 with electronic anti dive fitted . A good tip is to change the front fork oil to a 30w grade oil fit progessive springs and disconnect the electronic anti dive plugs just under the the headlight and fairing . You will find you have a different bike to ride fron then on as it will give you much better cornering and handling. I have done this to my machine after reading it in a magazing . Acompleatly different bike to ride after.

[winghunter]

LAst year winter, I replaced the front springs. I removed the "Progressive" springs into springs from Wilbers - much stronger. I cleaned the anti dive system - you have to do that - you will be surprised how dirty that system is in our old bikes !
Now I ride the bike without air in the front, but I am still using the anti dive without problems.

This year winter time I will replace the poor bad item on the bike. I will replace the rear fork and install a system from Wilbers as well.

Valhalla, take a look at the thread : winterwork
There you will find all changes I have done on the Venture last year.

[Falko]

btw.: the new springs from Wilbers are progressive ones too !

[winghunter]

Falko, I already knew that before, because I removed the progressive springs from "Progressive" ;D ;D ;D

Wilbers springs are much stronger than the progressive springs from the US manufacturer "Progressive". That is the reason why I do not ride any longer with air in the front.

[Falko]

dont get me wrong but how old have the ones from progressive been ?
they where in the bike when you bought it...?
how much miles ?
even progressive springs wore out

and what is stronger ? thicker metal ? more rounds ? other shape ? other style ?
there are lots of differences to watch when comparing them...

[winghunter]

The "old" ones from "Progressive" are 2 years old. I listed them up already for our members, but noone was interested in it

The new ones from Wilbers are much thicker and have less rounds. That is a real good invest to get the Venture much more stable in the front !

For my new "winterwork" - yes there will be a new one ;D ;D ;D - I will replace the back suspension into Wilbers. It`s hell of expensieve but great. I will install a "gas shock absorber. And than guys I really elimated all worse parts on the Venture. Just watch the new winterwork thread. It will include some more work - like more lights in the back of my back, new paint, new sound system

It seems that I have to keep my Venture forever ! It came up already very expensieve

[Nacho]

You can bet that I will follow the new thread. If it is gonna be only half of interesting as the last year's, then it will be great to follow it and to learn how to play around with the bikes.

Don't forget to take lots of pictures!!!!

[dutch]

winghunter said:

For my new "winterwork" - yes there will be a new one ;D ;D ;D - I will replace the back suspension into Wilbers. It`s hell of expensieve but great. I will install a "gas shock absorber.

@winghunter: what can you tell me about the about the Wilber shock absorber? Been trying to find a good new shock for a Dutch rider, but it seems no manufacturer has the XVZ in the programme (or it is the new XVZ royal star). Even the Dutch Wilbers importer didn't know about a shock for the Venture.

Thanks, Dutch

[winghunter]

Hi Dutch,

if you have a first generation bike, for sure there are springs from wilbers available. They are real great. Much stronger than the stuff from "Progressive"
Not sure for the second generation.

I got the springs installed from my neighbour. Just contact him :

www.mg-tec-online.de

Any further question, just let me know.

[Falko]

just a note :

a spring is not a shock

( you have springs in the front forks , and there is a mono - shock in the rear ! but this shock for sure has a spring too ;-)) )

be sure what you are talking about

[dutch]

Thanks Falko,

You are absolutely right. Front springs is no problem, several manufacturers e.g. Technoflex have them in their programm. I do mean rear shock aborber (Federbein). Winghunter, if you have any info on a new shock (Federbein / Stoßdämpfer) for the 1st generation Venture this is most welcome.

Cheers, Dutch

[Falko]

i have a new progessive rear shock from progressive suspension bought and i`m lucky that i found that on ebay
a NOS item bought in australia ;-)) for a superb price
i know that a manufacturer from the netherlands had one too !
i can provide you with a phone number from wilbers ( the boss ;-)) )
maybe we can bring them to rebuild and setup a small line for us
if we collect enough orders !!!!
but be sure we wont get them cheaper then 1000 euros ( i think ! )

if anyone else is interested in a new progressive rear shock from wilbers
just post here !!!!!!!

[Nacho]

Hi Falko.

Would Wilbers build a progresive rear shock for the RSV? You know that we have lots of problems with our shocks.

Thanks for the info.

Best regards,

Nacho.

[dutch]

Hello Falco, Nacho,

I think it's better if I come out of the closet ;D. As I wrote before I am looking for a shock for a Venture rider, not myself. I have a small internetshop in the Netherlands supplying parts for motorcycles and specialize on steel braided brake lines (Stahlflex Bremsleitungen), fork springs (Gabelfedern) and shock absorbers (Federbeine). You can find me at www.motorbazaar.nl

I cooperate a lot with Technoflex Suspension. For your information; Wilbers used to be their importer for Germany and appearantly still has the rights to the name 'Technoflex' in Germany. In Germany the Technoflex products are sold as TST (Technoflex Suspension Technology).

I have spoken to Technoflex and they are willing to develop a custom made shock for the early XVZ when they have an order for at least 3 shocks. And that certainly doesn't have to cost 1000 Euro, I can offer them to you for 399. The normal price would be 451, but when I can sell 3 at once, I can give a rebate

Not sure how I can organize ABE / Tüv for the German Venture riders, that would either have to go through TF's new German importer or via 'Einzelabname'. For countries where a new shock doesn't have to be included in the bikes documents, there is no problem at all.

Above mentioned 399 Euro is for an emulsion type shock. This one has rebound and spring preload adjustable and will be adjusted for rider weight, riding style and load (with/without passenger). TF can also produce an advanced type shock absorber with remote reservoir. This type also has compression damping (both high speed and low speed) adjustable and is the cream de la cream in suspension. Cost depends on details (reservoir on hose / piggyback etc) and will probably be around the 800 Euro mark. But then you'd have a shock that is better than those found on most new bikes

Hope we can keep this tread alive, not only business wise , but also because I have a weak spot for Yamaha's from the eighties (have 2 FZ750's myself).

Cheers, Dutch

[Falko]

so dutch you know which one i was talking about ;-))) the good one !!!

lets see i think that we can collect a lot of orders if we ask all clubs !!!

and i think that could be 20 of the cheap ones and 10 of the good ones !!!

just get a quote for that
get pictures and more info
and let us setup that big order !!!

also get a quote for the RSV please !!!
i think about 30 orders !!!

maybe more
cause thats just a part worth to put money into !!!!!!

[dutch]

Hello Falko,

Thanks for your enthousiastic respons. I was a bit afraid it would be seen as spam, but IMHO this is something we can all profit from, the Venture riders with a greatly improved bike (I do know what I'm talking about, 1 FZ has a TF shock, the other still an original oldie, the difference between the two bikes is amazing) and me with a bit turn-over

Second, I only sell good shocks and very good shocks

Do you know if there is a difference in shock between the 1200 and 1300 or is it only the engine capacity that got enlarged?

I would need a volunteer who would be able to park his/her bike at Technoflex in Schijndel NL for a few days so they can take measurments and test the shock. That would also make clear if the advanced would be of the type remote reservoir on hose or piggy back reservoir (the latter being a bit more expensive construction wise).

As for RSV, the only one that springs to mind is the Aprilia RSV 1000 Mille. Edit, penny just dropped: Royal Star Venture. I happen to have one Emulsion type shock available on sale. For 399 Euro it's yours and it comes with full 5 year warranty.

Normally this is quite an expensive shock (508,75) but I can give a rebate on that. Fully adjustable advanced I'd have to inquire with Technoflex

Regards,
Noud 'Dutch' Urselmann
www.motorbazaar.nl

[bunnie]

nacho said:

You know that we have lots of problems with our shocks.

Do we? Nice to know. What kind are they then?

[Nacho]

Yes Bunnie. Somebody told me something about some problems with the rear shocks. ;D ;D ;D

I wonder what kind of problems they are talking about.

Anyway. I have a very long story to tell about Technoflex and the "lovely Alice".

But I may need several threads to explain the whole thing properly and I just need some time to do it. Right now I don't have that time and I don't know if making public my thoughts about them may be good for them and for me.

Please allow me this weekend to think about it. Let's see how I feel about it on Monday.

Anyway.

Best regards to all and have a nice weekend.

Nacho.

[dutch]

bunnie said:

nacho said:

You know that we have lots of problems with our shocks.

Do we? Nice to know. What kind are they then?

Must say I'm also interested to find out if their is another problem apart from availability. My search for my Dutch client learned me it is very difficult / not possible to find a new and technologycal up to date shock for the Venture. However when we get a few orders together this problem is solved.

Have a good weekend, Dutch