Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone has any ideas about adjusting the front suspension on my bike.

I have a little Gilera DNA 125 (which I've been riding for approx 1.5 years and I'll be keeping until I've passed my Direct Access).
I've adjusted the rear shocks to their firmest setting because when I was cornering it felt like the bike was sliding as the shocks squished. This feels fine now and I can get the bike much lower in corners but the front suspension doesn't seem to have any option to adjust how firm it is.

I'm just wondering if anyone has any ideas as it also feels like it's sliding and it's preventing me getting any lower in corners.

Cheers!

Dave

Braver man than me then...  :blush:

However, I've been told (I have the same problem on the Bandit, nice new Hagon on the back but no adjustment on the front) that the options is a progressive spring thingy (around £40 apparently) or you can try changing the oil to a thicker one... or a thinner one I can't recall.

A biking God (you know who I mean ) will be along shortly to make sense of my inanity

Welcome BlackObsidian,

I think the only way to get the suspension a bit firmer, is to change the grade of oil. Devilpaint did a post a while back about suspension. It might be worth while having a read of it. What he basically said, was that firmness was not always the best. There still needs to be some give in there to soak up the bumps. I'll see if I can find it.

You must mean me then.  :cool:


What do you mean, 'No', ya cheeky beggar.  :laughcont:

DP's thread.

http://www.ukbikeforum.co.uk/cgi-bin....pension

Cheers guys, I know I can always just "push it" to see how far the forks squidge on a corner (which I've done in very small nudges) but I don't wanna push it to the point I find myself sliding along on my side 'cos the forks feel like they're squishing when it's actually the tires sliding... hehe

I think if I'd figured that the bike would be 80% moped and 20% bike I'd have saved a little extra and gone for a "proper" bike and hence wouldn't have this agro. Live and learn though as they say.

I have a spare set of forks from an accident I had last year which I'm keeping until it gets to court but I can have a look at them to see about how I'd adjust bits and pieces.

Also any suggestions on re-spraying plastic bodywork? All fairing and panels are plastic on the bike and I took off the shoddy "DNA" stickers a few weeks back and pulled some paint off to the panel itself so I'm gonna take the opportunity to re-spray the whole lot.

Thanks again, I'm sure I'll carry on posting crap here from now on... hehe

Dave

You won't feel alone on here.  :O  :laughcont:

DP is also our resident painter of dubious coloured motorcycles. He might be able to pass on some tips.


I've never seen a Gilera DNA done in flip flop.  :O

Okies great, I'll stick another post up in the relevant forum.

Cheers again, Much appreciated!

Dave

and another Dave joins ffs.
How manys that now i'm losing count?  :laughcont:

you do realise you're gonna get called b.o. dont you?
Anyway, you could try a heavier grade fork oil to help "stiffen" the front end-but as you recognise -its more moped than bike so dont expect miracles.
be sure you use fork oil & not just any old multigrade mind.
have you considered it might just be the tyres giving you the impression the front ends going sideways?
As a DSA Instructor my advice would be to save your cash & do your direct access asap-then you can buy a bike that you can tinker with to your hearts desire