suspension upgrade

so, i've had permission from the keeper of the public purse to spend some money on hyperpros and yss shocks, so if anyone has either of these and not intending to fit them, let me know. otherwise it's a trip to brooks barn down the road from me. a bit more expensive than ebay but i like to support local.

Putting 15w fork oil in the front works pretty well.

If the purse does not open so far.

Or if you do go for the YSS shocks the topline with the damping adjustment are much better.

Around £300 ish, if you can.

Personally I`d go with 15w and put the spring cash towards the rebound version ( topline ).

Also you will see elsewhere re the softer spring you can get for more 1 up ridng for them. ( around £46 delievered ).

Good shocks.

Hope it goes well.

Having tried the various suspension mods listed on this forum over time I just wanted to give my input on the subject as to the best use of a budget to tackle handling.

Just changing the oil viscosity in the front forks is not going to change the appalling row boat effect and diving of over soft spring rates of the font forks, added to Hondas cheap skate effect of using a 3" spacer to make up for lack of total spring length. Using the mod of replacing the spacer with the rebound spring will also neutralise any progressive spring action of the main springs.
To that end I strongly recommend the use of Hyperpro replacement springs, which also come with 20w oil as standard and no spacer required(full length springs). You will notice a big difference!
As to the rear set up I have found the YSS eco range plenty good enough for the job once you find your sweet spot on the pre-load adjustment( for me it was adding an extra 30mm to the stock pre-load setting of the YSS shocks)damping adjustments are for track bikes in reality, not a mobile arm chair.
I have been running this set up for 6 months now without feeling the need to try anything else and a couple of friends who have tried the before and after say I have nailed it!
Unfortunately because of the age of these scooters now the only real answer is to address both front and back at the same time.

Hope this helps others to decided and anyone is welcome to PM me if you have questions.

Be safe, be seen!

There are other spring options out there. Race Tech offers different rate springs based on rider weight and riding style they are not a progressive rate like HyperPro but need no spacers to set proper sag at with Gold Valves installed.  

These are the best way to improve the fork on SW not perfect on this short fork but make a huge improvement with the right oil.


Fork oil is hard to say one 15W is another company's 20W very subjective.

+1 for Race Tech, they made a huge difference in both my old Ninja and my Seca. Haven't done anything with the Silverwing yet, but I'd probably have looked at a Race Tech setup.

Question for JohnyC
I have just fitted a pair of YSS Ecoline shocks and the first ride , at the as supplied settings, seemed fairly harsh.
As a lot of our rides are 2 up, I want to shift the adjusters for a more comfortable ride.
You mentioned adding 30mm to the as supplied setting, was this by tightening the adjuster down wards or raising it ?
Thanks

Hi Stuart.
As you look at the shock on the bike, winding the pre-set ring down further onto the spring will increase the stiffness, winding it up will reduce it.
There were 2 reasons for doing this, firstly it was replacing a Hagon shock which I consider well over sprung(but I do like a firm ride) and secondly the YSS shocks are 15mm shorter than stock which gave me an issue trying to place the swing on the centre stand because of lower ride height, so firming up the spring rate made it a lot easier to use the centre stand.
If you have done nothing to the front forks the back will feel very hard because the stock front springs are very wishy washy, row boat, pivoted from the back. Firm up the front to match the back will remove the row boat feel and absorb the rear harshness
Hope this helps.

Be safe, be seen!

Thanks for the info.
I am investigating the yss emulators and better springs for the front.
I fitted Hyperpros on my previous Swing. With the 20 w oil , seemed a bit too stiff, so exploring other options.?
The Hagons on my previous swing broke! Sent them back for a full refund.

JohnyC wrote:

the YSS shocks are 15mm shorter than stock which gave me an issue trying to place the swing on the centre stand because of lower ride height, so firming up the spring rate made it a lot easier to use the centre stand.

Ah.
I've taken to carrying a block of wood around under the seat to roll the back wheel up on so as I can then get it on the centre stand - an impossible task otherwise.

Has anyone fitted the Gold Valves ( emulators) to their Swing?
Is it a worthwhile mod?

I have and they make a great improvement to the fork, but you should have the proper springs and find a good fork oil that flows in the normal temps you ride at.

Installed this Spring rebuilt forks new bushings, seals etc. At 30K fork bushings were like new but it's been serviced once before was running HyperPro springs and Torco RFF 15W oil. I like this RFF oil but a bit stiff at lower temps.

Gold Valve is adjustable but requires fork taken apart again do to this on SW do to design and no access at top other bikes just pull the top caps.

Bike is a balanced system improving the fork you will find the rear stock shocks lacking too soft.

Thanks for the reply.
I think I will get a pair of the valves and the hyperpros.
I will follow your tip re 15w oil as well
What size / diameter did you use?
Thanks

I used the Race Tech springs and valves .90KG. Hyperpro and gold valves will have too much preload due to the space valves add to fork internals.

Go on Race Tech website and add info to riding style and weight to find correct spring weight for you.
Hyper Pro and Gold valves you will never get the fork caps back on, sorry if I confused you about my set up.
Gold Valves Race Tech springs. .90KG.