Thruxton Thruxton R Suspension Mods

After a very satisfying 250 mile ride yesterday the mods made to T1200R are now proven. The suspension & handling have had high praise from road testers and who can contest the Showa big piston Front Forks and Ohlins remote reservoir rear shocks are top-draw equipment? So how is it that of 5 owners I've met at bike meets/Devils Bridge and the like, immediately following friendly greetings, the subject of the hard suspension dominated. A 6th and now Speed Twin mounted chap had sold his TTR to save his fragile back from developing an addiction to pain-killing drugs. On one occasion, as I pulled my head out the helmet, a complete stranger shouted "sorted out your suspension on that yet?"
Okay so I am not average build and my favourite back roads have an ever deteriorating surface that is nothing like the scenic,TT circuit facsimile in Portugal that Triumph let the press riders formulate their witty praise. And I'm not living my dreams through a series of track-days! I confess I'm 5'4" and weigh 9 stone and hence way (no pun intended) outside any designers calculations. But the other owners appeared much more the L, XL and XXL versions of normal humans so my mods may be of general use.
I very soon after purchase of the bike had all spring pre-load adjusted to minimum and eventually everything that could be twiddled on its lowest/softest setting. Hard, harsh, unforgiving and crossing cats-eyes at speed meant knees braced against the tank whilst forcing the bars into submission. Hitting rough road surface whilst riding on the edge of the rubber bits was very physical. On recommendation I sought help from Mick Gardner Racing in Barnsley, Authorised Ohlins Agents. They took several static measurements and dialled some re-bound damping back in which helped to some extent but also declared the problem was too high spring rate, for me, at the rear. Ohlins don't make lower rate springs for these shocks so MGR had a set made for me, powder coated the original colour. I don't know the actual spec but they perfect for me and I know they got 3 pairs made along with mine. I recommend them, however they were unable to anything to the front forks other than re-build them with fresh oil and seals.
Better but I knew the front end was spoiling the show so next I contacted Maxton Engineering in Frodsham, Cheshire. Richard Adams is a true expert and has many customers including pro racers, for whom Big Piston fork damping is too much. In some cases Maxton are removing the BP damping internals and re-placing with cartridge units developed for older fork designs. I didn't go that far but Maxton have fitted 0·8kg/mm springs, increased the air gap to 90mm and rebuilt with Putoline GP 5 hydraulic oil.
In all cases I removed the suspension myself and delivered the units loose for the work to be completed nevertheless I have spent the not inconsiderable sum of £750. Pocket money blown and I hope my Great Aunt sends one of her generous postal orders early 2020.
Believe me I still have "sports" suspension - it turns in quicker, gives great feedback in the corners and I can feel it (and see the forks) working to deal with the lumps & bumps .I even have some suspension adjustment in hand if I want softer. Happy Boy on his Thruxton now.

 

I hope it proves suitable without having to make changes, although it's worth taking some careful steps to get the settings/adjustments right for you. One owner I met, a well built 6 footer, was bottoming out the rear shocks but still found the front end too hard. He had cable ties on the fork lowers to record how much compression was taking place and was adamant the demonstrator he originally road was far better. Interestingly the "Standard" setting in the handbook is with fork pre-load at minimum so not leaving you anywhere to go if you want softer. The big piston damping, as it was explained to me by Maxton, is all about minimising fork dive under braking .I developed my style of rapid progress many, many years ago when being smooth & quick was almost a necessity cause the brakes & tyres had readily available limits - well that's my excuse for not needing to bury the front wheel into the tarmac prior to entry point.

 

Tried a mince pie today, then got a knee down. See how it works on the bike tomorrow.

 

Cheers Martin. Good to have your experience endorsing the underlying problem. I couldn't afford your solution though!

 

Need a day to get to the shed and find 'em. Will let you know.

 

Hi Chris. I hope the attached image is clear. So overall length = 278mm; coil outer dia = 39mm; coil material dia = 5mm. I counted 18 coils but not sure of the standard method of counting at the finished ends - again see picture. Let us know how you progress

 

Hi Chris. I hope the attached image is clear. So overall length = 278mm; coil outer dia = 39mm; coil material dia = 5mm. I counted 18 coils but not sure of the standard method of counting at the finished ends - again see picture. Let us know how you progress

 

If it does what you want without spending time & money great. From reading, without any great detail being provided, the test of the new Thruxton RS Triumph have introduced some suspension changes. I accept to make changes for myself primarily due to my substantially less than average weight.

 

Not the amount I would have to eat.