suspension updates for TaoTao TBR7

paulsstag · 01-11-2019, 03:38 PM

I just finished my no cost upgrades to my soft suspension. Thanks once again to Megadan for the tips.

thanks:
Just to let everyone know i did change the fork oil before i rode the bike i drained out the original oil and refilled with belray 15w as a solid starting point.

I removed the top shock nut with an air impact ( don't forget to loosen the bolt on the top triple tree )( i put a pick to show the bolt in the photo )then i removed the stock spacer (10mm) and replaced it with a pvc pipe one.

I made spacers out of 7/8 pvc pipe i had in the garage from house repairs. i made 2 sets.... a 50 mm set and a 45mm set. i just went straight to the 50mm set.

I used a 1/4 drive screwdriver type tool with adaptors to suit and put a broken handled ratchet piece on the end so it did not dig into my hand with the pressure needed to put the nut back on ( better to this part by hand to save from cross threading the nut) after it was in i just tightened it with my air gun this was all done with the weight off the front forks and handle bars etc in place.

For the rear i took an old punch and sharpened it a little ( you could use a dull chisel but not a sharp one) i loosened the lock ring and marked the adjusting ring ( i now have a good reference point) i then just tightened the nut one full revolution.

paulsstag · 01-11-2019, 03:42 PM

Bike feels firmer front and rear and does not sag as much when i get on it. Total cost is free and i love that price .

Megadan · 01-11-2019, 03:46 PM

I love the consistency with the factory preload spacers. Some guys have none, yours are about 10mm, mine were a hair past 15.

That top nut is a challenge at 50mm aint it?

Did you measure your total rider sag after putting them in? I would like to get data from different rider weights and preload to try and make a chart.

paulsstag · 01-11-2019, 03:53 PM

No did not measure the rider sag. Just went straight to the preload adjustment from your previous posts.

paulsstag · 01-11-2019, 04:00 PM

Sorry but did not answer your preload question, but yes it is a bit hard to push down the spring. At first i did not use the ratchet piece and it hurt to push down so hard on the back of the screwdriver. i then looked in my tool box and found that old part of the ratchet and after that it did not hurt as bad and went right in.

Just a thought but if any body does this just remember to hold pressure on that nut if you ever take it apart again as i'm sure that nut will come out with some force.

512customs · 01-11-2019, 04:27 PM

I just did my forks yesterday on my hawk build. My stock spacer was much longer then yours, wish I would have measured mine for reference. I just added 4 nickels on each side to start for now. (Along with the stock spacer)

paulsstag · 01-11-2019, 04:48 PM

@512 customs, according to my calculations you now have 40 cents invested in your forks Ha Ha . If you do pull it apart again to add more pre-load won't you measure your original spacer and let us know ?.

512customs · 01-11-2019, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulsstag

@512 customs, according to my calculations you now have 40 cents invested in your forks Ha Ha . If you do pull it apart again to add more pre-load won't you measure your original spacer and let us know ?.

Absolutely. Might be adding more fluid soon.

Megadan · 01-12-2019, 01:04 PM

A little tip for future reference when putting the nut back on with preload spacers that big. It is a lot easier to simply hold the cap in place and turn the stanchion of the fork to at least start threading it.

Weldangrind · 01-14-2019, 10:56 AM

Paul, I appreciate that you kept that broken ratchet. I would have, knowing that I'd find a use for it some day.

512customs · 03-17-2019, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulsstag

@512 customs, according to my calculations you now have 40 cents invested in your forks Ha Ha . If you do pull it apart again to add more pre-load won't you measure your original spacer and let us know ?.

I know it’s been a while but I got around to making new spacers yesterday, so I figured I’d show my stock spacers for reference. New ones are 2”.

paulsstag · 03-19-2019, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 512customs

I know it’s been a while but I got around to making new spacers yesterday, so I figured I’d show my stock spacers for reference. New ones are 2”.

Thanks so much for the update, We now have stock 10mm +( me ) 15 mm +( megadan ) and yours @ 34mm+. Now i wonder if all the bikes have the same spring weights and length ?

Paul

01-11-2019, 03:46 PM	#3
Megadan Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 8,056	I love the consistency with the factory preload spacers. Some guys have none, yours are about 10mm, mine were a hair past 15. That top nut is a challenge at 50mm aint it? Did you measure your total rider sag after putting them in? I would like to get data from different rider weights and preload to try and make a chart. __________________ Hawk Information and Resource guide: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=20331 2018 Hawk 250 - Full Mod list here. http://www.chinariders.net/showpost....62&postcount=1 2024 Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 https://chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=34124 Last edited by Megadan; 01-12-2019 at 01:06 PM.
	1

01-12-2019, 01:04 PM	#9
Megadan Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 8,056	A little tip for future reference when putting the nut back on with preload spacers that big. It is a lot easier to simply hold the cap in place and turn the stanchion of the fork to at least start threading it. __________________ Hawk Information and Resource guide: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=20331 2018 Hawk 250 - Full Mod list here. http://www.chinariders.net/showpost....62&postcount=1 2024 Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 https://chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=34124
	1

01-14-2019, 10:56 AM	#10
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	Paul, I appreciate that you kept that broken ratchet. I would have, knowing that I'd find a use for it some day. __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
	1

01-11-2019, 03:42 PM	#2
paulsstag Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Silver City New Mexico Posts: 290	Bike feels firmer front and rear and does not sag as much when i get on it. Total cost is free and i love that price .
	3

01-11-2019, 03:53 PM	#4
paulsstag Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Silver City New Mexico Posts: 290	No did not measure the rider sag. Just went straight to the preload adjustment from your previous posts.
	0

01-11-2019, 04:00 PM	#5
paulsstag Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Silver City New Mexico Posts: 290	Sorry but did not answer your preload question, but yes it is a bit hard to push down the spring. At first i did not use the ratchet piece and it hurt to push down so hard on the back of the screwdriver. i then looked in my tool box and found that old part of the ratchet and after that it did not hurt as bad and went right in. Just a thought but if any body does this just remember to hold pressure on that nut if you ever take it apart again as i'm sure that nut will come out with some force.
	0

01-11-2019, 04:27 PM	#6
512customs Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Illinois Posts: 44	I just did my forks yesterday on my hawk build. My stock spacer was much longer then yours, wish I would have measured mine for reference. I just added 4 nickels on each side to start for now. (Along with the stock spacer)
	1

01-11-2019, 04:48 PM	#7
paulsstag Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Silver City New Mexico Posts: 290	@512 customs, according to my calculations you now have 40 cents invested in your forks Ha Ha . If you do pull it apart again to add more pre-load won't you measure your original spacer and let us know ?.
	3