Evo 1100 rear shock - possible upgrade? - Page 3

Luddite · 23-01-2021, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slob

Leave them clamped up in the bottom yoke, leaving the tubes squeezed by the top yoke around the cap isn’t always helpful.

Good point, well made!

bigredduke · 19-03-2021, 07:19 PM

Picked up my upgraded forks yesterday & spent today refitting them:

New KTech valves, springs, oil & compression damping adjusters. Interestingly, James had to have some collars machined for the top of the springs to stop them rattling around in the caps as the KTech springs are apparently a smaller diameter than the standard springs.

Just waiting for my new Ohlins rear shock to arrive from Sweden now!

Shout out to James @ JRW suspension in Louth, Lincolnshire.

Thanks to Chris.P for the KTech spring information (they are actually CBR 600 springs, not listed on the KTech website for the Evo).

Thanks to Vince (Luddite) for the measuring & clothes peg tips, they were really helpful.
Measuring accurately from the top of the forks to the bottom yoke is nigh on impossible!

Once I have fitted the rear shock, I will pop over to JRW to get the bike set up properly pour moi.

In any event the bike won't be back on the road before April, it's still far too cold for my old bones!

Luddite · 19-03-2021, 08:06 PM

Great news BRD! Bet you can't wait for the shock and to try it out.

Interesting what you say about the fork springs - I originally had the same ones as Chris.p, (and so the same as yours too), but I subsequently changed them for softer 7.5N/mm Maxtons. Crawsue bought my K-Tech springs and told me that he had had to have some work done to the fork tops to accommodate them and I'd assumed that the springs were too large but it seems the opposite was true.

Do keep us informed.

Luddite · 19-03-2021, 08:21 PM

PS don't you just love the positive clicks you get with the K-Tech damping adjusters? Much more confidence inspiring than the OE ones, which don't feel as if they do anything, no matter how much you twiddle them.

chris.p · 20-03-2021, 08:23 AM

On my forks I dropped the yolks down the forks so I had 12.5mm showing above the yolk, found it a very comfortable position along with the lower Monster 796 risers :-)

My Bike is now in the showroom a V -Duo in Lincoln http://www.v-duo.co.uk/product/2013-...ter-m1100-evo/

bigredduke · 20-03-2021, 02:16 PM

Doesn't that make it turn quicker? What are the downsides?

chris.p · 20-03-2021, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigredduke

Doesn't that make it turn quicker? What are the downsides?

It turns in beautifully, feels more sporty, yet still does not lose any of it’s monster character, there are no down sides in my mind.

Darren69 · 20-03-2021, 03:13 PM

You could drop the forks down, but in my opinion its probably better to raise the rear, at least with the original shape monsters as it makes them less rear biased and makes them handle much better, you can adjust the hoop or bar to make it longer.

The later ones (796/1100 etc) are a different kettle of fish and have a much more crude SS type of arrangement, ie no rising rate linkage setup of which I have no experience of but I suppose the principals are the same as my old 900SS which always felt better 2 up than it ever did solo.

chris.p · 20-03-2021, 03:28 PM

Rear shock was 10mm longer as different lengths are available when you order.

Darren69 · 20-03-2021, 03:47 PM

Yeah, a longer shock is probably the only option to raise the rear on those bikes although I did read somewhere that the end joint from another bike fitted and raised it about 5mm but you will deffo benefit from a better quality damper unit like Nitron or Ohlins as you feel it more directly.

stopintime · 20-03-2021, 09:03 PM

It was the shock mounting clevice from a 1100/796 that raised the 696.

That generation have the engine mounted much higher in the frame. Enormous numbers of chain slack - less catastrophic with the progressive spring, but still.... Big surprice that Ducati make that kind of mistakes.

Positive effect of a higher rear could be a relatively lower front. Quicker steering. My limited experience with 696/1100 is that they DO NOT need changes to the geometry. The original Monsters on the other hand - MUST be modified.

chris.p · 20-03-2021, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stopintime

Positive effect of a higher rear could be a relatively lower front. Quicker steering. My limited experience with 696/1100 is that they DO NOT need changes to the geometry. .

The 1100 Evo is a different bike in many ways to the 796/1100 that went before it, a raised rear, with slightly lower front (and I mean slightly) with the lower 796 bar risers make for a fantastic handling Monster.

bigredduke · 30-03-2021, 08:25 PM

Took the Evo for its MOT today ready for road tax from April 1st.
First ride since the front forks upgrade. Bearing in mind I haven't yet fitted the new Ohlins rear shock and the bike is still to be properly setup:

The front suspension is noticeably less "crashy and jarring" over uneven road surfaces. There is one piece of road which I ride & drive on regularly which is far from smooth & the bike felt far more settled and positive along it.

James fitted a band on the lower tube & although no hard braking was involved it didn't move below halfway so nowhere near bottoming out.

Very pleased thus far!

Added bonus, spotted a lovely blue & silver 900SS bevel circa 1975/6 in Beverley coming in the opposite direction but at a busy junction so no time to acknowledge unfortunately. It sounded awesome!

bigredduke · 10-06-2021, 08:22 PM

At long long last I collected my new Ohlins rear shock today.

Checking it over & offering it up to the bike, a thought occurred.

The standard Sachs shock has the preload ring adjusters at the swingarm end but, looking at my Paul Smart Ohlins rear shock, they are at the top (frame bracket) in other words, the shock is 'upside down' compared to the Monster setup.

So, which way up should it be on the Evo? Any other issues I should be aware of when fitting said new shock?

Ron1000 · 10-06-2021, 08:30 PM

My ohlins du737 has the pre-load rings at the bottom. Dunno if that’s correct or not…it was on it when i bought.

It has been under the eye of ducati mechanics for minimum 4 services since though so I’m not worried about it.

19-03-2021, 07:19 PM	#2
bigredduke Nothing to see here Join Date: May 2005 Location: brough Bike: M1100evo Posts: 1,546	Picked up my upgraded forks yesterday & spent today refitting them: New KTech valves, springs, oil & compression damping adjusters. Interestingly, James had to have some collars machined for the top of the springs to stop them rattling around in the caps as the KTech springs are apparently a smaller diameter than the standard springs. Just waiting for my new Ohlins rear shock to arrive from Sweden now! Shout out to James @ JRW suspension in Louth, Lincolnshire. Thanks to Chris.P for the KTech spring information (they are actually CBR 600 springs, not listed on the KTech website for the Evo). Thanks to Vince (Luddite) for the measuring & clothes peg tips, they were really helpful. Measuring accurately from the top of the forks to the bottom yoke is nigh on impossible! Once I have fitted the rear shock, I will pop over to JRW to get the bike set up properly pour moi. In any event the bike won't be back on the road before April, it's still far too cold for my old bones! Last edited by bigredduke; 19-03-2021 at 07:23 PM..

20-03-2021, 03:13 PM	#8
Darren69 Transmaniacon MOC Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Sutton In Ashfield Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 6,026	You could drop the forks down, but in my opinion its probably better to raise the rear, at least with the original shape monsters as it makes them less rear biased and makes them handle much better, you can adjust the hoop or bar to make it longer. The later ones (796/1100 etc) are a different kettle of fish and have a much more crude SS type of arrangement, ie no rising rate linkage setup of which I have no experience of but I suppose the principals are the same as my old 900SS which always felt better 2 up than it ever did solo. __________________ Roast Beef Monster! Termignoni and Bucci - Italian for pipe and slippers! S4 Fogarty, S4R 07T, 748, Series 1 Mirage

20-03-2021, 03:47 PM	#10
Darren69 Transmaniacon MOC Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Sutton In Ashfield Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 6,026	Yeah, a longer shock is probably the only option to raise the rear on those bikes although I did read somewhere that the end joint from another bike fitted and raised it about 5mm but you will deffo benefit from a better quality damper unit like Nitron or Ohlins as you feel it more directly. __________________ Roast Beef Monster! Termignoni and Bucci - Italian for pipe and slippers! S4 Fogarty, S4R 07T, 748, Series 1 Mirage

10-06-2021, 08:22 PM	#14
bigredduke Nothing to see here Join Date: May 2005 Location: brough Bike: M1100evo Posts: 1,546	Really stupid question??? At long long last I collected my new Ohlins rear shock today. Checking it over & offering it up to the bike, a thought occurred. The standard Sachs shock has the preload ring adjusters at the swingarm end but, looking at my Paul Smart Ohlins rear shock, they are at the top (frame bracket) in other words, the shock is 'upside down' compared to the Monster setup. So, which way up should it be on the Evo? Any other issues I should be aware of when fitting said new shock?

19-03-2021, 08:06 PM	#3
Luddite Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Southampton Bike: M1100evo Posts: 2,465	Great news BRD! Bet you can't wait for the shock and to try it out. Interesting what you say about the fork springs - I originally had the same ones as Chris.p, (and so the same as yours too), but I subsequently changed them for softer 7.5N/mm Maxtons. Crawsue bought my K-Tech springs and told me that he had had to have some work done to the fork tops to accommodate them and I'd assumed that the springs were too large but it seems the opposite was true. Do keep us informed.

19-03-2021, 08:21 PM	#4
Luddite Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Southampton Bike: M1100evo Posts: 2,465	PS don't you just love the positive clicks you get with the K-Tech damping adjusters? Much more confidence inspiring than the OE ones, which don't feel as if they do anything, no matter how much you twiddle them.

20-03-2021, 08:23 AM	#5
chris.p Gold Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: lincoln Bike: No Bike Yet! Posts: 876	On my forks I dropped the yolks down the forks so I had 12.5mm showing above the yolk, found it a very comfortable position along with the lower Monster 796 risers :-) My Bike is now in the showroom a V -Duo in Lincoln http://www.v-duo.co.uk/product/2013-...ter-m1100-evo/

20-03-2021, 02:16 PM	#6
bigredduke Nothing to see here Join Date: May 2005 Location: brough Bike: M1100evo Posts: 1,546	Doesn't that make it turn quicker? What are the downsides?

20-03-2021, 03:28 PM	#9
chris.p Gold Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: lincoln Bike: No Bike Yet! Posts: 876	Rear shock was 10mm longer as different lengths are available when you order.

20-03-2021, 09:03 PM	#11
stopintime Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Oslo Bike: S2r Posts: 426	It was the shock mounting clevice from a 1100/796 that raised the 696. That generation have the engine mounted much higher in the frame. Enormous numbers of chain slack - less catastrophic with the progressive spring, but still.... Big surprice that Ducati make that kind of mistakes. Positive effect of a higher rear could be a relatively lower front. Quicker steering. My limited experience with 696/1100 is that they DO NOT need changes to the geometry. The original Monsters on the other hand - MUST be modified.

30-03-2021, 08:25 PM	#13
bigredduke Nothing to see here Join Date: May 2005 Location: brough Bike: M1100evo Posts: 1,546	Took the Evo for its MOT today ready for road tax from April 1st. First ride since the front forks upgrade. Bearing in mind I haven't yet fitted the new Ohlins rear shock and the bike is still to be properly setup: The front suspension is noticeably less "crashy and jarring" over uneven road surfaces. There is one piece of road which I ride & drive on regularly which is far from smooth & the bike felt far more settled and positive along it. James fitted a band on the lower tube & although no hard braking was involved it didn't move below halfway so nowhere near bottoming out. Very pleased thus far! Added bonus, spotted a lovely blue & silver 900SS bevel circa 1975/6 in Beverley coming in the opposite direction but at a busy junction so no time to acknowledge unfortunately. It sounded awesome!

10-06-2021, 08:30 PM	#15
Ron1000 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Livingston Bike: M1100evo Posts: 863	My ohlins du737 has the pre-load rings at the bottom. Dunno if that’s correct or not…it was on it when i bought. It has been under the eye of ducati mechanics for minimum 4 services since though so I’m not worried about it.