FOX Podium RC1 shocks - Help

[sav0r]

No gas adjustment in the books... never changed gas pressure at the track B4 or ever after service or rebuild ever

Also not a suspension guru, but gas is not a "normal" suspension adjustment... could a change in spec pressure make a diff in perf... possibly but not many if any rider will know unless a drastic change is made.

http://www.ridefox.com/fox_tech_center/owners_manuals/605-00-117_RevA.pdf

Here are a few books you should be reading if you really want to know about dampers.

A low level theory book that covers many aspects of suspension, most of which are applicable directly to motorcycles, though you do have to apply the knowledge - http://www.amazon.com/Competition-Car-Suspension-Practical-Staniforth/dp/B00CB5ZMG4/ref=sr_1_8?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1462981916&sr=1-8&keywords=competition+car+handbook

A theory based review of dampers, an absolute must have for anybody that works on dampers - http://www.amazon.com/Shock-Absorber-Handbook-John-Dixon/dp/047051020X?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=ox_sc_sfl_title_1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Edit: and this motorcycle Dynamics book is more or less one of the gold standards in laying out how dampers interact with the system at large, beyond just spring-mass damper theory. http://www.amazon.com/Motorcycle-Dynamics-Second-Vittore-Cossalter/dp/1430308613/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1462982311&sr=1-1&keywords=motorcycle+dynamics

 

[Tune-A-Fish]

Awesome thanks!

 

[sav0r]

Sure! I think you can find all three on Google Books, though they don't show all the pages.

 

[MattCB750OT]

This issue has always been about an overly stiff shock and the inability to get the correct static sag settings.

FunJimmy - What did you end up doing? Order the Racetech spring or return them to Devin?

I blindly ordered them without searching for reviews and then found your threads when trying to understand why I am not able to set the sag. I spent more than I paid for the original bike on these, and really don't want to have to pay MORE for another set of springs. At that point the Ohlins will be almost half the cost of the FOX. I loved my previous six orders from Cognito (and found them to be good to deal with) but these just don't make sense and I'm surprised they are pushing these on their site.

My details for anyone else who has come across this:
- 82 CB750 - (not sure of weight, but its less than stock)
- Fox Podium RC1 12.8" legnth
- Came with the 1.5KG shocks
- I weigh about 185lbs

 

[FunJimmy]

Hey Matt,

Sorry to hear that you're having the same issues I had. Send them back and get the Ohlins or Works Performance shocks. You'll never get those shocks setup correctly. Fox does not (currently) make springs with the correct spring rate to achieve the recommended sag settings and unfortunately RaceTech discontinued the spring I was hoping to get. Devin is well aware of the issue and was kept in the loop on all coorispondance between me and the Fox representative. It is a disservice to continue to list the (325mm) 12.8" shocks as a suitable Honda CB performance shock.

 

[MattCB750OT]

I wanted to give an update to my situation with these 325mm RC1's from Cognito Moto. After reading that last reply I reached out to Devin fully prepared to return them and order something different. Right away he was willing to have me return them no questions and no issues, OR have Fox fix them with correct spring etc. I choose to work with them to get them right. I love the look of these (black/grey) and really wanted a different product then Ohlins which I kept seeing on every bike.

I shipped them off to Fox and a week later got them back (fast considering I am in Canada). At first I was confused, but turned out that Fox sent the new spring to Devin so he could powder coat it (spring was red). They included in the box anything except the original compression valves (black in colour, new one is silver) and some black compression knobs (comes with the blue). I tested them by hand and was able to move them so figured we were in business (same spring as before 1.5kg). They had a few small marks on them from what I assumed was testing and rebuilding, not pleased considering the issues and price, but it's not horrible.

Aside from having clearance issues with my brake calliper bolts (quickly fixed), they gave me a decent amount of sag with the preload as low as possible (backed off fully). Keep in mind this is with the old 1.5kg spring, not the new one.

The next day Devin reached out to me to check in and see how they were (he called, not just an email!). Really blew me away, didn't expect to have him chasing me to see how the product was (which again gives me confidence in him and him standing behind his products).

Devin asked where the preload was set, which made me realise that if lost some weight (haha I wish) that I wouldn't be able to back them off anymore. So I moved the increased it so that the preload ring was just less than halfway and installed back on. No movement at all, for sure needed to back it off. Kept measuring and moving 10mm at a time. I only really get decent sag when it's almost decreased as much as possible. Basically I need the new springs if I want any adjustability.

I will get some decent measurements to give a better idea (didn't have the wife around to help hold the bike etc.)

I want to stress again, that Devin and his team at Cognito Moto have been great to deal with. He truly does stand behind his products and will do everything he can to make the purchaser happy. I have felt this over and over again. I feel like this situation is more on Fox which is evident by the small things like a proper manual. I understand that these are supposed to be multi-bike shocks, but giving me the wrong manuals (for a different shock) or even just lack of information about the mounting bolts etc. is pretty sad. I love the look and hope I can get these dialled in correctly.

**FYI lower mounting bolts are the same as my stock ones, but need to be longer. The stock ones are *just* too short.

 

[xb33bsa]

here is the measurements for slr and the spring rate selecting formula i use
shock travel can maks a big change the less shock travel you have the stiffer overall springing must be not ideal for roadholding and handling
the spring formulsa was developed for mx bikes ,but even for street bikes it works well if you go 10% below the straight rate spring that comes out of the calculation
if fox or anybody didnt measure for the slr and get your weight the bikes weight at the wheels \with and without rider and get the unsprung weight(rear wheel ,swinger, chain shocks) to see if both sags can be done sag without aND with rider with the spring selected without huge preload,then they are guessing
i get the data calculate the spring then prove it in my shop,set the preload for correct sags before sending it off and have not got any complaints after a dozen custom shock build applications a
believe me getting a dual rate spring set dialed in for sags a 225lb rider on a 194lb 1974 125 elsinore mxer is tricky