Maxton Forks

[Flip]

Nothing to do with me and they look like they could do with a clean up but with the machining work already done they would only take a bit of investigation and possibly correct weight springs and a service by Maxton for them to sort out your suspension at about half what it would cost from scratch.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DUCATI-600...8AAOSwdU1W8pBs

[utopia]

Nice one, Flip.
If those had the same 65mm caliper bolt spacing as mine I would have nabbed them immediately, but they look narrower.
I would also need a different front mudguard, I think.

[Flip]

Yes correct- they do look like they are for the earlier bikes with 40mm caliper spacings and 17mm axle along with fixed mud guard mounts as opposed to the later bikes' plastic clip type.

[Goofle]

Hi,

I've just whipped the front axle out of my Monstro, it's 17mm across the top of the thread peaks, 20mm across the part which passes through the wheel and 25mm on the cap socket end. The caliper bolts are 40mm spaced, as are the mudguard bolts. Does anyone think these would be suitable?

Thanks!

[Flip]

Originally Posted by Goofle

Hi,

I've just whipped the front axle out of my Monstro, it's 17mm across the top of the thread peaks, 20mm across the part which passes through the wheel and 25mm on the cap socket end. The caliper bolts are 40mm spaced, as are the mudguard bolts. Does anyone think these would be suitable?

Thanks!

Yes they will fit if it is a pre 1999 Monster you have?... what work they will require to get perfect for you will need to be investigated but shouldn't be too bad and Maxton will be more than happy to help.

[Goofle]

Originally Posted by Flip

if it is a pre 1999 Monster you have?

It's a 93 Monster. I was checking as I know it had a knock before I got it (much before!) and was a little worried how original the work done on the rebuilding had been.

Thanks Flip!

[Flip]

Well the later bikes forks are different diameters where the yokes clamp them so unless the person who did the rebuild had the originals machined/shimmed to accept later forks etc. they would still be to the original dimensions.

The front wheel and brake calipers etc. would also had to have been changed for the later forks.

I see the listing has ended, did you get them?
I'm surprised they weren't snapped up sooner to be honest.

Properly sorted suspension is easily the best mod someone can do to their bike but I guess as it is relatively expensive (and doesn't make a whole lot of noise) it's usually not something many go for, but once you ride with it you'll understand.

[Goofle]

Originally Posted by Flip

I see the listing has ended, did you get them?
I'm surprised they weren't snapped up sooner to be honest.

I did indeed get them. I'm just wondering if I'd be wise to ship them straight on Maxton when I get them for servicing or to try them first.
I've just ordered a rear shock absorber too, which is being built up and hopefully I'll fit in due course. (Im stuck for a way of lifting the rear up though. I'm not sure the rafters in the garage would be up to a Monster hanging from them)
I agree that decent suspension is a massive plus for a bike. I spent a little time and money getting my 1198 set up for me and it made a huge difference. I'm not sure if it's due to the age of my Monster or if it's normal, but I have found it too firm at the front (they had a full professional rebuild only a few hundred miles previously however) and rather soft and wallowing at the rear. I reckon the rear could be the original shock absorber though!
Time will tell!

[Flip]

Great Stuff!!!

Personally I would get them home to see if you think they need any cosmetic work doing (I had the tubes re-anodised while Maxton were doing the conversion on mine) to tidy them up on the outside.



As for lifting the rear to fit a new shock, I put the bike on a rear paddock stand, removed the rear wheel then attached tie-down straps from a step ladder to the frame and removed the stand to un-load the shock for removal/replacement- simples!!



P.S. if Maxton are making you the new rear shock it is worth being a little cheeky to Richard and asking for a bit of a discount on the fork service- especially if you need new springs and bushes etc.

[Goofle]

It's not a Maxton rear shock unfortunately! The eBay description says the forks have only done a thousand miles since the forks were reworked so I'm inclined to give them a shot anyhow in the bike and see what they feel like. I'm hoping they'll be delivered before Saturday so I can fit them and try them this weekend. I'm not going to be able to get out on the bike after then until mid July (work, not jail!) so I'm hoping they'll turn up!

[Goofle]

Ps I like the step ladder idea!

[Flip]

Originally Posted by Goofle

I'm not sure if it's due to the age of my Monster or if it's normal, but I have found it too firm at the front (they had a full professional rebuild only a few hundred miles previously however) and rather soft and wallowing at the rear. I reckon the rear could be the original shock absorber though!
Time will tell!

The problem with standard forks is there is too much compression damping making them feel harsh and kick off small bumps in the road along with not enough rebound damping which means when you let go of the brake the forks spring back at you and the bike does not turn into the corner as well as it should, this also causes the bike to run wide out of a corner (raising the rear via the rose joints on the suspension hoop also helps it hold a line and turn in better).

In addition to all that, for most riders' weight (like most Ducati's) the standard springs are simply too hard.

Richard (at Maxton) told me that the biggest improvement you'll feel is from increasing the rebound damping to control the forks extension, reducing the compression damping over small bumps to stop the forks kicking off small bumps and increasing it over large movements giving more support with the spring.

The result was like a totally different bike- I wish I had done it years ago!!!

Originally Posted by Goofle

It's not a Maxton rear shock unfortunately!

What have you gone for?

I have run a Nitron rear on mine for a little over ten years now and it's been great.

[Goofle]

Originally Posted by Flip

What have you gone for?

It's a Wilburs. I spoke to the company at lunch to check the model / year and use, and they said a 10mm longer version was recommended (and been approved for the German market) to help cure the snags that early Monsters had when new. I'll find out in due course...

[Flip]

Hey Mr Goofle,

What did you decide on doing with the Maxton forks?

Anything to report yet?

You know how we all like to hear suspension tales!!

[Goofle]

Originally Posted by Flip

Hey Mr Goofle,

What did you decide on doing with the Maxton forks?

Anything to report yet?

You know how we all like to hear suspension tales!!

The Maxton forks have been fitted, and (as far as I'm aware) the rear shock absorber is back at home awaiting fitting. With a little luck I'm going to be home in about a month when Ill get busy with the spanners and I'll be back to say how my beloved M900 now outhandles a RGV....

(Or maybe not!)