Bitten the Bullet - Booked in at Maxton!

[haggetty]

Well, after 1 week and a bit of ownership and 150 miles, it's clear that me and my CT's suspension just aren't going to get along!
Popped out for an evenings ride last night and whilst the good bits are undoubtedly good, the bad suspension spoils it! On smoothish roads it's tolerable but on poor, bumpy and damaged roads it feels like the sliders are welded in their stanchions! Horrible. I've fiddled with the rebound settings front and rear and there is not that much improvement to be had. I've read loads of suspension threads and it's a common cause of complaint.

Spent a good part of the day ringing round the various suspension fettlers and have decided that Maxton offer the best value and probably the most predictable upgrade path since they have done a good few CTs.

That, and the fact they sorted the even more appalling NC750X forks out with a Cartridge conversion made my choice for me.

Unlike the NC which has a very basic Damper rod design in the forks, the CT does at least have cartridges. Cartridges can be re-valved and re-shimmed to sort the damping out. Oil choice, air gap and spring rate will sort the rest.

The CT is undersprung and the Compression damping is too hard which is why your wrists get a good hammering. With the Compression damping softened, the stiffer spring provides extra support to reduce fork dive.

Same goes with the Rear shock. Undersprung and overdamped.

Maxton offer a fancy full cartridge swap option which has compression damping in one leg, and rebound in the other as well as preload. Maxton didn't try to sell me this though which is to their credit. I explained the sort of riding I do and the fact that once the suspension is right, I never feel the need to fiddle with it. The lower price re-valve will reap the most benefit for the least cost (About £465 + VAT)

They make their stuff on site and have a skilled and friendly team. Big enough to be able to cope but small enough to care.

Booked in July 2nd. Will report back when done!

[bazza950]

You will enjoy meeting Richard who knows his stuff.We had a lovely chat about John McGuiness when I was there - apparently he does suffer pre race nerves! I let them fit the rear -and they even managed it without taking the seat off as this moron buggered the cable release latch - but I gave them the sliders and they fitted their new parts stripping the old pock marked pits  that went back to Honda.
The rear shock I gave them came from Hoppicker so they stripped ,serviced and rebuilt it for my weight etc.As their stuff is rebuildable they want to know if anyone isn't 100% happy as they can sort.I didn't go for the high end replacements as not sufficiently "hard" a rider to appreciate it!
baz

[haggetty]

Just the job bazza!
Have you had a chance to try the mods out yet? If so, did it achieve what you expected?

Yes, I was prepared to have the fancy cartridges but Nate who I spoke to said it wasn’t necessary as the revalve job should do the trick. I am aiming more for comfort on our crappy roads rather than track performance - cos I’m not doing track days on it!

I’m not one for fiddling with suspension once it’s comfy. I’m a set and forget man so adjustability would be wasted thereafter.

The good thing with Maxton is that if you’re not 100% happy with the result, and want further tweaks, they will do it.

[Matlock]

I've been running a Maxton modified front end (re-valved & re-sprung) for about a year now and I'm very pleased with it. As you say it cures the pogo-stick front end over poor road services. It's also a much plusher ride and I find the bike now holds its line around corners far better. Happy days!

[haggetty]

Originally Posted by Matlock

I've been running a Maxton modified front end (re-valved & re-sprung) for about a year now and I'm very pleased with it. As you say it cures the pogo-stick front end over poor road services. It's also a much plusher ride and I find the bike now holds its line around corners far better. Happy days!

That's worked out just great then Matlock. I look forward to the 'plushness' indeed and any other improvements. Thanks for your comments

[Longwayround]

I had them do front and rear of mine last September- It's made a dramatic difference, plusher all round and has has added a little to the comfortable cruising speed, just by improving the road holding.

[Mav]

@ Haggetty

Did Maxton's fit new springs as well and the revalve?  I'm thinking of upgrading mine so just want to be clear on what you got for you £465 +VAT

Thanks

[haggetty]

Originally Posted by Mav

@ Haggetty

Did Maxton's fit new springs as well and the revalve?  I'm thinking of upgrading mine so just want to be clear on what you got for you £465 +VAT

Thanks

Sorry, I thought I’d already replied to your question but it appears not.
The job on the forks is:- Re-valve (including inserting new shim stack from their GP20 cartridges), new springs (which, unless you are very light will be stiffer than stock as stock springs are soft).
New fork seals and oil.

I’ve left the bike with them so they can remove and re-fit the forks. There will be a modest charge for this.