New Suspension

[Bdog]

Not too happy with the Nomad!! Air shocks suck! Always dialing in to load that varies, then this winter we had a cold snap of -50 for about 2wks, the seals shrunk and they bled pools of shock oil but still held 24lbs of air..hmm..replaced them with progressive 412 shocks..huge improvement! Then I took the front forks off and replaced the springs with progressive spring kit and 15wt. oil..humungus improvement. Finally it was time again for tires..I went with the Avon Cobra radials..150/80 up front and a 180/70 on the rear..holy sheepsh*t..totally different bike now. Instead of pushing her thru the corners..I have to re-learn how to ride her..the nomad is so flickable in the corners that it was scary at first. The bike feels like it went on a massive diet because of the suspension and tires...lovin it...Bdog

[dogdoc]

I agree Bdog. I added Cobras same size as yours about 5-6 mo ago. Feels like its riding on a knife edge. So easy to turn now but a little learning curve as you said. Can you give me some details on your mods on the front forks. I have 15W oil but thats all. Why did you change springs too. How hard was the taking everything off(forks), etc , etc. Thx.

[Bdog]

No big deal at all Doc...just time consuming. You want to take the forks off to properly fill them. I removed all attached items..then put in the progressive spring kit with an additional spacer for more preload. I compressed the forks and let them drain completely overnite. The next day when filling them I worked them up and down to get the air out..(bled them) and filled them while compressed to 5.5 in. from the top (16.5fl ounces) this is what progressive recommends. Re installed all components and took her for a ride. Huge difference Doc. No more spungyness but not too firm either. Matches up with the rear suspension too (progressive 412). ..Bdog

[macmac]

-50 blew the o ring seal bigger.. the metal shrank, the seals grew and you struck oil...

That sort of thing blows rockets to bits all the time.

[Bdog]

I hear ya mac..the coldest I've been had to work in is -62c..not sure what that is in f...but it doesn't matter at that point..its called snap iron time. Trying to keep a big rig running and having to load a super b train at the same time sucks...by the way..if you have to pee..it will actually pile up to about 6inches during the quick process..Bdog