What is a revalve?
Put simply, suspension works by controlling oil flow. This is done, in the most part, by valving or stacks of thin shims against a valve. The diameter, thickness, number and order of shims determines how the oil flows. Revalving is the term given to changing these shim stacks to suit the needs of the rider.
Why should I have my suspension revalved?
The manufacturer of your motorcycle does not know you. They do not know your height, weight, riding ability, riding terrain or most importantly your preference to bike setup. A revalve, along with the correct springs, will dramatically change the way your bike handles. This will lead to a much safer, faster and enjoyable ride.
Will it make me faster?
Many people think that to go faster you need to have more power. But what is the use of extra power if you can’t get it to the ground? Having well set up suspension will keep your wheels in contact with the ground, allowing you to get better drive and more control which will result in being faster. A balanced good handling bike will allow you to hold the throttle open for longer, even over rough ground. It will also allow you to ride faster for longer before getting tired.
But I’m not a racer…
A really talented rider can normally overcome any shortcomings in a bike through proper body position, throttle and clutch control and is fit enough to manhandle an ill performing bike. An average trail rider needs all the help they can get. A revalve is not only about being faster, it’s about being safer and more comfortable so that you can still go to work on Monday.
I don’t think I’ll notice the difference…
Do you notice a bald tyre? Do you notice a flat spot from poor jetting? Does Barry’s bike handle better than yours? Does your bike do any of the following?
- Clunk when your suspension bottoms out when landing from a jump?
- Jar up through the bars as your front wheel hits a tree root or rock?
- Bounces or deflects off line?
- Dive when braking hard into a corner?
- Rear wheel step out when getting on the gas?
- Kick you up the pants over bumps or logs?
- Climb out of ruts?
- Suffer from headshake?
- Does the front push or tuck when cornering?
These are just a few common symptoms that are easily fixed through suspension tuning. If you notice any of these, then you will notice a huge improvement once the suspension is customised to suit you and these symptoms are fixed.
But I’ve just spent $15,000 on a new bike…
Why spend $13000 on a new bike and not be totally happy with it when you can spend $15,500 and absolutely love it!
What is your average turnaround time?
If received early in the week, most work is completed by weeks end. This ensures that you are not without your bike for the weekend. If you book in advance, we can allocate a day to do your suspension while you wait.
Can I post or courier my suspension to you?
Yes of course. Check out the Contact Us page for details.
What is rear sag?
Rear sag is the amount the back of your motorbike settles once you climb on board. This is very important to have set correctly because it sets the geometry of the whole bike which in turn affects your steering and handling. Rear sag also effects how soft or firm your rear shock is over bumps.
What should my rear sag be?
When you receive your suspension or bike back from being tuned, you will receive a sheet with the suggested clicker and sag settings including sag adjustment instructions. Not all bikes need the same amount of sag, so consult your setting sheet or contact us if you have misplaced it.
Are all fork seals the same?
No they are not. Most people don’t think of fork seals as a performance part, but most aftermarket seals are low performance because they are so tight on the fork leg. This tightness inhibits the forks movement when hitting bumps, so can give the forks a harsh feeling. We do see forks seals as a performance part so we only use NOK or SKF fork seals which will allow your forks to respond quickly to bumps which helps eliminates feedback to the rider.
How do my clickers work?
Check out our Tech Tips page for more detail.
Do I need to service my suspension?
Yes. For weekend trail riders, your suspension should be serviced every 50 hours. For Enduro and MX, your suspension should be serviced every 25 hours. Adventure bikes should be serviced about every 10,000km’s. Check out our Tech Tips page for more details.
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