MPE Suspension enhancement 07 54370084

G'day All,

Hope the world is treating everyone well.

Knocked the suspension out of Monique last weekend and ran it over to Caloundra to Paul Baericke's MPE suspension shop. Was quoted around the $1000 mark for rebuilds to the forks, inc. new springs, gold valving kit, oil, seals, etc. And same deal with the rear shock. They had them ready for me to take home that afternoon, and the bill came to $850 as my rear spring tested to be fine for my weight. 72kgs.... Yeah. I'm a monster.. Anyways, I thought that was pretty good. As I would have never even give it a second thought if the old spring was replaced for new, I would have just accepted it without question, as I thought that was what I was in for anyways.

So the next day I put everything back together. Took her for a quick strap along a few of my favourite twists. And was gigglin like a little kid the whole time! Absolutely fan-bloody-tabulous! I've never had suspension tailored to my own weight before, and it is amazing what a difference it has made. Massive increase in confidence now that she's not wallowing through the corners (The suspension had not been touched from factory since 05, excepting the longer dog-bones) and I got home to find that I had pretty well scrubbed the 'chicken-strips' from my rear hoop without any feeling that I was trying. Now, I'm certainly no Casey Stoner on a bike.. She just feels so much more composed on the road.

I rang the shop up that day to tell them that I was wrapped with the job they had done, and that it was, (for want of a less wanky-sounding cliche) ...very confidence inspiring.

So yeah. That's about it really. I thought if anyone else was considering a bit of suspension tuning, and you live in the Sunny Coast area, to give them a bell. Very helpful people. They also market Ohlins if you wanted to upgrade completely.. But I am very happy with the improvements that have been made to my original suspension.

Also.. I dissassembled my shock linkage and gave the bearings some fresh grease (they were in good nick, but certainly were in need of some tlc) and I pulled a few numbers in case anyone is interested, 1x Koyo BHKM 1726JUU, 1x Koyo BKM 2026JUU, and 2x IKO TA172425UE03. I am pretty well certain that these are the correct numbers, however some points on them were slightly rubbed and a little difficult to make out. So if anyone wishes to correct me on anything, you are welcome to it. Also, front wheel bearings are NSK 6204 DU. Mine is a 12/04 (05) 1200.

Mitch

Nice one Mitch .Could you possibly post up a large pic of your bike in the house . My
G\friend believes it belongs on the shed . .Her name is Carol if you would like
to plead my case .
Anyway where were we ,ah yes , nice one Mitch .

I had the same done here in Sydney by Terry Hay's Shock Treatment. I initially had only the front done but have now had rear done .. but it really needs for the rear and front to be done together.
Spectacular difference, I also now have a much closer relationship with the tar ... confidence inspiring.

I fully know where you're coming from. As I have posted elsewhere, the best $400 I ever spent was changing the springs, valves and oil in the front suspension on the Bandit. It's like taking your Lincoln Town Car and setting it up for a run round Mt Panorama. Everyone who does this has the same rave (the other ravers on the forum were the one's that inspired me to do the same). If you're in or around Canberra, Suspension Smith in Fyshwick is the go - see Laurie. Just don't gas it too much before there's any heat in the tyres because you'll be tempted to.

gus wrote:Nice one Mitch .Could you possibly post up a large pic of your bike in the house . My
G\friend believes it belongs on the shed . .Her name is Carol if you would like
to plead my case .
Anyway where were we ,ah yes , nice one Mitch .

Gday Gus,
Unfortunately I don't have any pics of Monique in the house I don't know if my Dearly Beloved would let me get away with that either. This is one of her in the Belltower Restaurant just on the outskirts of Kingaroy at the bar. And a few mates bikes out on the deck. This is before I nuded her up completely

I still got a fully modified set of silver B1250 forks...Racetech Gold compression valves, Suspension Smith re-valved rebound stack, Holeshot 1.1 (Eibach) springs, Holeshot fork brace for sale. Will throw in a carbon fibre guard

Open to offers.... Doctor says I need more carbon fibre in my diet.

Mitch J wrote:

gus wrote:Nice one Mitch .Could you possibly post up a large pic of your bike in the house . My
G\friend believes it belongs on the shed . .Her name is Carol if you would like
to plead my case .
Anyway where were we ,ah yes , nice one Mitch .

Gday Gus,
Unfortunately I don't have any pics of Monique in the house I don't know if my Dearly Beloved would let me get away with that either. This is one of her in the Belltower Restaurant just on the outskirts of Kingaroy at the bar. And a few mates bikes out on the deck. This is before I nuded her up completely

@ Mitch J so she doesn't mind you taking Monique to a fancy restaurant; nuding her up completely &" riding " her afterwards but then refuses to let her into the house & makes her stay in the shed ! where is the justice and compassion in that I ask you ?

paul wrote:

@ Mitch J so she doesn't mind you taking Monique to a fancy restaurant; nuding her up completely &" riding " her afterwards but then refuses to let her into the house & makes her stay in the shed ! where is the justice and compassion in that I ask you ?

Hmmmmn Maybe that's the reason she won't allow her into the house in the first place? The Boss doesn't hold it against me. I had to take someone out while she was off on holidays

Looks like a photo challenge to take a picture of your bike in a "challenging" situation (ie getting your bike in there or being allowed or not).
Like to see your bike up on a pole dancing stage seeing she's "nuded up"

Full Throttle wrote:Looks like a photo challenge to take a picture of your bike in a "challenging" situation (ie getting your bike in there or being allowed or not).
Like to see your bike up on a pole dancing stage seeing she's "nuded up"

I'll see if I can't find a strip club to ride into and get some pics..

"No-no.. Honestly.. I only want to get and and take some photos of my bike.. Oh.. You girls want to jump in? Oh.. If you insist.."

I don't even know if there would even be a strip club within 2-2 1/2 hours of me.. So that would be a bit of a mish.. Would make an interesting pic though

Finally got around to taking my forks down to Paul Baericke last week - full marks to Paul, the vehicle is transformed . Firmer but not harsh, dives much less dramatically under brakes, & as a result the brakes are much more effective - I had been thinking of changing the master cylinder to get more bite but not necessary now. Seriously I hadn't really realised how much I have been riding around the deficiencies of the front end, you just sort of get used to it. Anyone got a free Ohlins shock to donate to a very worthy cause???

I can't help you with the Ohlins... But I do have a couple of spares out of a 78 Honda?

Speaking of Honda's i know someone who bought approx. 25 honda 750's in pieces . And i need a job .They are in a storage shed 15kl from me .
Might have to have a chat .

Freeway, what was the cost .

Mate, just get yours rebuilt to ohlins specs. The standard is a bit of a laugh,and i did ditch mine for a gsxr1000 08 model which was far better than standard,BUT, having said that,I got it rebuilt to ohlins specs and to my weight,and although it has a multitude of adjustment, i never move anything,because it was set up correctly to begin with,for my riding style, and that is very important, "to your riding style" so take it to a gooroo,tell him how you ride,and they should be able to set it correctly. When i got mine back,and i fitted the shock back in, I checked my sag,and it was spot on from the guy I had do it,because he is switched on,and i didn`t have to alter anything. He revalved and spung it perfectly. I used Suspension Improvements at Slackscreek Brisbane

Freeway wrote:Finally got around to taking my forks down to Paul Baericke last week - full marks to Paul, the vehicle is transformed . Firmer but not harsh, dives much less dramatically under brakes, & as a result the brakes are much more effective - I had been thinking of changing the master cylinder to get more bite but not necessary now. Seriously I hadn't really realised how much I have been riding around the deficiencies of the front end, you just sort of get used to it. Anyone got a free Ohlins shock to donate to a very worthy cause???