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V7 III Suspension Thread

GTM® said:
Do us all a favor and don't start a new thread when they already exist. I moved your post here.
You'll find most of your answers here. Your fork height above the triple looks to be stock from memory.
Click to expand...
Well, that's the one question I couldn't find an answer to in the Suspension thread, thus the new thread. I couldn't find this spec in any of the V7 user/service materials, as well. The few pictures I could see of this area in the SM look like the fork caps are flush with the top triple clamp but if there's one thing I've learned while reading through this website is you can't always trust Moto Guzzi publications.

Some of the Japanese bikes I've owned over the years had this information in the OM/SM and even recommended min/max for raising/lowering the forks.
 
Sag measurements with Matris spring kit with adjusters

gtmotocycles.com

Matris V7 Fork Spring Kit with Adjusters

Matris Fork Kit for your 13-20 V7 & V7-850 E5 We have our own GTM Spec for AUS & USA Riders - EXCLUSIVE ONLY HERE. A DROP-IN kit (no drilling or cutting or modifications need), with preload adjusters AND flow valves for excellent and improved damping! As shown below for your '09-12 Marzocchi or...
gtmotocycles.com gtmotocycles.com

Rider weight 160 lbs. and with the spring preload adjusters all the way out.
Fork pushed up 10 mm from the tree.

Stat. 34 mm
Lad. 41 mm
( the springs were marked 7.5, which should be the spring rate 7.5N. According to Matris' email reply, 7.5N springs are standard for the kit and good for rider at 160 lbs/73 kg. K-Tech site shows stock spring rate is 5.6N)

Stock shocks
Stat. 10 mm
Lad. 32 mm

I also have Brembo RCS 15 front brake master:

gtmotocycles.com

BREMBO RCS RADIAL FRONT BRAKE MASTER

Genuine Brembo 15, 17 or 19mm Radial Front Brake M/C with Brake Switch Serious upgrade over stock, offering one finger braking, with folding lever. Reservoir Kit is required. We recommend the 15 for single caliper applications (V7/9), 17 for the M50 calipers (ONLY), single caliper tracks...
gtmotocycles.com gtmotocycles.com

With the spring kit, the front does not dive so much no more and it get rid of the "clunk" noise from the front forks with the stock springs. Very happy with the result.
 
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subin said:
Sag measurements with Matris spring kit with adjusters

gtmotocycles.com

Matris V7 Fork Spring Kit with Adjusters

Matris Fork Kit for your 13-20 V7 & V7-850 E5 We have our own GTM Spec for AUS & USA Riders - EXCLUSIVE ONLY HERE. A DROP-IN kit (no drilling or cutting or modifications need), with preload adjusters AND flow valves for excellent and improved damping! As shown below for your '09-12 Marzocchi or...
gtmotocycles.com gtmotocycles.com

Rider weight 160 lbs. and with the spring preload adjusters all the way out.
Stat. 34 mm
Lad. 41 mm
( the springs were marked 7.5, which should be the spring rate 7.5N. According to Matris' email reply, 7.5N springs are standard for the kit and good for rider at 160 lbs/73 kg. K-Tech site shows stock spring rate is 5.6N)

Stock shocks
Stat. 10 mm
Lad. 32 mm

I also have Brembo RCS 15 front brake master:

gtmotocycles.com

BREMBO RCS RADIAL FRONT BRAKE MASTER

Genuine Brembo 15, 17 or 19mm Radial Front Brake M/C with Brake Switch Serious upgrade over stock, offering one finger braking, with folding lever. Reservoir Kit is required. We recommend the 15 for single caliper applications (V7/9), 17 for the M50 calipers (ONLY), single caliper tracks...
gtmotocycles.com gtmotocycles.com

With the spring kit, the front does not dive so much no more and it get rid of the "clunk" noise from the front forks with the stock springs. Very happy with the result.
Click to expand...
I didn’t have the « clunk » , but the dive on rough pavement and potholes is Much improved !
Then after adding the Rear shocks from GTM it’s even more of a pleasure to Ride ;)
 
Thanks for the post(s). I have to repeat myself often these days, so worthy of a post again; It is PARAMOUNT to do both front and rear upgrades at the same time. If you only do one end, it will make for an ill-handling machine at best, to downright dangerous.
I always say if you upgrade your car, would you only do one end? The answer should be undoubtedly no… I would hope. ;)

If you don’t have the budget, save until you can do both. You’ll be much happier (and safer).
 
Bravo GTM!

I concur wholeheartedly. Suspension is both ends or none at all. Save and do it right and this includes buying the best you can get custom fitted to your specifications. There is a massive difference in the quality and handling of a first rate suspension.

I say the same thing about tires.

You would not believe the push back and flaming I take for that. It’s ungodly harsh.

If all you do is one tire at a time, you have crappy grip and uneven rotation on one end or the other, forever and forever.

You will never experience what it really feels like to have fresh rubber, or as I say, “new shoes”, all around which is the most tragic thing I can think of.

When I had my shop, more than once, I shod motorcycles with 2 new matched tires instead of the customer requested one, and told them that they could keep it and sample the difference in ride quality and performance.

If they didn’t feel that I had told them the absolute truth, then keep it and pay nothing.

However if they experienced virtually a whole new sensation riding their motorcycle, then pay me whenever the mood struck them.

Not once, when I did this, did anyone ever say anything other than “Wow! It feels like a new bike again!” to which I would just smile and nod.

I always got paid for the matched mate tire and from that point forward, my customer always replaced their tires in pairs.

It’s not that expensive at all for what you get out of it, if you actually ride your motorcycle.

👌👍🙏
 
So I’ve been Out on all three bikes a couple of times this season.
I find the V7 very unnerving on really CRAP pavement.
It still has the , I am guessing original front tire Diablo Sport ?
A Matris fork kit , on the softest setting. (Preload = 0 )
I have yet to take Todd’s advice and lower the triple tree on the front forks.
Its a simple change to make…

Any ideas ?

Thanks,
Don
 
Which fork kit? Zero preload is not ideal, sag MUST be set. What shocks?
 

Matris V7 Fork Spring Kit with Adjusters​

simply installing them was such an improvement​

I didnt want to make a changes without understanding what I was doing.​

GTW 2WS Twins -
I left them the way they were set when they arrived.
 
DeadEye said:

I didnt want to make a changes without understanding what I was doing.​

GTW 2WS Twins -
I left them the way they were set when they arrived.
Click to expand...
You have great upgrades, but only halfway there. Below is a how to, skip the first part and ignore the subject.

 
Dropped the forks 15mm , measured using GrandPa’s vernier caliper ;)
I’ll need a buddy to check and adjust the sag.

Just to make sure I understand this:
You want to take measurements for the front at the static “height” and the rider compressed “height”
And adjust the rear suspension to match the % of deflection ?
This is So both ends of the bike “behave” the same or similarly ?
 
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Ok, after dropping the forks 15mm and applying some Adjustment on the rear shocks the ride and control is much improved !
I need a “helper” fine tune the adjustments :wasntme:
Oh dear, can you come with me into the garage, I need you to look at something …

I also have some new tires to install, then She’ll be good as new or better.
 
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