Subject: Re: FAC dampers on Loops
Author: Greg Field
Date: Sep 14, 2004, 4:47 PM
Post ID: 1717529975
OK, I'm short on time but will try to give enough info.
First, for those that already have the disc front end:
Start by buying a set of FAC dampers for the SP/G5. These are 1 inch
longer than the stock Eldo/T/T3 dampers and give an extra inch of
travel. They do jack up the front of the bike a bit, giving you more
ground clearance and making it easier to get the bike on the
centerstand. Both good things, in my opinion. These dampers require
longer G5 springs or the better WP or Moto Special progressive-wound
springs, or a 1-inch spacer to use the stock springs. The same jacking
effect can be gotten using the stock-type G5 dampers (without further
modification), but the dampers are nowhere near as good.
From there, proceed in one of these three ways. Note that I have only
done one of these (the hardest one) and thought of the easier ones
while slaving and cursing on the hard method. This means I'm only SURE
the hard way works, but I really believe the first two would also.
Drum-Brake-Top-Cap Method
This I think is the easiest and best method, which I thought of while
futzing with spacers needed to get Method 3 (the one I used) to work.
You don't have to ruin any stock parts to make it work (even the
drum-brake caps will still be useable).
1) Get a set of drum-brake fork top caps.
2) Center-drill each from the bottom for an 8mm tap. (I'm 99 percent
sure the FAC top cap is threaded 8x1.25, but measure to make sure it's
not 8x1.) Drill a blind hole (one that does not go all the way through)
deep enough to tap threads for a short stud or bit of all-thread.
3) Tap the threads and insert the short stud. JB Weld it in place.
4) Measure the depth of threads into the top of the FAC damper. Cut off
stud to just under this measurement.
5) Then, on a lathe or with files, turn down the FAC top caps so they
slide into the fork tubes. This is easier than it sounds; they are just
soft aluminum.
6) Screw together the drum-brake cap and dampers.
7) Affix the extender rod to the damper's slider and assemble springs
on dampers.
8) Insert spring-damper-top cap assemblies into tubes and thread the
top caps into the tubes to hand-tight.
9) Assemble rest of forks per normal procedure.
Modified-Stock-Top-Cap Method
You need to modify the stock damper adapters to do it this way, which
means you can only use FAC dampers after this. I did not do it this
way, so I do not have precise measurements. You'll have to do some
measuring and cutting.
1) Affix the extender rods to the dampers and pull out to full
extension.
2) Measure damper and extender. Write it down.
3) Measure length of the damper adapters and add it to the previous
measurement. What you want is a total length of XXXmm (I don't have it
handy but will get it tomorrow).
4) Cut from the bottom of the adapters the necessary inch or so to get
the correct overall length.
5) Use the stock 8mm cap screws to affix the adapters to the dampers.
6) Assemble springs on dampers.
8) Insert spring-damper-adapter assemblies into tubes and tighten the
adapters into the tubes.
9) Assemble rest of forks per normal procedure.
That's all I have time for now. Tomorrow, the hard method and how the
Modified-Drum-Brake-Top=Cap method could be used to add dampers to
drum-brake forks or to make it relatively easy to upgrade to discs.
GF