Handling - is it me? Or...

[Portugeezer42]

Hi,

I am on my second Bird, after my last one was destroyed in a garage fire in Dubrovnik......

Prior to the accident I have put on a new set Batlax 023s....the handling was sharp, or at least it felt as such.

So, after the accident I bought another Bird - a 2006 model and 3 years younger than my lost one! I did the same thing, bought it and gave a FULL service and bought a new set of Batlax 023s......

However, the handling does not seem as sharp as the old Bird. I read in Ride magazine about putting a 6mm spacer in the rear shock to improve handling. I don't think this new Bird has this, but I also don't know if the old one had that either.

Is there any value putting this spacer in? Has anyone else done this and seen the improvement in such a dramatic and noticeable way as I have - albeit I seem to have backwards in my handling capability.

Any advice or insights are gratefully received.

Cheers,

Pedro

 

[Canadian Bird]

What tire pressure are you running? I don't have 6" shim b/c I have an aftermarket Penske. I've also run Battles 023s. I guess I can't offer a solution.


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[Portugeezer42]

Hi,

I checked that - 42 F and R. The old one was the same.

I just rode it down to Genk in Belgium, and it just does not seem to have that quick steering feeling that I felt with the old bike....

I was just curious about the 6mm spacer that I read about.....and to see what people thought.

How do you find the BT023s?

Cheers,

P

 

[Canadian Bird]

I've ridden on most tires. I'm BC, Wash, Oregon and N Cali where I ride I've had no issues. My highest priority is good in the rain. I have a pair of Conti waiting till high season to go on. Tires in the States are cheaper than elsewhere. I do a lot of mnt riding with loaded Givis. I'm not riding track and have very good suspension so most 2013 tires server well. Good luck but I don't think a 6mm spacer is a substitute for good Suspention. Brit and Euro roads are most likely quit diff from NA roads. I can't give you a nuanced description of any tire. Black, round, sticky good in the wet. That's my criteria. Cheers


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[ScottyUK]

I rode my 'bird without a spacer for a while but added it fairly soon after getting it. It seems to help.

Gotta be worth a try @tu*

 

[Bluey]

Get one its the best fiver you will spend raises the back up and sharpens up the steering

 

[Bodmin]

Yes, it does improve things noticably and is a very cheap and easy mod to do. I believe a lot on here have done it.

 

[Wolfie]

and lower the yokes 5mm down the forks

 

[Portugeezer42]

Gents - thanks for that, will take your advice and get the mods done. I will report back and let you know the difference I feel with the bike.

 

[ianrobbo1]

Don't bother with the forks until after you've fitted the spacer, as that "may" be all it needs, if not then lower the front!!:dunno:

 

[Portugeezer42]

Cheers Ian, was kind of thinking of doing things in stages.

Just for the record, my last Bird was red, this new one is black.....maybe that's the REAL difference! d04l1ng

 

[ianrobbo1]

Cheers Ian, was kind of thinking of doing things in stages.

Just for the record, my last Bird was red, this new one is black.....maybe that's the REAL difference! d04l1ng

:dunno: WELL!! if you'd said :dunno: waste of time polishing a turd!! just leave it as is, no amount of bit's n pieces will make much difference!!:-0)

 

[ChazUFO]

p0pc0rn41 sitting back and waiting for the inevitable p0pc0rn41

 

[Centaur]

12 mm spacer

The first Bbird I ever rode was as a delivery boy bringing the bike from NI to Wales. It frightened me fartless as it fell in to corners. On delivery to the new owner, an experienced Bbirder, investigation revealed two 6mm spacers and 10mm drop on the front. Reducing to one spacer and putting the front to stock transformed the bike into a dream machine. Subsequently on my own Bbirds I found 6mm perfect. No spacer meant humping the bbird into corners. It does raise the ride height but at 5.8 with a 29 inch inside leg I had no problems. I did read somewhere that when the Bbird first came out the Japanese were racing them with a 50mm spacer!

 

[Portugeezer42]

One final request - I live in Holland and have little confidence that they know about this mod at the Honda dealer I have been using. Lads, it's just different here to how it is the UK, we in the UK have a much more extensive network of garages, dealers, bike shops etc. Plus the roads here are THE most boring.
So, the request - can anyone please send me pictures and instructions of what I want the garage here to do? I am not confident enough to attempt something like this. I know this is a big ask, but I really want to get this spacer in and improve the handling.
I thank everyone thus far for the reponses - much appreciated.

Cheers,

Pedro

 

[robsbird]

just order it from John and get them to put it in or

http://www.jaws-motorcycles.co.uk/bird2.htm

or if ya get big penny washers like id did just cut a slot in to them

@tu*

 

[Bodmin]

If you order it from John (Jaws) , I'm pretty certain, if I remember correctly it comes with very comprehensive instructions with pictures. Perhaps John or someone who has fitted one recently will confirm this.
It is however, a VERY SIMPLE job

 

[Portugeezer42]

Cheers Bodmin, that's what I really wanted. Just wanted to make sure I could tell the garage here in Holland exactly what to do.

 

[Bodmin]

Cheers Bodmin, that's what I really wanted. Just wanted to make sure I could tell the garage here in Holland exactly what to do.

No problem.
Basically, you need to put the bike on Centre stand
Undo the 2 bolts holding the petrol tank, and raise the back of it (use the tools in the tool kit to support it)
Lever the plastic bit from around the nut on the top of the shock
Loosen the nut, and let the shock drop to make space for the spacer.
Insert the spacer between the frame and the top of the shock (slot goes around the threaded shaft of the shock)
Turn the spacer through 90 degrees to make sure the spacer doesn?t slip
Do the nut on top of the shock up to correct torque and reposition plastic
Reposition and secure the tank
Check chain tension (the chain will need to be a bit looser than before, due to the change in the geometry of the swing arm.
THIS IS FROM MEMORY (more than 5 years ago!), AND CANNOT BE TAKEN AS FULL INSTRUCTIONS

 

[CBRDEAN0]

Just wanted to make sure I could tell the garage here in Holland exactly what to do.

Basically
Undo the nut holding the top shockmount to the frame until there is a 6mm gap between the underside of the frame and the top of the shockmount.

Slide the shim in to the gap between the frame and the shockmount.

Fasten the nut up clamping the shim in between the frame and the top shockmount.