Forum

[potboiler]

As you all probably know, the ride quality of a standard Bullet can be quite harsh, especially if you are of light build, like me - 10 stone. The deteriorating road surfaces of our back roads and lanes highlight the shortcomings of the basic suspension set up and can give you some nasty jolts up your spine. After a bit of experimentation I have found some alterations that improve the ride (for me, that is). I have fitted the Hitchcocks lighter springs in the front and rear suspension. While the front legs were dismantled I drilled out the 2 holes in the damper rods, making them about 1mm larger in diameter. This has decreased the compression damping on the front, helping to use a bit more fork travel. I filled with 180mls of approx 17.5 SAE oil to get the rebound damping about right. I have no pre-load on the rear when solo and set to the middle when taking my lightweight passenger. I also have a 20mm gel pad under a sheepskin on the original dual seat. Without spending a couple of hundred pounds on rear Hagons plus emulators for the front I feel I have made a cost effective and noticeable improvement.

[PeteF]

Similar results can be had on the front end by using lighter oil but not drilling out the rods. I use ATF in mine (about sae 7 I believe) and the forks are nice and boingy (that's a technical term)

[Phil Ashbrook]

I have a 1995 500 export and my rear shocks are very stiff as well and I'm only 9 stone , you could try the Armstrong type as they look very nice whatever you pick send some feedback before I plunge into my wallet .

[scotty]

Good way I found fitted a pair of electra shocks to an iron barrel they are 320mm between centres std shocks 300mm you just have to reset swing arm to a new centre position make a gauge out of a bit of flat bar with holes at the correct distance slacken the swing arm pivot bolt fit gauge tighten sa bolt and fit other side shock plus one on gauge side. This lifts the rear a little think it steepens fork angle seems to turn into corners better.