Topic: How to evaluate changes to the stock geometry in terms of performance? (CB550K)

[BradyN]

What's the advantage of tapered bearings? More load bearing surface area?

[grcamna2]

What's the advantage of tapered bearings? More load bearing surface area?

yes

[turboguzzi]

modern race bikes are indeed on ball bearings but would still go with tapered in a road bike for longevity.

agree that if you are a beginner, useless to look into geometry changes/rim sizes, etc. my simple cookbook would be stiffer fork springs, something in the range of 0.8-0.85 kg/mm, koni/icon shocks AND good rubber in stock domensions. i'm pretty sold these days on avon road riders but surely others have their own preferences.

when you'll start using up all the tire (i.e. no chicken stripes) and feel suspension/geometry  setup is holding you back, maybe itll be time to think about proper hipo mods. 



 

[simon#42]

yes taper roller bearings do last much longer they are also more tolerant to bad adjustment . but as we are in the racing and high performance section i will add that the increased load bearing area also means more friction and i would not see them as a performance enhancement .

[grcamna2]

yes taper roller bearings do last much longer they are also more tolerant to bad adjustment . but as we are in the racing and high performance section i will add that the increased load bearing area also means more friction and i would not see them as a performance enhancement .

Could i say a cheap alternative to a proper steering damper? sorry,I couldn't help it 

[simon#42]

dont start me off on steering dampers !

[FunJimmy]

dont start me off on steering dampers !

Go Simon. There are a few members that could benefit from your wisdom.

[bwaller]

Oh boy....this could be fun. 

Let er rip Simon!

[scottly]

If there is that much friction with tapered bearings, it means they are adjusted too tight.

[simon#42]

Oh boy....this could be fun. 

Let er rip Simon!

i thought we had agreed you would be off winning races this weekend brent , not winding me up on the internet !

[BradyN]

On a bike like ours, with relatively relaxed steering, would a steering dampener be of any use? Or are they only used on heavily modified bikes?

[flatlander]

on a (mostly) stock bike you don't need one. or if you do because you have wobbles etc. then actually something else is wrong and needs to be addressed directly.