Oww my ruddy back!

G

Giles C

New member
Location
United Kingdom
Hi all, Greetings from North Yorkshire, UK!  :)

I've just finished my Alpina S renovation, and been out for a ride! Who-Hoo absolutely brilliant  :D :D

I got the bike 11 years ago after spotting it on Fleabay and remembering how much fun I used to have on a Monty when I was about 20, but it's been in a barn until I found enough time to get it up and running again.

I'm now 43 and have been battering my body pretty hard on the road in those past 23 years, (I'm a sound engineer) and Ehm, I've concluded this morning that the 500 is ruddy hard on my back..

I've searched for 500 shocks, but there seems to be varying opinions, Can someone recommend something that will soften the preload? Has anyone got softer springs on their Marzocchis? Will that even work? (the bike has only done 11K kilometres so I'm hoping the damping will be ok).
Questions Questions... I've one for the carb guys too but that's another thread.

Thanks a lot for any help

Giles C


 

Attachments

  • Lav34.jpg
    Lav34.jpg
    60.3 KB · Views: 71
I was going to suggest higher bars but I see you have fairly flat bars already.How much do you weigh.Its a waste of time mucking around till you know how much travel your using.Whats it look like bouncing on the seat and looking at the travel.Set the sag at the rear to about 35 or 40mm with you sitting on it using the spring preloader.Then measure how far it sags without you from fully extended on the centrestand.This should be 10 to 15mm.If its less the springs to hard,more and its to soft.Then you needed to find what springs you have and swap to what you need.Any desent suspension bloke should be able to do this for peanuts.
 
Thanks for the swift reply.
I weigh 11 stone. I'll pop out and check what you mention and get back to you. The bike had monty exhausts / bikini fairing / clip-ons so no centre stand but I'll try and lift it.
Cheers
Giles
 
Has anyone got softer springs on their Marzocchis? Will that even work?
Click to expand...

Take the Marzos off, wrap in an oily rag, put in garage and then forget them.  The damping in those old shocks is very crude, changing the springs is only part of the answer.    Buy a set of Falcons with springs matched to your weight- probably 80lbs.
 
OK so the shocks settle with me on the bike a grand total of...
15mm
Oh dear.
It's either built for a big Italian Momma, or my swingarm bushes are seized. Oh for a Central stand..
I'll rig up something and get the shocks off to see.
 
They're Italian shocks from the dawn of time- what you've got is normal.
 
Giles C said:
OK so the shocks settle with me on the bike a grand total of...
15mm
Oh dear.
It's either built for a big Italian Momma, or my swingarm bushes are seized. Oh for a Central stand..
I'll rig up something and get the shocks off to see.
Click to expand...

I refer you to another recent thread about Hagon shocks which I can't be bothered to link to, but it's in here somewhere. For a none adjustable shock, manufacturers will set up spring weight, compression and rebound damping for a load of about 20+ stone, e.g. set up for a rider and pillion and maybe some luggage.

So, either (a) buy a shock with suitable spring weight and adjustable damping (b) get a shock set up for your weight or (c) strap 10 stone of potatoes (or your vegetable of choice!) on the pillion seat.
 
Nice looking 500 you have there what was the colour of it when you bought it.
I had one when I lived in the Uk rode that sucker every where on the stock shocks even took it back to its place of birth on a couple of occasions. We even went for a ride with Massimo up to a winery one year!

Say if your back is an issue you could always do it a favour and lash out on some French flair, fournales are unbeatable I reckon anyway for a plush ride....no more jarring of the back!

 
From restoring a 77 Alpino with less than 2,000 miles from new on it last year, I would suggest (as others have before)

1. take off the rear shocks and buy some new ones to match your weight and riding style. 
2. check swing arm actually moves - ours didn't and involved a fair bit of effort and time to get it apart, cleaned up, greased and back together - very worthwhile
3. replace bearings in both wheels and rear sprocket carrier
4. rebuild front end with new seals and boots, after pulling it down and giving it a thorough internal clean.  What came out smelt of cats pee, but the solid residue was really hard to shift.
5.check steering head bearings.  Our top bearing was cactus as moisture had gotten in.
6. brakes need rebuilding with new everything, including hoses.
7 rebuild carbies with new everything if possible after a good ultrasonic clean.

you have probably covered everything any way other than the shocks, but doing everything provides a much nicer experience.

Our experience is that the above adds up to the same costs as a new paint job for the bodywork.

Looks great by the way in the red.
 
Thanks for the advice. I'll look into these in the winter.
AFAIK the bike is in its original colour. I got a magazine article with it as it was a featured bike imported form Italy.  The article traced it's journey.  The bikini fairing is the same and has I think original stickers etc.
To be honest I'm not sure about it..
 
Update.
Robin a Falcon shock absorbers can make me a set within the week.  Fantastic service and price at ?209 delivered.
Can't wait. A major issue sorted.  :D
 
It might be worth experimenting with tyre pressures as well.
The BT45 rear at their recommended 2.5 bar was too much for my 13 stone on my Monty.
2.1-2.2 bar gave much more feel and comfort.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top