Before fitting a new front fork damper to your Speedway Leading link forks, it is important to check that the forks are in good condition, not twisted or suffering from any crash damage.

REMOVE the old damper and the rubber suspension bands THEN, the lower link should be free to move, throughout it's full travel. Any stiffness should be investigated and the problem cured.

The new Falcon damper should be bolted in place with the valve at the top, making sure that the damper is working straight up and down in line with the fork leg. 

The sliding top shock mount should be bolted firmly in place, in a position where the shock bottoms out on the bump rubber, before the tyre touches the front mudguard fixing nuts. VERY IMPORTANT

The bands of the required stiffness should be ADDED, so that the front of the bike is just at it's maximum ride height, with little or no static sag.

When the rider puts his weight on the offside foot-peg, the forks should move slightly under the load and deflect approximately 10mm to 12mm. It is important to set the bands so that the forks will move under light loads. The front wheel must react to slight bumps in the track, in order to follow the contours of the ground as much as possible, particularly when cornering.

The idea of front suspension on a speedway bike is to allow the front wheel to follow your chosen race line.  If the forks are too hard, the front tyre will skip across the tops of the bumps under the cornering forces, and contribute to the front wheel drifting off your race line.

This method of setting up your forks is a guide only.

For further help in setting up your front fork suspension, please ring the factory during telephone answering hours. (click here for our contact details)