lansdowne fork kit installed

Received my Lansdowne fork cartridge kit and installed it today. The instructions provided ( both online and with the kit ) were quite simple to follow. . I set the compression and rebound adjustment as suggested and was wondering how that worked out for the other folks who are running the setup. I ride my MK1 solo , mostly on backroads that dont have the smoothest surface so I am looking forward to a more supple and controlled front suspension. Cheers

I found it a bit stiff on recommended settings, especially the compression damping. I easedthe rebound off a bit & & the compression a bit more. It's still firm solo but ridden two up it's just right. I ride mostly with wife on back so have left it like that. It's a fantastic upgrade for the forks & for the gains you get is good value.

Ian

The compression side as twice the oil to meter,so that side can be set with less "needle" screwed in, try 2-3 turns out.
If you find the forks are un-willing to soften on compression with the compression adjuster screwed three turn's out this can suggest the forks are stiff due to some other reason.
Slightly twisted assembly,or worn sliders/bush's will produce a "Harsh" feeling .
Adrian Dedman from EKK racing,who is a successful Commando sidecar racer,found my kit "choppy" and no amount of Damper "twiddling" would ease this, I re-sleeved h is fork sliders and made up some new plastic bush's, Only then did the New assembly became smooth ,
I have found over the years that the lansdowne kit will make poor fork action Worst,and good forks much BETTER!
It is difficult to see internal slider wear,and can be quite bad, after all the sliders can be over 40 years old.
I think fork oil changing was never "top" of the maintenance list, and how many owners after a spill checked the forks for trueness afterwards?
I have never rated the norton design, the fork assembly as no ridgidity, Grip the front wheel between your Knee's and twist the bars for-aft,you will see the whole assembly twist, On hard braking single sided "big" disc's will twist the wheel out of alignment untill the tire rub's the fender!...But dont worry about it your brain makes auto adjustment to this condition :roll: hopefully :!:

Hi , I had a track day with my 850 Roadster with Lansdowne inserts, found that I had the settings pretty well sorted and noticed no extra dive or chatter under track conditions. Found that my braking was a lot later than than I would normally try with the standard Roadholder set up.
Have to edit some video and will post, not exactly blistering speed as the bike didnt run to well untill I changed mufflers and needle settings , by then my camera battery was flat for the last track setting when it all came together.
Thanks John a lot more confidence in the front end
Regards Mike

Hi Mike,
Most racers like the fact "Dive" can be controlled, Stock norton dampers have "No compression" damping unless they have 140 gear oil in them!
Duncan "lansdowne winner" had 140 gear oil in his manx, Dave his spanners man warmed them up with a hot air gun before racing!
Having control over the "big lunge's" on hard braking is disireable,coil bound solid forks carn't be good :?:

Glad you have tuned them in, it takes a bit experimenting.
Regards
John
www.lansdowne-engineeing.com

Are the drop-in dampers a "cartridge" in the sense that it uses a valve-stack for high-speed (high shaft speed) damping or does it rely on only orifice damping for high- and low shaft speed damping?

First ride out the bike seems to absorb the bumps better than before( stock setup, stock springs, Covenant mod, 20w oil). Still topped out a bit before, did not experience that on last ride. If it doesnt get any better than this, I am already happy from the improvement... will report later after a bit more riding and adjustment