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Bitubo vs FAC fork dampers: pros and cons?

KnowFear

KnowFear

Cruisin' Guzzisti
Joined
Feb 2, 2011
Messages
103
Does anyone have any experience with these dampers for the 35mm forks? I just bought a set of the Bitubo dampers for my LM III, but I am reluctant to use them since they are 9mm shorter than the OEM dampers. This bike is not exactly blessed with ground clearance as it is.

I have so many questions...

1) Are the Bitubo dampers OK if used with the HD fork springs? The initial sag would be less, so the effective ride height might be the same as with the longer OEM dampers and softer OEM springs.

2) What is better? Bitubo gas-charging, or FAC air-assistance? Maintaining the air pressure in the FAC dampers seems like a recipe for pain.

3) Are the FAC dampers the same length as the OEM dampers?

I have some experience with conventional forks, but these Guzzi "cartridges" are not giving me a warm and fuzzy feeling. All advice is welcome - thanks in advance.
Chris
 
The Bitubo cartridges are supposed to last a very long time. What problems are you having w/your forks ?
I am not sure how much difference the 9mm will make. Can you make extensions to go on the bottom. I think there is a double-d on the bottom of the cartridge that fits in the bottom of the fork leg. This is held in place by a 6mm socket head capsrew.
 
KnowFear said:
Does anyone have any experience with these dampers for the 35mm forks? I just bought a set of the Bitubo dampers for my LM III, but I am reluctant to use them since they are 9mm shorter than the OEM dampers. This bike is not exactly blessed with ground clearance as it is.

I have so many questions...

2) What is better? Bitubo gas-charging, or FAC air-assistance? Maintaining the air pressure in the FAC dampers seems like a recipe for pain.

Chris
Click to expand...

The FACs have a reputation as being better dampers, and my experience with them is that they are very good. I don't have any experience of brand new Bitubos, however (only well-worn ones).

The FACs are almost always run with zero air pressure in the provided valves, by common assent. They work very well that way and don't seem to need any extra pressure.

Moto
 
gstallons said:
The Bitubo cartridges are supposed to last a very long time. What problems are you having w/your forks ?
I am not sure how much difference the 9mm will make. Can you make extensions to go on the bottom. I think there is a double-d on the bottom of the cartridge that fits in the bottom of the fork leg. This is held in place by a 6mm socket head capsrew.
Click to expand...

Mine are worn out. There is a damper rod extension that threads onto the cartridge's damper rod. This extension is held by a 8mm socket head cap screw at the bottom of the fork leg.

I have some cartridge length info (all measurements from the underside of the cap's hex to the threaded tip of the damper rod):

OEM ('83 LMIII) cartridge length = 42.8 cm
Bitubo cartridge length = 41.9 cm
FAC cartridge length = 43 cm

I think I'm going to go with the FAC cartridges, unless I can easily get a longer damper rod extension.
 
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