nif40

BigBird2, Without coming off as a complete jerk, I am afraid you may not get the answers you are looking for in this forum. I went through the exact process you have just described except I took the spring completely out of the left fork when I did my testing. I tested the following (2.5wt, 5wt, 10wt). My results matched your results, which were if you put thicker weight oil in the left fork leg on a 2009 beta evo, this will not increase compression damping. After (3) different oil types with no change in compression dampening, I put some 20W-50 Castrol motor oil in and there was virtually no effect. My first thought was that I had something wrong with my front forks from the factory, but later confirmed that other Beta owners had the same issue as my bike. I think the key is in what you said: “However, the passages for the oil are so huge that it provides almost no damping in either direction even if you use thicker oil.” I have a good riding buddy that is considered our local master motorcycle mechanic (he has gone to all of the schools for suspension work). He took a look at my beta forks and basically concur with what you said. The oil passage holes are too large and need to be welded up and re-drilled. He commented that it is somewhat of a guess for the first few tries before you can get the correct orifice size dialed in. As a side note: Don’t be surprised if several guy’s chime into this conversation and tell you that you don’t now what you are talking about. Others will comment that you haven’t spent enough time riding. Heck, I had one guy tell me I didn’t have any business riding motorcycles. At 69, I suspect you have been riding long enough to know what you are talking about. I really like the Beta’s design, ergonomics, motor, styling, handling, but with back to back testing of other bikes can truly say that the Achilles heal of the Beta is the suspension. I suppose there are commercial reasons for why Beta doesn’t just swallow their pride and put some better forks (Marzocchi) on their bikes and the rear would hurt to be tweaked as well. I am not going to argue which is better, but if you have any “feel” and all, I would suggest riding some of the other brands and come back and tell me how the two compare in the suspension department. BTW, if I ever get my forks welded and drilled I will let you know how it goes. Good luck.

Ole man BT didn

Sorry to back the conversations up a bit, but I don

Billy, You can put a good rider on an average bike and he can do great things (I see it in the district I ride in frequently). My issue is not that the bike is limiting my ability to perform, but rather forcing me to altering the way in which I do certain things. I am not a heavy guy (180lb) and when performing simple hopping maneuvers (on flat ground) my forks completely bottom out. When going over large logs or going down very steep slopes with abrupt transition, my forks bottom out so hard I feel like my wrist are going to break (and yes, my oil levels are correct). I did change the fork springs to bring my rider sag within a more reasonable level, however, I am still blowing through the stroke (lack of compression damping) and bottoming my forks. Why should I alter my riding style due to fork limitations? Rebound is adjustable as we already discussed so no need to go there. Pre-load is adjustable & spring rate is adjustable as discussed. Compression can be altered with valving/shim stack, air chamber, and oil viscosity...understood. This method of compression adjustment is very tedious, inconvenient and time consuming. Guess what, there are better forks out there that have adjustments in the form of clickers that take care of the shim stack / viscosity games needed to be played with the Paioli forks. Just to clarify, I understand that I will never be a pro rider but if bike tuning is not really a limiting factor in how a bike performs then why even put adjusters on the forks at all? Why do they put air or fuel screw adjusters on carburetors? I wonder why Cody Webb didn

Billy T This is an online discussion site where people hold conversations in the form of posted messages. Regarding my post; I stand corrected on thinking that the Paioli fork adjustment (right fork) controlled both compression & rebound. However, I now have a better understanding of how they work (experience teaches us slowly the cost of mistakes). That still does not change the fact that the Paioli fork is not a fully adjustable fork like the Marzocchi forks. In regard to your post, I couldn't help notice that you seem a little agitated about something I said. Would you care to elaborate? Maybe you are a suspension guru, a set-up guy, a factory rider, or a 240lb bench racer? If you have something to say that would contribute to this post that I or someone else can gain from why not post it so your knowledge can be acquired by others? I don't think much of a man who is not wiser today than he was yesterday. ~Abraham Lincoln

Ok, I did confirm from two different sources the following information regarding the Paioli fork. Left Leg - contains the fork spring, Pre-load adjuster, & oil for lubrication. The only adjustment on the left leg is the pre-load adjustment for the spring. Right Leg - there is a rebound adjustment only (no compression adjustment). The only way to adjust compression damping on the Paioli fork (at least the model used for Beta) is by changing oil viscosity or modify the valving in this leg.

Liviob, Thanks for the reply. I did a bit of reading on the net (for whatever that is worth) regarding the Paioli forks. One article said that the right leg was compression/rebound and the other article said it was as you described below. The 2nd article which matches what you say said this: Right Leg (rebound) Left Leg (spring) Compression damping is not adjustable except by changing oil viscosity or modifying parts in the left leg. I will take my forks off tonight and let you know what I find.

Compression is not controlled in the left fork leg (spring side) on the Paioli. The purpose of the spring is to hold the bike up in the stroke (free sag) and controls rider sag when standing on the bike, not compression control. Depending upon your weight you may have to change springs to obtain correct rider height. Yes, a heavier spring will be harder to compress, but it is relative to the rider weight. The right fork (with clicker) adjusts BOTH the damping & rebound at the same time. That means if you turn the screw "in" you are restricting flow in both directions (compression & rebound). This is the fundamental issue with the forks. Example: If a person is an aggressive rider and takes big hits then more than likely he is going to want to increase compression damping so the fork will absorbing (through valving, not spring rate) the high energy. However, the same rider may want the rebound damping of the fork to be faster acting so hopping and steering is not compromised. Because the Paioli fork does not have separate compression & rebound control this particular rider is SOL if he happens to be riding a BETA. You can change the oil and this may help some, but you are still adjusting both compression & rebound simultaneously. You can adjust the oil height to resist bottoming, but this does nothing if I want to adjust my fork in both directions (the rate of change or metering of oil does not change by changing the air gap). Disclaimer: I am not touting myself as a suspension expert, but I did stay at a Holiday in last night

I started looking into converting my front forks over from the CRAPoli's to the Marzocchi but decided by the time I did the conversion my cost would be so high it just wouldn't be worth the effort. It is a shame that there is a better product on the market and BETA will not use it? I have already changed the front springs & rear spring to try to get my bike to behave somewhat reasonable. Before the front spring swap my forks would bottom out (hard) just doing front wheel hops in the front yard on flat ground and the rear was so sagged out (I weight 180lb) that my bike rode like a chopper. Because of the LACK of adjustment on the CRAPoli forks, I can't adjust the damping where I want it so the forks absorb big hits without having the fork rebound become so slow that the forks feel DEAD.

I currently own a Beta EVO. On occasion I ride other ppls bikes and I cannot understand why Beta is not using the 40mm Marzocchi forks along with its mating shock that GG is using? The 38mm Paioli forks just plain suck compared to the 40's. If you don't believe me, go ride a bike with the Marz on them before you comment. So, is the choice solely a manufacturers choice (Beta) or is there some type of legalities that would prevent Beta from using a superior fork & shock? Beta uses basically a ZERO adjustable suspension set-up compared to it's competitor who uses a fully adjustable suspension (dampening & Rebound on both the fork & shock).

I have a friend who is moving to the UK for a couple of years. He has an 05 Scorpa trials bike. Would it be cheaper for him to sell his bike in the US and purchase when he gets to the UK or should he ship his bike to UK?

Does anyone have information on the new Beta Importer? When is he taking over? Is there a current website? It is about time someone takes over the Beta bikes and parts in the U.S. Our current importer has his prices hiked up so high, you would think the parts were laced in gold.

I believe I saw a post on this board sometime ago regarding the beta shock springs. I have an 07 beta Rev and I have a friend who has an 09 Evo. I weight 180 lb (82kg) and my buddys weight is 220 lb (100kg). Does someone offer stiffer spring rates for our bikes?

DO NOT PUT A HOLE IN YOUR FLYWHEEL OR NOTCH OR ANY TYPE OF EXPOSED HOLE.........THIS IS NOT PROPER. If someone can tell me how to post a picture on this site I will show you how to remedy this issue. The solution is simple, cost almost nothing and you will not have any worries with water getting into the flywheel area. Items Needed: Clear tubing (4 feet long) shrader valve Drill & Tap

mrgas, I understand what others are talking about in regard to power but....to say that no one needs a 270 is a little much. Throttle and clutch control (along with balance) are key, but you will adjust to your bike in no time and be just fine. I also chose an 07 beta 270 for various reasons, including one which is I ride in very hilly conditions (lots and lots of hill climbs). I am not heavy 6'2" tall @ 180 lb (67kg). Another reason for someone too choose the 270 is that (unfortunately) people are over weight (this is not only in the U.S.). So.........for those who like to eat cake and cookies instead of vegetables, get out and ride that 270 and loose some fat.