What are inverted forks?

Message

Derail · #1 Unread post by **Derail** » Sat Jul 28, 2007 1:20 pm

Can someone explain this to me? I'm reading about it right now, but I don't fully understand it.

Fast Eddy B · Sat Jul 28, 2007 1:35 pm

Inverted:

Traditional

Try wikipedia. It's good.

Derail · #3 Unread post by **Derail** » Sat Jul 28, 2007 1:37 pm

Yeah I just didn't know all the names of the parts at first it made perfect sense the second time i read through. Your pictures would have saved me 10mins of reading though thanks

Fast Eddy B · Sat Jul 28, 2007 1:46 pm

No problem, take it easy

jonnythan · #5 Unread post by **jonnythan** » Sun Jul 29, 2007 1:10 pm

What's the point of inverted forks, though?

#6 Unread post by **Wrider** » Sun Jul 29, 2007 1:46 pm

Less weight to rebound, more weight up top, plus it lessens the overall weight because of the kinds of connectors needed...
Wrider

#7 Unread post by **Sev** » Sun Jul 29, 2007 3:29 pm

It puts the stiffest part of the fork at the top where it would normally show the most flex. It also allows for a reduction in the length of the inner slider.

Basically it makes a stiffer if somewhat heavier fork. Less flex means fewer problems with inconsistancies in the road whilst the bike is leaned over. The average rider would never notice the difference, but a racer will. Which is why you'll find them on basically every race bike currently in production.

If you want to look at a bike with crappy front end suspension the Yamaha V-Max is a good example.

Mon Jul 30, 2007 3:56 am

I understand that it is also done to help lighten the weight of the suspension. By inverting the forks, there is less weight on the suspension components that move during a bump. Therfore the bike can more quickly and easily return to it's "normal" state after going over a bump.

I hope I got that right!

Andrea

Venarius · #9 Unread post by **Venarius** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 5:39 am

All the race bikes...and the occasional cruiser.

My VTX 1800 has inverted forks.

#10 Unread post by **Sev** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 1:52 pm

sunshine229 wrote:I understand that it is also done to help lighten the weight of the suspension. By inverting the forks, there is less weight on the suspension components that move during a bump. Therfore the bike can more quickly and easily return to it's "normal" state after going over a bump.

I hope I got that right!

Andrea

It's also a reduction in unsprung weight, which can greatly improve handling during a turn.

Yes Ven... and the occasional cruiser. If memory serves so does the antiquated Suzuki Marauder.