Cafe Racer Suspension in Hungary?

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Schwany

Schwany

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Anybody tried or know anyone that has experience with the shocks or Ceriana 35mm forks Cafe Racer Suspension is manufacturing?

caferacersuspension dot com

The site is not secure. Not sure if that is good or bad.

Similar to Maxton, but real small operation.
 
The site is secure if you use Https and not http to access it. They are a copy of the CBR600RR Showa 20mm cartridges fitted to Ceriani legs and stanchions, how they perform is really down to how they are setup. In the US you could use Cosentino inserts in Ceriani forks for same results from NYC.
 
I have the GP35 forks in my Seeley and they work well, I have the shortest ones he makes and found I have to use less oil than Laszlo recommends but all good otherwise.
 
kommando said:
The site is secure if you use Https and not http to access it. They are a copy of the CBR600RR Showa 20mm cartridges fitted to Ceriani legs and stanchions, how they perform is really down to how they are setup. In the US you could use Cosentino inserts in Ceriani forks for same results from NYC.
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I'd be getting shocks from them initially, and then if I can't sort out my Betor 35mm forks for street use, Ceriani style 35mm forks. Nothing is set in cement, many choices, and I'm just looking.

Thanks gents
 
kommando said:
The site is secure if you use Https and not http to access it. They are a copy of the CBR600RR Showa 20mm cartridges fitted to Ceriani legs and stanchions, how they perform is really down to how they are setup. In the US you could use Cosentino inserts in Ceriani forks for same results from NYC.
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Or indeed Cosentino inserts in Norton forks, for the same result!

-Knut
 
I went ahead and ordered a set of GS 03 shocks from Cafe Racer Suspension. Csaba says they are a little stiffer compression damping wise than typical Norton shocks. Not sure how they will compare to my old Koni shocks, but I'm guessing they will be a little better overall with the right spring rate. I like the ability to dial in a finer adjustment to the preload, and they have +/- 10mm of length adjustment as well.

I don't know what they are a copy of, but I'm sure they are better than any shocks Norton ever put on a street bike built in 1967.
 
storm42 said:
I have the GP35 forks in my Seeley and they work well, I have the shortest ones he makes and found I have to use less oil than Laszlo recommends but all good otherwise.
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I will probably get the longer 800mm GP35R set and pull them up in the triple clamps about an inch. My current forks are 775mm and they are in the ball park. Besides it's a lot easier to pull the forks up than stretch them if they are too short. ;)
 
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The CR Suspension shocks made it from Hungary to Seattle in a little over 48 hours. Left Budapest Wednesday afternoon and arrived on my doorstep in Seattle Friday around 3:30PM.

Nothing to say about performance on the street yet, since they're not mounted. I have to make or dig out some shims for the eyelets. The eyelets are not as wide as they are on typical Norton shocks. Eyelets are 3/8". I had to use an adapter with the Koni shocks.

Also a bit baffled as to how the heck I'll adjust preload. I thought the shocks would come with a tool for the very unusual adjuster ring, but nope, I'll have to make one. The notches in the ring are not squared off notches. They are arcs. Cute, but I don't own the right shock tool to turn that ring.

Koni and CRS shock below. CRS shocks are adjustable for length. I got a 320-330mm set. Plan to run them at the short end. Ride report will be in the appropriate forum for the Norton these will go on. I expect a very plush ride compared to how the Koni shocks are sprung.

Cafe Racer Suspension in Hungary?
 
gortnipper said:
Those look the part, but that ring adjusters indents are just strange...
Click to expand...

I'm an idiot, but that probably goes without saying.

The preload adjuster is adjustable by hand. Unbelievably smooth and easy to do. I hadn't tried when I wrote that earlier comment up. I just figured I'd need a tool. My Koni shocks were over sprung and took some effort even with the tool, and most of the other shocks I set spring preload on use a tool. Maybe I'm a tool.

Going for a test ride soon. Trying to muster the courage. I really don't like riding in cold weather anymore. In the 40's here, which I know isn't that cold for some folk, but it doesn't make me want to get out there for a ride.
 
Schwany said:
I'm an idiot, but that probably goes without saying.

The preload adjuster is adjustable by hand. Unbelievably smooth and easy to do. I hadn't tried when I wrote that earlier comment up. I just figured I'd need a tool. My Koni shocks were over sprung and took some effort even with the tool, and most of the other shocks I set spring preload on use a tool. Maybe I'm a tool.

Going for a test ride soon. Trying to muster the courage. I really don't like riding in cold weather anymore. In the 40's here, which I know isn't that cold for some folk, but it doesn't make me want to get out there for a ride.
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As long as it isn't raining. I used to ride all year long in Seattle thru the 80s as I didn't have a car. I HATE riding in rain now.
 
Schwany, what's the distance from the center of the bottom eyelet to the bottom spring mount? Looks about 3 inches and not likely to clear a Commando chain guard. Hagons are about 4 inches below the bottom spring.
 
Peavey Jeltz said:
Schwany, what's the distance from the center of the bottom eyelet to the bottom spring mount? Looks about 3 inches and not likely to clear a Commando chain guard. Hagons are about 4 inches below the bottom spring.
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I know this is a Commando forum, but these shocks are not a problem on a P11 where they are currently mounted. No chain guard. They are adjustable at the lower eyelet end. This set would max out at 3.4 inches at that measurement. They can be purchased in different lengths. The Koni shocks pictured are 3 inches from eyelet to base of spring mount at the lowest preload setting, and they also fit the P11 without issue.

Hagons probably work, but were not on my list. I wanted more control over preload adjustment, rebound damping, and adjustable length. My other choice was Maxton. The Maxton comes built for a Commando, and fits some of my criteria, but they are not length adjustable. The CR shocks are affordable. I'll see how they work. I don't think I'll wear them out. I don't ride enough, and never ride 2 up.
 
Thanks Schwany. Was kinda guessing you didn't have a chain guard fitted so no clearance issues like you'd have on a Commando, but it never hurts to check.
 
'67 P11 didn't come with a chain guard. The later P11A and Ranger did I believe. There is .5" of space between the chain and shock spring mount. It's very close. The shocks could be shimmed out another 1/8th" but probably still not enough. CRS appears to cater more to the weekend warrior on the track. Not many bikes built for the track have chain guards. ;)

Good point though. I'm not sure CRS makes a shock that would work on a Commando with a chain guard without being too long.
 
Schwany said:
The CR Suspension shocks made it from Hungary to Seattle in a little over 48 hours. Left Budapest Wednesday afternoon and arrived on my doorstep in Seattle Friday around 3:30PM.

Nothing to say about performance on the street yet, since they're not mounted. I have to make or dig out some shims for the eyelets. The eyelets are not as wide as they are on typical Norton shocks. Eyelets are 3/8". I had to use an adapter with the Koni shocks.

Also a bit baffled as to how the heck I'll adjust preload. I thought the shocks would come with a tool for the very unusual adjuster ring, but nope, I'll have to make one. The notches in the ring are not squared off notches. They are arcs. Cute, but I don't own the right shock tool to turn that ring.

Koni and CRS shock below. CRS shocks are adjustable for length. I got a 320-330mm set. Plan to run them at the short end. Ride report will be in the appropriate forum for the Norton these will go on. I expect a very plush ride compared to how the Koni shocks are sprung.

Cafe Racer Suspension in Hungary?
Click to expand...
With that lock ring being so easy to turn, does it have a grub screw to lock the position?

Maxtons do, and they are pretty easy to adjust by hand, but do come with holes and a tool for adjustment.

If that grub screw is loose, the ring will turn and self adjust! So it needs checking periodically.
 
SteveA said:
With that lock ring being so easy to turn, does it have a grub screw to lock the position?

Maxtons do, and they are pretty easy to adjust by hand, but do come with holes and a tool for adjustment.

If that grub screw is loose, the ring will turn and self adjust! So it needs checking periodically.
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Yes, the pre-load adjuster has a "set" screw. USA talk, or maybe redneck talk. ;)

I have not got to my optimal setting yet, so the set screw is still not tightened. It did not self adjust after a street legal speed limit 20 mile test. Once I get the preload exactly where I want it for the street, I'll tighten it up. CRS recommends a starting point of 20mm of preload with rider weight, so the spring is pretty tight, which prevents the adjuster from spinning on its own very easily. However, I already understood that it could back off. I'm not that sharp tables, charts, and graphs wise, but the mechanical stuff I definitely have a handle on. Thanks for the heads up just the same.

The CR GS03 shocks are quality affordable shocks based on my test run. However, not for a Commando with a chain guard. I'm very happy I choose these over the more popular Maxton. I weigh about 195lbs dressed out. The P11 weighs about 350lbs, maybe less. I'm using a 110lbs progressive wound springs. That spring weight on these shocks is a good compromise for my weight. Not too soft and not too stiff. If I was going to race and knew the track was relatively smooth, I would probably use a stiffer spring.
 
Schwany said:
Yes, the pre-load adjuster has a "set" screw. USA talk, or maybe redneck talk. ;)

I have not got to my optimal setting yet, so the set screw is still not tightened. It did not self adjust after a street legal speed limit 20 mile test. Once I get the preload exactly where I want it for the street, I'll tighten it up. CRS recommends a starting point of 20mm of preload with rider weight, so the spring is pretty tight, which prevents the adjuster from spinning on its own very easily. However, I already understood that it could back off. I'm not that sharp tables, charts, and graphs wise, but the mechanical stuff I definitely have a handle on. Thanks for the heads up just the same.

The CR GS03 shocks are quality affordable shocks based on my test run. However, not for a Commando with a chain guard. I'm very happy I choose these over the more popular Maxton. I weigh about 195lbs dressed out. The P11 weighs about 350lbs, maybe less. I'm using a 110lbs progressive wound springs. That spring weight on these shocks is a good compromise for my weight. Not too soft and not too stiff. If I was going to race and knew the track was relatively smooth, I would probably use a stiffer spring.
Click to expand...
I also weigh around 90 Kilos, but I would not go harder than that 110lb spring for racing, maybe even a little lighter, but we all like a different feel.
 
Schwany I have a set of Maxtons (18 years old) that I purchased without springs! Doing the measurements Maxton have asked me which of the three lengths of spring I would like? Ie adjustable for length?
Don't know how many kilos im 14 stone but my shocks were on a North with iether 70 or 80lb springs.
 
Using a shorter spring to shorten the eyelet to eyelet length on the Maxton would reduce overall shock travel. Not a big deal unless using a shorter spring and the resulting reduction in travel lets the shock bottom out too soon. I may have misunderstood your example though.

On the CRS GS03, the +-10mm eyelet to eyelet adjustment mechanism is below the fixed lower spring mount, and overall shock travel as well as spring length remains the same regardless of the adjusted length measurement.

I suppose I could go lighter on the springs. The 110lb springs are a little on the stiffer side of the not too soft not too stiff scale. The way it is sprung now seems good for a brand new pair of shocks with only 20 put put miles on them. I may order the 90lb springs after a couple hundred more miles on the shocks. Time will tell. Not riding much this time of year. Strictly a fair weather man in my golden years.
 
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