Front Suspension System Descriptions; Basic Damper Operation; Friction Damper Operating Principles - Honda Motorcycle Service Manual

FRONT SUSPENSION
Telescopic and pivoting link-type front suspension systems are by far the most widely used types on motorcycles and
scooters.
Telescopic front suspension systems are made up of a pair of upper fork tubes and lower fork sliders that telescope into one
another. Within the set of tubes on either side is a spring and an oil damping system. Some systems utilize a cartridge damper
within the fork sliders.
Basically, the oil controls the natural tendency of the spring t o continue t o rebound in ever decreasing amounts in both direc-
tions once acted upon by outside forces. Forcing the oil in each fork leg through a series of small holes, in effect, separates
the riderlbike combination from both the unwanted characteristics of the spring and from height variations in the riding
surface.
The pivoting link front suspension connects the axle t o the fork by means of a pivoting link extending from the ends of
the axle t o the upper front portion of the fork. Between the pivot points on the fork and the axle are eyelets t o which the
spring/damper units are attached. The top of each 'shock absorber' is attached t o the fork, up near the lower steering
head bearing.
This design is divided into t w o basic categories. The trailing link design has the axle supported by links and 'shock absorbers'
that 'trail' from the leading edge of the lower portion of the fork. The leading link type front suspension has the links
pivoting toward the front ; n d the 'shock absorbers' mounted t o the leading edge of the fork
TELESCOPIC
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BASIC DAMPER OPERATION
Friction Damper Operating Principles
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PIVOTING LlNK TYPES
TRAILING LlNK
Axle is at the rear of the link
LEADING LlNK
Axle is on the front of the link
By far the simplest form of damper is the friction type. Instead
of using oil t o dampen the movement of the spring and suspen-
sion, the friction type uses only the friction of a single
nonmetallic piston ring on the top of the damper rod pressing
against the greased damper inner cylinder wall. This design is
used primarily on only the smallest and simplest of vehicles.
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PISTON
RING
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DAMPER ROD
GREASE
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PISTON
Date of Issue: Nov..
1989
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HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.