FG Gubellini's FAQs
Shock absorbers
Why choose a rear shock absorber to improve the rear end of your motorcycle?
Original shock absorbers are qualitatively much inferior to aftermarket shock absorbers: performance depends on the materials used and the constraints on production costs.
As with the forks, they are designed to obtain calibrations suitable for urban (as well as sporting) use.
These factors limit the performance of the motorcycle, especially in sports and racing use.
How does the rear mono shock absorber work?
FG Gubellini rear shock absorbers are designed and manufactured specifically for each motorcycle model.
When an application is proposed for a specific motorcycle model, in addition to the specific dimensions and measurements, both the hydraulic calibration and the useful adjustment range (made available to the user via external adjustments) are calculated in great detail.
The resulting monoshock guarantees maximum performance by perfectly meeting the user’s needs.
What type of rear shock absorber is ideal for my motorcycle?
The FG Gubellini range of rear shock absorbers is made up of different versions, each designed to meet the specific needs of different types of motorcycles.
- For Naked: FQE11/FQE31 (base) – FQT11/FQT31 (sport) – FSM11/FSM31 (advanced sport)
- For Enduro: FQE11/FQE31 (base) – FQT11/FQT31 (sport) – FSM11/FSM31 (advanced sport)
- For Sport Touring: FQE11/FQE31 (base) – FQT11/FQT31 (sport) – FSM11/FSM31 (advanced sport)
- For Super Sport: FQT11/FQT31 (sport) – FSM11/FSM31 (advanced sport) – FFX11/FFX31 (Racing)
- For Superbike: FQT11/FQT31 (sport) – FSM11/FSM31 (advanced sport) – FFX11/FFX31 (Racing)
How can I adjust the rear shock absorber?
All FG Gubellini rear shock absorbers are delivered pre-calibrated.
The set calibrations correspond to use by the average road rider: height 175cm, weight 80kg, amateur sport riding.
If the user’s body characteristics differ significantly, it may be necessary to adjust the basic settings.
For example, if the weight is 10kg higher than average, add one millimetre of preload to the spring (remove it if the weight is lower than average).
Hydraulic adjustments, on the other hand, depend heavily on the type of driving and personal tastes.
How can I adjust the hydraulic compression?
Let’s immediately remember that hydraulic adjustments are measured with the valve fully closed.
Clicks are counted starting from the configuration in which the adjustment register is completely closed.
The adjustment is opened by turning the adjuster counterclockwise. Generally, opening the adjustment results in greater sensitivity and greater suspension movement.
Those who have a particularly aggressive riding style prefer settings that are more “stiff”, while those who have a gentle riding style prefer “softer” settings.
If you use the mono on circuits, the adjustment must be adapted according to the needs and the type of track:
- Very wide and supported curves require stronger hydraulics and therefore a more closed adjustment.
- Very tight corners where there is a lack of grip at the lean angle require softer hydraulics and therefore a more open adjustment.
How can I adjust the hydraulic extension?
Let’s immediately remember that hydraulic adjustments are measured with the valve fully closed.
Clicks are counted starting from the fully closed position. Adjustment is opened by turning the adjuster counterclockwise (looking at the shock from the stem toward the body).
Generally, opening the adjustments results in greater sensitivity and greater suspension movement.
Aggressive riders prefer settings that are more “firm” (to limit sway), while gentle riders prefer “softer” settings (to optimize sensitivity). If using the monoshock on circuits, the adjustment should be adapted based on your needs and the type of track. Very wide, supported curves requiring good traction require freer hydraulics and therefore more open adjustments. Where traction is good, however, tighter hydraulic settings are used to increase stability.
How can I make my shock absorber suitable for my personal needs?
FG Gubellini offers its customers the incredible opportunity to adapt the rear suspension to their personal needs right from the production stage.
FG Gubellini provides a customization form that can be filled out freely and that allows our technicians to optimize the characteristics of the spring and hydraulics.
This FREE service is not just a custom adjustment via external adjusters but a real custom design of your suspension.
Forks
Why choose a fork tuning kit to improve the front end of your motorcycle?
The original forks of road motorcycles are designed to meet a compromise: the fork must be able to “copy” the imperfections of the terrain during urban use and must have the strength to dampen load transfers (such as braking and changes of direction).
For sporting use, the fork calibration can and must be reviewed and corrected in order to shift the compromise in favor of braking and try to maintain (with other tricks) sensitivity when the bike is leaning.
What is a fork tuning kit?
The conversion kit is a set of components that replace some poor-quality original parts of the fork, improving its overall functioning.
How does the fork kit work?
The components that can be included in the FG Gubellini fork kits are:
- pistons
- valves
- lamellar packs
- pins
- springs
- limit switches
All these parts contribute to making the fork hydraulics work better than they originally did.
FG Gubellini analyzes the performance of each individual original fork and decides to replace only the critical components, those that limit performance.
This way the user does not purchase unnecessary details.
Every component replaced by the fork kit improves the performance of the fork.
What is the difference between a fork kit and a complete cartridge?
The complete cartridge is definitely the best choice to optimize the fork’s performance.
However, many times it does not offer greater guarantees (and performance) than the fork kit.
Many parts of the complete cartridge replace non-essential components: the cartridge body, for example, is a simple tube and does not improve performance in itself.
The same goes for the stem or the end cap.
The cartridge kit may seem insignificant when compared to the complete cartridge but in practice it almost always achieves the same results.
What is the compression group?
The compression group is the set of parts inside the cartridge that control the movement of the fork during the compression phase.
This is made up of:
- valve holder
- bypass membrane
- valve
- compression reed valve pack
What is the extension group?
The extension group is the set of parts inside the cartridge that control the movement of the fork during the extension phase.
This is made up of:
- piston holder
- bypass membrane
- valve
- extension reed valve pack
What are compression pins?
Compression needles are those conical components that regulate the “free” passage of oil during the compression phase.
The geometry of these pins significantly influences the adjustment capacity of the external registers and the hydraulic progression of the fork.
What are extension pins?
Rebound needles are those conical components that regulate the “free” passage of oil during the extension phase.
The geometry of these pins significantly influences the adjustment capacity of the external registers and the hydraulic progression of the fork.
