F to P Linkage Change

Hi all,

Still sizing up this job and just wondered how many have changed over?

Also, does it affect rear ride height, or does the lengthening of the arm 100% compensate for the change in pivot position?

Thanks in a advance

Xbox said:

Also, does it affect rear ride height, or does the lengthening of the arm 100% compensate for the change in pivot position?

Click to expand...

Gotta say, I've wondered about this myself. I think I'll set it to P before sending it off to be resprung/adjusted to me.

Xbox said:

Hi all,

Still sizing up this job and just wondered how many have changed over?

Also, does it affect rear ride height, or does the lengthening of the arm 100% compensate for the change in pivot position?

Thanks in a advance

Click to expand...

didn't notice any difference in ride hieght but i suspect it may of gained a few mm

I would of thought that it lowered it if anything as raising the rear is more of a "sporty" setting

leebeeone said:

didn't notice any difference in ride hieght but i suspect it may of gained a few mm

Click to expand...

Gained huh - for some reason I expected it to lose.

If thats the case then better, as it saves the bother of adjusting out, since I would never say no to a few mm more

Xbox said:

Gained huh - for some reason I expected it to lose.

If thats the case then better, as it saves the bother of adjusting out, since I would never say no to a few mm more

Click to expand...

We could all do with a few etra mm

Are you guys getting your 99's delivered in F setting then?? A forum note coming from Austin Racing in the UK says that the bikes should be delivered in P setting. They tried everything to get the bike to ride smoothly - on the road - in F setting and said it was impossible. Changed to progressive setting and a world of difference.
I would have thought that progressive would have been the default delivery setting??

Gulf Coast said:

Are you guys getting your 99's delivered in F setting then?? A forum note coming from Austin Racing in the UK says that the bikes should be delivered in P setting. They tried everything to get the bike to ride smoothly - on the road - in F setting and said it was impossible. Changed to progressive setting and a world of difference.
I would have thought that progressive would have been the default delivery setting??

Click to expand...

delivered in F changed after 1st service

Had the dealer switch it to P before taking delivery.

Their comment was that it affected the chain tension slightly. Ride height adjustment is done via a threaded adjuster on the end of the shock. Theoretically the switch doesn't impact ride height.

The ride height adjuster on the rod end of the Ohlins(toward front) was, on my bike, at very near it's max safe extent. On the rod end thread that goes into the shock body you'll find a wide-ish groove under the blue nut. Once the groove shows you've reached the end of safe adjustment. I've gone out 2 more turns as I had slightly different setting as compared to another Pan.
The groove is just showing on mine.
Your comment on the switch from F to P is spot on as the grooves are machined into the swing arm link rod.
I'm looking into getting an adjustable link made so I can adjust ride height from the link arm and not the shock.

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Hi leebeeone

Can I ask how much difference you felt going from F to P?

Did you ride the same road?

Be interesting to hear your thoughts.

Thanks.

Beanflicker.

.

Beanflicker said:

Hi leebeeone

Can I ask how much difference you felt going from F to P?

Did you ride the same road?

Be interesting to hear your thoughts.

Thanks.

Beanflicker.

.

Click to expand...

In addition to Beanflicker's question can you change the linkage from F to P yourself? I'm new to Ducati and not even had an Ohlins unit before so dont know whether this is a simple DIY job or do you need a million one-off, special Ducati tools? Txs.

GC......

Copied and pasted from another thread.......

Originally Posted by DRSapp
Moderately Easy:

1. You'll need to unload the swing arm:
a. Use a motorbike center lift or some similar
or
b. As I did:
I. Zip tie the front brake on
II. Locate some wood blocks or as I did ~ 17mm of high density foam to use as a center support
III. Position your support near the rear exhaust support (about under the Ducati of the clutch cover for a Termi setup)
IV. With the bike on the side stand, rock the bike over onto the side stand and front wheel till the rear is just clearing the floor
V. Slide in your supporting material

2. Remove the swing arm push rod pivot bolt (will need to support the rear wheel/swing arm a little to take the weight off the bolt - helps if you have an extra pair of hands)

3. Let the rear section go slack

4. Clear the swing arm push rod from the linkage assembly

5. Remove the swing arm push rod locking bolt

6. Screw out the push rod ball joint till the next alignment divot lines up with the locking bolt

7. Reinstall push rod locking bolt

8. Raise or pivot the bike to lower the swing arm and gain clearance to reinsert the swing arm push rod ball joint into the linkage assembly

9. Jiggle and support the rear wheel/swing arm till the swing arm push rod pivot bolt aligns with the forward hole on the linkage

10. Reinstall and tighten the swing arm push rod pivot bolt.


There ya go...

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Hey you're a star. Thanks a million. Funny I'll mess about all day working on my 750 gixxer track bike but for some reason this puts the fear of God into me and I haven't even got the bike yet!!!
Still don't quite understand why they set the bike up for the track when I'm sure the vast majority of riders will be on the roads and an odd track day?

Because apparently, P is for ... Pillion

And because most people won't ride with one, they suggest T, which is for ... Awesome-er.

Ducati really did balls that simple setting up by the looks of it.

Gulf Coast said:

In addition to Beanflicker's question can you change the linkage from F to P yourself? I'm new to Ducati and not even had an Ohlins unit before so dont know whether this is a simple DIY job or do you need a million one-off, special Ducati tools? Txs.

Click to expand...

Yeah I noticed quite a difference there was definitely more give in the rear, but for me I would not say it was night and day but this is my first proper supersports bike
I don't do mechanics ever since I had that good idea back in 1978 ish to strip my Kawasaki k250H down and do it up. the stripping was ok but never put it back together again

I've been trying to talk to someone at Ducati USA for a couple of days now but gave up as I couldn't get a single person to answer a phone so dropped an email asking what's the offical stance on bikes leaving the factory - are they supposed to be set to F or P. This is the answer and it's the biggest load of bollocks I've ever heard. Phoned up dealer this morning and he says "no idea, not looked but I'll go and see what the last Tri is set to"?!?!?

"Thanks for contacting us.

With regard to your enquiry we would kindly advise you to refer to your owner's manual. Ducati strongly recommends that you always follow the indications given in this manual for your own safety and to preserve the performance of your bike.

Further, we remind you that our authorized service centres are at your complete disposal for any further explanation or suggestion. Our highly skilled staff has access to the resources needed to provide the most complete and immediate direction. If required, your official Dealer will contact the local Ducati representative for further guidance.

We would take the opportunity to remind you that you may find full details on our official sales network in your country through the "Dealer and Services" section of our web site: www.ducatiusa.com"

Gulf Coast said:

I've been trying to talk to someone at Ducati USA for a couple of days now but gave up as I couldn't get a single person to answer a phone so dropped an email asking what's the offical stance on bikes leaving the factory - are they supposed to be set to F or P. This is the answer and it's the biggest load of bollocks I've ever heard. Phoned up dealer this morning and he says "no idea, not looked but I'll go and see what the last Tri is set to"?!?!?

"Thanks for contacting us.

With regard to your enquiry we would kindly advise you to refer to your owner's manual. Ducati strongly recommends that you always follow the indications given in this manual for your own safety and to preserve the performance of your bike.

Further, we remind you that our authorized service centres are at your complete disposal for any further explanation or suggestion. Our highly skilled staff has access to the resources needed to provide the most complete and immediate direction. If required, your official Dealer will contact the local Ducati representative for further guidance.

We would take the opportunity to remind you that you may find full details on our official sales network in your country through the "Dealer and Services" section of our web site: www.ducatiusa.com"

Click to expand...

my dealer told me when I picked up the bike that it was set to F and he said try it then at the first service he will change it to P then let him know which I prefered and so far I think I will keep it at P.

Thanks for the reply.

Also pleased that you have at least noticed a difference too.
What I think you will also find, is that any adjustments you make will certainly be more noticeable.

My supplying dealer has also been asked to clarify but is also waiting on a definitive answer from Ducati Italy......






Looks like we'll have a long wait then...!


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@GC & BF...

Why are you wanting a definitive answer from your dealer or Ducati?
The P & F settings are just suspension options made available to the rider. Just like preload, compression and rebound dampening.
Ducati giving you a definitive answer to either P or F would be like them saying you need to set your compression dampening 3 clicks from full out and rebound 5 clicks from full in.

Not everyone will prefer the P setting whilst ( I imagine for the road) most will.
As a general rule of thumb, the flatter the track the firmer and more linear you want the suspension. (In this case F) And also more comp and rebound dampening.
The opposite is true the rougher the track gets. ie Suspension softer and more progressive. (P setting) with less comp and rebound dampening.


Being a Supersport with less than 5" of travel. The typical road would be considered a very rough track. (Well.. in Sydney AU it is.) So P would undoubtedly be the preferred starting point. But this is only a rule of thumb... riding styles differ, so ultimately it's up to the rider to give feedback to the mechanic so the correct adjustments can be made.

P or F? It's a PreFerence thing Every owner needs to try both to see what works for them and where they ride.