Just wondering how many rings you guys have showing above the top clamp on your forks, is there a standard setting? I've seen some bikes that are flush at the top and some that have 4-5 rings through the top, i understand its adjustable and effects the geometry but never found a "factory" setting online if there is such a thing.
Pretty sure it's measured from the top of the bottom yoke - next time I'm in the garage I'll check my old 916 manual.
4 rings is factory setting as per the owners manual. That's 4 rings showing at the lowest point of the triple clamp, it will be more like 3 rings at the highest point.
What you have looks pretty much stock. Three rings against the slot in the top yoke. As mentioned, the exact distance is measured from top of the bottom yoke to the fork cap.
Any more than 4 rings showing and the front tyre can rub on the oil cooler panel under heavy braking. From experience. Also, you must be lighter/smaller than average with that little preload on the front fork springs
From my old Haynes manual. I think that either way it is measured it ends up being the same, just Ducati changed the method for later models.
Thanks for all the input from everyone. I wasn’t sure if mine was right, luckily it seems it is. Thats just how it came to me that way but I have seen others that were much higher. What would be the best method for making a change to the height, given there’s no hole in the bottom of the yoke for a stand. Do you just jack it up on the engine or lift it from the frame from above? There’s got to be a better way to take the weight off the front.
I use an Abba superbike stand and then put a jack under the engine. With it being on the stand there is very little weight on the front.
The Ohlins bottom yoke on mine has a hole, the OEM versions don't but no reason you can't drill one If you don't want to do that, you should be able to alter the height simply by doing one side at a time with the other side taking the weight, probably a 2-man job though?
Ratchet strap through a beam in garage? Only raise the front just enough though, as on release they 'let go'. Or if we are fully brainstorming... on abba stand with a couple of bags of cement on passenger seat.
You're just compressing or extending one fork leg independently, the spindle/wheel centre will stay as it is.
Abba stand certainly seems like the best way but I've not got one yet. I have used a wooden box before to check headstock bearings. I just made up a box out of some scrap wood and lifted the bike up on the front and rear stands, blocked it up and took the front stand away. Left the front wheel about an inch of the floor. Not a recommendation but it worked ok.
Ive got a block and tackle i use from the rafters, or an engine hoist to lift the front depends on what bike is where and where the cars are Ive got a gearbox "Jack" which i bought to take the auto box from my Boxster Ive modified that to support the engine of the 748 sps when I removed the frame for painting
