Technical articles featuring discussions on spring force versus rate; progressive, dual-rate and top-out springs; preload, static sag; linkages and leverage; set-up and tuning (how and why).

	► springs - the basics (Part I) Springs are the most important part of your suspension. Without damping you'd be in trouble, but without springs, you'd be lost. Yet people give surprisingly little attention to matching spring rates to their weight and their riding style...
	► sag and preload (Part II) It follows that when you are riding along on your bike, the suspension should be neither completely bottomed out, nor fully extended (topped out). Where exactly in the travel it sits, relative to fully extended, is called the sag. You adjust the sag by adjusting the preload...
	► springs - advanced (Part III) You've probably heard of progressive springs. They sound like a good idea, I mean who wouldn’t want to be progressive? How many conservative springs would sell to motorcyclists? Before we talk about whether they’re good or not, we need to understand what they are...
	► leverage and linkages Once upon a time in the distant past (about 1973), motorcycle rear suspensions were quite similar to the front: there was a pair of shocks, each with a spring not so different to a fork spring. The shocks themselves were relatively skinny things and they were bolted at the very back of the bike, nearly directly above the axle. It was pretty obvious that the shock moved almost one to one with the wheel. That all changed when the motocross world realised that having some extra travel at the back was a major competitive advantage, but there was simply no room for shocks that had 150mm of travel, let alone the 300+ that is common now. So they started using leverage; by moving the shocks forward on the swingarm, they could get more travel from the same shocks.
	► myths and misconceptions Non-rebuildable shock? 'Borrowed' suspension settings? More preload equals a stiffer spring? Adjuster use? Aftermarket shocks are the solution? Handling better two-up than solo? Steering damper needed? Nitride treatment makes all the difference? Different oils will work? Does the rear rise under acceleration? Rear spring should use all the travel?
	► damping and oils Riders can be tempted to experiment with different damping oils and levels in front suspension. However, you can't just put any oil into your suspension and expect it to work correctly. Here are the reasons why...
	► maintenance Diminishing suspension performance is subtle; deterioration is gradual so most riders don't notice it happening:- regular service intervals and oil changes; keeping forks and shocks clean; checking for worn out parts; maintenance periods.
	► set-up and tuning - Road/Race Where do you start when a new suspension adjuster setting is needed? The following method will give you the "first big step" in getting to a baseline setting. From here you can begin to fine tune set-up.
	► set-up and tuning - Offroad Where do you start when a new suspension adjuster setting is needed? The following method will give you the "first big step" in getting to a baseline setting. From here you can begin to fine tune set-up.
	Authors:  Graham Byrnes PhD;  Peter Clements
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