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garyw##900

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I've had the Nelli 3 months now and happy giving it a once over service.
This has certainly helped me learn more about the bike.
At some stage I think the bike was ridden and put away
without washing down any salt residue off the front forks and this is spoiled the gold
appearance with small corrosion marks.
I have found a firm that will strip the forks, re seal, strip, polish and re anodise the outer tubes in gold.
Before I send the forks off shortly is there any mods that can be done to improve them while they are apart.
I know they do progressive springs but I'm sure if I read on the forum somewhere that low oil level
in the forks caused an issue.
Any advice grateful as long as polite lol.
cheers Gary.
PS I see the Silver/black tornado for sale on the forum, disappeared off ebay did it ever sell.
Just wondered as no further comments.
 
#2 ·
Hi Gary, don't know what your body weight is but I weigh 16 1/2 stone and I found the front and rear standard springs too soft for me; so I had progressive springs installed in the front and a harder rear spring. Transformed the handling for me, previously felt like there was a hinge in the middle of the bike joining the two halves.
REVS in Halesowen do all my suspension work on my bikes, excellent personal service.

Hope this helps
Les
 
#3 ·
Need to do a search on here but i recall BJ from Fast Bikes magazine had a tornado long termer a few years ago. He complained of a soft front end, way too much static sag i think. He went to kais and had work done on the forks, with good results.
 
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#7 ·
mikerj said:
Linear rate springs matched to your weight are prefered to progressive springs. Telescopic forks are naturally progressive due to the air being compressed internally.
Click to expand...
Yep, i have had the same advice at a recent specialist set-up course, proper set up and linear springs.....its all in the sag ....;)
 
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#8 ·
ianh said:
Yep, i have had the same advice at a recent specialist set-up course, proper set up and linear springs.....its all in the sag ....;)
Click to expand...
Well boys its only my opinion, but I have them in my RS. I am about 11.5 stone plus leathers so about 12.5 with kit.
Sag compensated by preload to match my fat arse, ride vastly improved , feel !00%, self dialled in the compression and rebound.
It transformed my RS, well for me anyway. Maybees I just got lucky in the set up.
The harder I ride it , the better it feels, but if i want to ride out and be "sensible" its a good all round set up.
Under hard braking , like "oh shit " why did he do that , its stable, does not dive and stays stable all for now 109 euro, (they are on offer NOS)
Oh and they are only in Brum, Birrrmin , ahm.,
 
Discussion starter · #9 ·
Thank you guys for the further information.
I will talk to Brooks and ask for linear springs I think.
Iv'e had no comments regarding oil level problem so
I will presume that was a red herring.
Cheers Gary.
 
#10 ·
garyw##900 said:
Thank you guys for the further information.
I will talk to Brooks and ask for linear springs I think.
Iv'e had no comments regarding oil level problem so
I will presume that was a red herring.
Cheers Gary.
Click to expand...
For Road work you are better off with Progressives as they cover a larger range of conditions. In the 60's and 70's all my Race Bikes had progressives including an ex works GP Ducati.
The reason was in those days we only had the chose of two manufacturers making Race Rubber and they only produced one variety of race tyre each. So we never changed tyres from one track to another. And apart from changing the preload the suspension stayed the same throughout the season so progressives covered all tracks.
The reason the Race Boys now use Linear springs is to make the calculations easer as a progressive adds to many variables. With so many tyre choses and suspension options they need to work with a known single dimension for the spring rate.

There is no way to change shim stacks on the Marzochi RAC forks fitted to the Tornado so the Oil Level and SAE is very important. I use 10 SAE and an air Gap of 110mm and that improved things a lot.
 
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Discussion starter · #11 ·
Thanks Dave,
A very interesting read and thanks again for your thoughts including the oil level and grade.
I do have progressive Hagons springs in two off my Honda and yes I do notice a difference under braking
but this is my first Nelli so good to get some owner's feedback.
cheers gary.
PS Dave did you ever come across a Graham Marchant in your race days, as I have his ex Honda 1100RC race bike.
 
#12 ·
TOTDY said:
There is no way to change shim stacks on the Marzochi RAC forks fitted to the Tornado so the Oil Level and SAE is very important. I use 10 SAE and an air Gap of 110mm and that improved things a lot.
Click to expand...
I use Alex's (Maniac Motors) settings - SAE10 (check that it really IS SAE 10, as very few actually are) and 135 mm air gap.
From JohnnyO: Preload full hard, compression all the way in and back 1/4 turn, rebound all the way out. Suits my 68 kg fine.
 
#14 ·
No Gary I don’t remember Graham Marchant.
Standard for Marzochi forks as stated in their workshop manual is SAE 7.5 and the Air Gap 110mm.
When I did my forks I Checked the Air Gap before emptying the forks and one was 130 and the other 135 they work better with the standard Gap and the heaver weight oil.
 
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Discussion starter · #15 ·
Hi All,
Thanks Colin for the offer and its a very small world hey.
I have got pictures of the bike on the track given to me by Graham but would love to find
video footage. I've spoken to Martin Sweet who is Grahams friend and he race prepared the bike.
In fact I sent him pictures of the RC after last years total rebuild/restoration. So I can get Graham number through Martin
if req but thanks for your offer.
I often meet pals at Biggin hill spitfire café for Sunday breakfast but just waiting for the weather to improve.
They want me to take the Benelli down so they can have a look.
If you wanted to join us you would be most welcome.
Dave thank you so much for your extra info mate.
Cheers all, Gary.
 
Discussion starter · #17 ·
Hi Colin,
Yes what a good idea to have a Benelli meet at the cafe lol.
Most of my pals ride various bikes but mainly Honda's but at our age we don't care
what people ride. I remember my mate Mike almost buying a LE
at the 2008 NEC show from Red Dog (from kent I think ) loads of bike for the money.
He did not get it and regrets it.
I will let you know when I go.
Cheers gary
 
Discussion starter · #18 ·
Hi all,
Well its been around two months since my last post so here's and update.
Front forks were removed and sent to brook suspension for overhaul.
Well maybe my fault but I did not know they have a 3-4 week lead time.
So when I phoned up after 3 weeks and they had not been touched I was not to happy.
Anyway after nearly 5 week I have them back.
Fork outer tubes have been re anodised and the gold is very nice and match the brake discs nicely.
They could not find any better springs so I'm disappointed on that part but not the end of the world.
The lower fairings had little marks so I had the paint mixed and they have been repainted
and then covered in a satin lacquer. The paint firm I used was Leonard Brooks at Harold Wood and the base coat is a metallic black
and not a solid black.
Bike is almost back together but for some reason L/h lower fairing not fitting brilliantly at front top plastic lug does not want
to clip in and stay there. I have looked at many pictures and come to the conclusion others may have similar problems (comments please)
I hope to put bike back on road for May so Colin we have been talking about the spitfire café meet very soon.
My friends, one who is a triple nut can't wait to see some Benelli for breakfast. so I will let you know asap.
Anybody else who wants to meet up most welcome.
I'm going to Stafford on the Saturday April 21 st. if anybody wants to meet up.
cheers gary.
 
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garyw##900
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