Wp's One-Legged Fork

WP’s ONE-LEGGED FORK

AFTER HAVING SPENT FIVE years developing it, Dutch suspension specialist WP now says its Monoarm front suspension (see Cycle World, April, 1990) is ready. For demonstration purposes, the system is mated to a Honda CBR600F2 and is making the rounds of the European motorcycle factories in hopes of drumming up some interest in its use.

Testing of this final version, which incorporates a rollerbearing-mounted slider, external springs and an infinitely adjustable shock, was done by Jeff de Vries, a Dutch World Superbike rider. De Vries says he’s impressed by the advantages of the Monoarm system. These include a significant reduction in unsprung weight,

improved suspension sensitivity and response, near-constant suspension geometry, improved steering response, zero deflection under braking, and drastically reduced stiction.

The Monoarm-equipped CBR now is in Italy, undergoing testing by one of that country’s leading manufacturers. We shall see what develops.

Alan Cathcart