[Martin Bracey]

Setting up newly acquired 2007/8 Bridgestone Moulton
9 speed obtained from UK.

As rider at maximum recommended weight (215 lbs) find
that the front suspension tends to “dive” on braking.

Seeking suggestions on how to get more resistance in the
suspension. It’s my understanding that the models produced
for the UK market had a ‘modified’ suspension which use
both a spring and polymers as compared to the polymers
alone on the Japanese market models, presumably due to
increased average weight of UK riders.

• Is there in fact both a spring and polymer in the UK models?
• Can the spring and/or the polymers be upgraded to produce more resistance? I also ride an 1983 AM which I have set up at
fairly ‘stiff’ setting to avoid the same problem, but the
adjustments of the leading links, coil spring tension and
bump stop limiting the travel are all absent on the Bridgestone.

Any suggestions and a diagram or exploded view of the suspension
system of the UK BM model would be most welcome.

[Will Temple]

Hi Martin,

My Bridgestone took to diving as well – I stripped the front fork and they contain a spring and two polymer bars. There are three spring variants – soft, medium and hard (race)- the springs have a varying coil gap to ensure the dive is controlled so you don’t slam down.

I spoke to Dan at Moulton and he provided me with a Race (Hard) spring and it is so much better ! and just as comfortable – I can actually pedal out of the stable.

I searched polymer suppliers and you could also buy a bar and cut to size and insert if you wanted to firm up more – trial and error i guess, but I didn’t bother when I realized the hard spring worked.

If I remember correctly the spring is the same as other model.

Hope this helps. I have pictures if you need a breakdown of how it all goes together: templetowers@hotmail.com

Just mail me and I fwd them over.

Best , Will

[Author]

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