Just to be sure

Questions and comments about converting to beefier forks..
Post Reply
User avatar
Ryan
Supporting Member II
Supporting Member II
Posts: 1047
Joined: 01:30 pm Sep 25 2005
Country:

Just to be sure

Post by Ryan »

WEll my shop is working on my shim stuff now. They should be done in an hour or so. I just wanted to make sure im doing everything right.

When i add oil to the forks they need to be completely compressed with everything in them except the springs, Right?

When i put them into the triple tree start the upper and lower clamps at 13 pounds and go lower untill there is no sticktion right>>


And slide the forks about 1 inch up past the upper triple tree.
2001 kdx220

1987 honda xl250
User avatar
bradf
Gold Member
Gold Member
Posts: 703
Joined: 02:17 am Dec 11 2004
Country: USA
Location: Anderson, SC

Post by bradf »

That's about it. Be sure to get all the air out by pulling the rod all the way up and back down. It will take quite a few times to insureal the air is out. You can hear it too. My lower clamps are at 11 lbs and are fine. Tops are at 14lbs. Another thing to consider is how far above the clamps you want to start. Try 1/2 " at first. If it doesn't turn in easy enough then go to 3/4" above. I started at 1" and it steered in way too fast, it would knife under. I settled for 3/4".
'04 220 w/'01 KX250 USD forks, '02 RM125 Showa shock, Rekluse EXP 3.0, LHRB & all RB'd
User avatar
canyncarvr
Gold Member
Gold Member
Posts: 6943
Joined: 01:07 pm Nov 05 2004
Country: US
Location: The Mythical State of Jefferson

Post by canyncarvr »

The measurement of how far the fork tubes stick past the upper clamp is misleading.

How thick is the spacer under the top clamp? THAT will effect how far past the top clamp the forks are. Given the same fork placement with two different sized spacers, the amount the forks stick past the top clamp will be different.

The correct placement is the placement that is correct. Use a method that is meaningful to determine what that correct placement is.

In other word, like bradf said.

No reason to start hi (14ft/lb) and go lower. 14ft/lb is too much. Ten is fine for the bottom clamp.

Don't place your forks in the clamps so high that the upper clamp is no longer on the same diameter part of the fork tube. Well, mine are, but I know about it and I did it for a reason. At least keep in mind that the top section of the fork tube is not all the same diameter.

It's not like your using CR forks, yanno! (that for IC's benefit).

MY shop? Sounds cozy.

Consider the source
Using a perceived level of knowledge to boost my self worth.
Non impediti ratione cogitationis

bike profile: !clicky!
User avatar
Ryan
Supporting Member II
Supporting Member II
Posts: 1047
Joined: 01:30 pm Sep 25 2005
Country:

Post by Ryan »

ok i will probably start at 1/2 and go from there. The top clamp i will start at 13 and the bottom at 12 or 11. As far as the axel how tight should that be? thanks
2001 kdx220

1987 honda xl250
User avatar
bradf
Gold Member
Gold Member
Posts: 703
Joined: 02:17 am Dec 11 2004
Country: USA
Location: Anderson, SC

Post by bradf »

65 ft/lbs
'04 220 w/'01 KX250 USD forks, '02 RM125 Showa shock, Rekluse EXP 3.0, LHRB & all RB'd
User avatar
Ryan
Supporting Member II
Supporting Member II
Posts: 1047
Joined: 01:30 pm Sep 25 2005
Country:

Post by Ryan »

thanks
2001 kdx220

1987 honda xl250
User avatar
Ryan
Supporting Member II
Supporting Member II
Posts: 1047
Joined: 01:30 pm Sep 25 2005
Country:

Post by Ryan »

well the kawasaki dealer knows nothing.... the tips are not the same and now ive got no freaking forks.... O well, back to ebay.
2001 kdx220

1987 honda xl250
User avatar
Indawoods
Creator and Founder
Creator and Founder
Posts: 9951
Joined: 09:59 am Jun 12 2003
Country:
Location: Midwest

Post by Indawoods »

Another year goes by..... Got any forks on yer KDX yet Ryan? :lol:

Just put the 98's on there and go riding! :?
*** Administrator //***
****'95 KDX 200/****

"People ate cows a thousand years ago for the same reason we eat them now. Cause they are easy to catch.We're not savages,we're just lazy. A cheetah could taste like chocolate heroin. But will never know. Those bastards are fast!!! "
User avatar
canyncarvr
Gold Member
Gold Member
Posts: 6943
Joined: 01:07 pm Nov 05 2004
Country: US
Location: The Mythical State of Jefferson

Post by canyncarvr »

'The' Kawasaki dealer?

Is that the same entity as the aforementioned 'my' shop...'?

..forsooth and whatnot 'ye?

Consider the source
Using a perceived level of knowledge to boost my self worth.
Non impediti ratione cogitationis

bike profile: !clicky!
User avatar
Ryan
Supporting Member II
Supporting Member II
Posts: 1047
Joined: 01:30 pm Sep 25 2005
Country:

Post by Ryan »

i just order my two dampener rod tips from factory connection, they will beith at my houseith tommorowith. Only cost me $150. :shock:
2001 kdx220

1987 honda xl250
User avatar
Colorado Mike
Gold Member
Gold Member
Posts: 1921
Joined: 11:42 am Feb 25 2005
Country:
Location: Colorado

Post by Colorado Mike »

:shock: that's what my '03 forks cost with racetech gold valves in them. But I'm not laughing at you.. I'm laughing with you. :wink:

sorry man, that's a spanking.
Mike

Life's tough, it's even tougher if you're stupid.
'04 KDX220
User avatar
Indawoods
Creator and Founder
Creator and Founder
Posts: 9951
Joined: 09:59 am Jun 12 2003
Country:
Location: Midwest

Post by Indawoods »

WHO's your DADDY!!! :lol:
*** Administrator //***
****'95 KDX 200/****

"People ate cows a thousand years ago for the same reason we eat them now. Cause they are easy to catch.We're not savages,we're just lazy. A cheetah could taste like chocolate heroin. But will never know. Those bastards are fast!!! "
User avatar
Ryan
Supporting Member II
Supporting Member II
Posts: 1047
Joined: 01:30 pm Sep 25 2005
Country:

Post by Ryan »

well it was that or wait for another set of 99 kx forks to come up... with my luck I am sure there will be some on ebay with weekend.
2001 kdx220

1987 honda xl250
User avatar
Colorado Mike
Gold Member
Gold Member
Posts: 1921
Joined: 11:42 am Feb 25 2005
Country:
Location: Colorado

Post by Colorado Mike »

yeah, well just get it done and move on, don't beat yourself up over it. That stuff happens.
Mike

Life's tough, it's even tougher if you're stupid.
'04 KDX220
User avatar
quailchaser
Supporting Member II
Supporting Member II
Posts: 485
Joined: 06:19 pm Feb 24 2005
Country:
Location: Phx, AZ
Contact:

Post by quailchaser »

Don't worry Ryan...it doesn't get any better the older you get. I buy stuff all the time and then find it cheaper shortly after. At least I can take solace in the fact that it's hereditary in my case. My dad is the King of buy high/sell low. :roll:

Get those forks on and ride! :mrgreen:
Robb
*Sold* but not forgotten '03 KDX220R
'02 KX250
PW80 for the Gman
XR50R with Zuk yellow plastic and pink starlet stikers...soon to be Katiebugs ride.
AMA
Off Camber M/C
BRC
AZOHVC
User avatar
Ryan
Supporting Member II
Supporting Member II
Posts: 1047
Joined: 01:30 pm Sep 25 2005
Country:

Post by Ryan »

if everything goes like the dealer said i should have them forks on by later today.
2001 kdx220

1987 honda xl250
Post Reply