KDXRIDER.NET

Guys,
I just ordered some racetech springs for my stock kdx220 forks. I keep reading about preload spacers out of pvc etc...

Can I not just removed the old springs and replace with the new?

If not then what am I taking out of the stock fork and replacing with a spacer?

Is there a pictorial somewhere??

is the collar inside the fork what I am supposed to replace with a different size spacer?

The springs are different lengths to stock I believe. Wait for the suspension gurus to chime in.

I am not a guru, but I will chime in.

http://162.243.75.126/forums/viewtopic. ... 9&p=146876

Race Tech recommends 4mm of late.

Preload means amount of compression that the spring has on it after assembly, but while it is "in free air", as in ... not having the wheel on the ground.


.....You will need to measure what length of spacer you need, then cut it from the including spacer material OR make it from PVC. The stock amount of preload is 38mm, which is a far cry from the modern 4-ish mm of "modern recommendations".

If you want REAL butter forks, try stock KDX forks with the stock springs and a "modern thinking" 4mm of preload.

Why is 4mm the latest trend?

Not sure, but I have seen it from a few tuners.

I just put in new RaceTech fork springs and they measured the same length as the stock springs 18.5 inches. So, I just used the stock spacers.

Yes, the springs are very close to the same length. The stock spacers provide WAY too much pre-load though. Old school thinking was to use a lighter spring rate and add more preload to compensate. It has been learned since that the better set-up is to use a heavier spring rate with much less pre-load. From as little as 2mm to about 10mm. Personally, I run 8mm with the Race Techs. More than that (like the 38mm stock spacer) and the fork action is very stiff/harsh. The spring coils start out way too bunched up, (stacking) which actually limits the action of the spring. The fork also tends to ride too high in the stroke, causing a whole other set off problems. The spacers are very easy to make and install. Try it and see how much difference there actually is. You can change the entire feel of the fork by adding or subtracting pre-load.

nwrider45 wrote:I just put in new RaceTech fork springs and they measured the same length as the stock springs 18.5 inches. So, I just used the stock spacers.

WOW!