Interesting Fork Compression Settings....

Got questions? We got answers....
Post Reply
User avatar
Tusk
Member
Posts: 29
Joined: 01:32 pm Mar 28 2006
Country:
Location: Abingdon, MD

Interesting Fork Compression Settings....

Post by Tusk »

I haven't been enjoying my ride as much as I thought due to suspension annoyances. (also due to ignorance on my part and no manual yet)
I borrowed a manual and :roll: duh I found out I can adjust the compression dampening setting.

So I check my forks. Right side: 8 clicks out from full hard. Left side: No clicks Full Hard! :rolleyes: OY!! No wonder.

I put them back to default at 9 each and boy what a difference. I need to tune from there, but I've been riding up at Tower City PA (Mining area = ROCKS) and have been hating life up there!!

I'm thinking of trying about 11 out on each side when riding up there.

Lesson learned.
User avatar
bradf
Gold Member
Gold Member
Posts: 703
Joined: 02:17 am Dec 11 2004
Country: USA
Location: Anderson, SC

Post by bradf »

check your shock too, both compression and rebound
'04 220 w/'01 KX250 USD forks, '02 RM125 Showa shock, Rekluse EXP 3.0, LHRB & all RB'd
User avatar
Tusk
Member
Posts: 29
Joined: 01:32 pm Mar 28 2006
Country:
Location: Abingdon, MD

Post by Tusk »

Yep... thanks Brad... I actually figured that one out on my own. :wink: 20+ years of street riding helped. I've just never encountered adjustments on the BOTTOM of the forks.

I will need more adjustments there too though.
User avatar
KDXer
Supporting Member
Posts: 2845
Joined: 12:11 pm Nov 12 2004
Country:
Location: Sydney, Downunder

Post by KDXer »

>|<>QBB<
bradf wrote:check your shock too, both compression and rebound
Both HI and LOW compression. Until last weekend I had no idea the big nut on the shock did anything at all, I thought it was just the flat headed screw adjuster. :oops:
Image

"I want to die peacefully in my sleep like my grandfather, not screaming in terror like the passengers in his car."
grump99
Member
Posts: 201
Joined: 10:51 am Mar 09 2006
Country:
Location: Harrisburg, PA

Post by grump99 »

I also ride at Tower City and you are right about the rocks :shock:. I found the stock forks to be harsh at high speed even with clickers all the way out. I ended up removing 2 shims from each shim stack and that helped remedy the harshness. A lot of people rave about the kx fork mod, may be something to consider. Good luck! :mrgreen:
User avatar
Indawoods
Creator and Founder
Creator and Founder
Posts: 9951
Joined: 09:59 am Jun 12 2003
Country:
Location: Midwest

Post by Indawoods »

Not just a lot... Everyone who had switched to KX forks wouldn't go back.
*** 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!!! "
Kawinj
Supporting Member II
Supporting Member II
Posts: 47
Joined: 07:51 am Feb 23 2006
Country:
Location: New Jersey -land of Bruce and overpriced real estate.

Post by Kawinj »

I'm a Tower City glutton and just had my suspension re-done. Those trails are punishing if you're not set-up right.

Tusk I know you mentioned you were just up there (TC) We'll have to get together one day. I do an occasional solo ride there against other people's better judgement, but like they say beggars can't be chosers.
User avatar
Tusk
Member
Posts: 29
Joined: 01:32 pm Mar 28 2006
Country:
Location: Abingdon, MD

Post by Tusk »

>|<>QBB<
Kawinj wrote:I'm a Tower City glutton and just had my suspension re-done. Those trails are punishing if you're not set-up right.

Tusk I know you mentioned you were just up there (TC) We'll have to get together one day. I do an occasional solo ride there against other people's better judgement, but like they say beggars can't be chosers.
Sounds good Kawini. My work schedule allows for some time off during the week occationally.

And thanks guys for the updates. I "searched" through the archives here and read about the shim removal. I may go that route first.
grump99
Member
Posts: 201
Joined: 10:51 am Mar 09 2006
Country:
Location: Harrisburg, PA

Post by grump99 »

Good luck :partyman:
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 »

Whoa!

Big nut on the shock?

What you talkin' 'bout Willis?:hmm:

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

bike profile: !clicky!
User avatar
Indawoods
Creator and Founder
Creator and Founder
Posts: 9951
Joined: 09:59 am Jun 12 2003
Country:
Location: Midwest

Post by Indawoods »

I wasn't going to say anthing but since you did CC...

Yeah.... What do you mean big nut? :grin:
*** 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
KDXer
Supporting Member
Posts: 2845
Joined: 12:11 pm Nov 12 2004
Country:
Location: Sydney, Downunder

Post by KDXer »

>|QBB<[/url]
canyncarvr wrote:Whoa!

Big nut on the shock?

What you talkin' 'bout Willis?:hmm:
Well I went along to the suspension seminar with about 2hrs sleep under my belt so it's very possible I misinterpreted it. The understanding I had was that the 'big nut' be it red, gold, silver, blue etc was for high speed compression adjustment and the flat head slot inside it is for low speed adjustment.

Image
http://www.aat-mx.com/shockua.htm

When the guy was explaining the shock adjusters I thought he said something about the outside nut. So I said "So the outside nut is what you adjust for high speed not the flat headed screw ??" He said 'THATS IT"..... Now you have me wondering if he misunderstood what I meant or vica versa.
Image

"I want to die peacefully in my sleep like my grandfather, not screaming in terror like the passengers in his car."
User avatar
Colorado Mike
Gold Member
Gold Member
Posts: 1921
Joined: 11:42 am Feb 25 2005
Country:
Location: Colorado

Post by Colorado Mike »

well I think the deal is you don't have the outer nut on a KDX. That's on the MX bikes that have better suspenders than we get.
Mike

Life's tough, it's even tougher if you're stupid.
'04 KDX220
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 »

KayDee...'Ya big nut!!

I don't have a pic of a KYB shock at hand big enough to see..but I concur with Mr. Mike. I think.........

Does the RM Showa have hi/lo adjustment? bradf??

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

bike profile: !clicky!
User avatar
bradf
Gold Member
Gold Member
Posts: 703
Joined: 02:17 am Dec 11 2004
Country: USA
Location: Anderson, SC

Post by bradf »

Yes it do. The MX KYB's have it too also as well. That is why I am going to the Showa. This high speed circuit is not on the KDX shock because A. it cost more to produce B. the KDX wasn't designed to see the conditions that warrant the HS circuit.
Jeremy Wilkey has completed my Showa mod and it's should be here next week.
'04 220 w/'01 KX250 USD forks, '02 RM125 Showa shock, Rekluse EXP 3.0, LHRB & all RB'd
User avatar
KDXer
Supporting Member
Posts: 2845
Joined: 12:11 pm Nov 12 2004
Country:
Location: Sydney, Downunder

Post by KDXer »

I think you may be right. I'll ask him when I have time and remember.
Image

On a side note, I asked him about the differences with Showa VS KYB. He said they are fundamentally the same if both are setup correctly. I'll have to see what he can do with my shock in the next few weeks.
Image

"I want to die peacefully in my sleep like my grandfather, not screaming in terror like the passengers in his car."
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 »

Great! That makes the KYB/Showa issue much more clear to me.

I didn't realize there was HSC/LSC on the Showa.

The KYB has HSC adjustment capability. You just have to take it apart to GET to it. Heck, I think there's even a BIG NUT in there somewhere!

;)

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

bike profile: !clicky!
Post Reply