06 or 08 FE 650

no difference as you say. strictly speaking they modified the clutch drum but you'd be hard pressed to see what and where?

Taffy

id get an 06 its better in some ways

the 07 and 08 forks are universally referred to a mushy wallowing harsh rubbish by suspension gurus worldwide

ie they mean the 06 forks or -09 up are easier to get right

many people convert the 07 and 08 internals to the 09 spec cost about $300 in parts but worth doing.

the berg shock though is better in 08 .. but not much

07 -08 seem to have a rep for better reliability... can't say why, maybe the cases are machined a little differently to allow proper crank axial play ..

Is it worth to revalve the fork with some race tech valves? Is it better than upgrading to newer model internals?
Will this make the fork less harsh?

Regards
Sotosberg

sotosberg said:

Is it worth to revalve the fork with some race tech valves? Is it better than upgrading to newer model internals?
Will this make the fork less harsh?

Regards
Sotosberg

Click to expand...

not with the 07 and 08s, the gold valve appropriate for these forks helps a tiny bit by reducing the port size at the base valve but that is not the main issue

the damping rod diameter up to 06 is 14mm with a 28mm cartridge

in 08 the rod changed to 12mm (same as the closed chamber forks) but they retained the 28mm cartridge

result is a MV that flows a huge amount of oil so cavitation at the mid-valve at relatively low shaft speeds inconsistent rebound and a harsh feel but at the same time mushy wallowing forks

in 09 they changed the cartridge diameter to 23mm same as the closed chamber forks ... results are much improved forks ...... better than a GV in the 07s

Thanks a lot for that info Bushmechanic!!! I have read your topic for the TTX shock and understand that there is something wrong with those forks. I remember when I bought the bike back in 2007, first time I ride it was too dangerous. Imagine that the Greek roads and tracks commonly have ridiculous tarmac quality and the front slip is a rule.... When I asked the dealer whats going on with that,he just decrease the preload....very clever :shock:

I found that some online stores have spare parts catalog for the 09 fork and the codes are different,but they dont mention the dimension as the older catalog, just the code.

Regards
Sotiris

bushmechanic said:

sotosberg said:

Is it worth to revalve the fork with some race tech valves? Is it better than upgrading to newer model internals?
Will this make the fork less harsh?

Regards
Sotosberg

Click to expand...

not with the 07 and 08s, the gold valve appropriate for these forks helps a tiny bit by reducing the port size at the base valve but that is not the main issue

the damping rod diameter up to 06 is 14mm with a 28mm cartridge

in 08 the rod changed to 12mm (same as the closed chamber forks) but they retained the 28mm cartridge

result is a MV that flows a huge amount of oil so cavitation at the mid-valve at relatively low shaft speeds inconsistent rebound and a harsh feel but at the same time mushy wallowing forks

in 09 they changed the cartridge diameter to 23mm same as the closed chamber forks ... results are much improved forks ...... better than a GV in the 07s

Click to expand...

Very interesting, thank you for this information. Has it been investigated whether the midvalve can be made to flow more? Hopefully by changing valving, perhaps even the ports can be bored out?

I have a copy of Shim Restackor, I can play with simulations if we can find out the relevant geometry / specs of the fork internals.

Hi Anthon

Ive done the simulation with restackor it shows cavitation at about the shaft speeds that I experienced it in the real world testing

you could try to valve this out with a smaller port and stiffer base valve but it will be a horrible fork IMHO

there are pictures in my gallery of what it took to get mine to work

eventually after 2-3 years of tinkering I made new 2 port high flow MVs, new shim backing system and refill ports at the bottoming cones ALA TTX (both smorgasbords ideas) made smaller port BVs, made cartridge extensions, plumbed a T line into the breathers to run 4psi fork pressure and increased the travel by 35mm.

then polished the chrome - 3-4 hours a leg and swapped to SKF seals/kyb bushings

with all that done it made them as good as my RXF forks but if you had to pay for my time they would cost $40 000

if I had to do only one mod it would be to increase the travel, IMHO the best thing you could do would be to upgrade to the 09 parts and make some cartridge extensions to increase the travel

bushmechanic said:

id get an 06 its better in some ways

the 07 and 08 forks are universally referred to a mushy wallowing harsh rubbish by suspension gurus worldwide

ie they mean the 06 forks or -09 up are easier to get right

many people convert the 07 and 08 internals to the 09 spec cost about $300 in parts but worth doing.

the berg shock though is better in 08 .. but not much

07 -08 seem to have a rep for better reliability... can't say why, maybe the cases are machined a little differently to allow proper crank axial play ..

Click to expand...

When you say replace internals what exactly do you mean? I know the feeling you are talking about on my 08 and would love to get it sorted.
Thank you for the advice.

replace the cartridge, cartridge ends and piston with new parts from the 09 forks

i used to have a list of part numbers, what you do is compare the 09 fiche to the 08 and make a list you will need new shims for the MV as well.

bushmechanic said:

replace the cartridge, cartridge ends and piston with new parts from the 09 forks

i used to have a list of part numbers, what you do is compare the 09 fiche to the 08 and make a list you will need new shims for the MV as well.

Click to expand...

I will give it a go and see what I can find out.
if you run across any old material let me know. If I have success in rounding up all the bits I will let you know.

Bushy, what do you do to extend the fork travel? Ive seen some of your old posts and looks like a thread on extension to the cartridge? Have you done this on an 09 fork? It sounds like something I would like to experiment with.

Dave1867 said:

Bushy, what do you do to extend the fork travel? Ive seen some of your old posts and looks like a thread on extension to the cartridge? Have you done this on an 09 fork? It sounds like something I would like to experiment with.

Click to expand...

if you don't mind sharing what you are doing that would be great. This is something I need to do to my 08 550

Thank you sir! :cheers: