09 Forks Strip !

On the 28mm cartridge 07 forks I have around 1mm float with the heaver closing springs it's a service point now as the shims get cupped after a while, they also got cupped with the stock 1.7mm float and a stiffer stock stack, so they must be seeing high rates of oil flow.

With the 22mm's on the 09 I did not see any shim distortion. (Only 16hrs) As said above I have put the 18 bleed shim back as part of the stack, so 20, 20,20,18,18,16 etc the float is now 0.6

I am itching to try it, the spacer is in the shock so it will no longer be an equal comparison but I now what to expect from that.


Chris

Its all back together with 0.46 front springs, oil at 110, I have lost about 11mm in free rear sag with the spacer, 7.6 spring with 10mm preload is giving 30mm static no fuel will check fueled should be around 35mm. With good behavior I should be able to ride it on Sunday.
I can feel the difference just pushing the forks down with the front brake on, can now get the rear wheel off the ground. Also before if you push down on the seat over the pegs the bike would move evenly front and rear now you need to push up near the tank. Not very scientific but hay its still fun !

Chris

Rode it today on a small tight enduro practice track 2,3 gear mostly, the track was raced about a month ago so lots of braking and acceleration bumps it was dry early on then came the rain that stopped the F1.

Front static at 40, Rear 33/108, it felt good from the start, I did not touch the front comp.15 and ended up with the reb at 12. The fork does not feel very much stiffer than before still eats the small stuff and gives a very smooth ride. however you can feel that it's higher in the stroke and the steering is progressive with plenty of grip. The bike does not dive the same way under brakes, it feels like the bike is more level and will turn in and rail with much less rider input. When the heavens opened and it got really slipy I could let the front get quite out of shape in order to keep my preferred line instead of straightening it out and running deeper into the corner, The amount of grip seems to be much more predictable now.

Strange thing the rear felt more busy than before and I ended up going in 4 clicks on the reb. to sort that out. I am sure the clickers will need some fine tuning once riding in faster terrain but right now I'm happy.

Chris

Update

I have been into the forks again with very good results, I have reduced the float and beefed up the stack as follows;
20.1 x 3
18.1 x 1
16.1 x 1
14.1 x 1
12.1 x 1
10.4 x 1 float 0.5 (Thanks KTMLew)
I now have two rides on this set up and am running rear sag of 100 standing 105 sitting with the forks up 10mm from flush. On the stock fork this would have made the bike unstable on the brakes and have the bars going side to side as the fork would run far to deep in the stroke and have harshness from frequent trips into the bottoming cones.
With this mid and the geometry the bike is now running the front end traction is hugely increased my riding focus has changed from what the front is doing in a corner to how hard I can open it up the front just sticks ,it deflects far less and has lighter feel to the steering and handling than my smoker. The confidence to charge in to corners or through rough ground has increased as it now brakes flat and you have more travel to deal with braking bumps etc. the flat feel of the bike is also less tiring than the fork constantly running throw it's stroke and pitch me back and forth on the bike. This has taken me a long time to get to, and would suggest other owners with stock forks get a pro job done or get the tools out, it's not a small change it's huge. I used to wonder how some could run 90mm of sag on these bikes and not have them all over the place, it's the fork and the mid valve to be specific. The only down side that I am seeing is front tire ware has gone up.

Chris

Chris

This is how I will race it on Sunday Bridgestone 601/602 F13psi Rear 12psi
Rear is stock valving with a 2.5mm travel limiting spacer. Comp 16, HS1.25, Reb 18, 7.6 WPspring with 9mm preload, static 33 Rsag 100-105.

Front is 4.6 WP springs with 2turns preload, Forks raised 10mm from caps being flush, 5wt oil air gap 110 measured by dumped method with caps screwed on. Comp 18 Reb 18 Valved as follows:

Comp.
24.1 x 10
23.1
22.1
21.1
20.1
19.1
18.1
17.1
16.1
14.1
12.1
9.5.3
16.25
Mid.
20.1 x 3
18.1 x 1
16.1 x 1
14.1 x 1
12.1 x 1
10.4 x 1 float 0.5, 1.2mm bleed hole in the piston web.
Reb.
D20.1 x 3
12.1
15.1
14.1 x 2
12.1 x 2
11.1
10.3
14.25

Chris

Clamps are the stock 19mm, I was contemplating borrowing an e-axle to lighten up the steering and get a feeling if the new 22's would be helpful this is when I was running with the lower rear and higher front setup.
But with the geometry as it is now there is not so much over all trail as the head angle is a bit steeper and I now feel 22 would not be helpful.

Chris

Handles well and turns quick, the fork hold up well in it's stroke and seems to handle the extra weight of the higher rear end fine and it does not feel harsh or stiff as I have mentioned before the rear seem to be much improved as the front and rear seem to be working together . The front grip is great to the point that I am not really thinking about when riding, I was surprised at first how tight a line I could still get even when coming into corners faster than I felt wise. I have actually spent quite a bit of time over the last couple of weeks working on my 07 250EXC trying to get it turning as well and I thought I had it well dialed in years ago. I am not feeling the need to change anything at the moment, just enjoying the ride.

Chris

Silkolene Pro RSF 5WT
Chris