Dale 'E' O Engineering DOES suspension!

Ok....I got me a 2011 FE390 and I have about 5 hours on it now. I LOVE this bike!

I wanna make it better though. I'm roughly 225lbs geared up. I hear all this great sounding stuff but I'm terrified...

It's possible this Berg is the best bike I've EVER owned. Still reserving judgment but I think this is the one.

Scared to "ruin" the bike.

The ONLY time I ever did suspension was to a new XR650R and took it to Al Bakers XR's only.

The bike was soooooo bad when I got it back I actually ended up selling it. It was twitchy, wouldn't go straight, bucked, kicked and swapped in whoops, deflected off any rock bigger than a golf ball and was just the scariest POS to ride since my 1979 KX80!!

My Berg is fatiguing to ride because from what I read here it sounds like I'm fighting it.

I'm mostly a trail rider in environments like Gorman.

What says you Dale? Thanks, OB :cheers:

Ocotillo Boy said:

Ok....I got me a 2011 FE390 and I have about 5 hours on it now. I LOVE this bike!

I wanna make it better though. I'm roughly 225lbs geared up. I hear all this great sounding stuff but I'm terrified...

It's possible this Berg is the best bike I've EVER owned. Still reserving judgment but I think this is the one.

Scared to "ruin" the bike.

The ONLY time I ever did suspension was to a new XR650R and took it to Al Bakers XR's only.

The bike was soooooo bad when I got it back I actually ended up selling it. It was twitchy, wouldn't go straight, bucked, kicked and swapped in whoops, deflected off any rock bigger than a golf ball and was just the scariest POS to ride since my 1979 KX80!!

My Berg is fatiguing to ride because from what I read here it sounds like I'm fighting it.

I'm mostly a trail rider in environments like Gorman.

What says you Dale? Thanks, OB :cheers:

Click to expand...

Sent you a PM a few minutes ago..........

PM me your email, or just email me at [email protected] and I will send you and order form, and once you have filled it out and sent it back I will send you a quote.

I guarantee that you will be extremely happy with how your bike will work. And I pride myself on the after sale customer support.

Currently your bike is grossly under sprung for your weight for starters, as well as not being balanced spring wise. And the valving front to rear further increases the imbalance.

Just waiting on you now! .

Got your email.....replied back.....just waiting on you now! :cheers:

Hey Dale....question for ya....

I was reading some of your postings and your knowledge of bike setup is amazing!

Aside from suspension service do you offer a "bike setup" for lack of better words?

Meaning....can I bring you the whole bike, get the suspension done and set the sag etc etc upon pickup?

Some tips and such would be of GREAT help to me! My gut is telling me that your the guy who could help put me on the fast track to riding better on a properly setup machine.

Thanks, Bryan :cheers:

hey Dale,

Sounds like you have the key to the setup for my new bike. What is the best way to provide you the info you need to do a quote for shipping and setup on my fork/shock?

Looking forward to riding your work.

Brad
(Boise, ID.)

Just an update of how well my suspension is doing.

WOW!! My bike just completly rocks!! And it just keeps getting better and better! I have about 20 hours on it now. Dale set it up perfectly and I have not even messed with a single clicker! And for a tuner to hit the bulls eye for a guy that weighs in at 325lbs on the first try is down right amazing!

My friends all love to ride my bike, and they are alot smaller than me, but this bike works every where, even for a lighter person.

All I can say is....Get Dale to work on your bike, it is worth twice what he charges!!

Thank you Dale!

Edit; Forgot to mention the 70 Degree Sub-frame Tank that Dale also builds, again...WOW! An extra 1.25 gallons (gotta lift the front wheel to get this much in it)of gas!! :cheers: No leaks, no runs, no drips. Fantastic!! Money well spent!!

Adding fuel to the fire...also interested to find out more on Dale 'E' O suspension work and how to begin the process. I'm a 6'2'', 240 lb novice / intermediate enduro ( trees, rocks, sandwash, mud, etc. ) rider. Some courses have a little MX thrown in, so bottoming resistance is a factor. I typically like a softer fork than most riders...and maybe that's a problem in balancing suspension? Still, I'm forever looking for less harsh initial stroke than any tuner has ever done for me. In the rear, I struggle with the later stages of the races, as the courses tend to get very chopped out. The back end is always getting kicked around and deflecting off of trail junk. I've started using the Tubliss system in my rear tires, and that DOES make an improvement absorbing some sharp hits. I'll be on a 11 390 Berg this year. Haven't rode it yet, but I know the spring rates will be too soft. Final question for all: why aren't titanium springs more utilized on suspensions? Cost? Or, is there some inherent property that makes Ti less suitable?

majthumper said:

hey Dale,

Sounds like you have the key to the setup for my new bike. What is the best way to provide you the info you need to do a quote for shipping and setup on my fork/shock?

Looking forward to riding your work.

Brad
(Boise, ID.)

Click to expand...

Brad,

Got your email and the order form should be in your inbox!

Thanks!

boymess said:

Adding fuel to the fire...also interested to find out more on Dale 'E' O suspension work and how to begin the process. I'm a 6'2'', 240 lb novice / intermediate enduro ( trees, rocks, sandwash, mud, etc. ) rider. Some courses have a little MX thrown in, so bottoming resistance is a factor. I typically like a softer fork than most riders...and maybe that's a problem in balancing suspension? Still, I'm forever looking for less harsh initial stroke than any tuner has ever done for me. In the rear, I struggle with the later stages of the races, as the courses tend to get very chopped out. The back end is always getting kicked around and deflecting off of trail junk. I've started using the Tubliss system in my rear tires, and that DOES make an improvement absorbing some sharp hits. I'll be on a 11 390 Berg this year. Haven't rode it yet, but I know the spring rates will be too soft. Final question for all: why aren't titanium springs more utilized on suspensions? Cost? Or, is there some inherent property that makes Ti less suitable?

Click to expand...

HI There!

I just did a set up for a guy with a 390! Please email me at [email protected] and I will send you an order form to fill out and email me back. Once that is done, I will send you a quote.

Thanks for your interest!

Dale

BIG-E said:

Just an update of how well my suspension is doing.

WOW!! My bike just completly rocks!! And it just keeps getting better and better! I have about 20 hours on it now. Dale set it up perfectly and I have not even messed with a single clicker! And for a tuner to hit the bulls eye for a guy that weighs in at 325lbs on the first try is down right amazing!

My friends all love to ride my bike, and they are alot smaller than me, but this bike works every where, even for a lighter person.

All I can say is....Get Dale to work on your bike, it is worth twice what he charges!!

Thank you Dale!

Edit; Forgot to mention the 70 Degree Sub-frame Tank that Dale also builds, again...WOW! An extra 1.25 gallons (gotta lift the front wheel to get this much in it)of gas!! :cheers: No leaks, no runs, no drips. Fantastic!! Money well spent!!

Click to expand...

Thanks for the great props BIG-E! I'm glad that your bike is working great! Give me a call if you have any questions.

Dale

First off, I'm not into cheerleading or burning vendors on forums but I will pass along my experiences fairly to the person/vendor as possible.

I just got my stuff back from Dale today. Only had time to assemble and take a quick burn around the block.

It has been many many years since I have rode, and this 'berg is my first topline bike so I want it "right" for me and where I ride.

I only put 2 hours on the bike before I sent my stuff away so giving a solid comparison of before/after won't really apply here, but I can tell you the customer service was absolutly first rate. No drama, no ********.

Lots of communication, lots of info (not just about the bike) and quicker turn around then asked for.

How many other guys in the business would call you for a 1/2 hour on New Years day to make sure they understand what you want and that you understand what to expect.

Price was lower then another place I had been quoted as well which was a bonus.

I know it will not be a problem asking Dale about how I should go about fine tuning when I get some dirt under the tires

I will not hesitate to recommend Dale in the future.

Had the bike out this afternoon for a quick spin on the dirt.

It feels SO much more comfortable. The lowered stance and proper springs make all the difference.

I feel so much more confidence riding now.

I took mine to the local guy. First race of the season is 3 weeks from today and I'm screwed, fork tubes are in the truck and now he blew me off after telling me we could get the problem fixed today.

Don't screw around, go to someone who knows what they're doing!

OldNewbie said:

I took mine to the local guy. First race of the season is 3 weeks from today and I'm screwed, fork tubes are in the truck and now he blew me off after telling me we could get the problem fixed today.

Don't screw around, go to someone who knows what they're doing!

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Shoot me a pm or an email at [email protected] and lets see if we can get you squared away.

Dale

OldNewbie said:

I took mine to the local guy. First race of the season is 3 weeks from today and I'm screwed, fork tubes are in the truck and now he blew me off after telling me we could get the problem fixed today.

Don't screw around, go to someone who knows what they're doing!

Click to expand...

stop shooting off all the time about this.

time to walk the walk.....

Taffy

Yes, enough bitching, and desperate cries for help.

And THANK you all for replying. What a great group this is, when others come to your rescue, and so quickly! Really means a lot, and it's time for me to donate again.

I just PM'd Dale. I'm thinking I can fix the immediate problem myself if there's not been any internal damage and make the first two races, then ship off the suspension.

Time and money, decisions, decisions....

Christmas in February!!!

Moab trip is too far away (April)...

Got my suspension back from Dale yesterday. Can't wait to try it out. That said, many props to Dale for his personalized service over the phone.

[attachment=0:22mtbx6l]IMG_0469 (800x600).jpg[/attachment:22mtbx6l]

Will post results when I actually get to ride (probably March-ish)...

I ordered adjustments to my suspension last spring from Dale...Then I went out of the country for 6 months...

My suspension sat in box, in my garage.

Upon return..inspected and installed the forks and shock...all pristine (I had dale do the seals too since he was in there).

Now I've got a few hours..and it's a completely different bike now. Plush, yet soaks up big hits...

I've made ZERO adjustments except race sag (which I put back to Dale's setting...because I over sprung it) and I've ridden tight technical woods, hills, and open range.

Send Dale your stuff....it's worth every penny.

Re: Christmas in February!!!

fljar said:

Moab trip is too far away (April)...

Got my suspension back from Dale yesterday. Can't wait to try it out. That said, many props to Dale for his personalized service over the phone.

[attachment=0:2jg49qzx]IMG_0469 (800x600).jpg[/attachment:2jg49qzx]

Will post results when I actually get to ride (probably March-ish)...

Click to expand...

Moab in April? With any luck (read cahones) I'll be out there at the end of April too. Where ya headed? Oh, Dale did my suspension and it's working out GREAT! Can't say enough good stuff about the guy or his work. (for the record and to keep the topic at hand, handy)

Well, it's time to give credit where credit is due. I sent my suspension off to Dale after spending a mere 30 minutes of total ride time on the new 2011 390 Berg. I know that it does't sound like an adequate time to evaluate the stock suspension, but I've ridden bikes for the past 30 plus years, and I could just tell that I was experiencing the same complaints I've had for every bike I've ever put on the trail...forks that were somewhat harsh and uncompliant on the trail junk, and a rear end that would kick and deflect. I'm not a small rider, 6'3'' and 240, so I've always chalked it up to being too far down in the stroke and getting "mid-stroke" harshness. Dale busted tail to get my suspension to me before an opening round race. I did not have time to ride the bike at all before loading up. My first experience with the newly suspended bike was the ride from the parking lot to the start line. Wow! It sounds odd to say, but it was like one of those slap-you-in-the-face moments. You could just tell that there was something dramatically different about this setup than you've ever experienced before. When I left the line, it was a non-stop grin event as I marveled at the ability for the suspension to handle everything in it's path. The bike tracked straight and true, absorbing the trail with an ease that I've never known. I've had almost every bike I've ever owned resprung/ revalved...and spent considerable money doing so - every time I came away somewhat dissappointed. This time, I totally stoked with the results. Folks, it doesn't happen like this too often...getting way more than you expected when you've spent less than you ever have!! Thanks Dale!