Standard versus inverted forks?

newby · Sep 20, 2004

A friend of mine and I were discussing the differences, advantages and/or disadvantages of standard versus inverted forks. Some of you experts please enlighten me on what exactly makes the newer inverted forks better than my 50mm WP Extremes that are on my '99 FE 400.

The reason we started talking about it was because of the Ohlins inverted forks you can get from old Cannondale stock. I was thinking of buying a set and seeing if I could fit them to my bike. The Ohlins have a 53mm tube at the upper clamp and 58mm tube at the lower clamp. I was thinking I could get a local machine bore out the triple clamp to fit the Ohlins.

All thoughts and comments are welcome. I even want Taffy's negative views if he pleases

.

Jay

Yote · Sep 20, 2004

Inverted forks were designed to provide more chassis rigidity over conventional forks. The area that is clamped in the triple tree of an upside down fork (USD) is larger in diameter than the conventional fork allowing less twisting, binding, flex, etc.

One drawback to USD forks, especially for dirtbike applications where there is long travel, is more fork tube stiction than conventional. You can get a set of conventional forks to move through their travel smoother than a set of USD's. Smoother travel = better suspension feedback

newby · Sep 20, 2004

Your first statement was just as I thought. I figured the inverted forks would be stronger at the tree because of the size difference. When comparing my 50mm WP's, wouldn't they be just about as strong as say, the Ohlins because of them only having a 53 to 58mm upper? That's just a guess though.

And can anybody give me any positives and negatives about WP versus Ohlins?

Jay

twistthethrottle · Sep 20, 2004

USD forks allow more travel.
With convenional forks, the section between the triple clamps can't be utilised. With USD forks it can be utilised.

husabutt · Sep 20, 2004

Hi Newby:

The very fact that *********** no longer makes a conventional fork says something. While installing Ohlins front forks would be a worthwhile addition, the time spent making it all mesh together on your Berg may not be. You have the old style frame wherein the USD forks may not realize their potential. I think the rake is kicked out too far on the pre 2000 model year bikes. I suggest spending the time it would take to figure it all out at a second job and get yourself a brand new 04 or 05!!

hribman · Sep 20, 2004

Hi,

one difference is also that Ãƒâ€“hlins produces very fine products.
They donÃ‚Â´t have the great tolerances WP has.
But Ãƒâ€“hlins products are expensive. WP too, if you have to buy new parts,
but WP is mounted as standard on your bike. So I wonder if itÃ‚Â´s really
necessary to change to Ãƒâ€“hlins.?! Will you really feel an improvement you made by changing the fork?
Another difference betweenn the Extreme and the WP USD forks is
that the Extreme fork is a bit heavier, because of more oil capacity.
My experiences with the Extreme fork werenÃ‚Â´t too good. The fork
was very delicate to loss of oil and as Yote already said the twisting
and the less clamping force, for me, was annoying.

best regards

hribman

husabutt · Sep 20, 2004

Or you could just add a pair of SÃƒÂ¶lva forks and shock. This should blow the Ohlins snobs away!!

The lightest vorderradgabel of the world (4.250 kg per cross-beam)
Adjustable initial stress in the spring in 1mm steps
30 Klicks adjustable oil passage in the compression phase
30 Klicks adjustable oil passage in the traction phase
Feather/spring with high pressure strength and Stabelitaet in stock install
Complete automatic internal adjustment of the rear speed
rear-tech materials from the space travel technology

[web]http://www.rr-racing-suspension.de/solva.htm[/web]

Solva equipped WR250F

hribman · Sep 21, 2004

Hi husabutt,

that looks fine, but I didnÃ‚Â´t know this brand before.
You must know IÃ‚Â´m a low budget rider, so I get used to my standard
suspension and try do the best on the tracks IÃ‚Â´m able to do.
For the remaining part of the bike I realized some ideas,
and mostly I improve my bike on my own, what means I
do it in the "work made by hand"-style. Everything that lays
in my abilities.

best regards

hribman

hribman · Sep 21, 2004

Hey husabutt,

where does it come from that you refer to german speaking sites quite often?

in greeting

hribman

newby · Sep 21, 2004

Husabutt wrote

I suggest spending the time it would take to figure it all out at a second job and get yourself a brand new 04 or 05!!

I really haven't decided to put new forks on my bike. I am hoping to get a new bike before I start racing cross country next year. It's just that my second job hasn't produced real well this year. I farm as my second job. I am also a low budget rideruntil my second job starts picking up a bit.

the twisting
and the less clapmping force, for me, was annoying.

I have noticed this on some of the naps my bike has decided to take. The woods track I have is very tight and loamy with lots of hairpins and its pretty easy to go down. I have had to re-adjust my forks twice in the last few rides.

Thanks for all the comments so far.

Jay

husabutt · Sep 21, 2004

hribman said:
Hey husabutt,

where does it come from that you refer to german speaking sites quite often?

in greeting

hribman

Well aside from the fact that my father is from Flieden, a small farming community outside of Frankfurt and my last name is Schoeppner, it is just a coincidence really. Its a big world out there and I try not to remain within the confines of the U.S. borders. For years before the internet was born all we had were American magazines to keep us informed. If you believed them they would have you think that we were the center of the motorcycle universe. That we found out is so far from the truth.

tm-enduro · Sep 21, 2004

The 50mm extremes that you have have more potential to be plush in rocks and woods use due to the RSU (conventional) design. There is a reason that the KTM Dakar bikes have used the Extreme fork for many years.
If you really want plush you get the Solva RSU fork, ~$4000.

Standard versus inverted forks?

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