Suspension shop...

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PistolPete

New member
I just bought the 2001 LC4 640 Enduro that was for sale a while back on the board. I need to find a knowledgeable :ted:suspension shop (or individual) to take a look at the front suspension. It has the WP USD 43 forks. The fork fluid has been changed, and the rebound and compression damping have been set to factory settings.

So here is the scenario. I brake, the front end dives (as all dualsports do), Ilet go of the brake and the front end does not return to a neutral position....feels sticky on compression and rebound.

I am in Langley, but would take the bike pretty much anywhere in the LML to get this sorted out.

What a bike this is going to be. I took it out for a quick run today. It makes my old DR feel soooo much like a slug. A crack of the throttle in first or second and it turns into a unicycle.:dr:

Thanks!!!:hb:
 
skidmark43

skidmark43

Administrator / BFF in the blue jacket
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Mike Rensby at Holeshot is very good with suspensions. One of the only Ohlins / Penske certified technicians in Canada. Problem is that he is busy, and a lot of work that you want him to do gets allocated to other mechanics in the shop. So if you go, you need to be clear with him that he do the work.

RMS in Abbotsford (or Chilliwack?) is also well spoken-of amongst street riders & racers.

Mark
 
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PistolPete

New member
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Holeshot was the shop that did the fluid change. I did inform them of the stickiness of the forks and they could not find the problem. Mike was the service advisor, but it was someone else that did the work on the bike.

I am taking the bike with me on holidays so I can fiddle with it at my fathers while away.

If I can't figure it out it...I migh have to take it back there and get Mike to look at it.

Anyone else?
 
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scottbc

Member
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I have been reading a lot about suspension set up and adjustment lately. One thing that I have come across repeatedly is that torque spec on the triple tree clamps is critical on USD forks. Too tight can cause what you are describing. So as a shot in the dark I would get the torque spec and loosen and re torque the fasteners one clamp at a time.

Scott
 
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TLGREEN

New member
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PistolPete wrote:
Holeshot was the shop that did the fluid change. I did inform them of the stickiness of the forks and they could not find the problem. Mike was the service advisor, but it was someone else that did the work on the bike.

I am taking the bike with me on holidays so I can fiddle with it at my fathers while away.

If I can't figure it out it...I migh have to take it back there and get Mike to look at it.

Anyone else?
Click to expand...

Hey Pete, When we were in the Okanagan we were referred to a guy by the name of Ian who has his own shop in Vernon. I know you guys go out there alot, maybe he could help you out. Call Barry @ Valley motorsports in Kelowna & he can get you the #. I threw it away cause we couldn't get into see him with my bike. He is apparently the KTM suspension Guru in the area used to be a racer.



Hope this helps! BTW, congratulations on the new ride!!

Tracy
 
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Bayner

New member
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Also be sure the front axle is installed properly, if not forks can bind. Owner's manual should have the procedure, else PM me for details.
 
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PistolPete

New member
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Got it all figured. I researched the front end on the web and looked at the books that came with the bike. When I bought the bike there was a spacer installed on the speedo side of the axle. It turns out that the spacer is only for when thesupermoto setup is on the bike. There is another spacer for when the rear gets swapped over too. Basically the forks were being forced outwards, binding the fork tubes as they tried to slide within one another. I removed the spacer, torqued everything down in order...and voila...no more sticky forks!

Got the GPS wired up to the bike, the rebound and compression adjusted, cleaned it up a bit and have had it out a few times. This thing is awesome. It ran flawlessly from Calgary to Edmonton up the #2 highway doing 110-115kph. Vibrates a little more than the DR, but not enough to numb the hands or feet. I am looking forward to getting it home and out on some gravel/offroad.
 
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Loz

New member
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Hey Pete, good easy fix :clap:

I'm about to get into the forks on the berg (48mm WP USD). I have to replace the seals, and oil and I also need to add a little pre load to the spring.

I'm thinking about getting a seal driver tool but at $85 for a motionpro one I'm also thinking of making one from a piece of pipe. Anyone done this?

I wonder if anyone has comments on any of these tasks as I've not been inside WP forks before.
 
Strongleftleg

Strongleftleg

Member
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Hey Steve,

Theres alot of info on the WP's on KTMtalk.com. I serviced the ones on my berg using info from that site, it was my first time opening up wp forks as well. My cousin Shane made a seal driver from a piece of PVC pipe, works good.

Aaron
 
Island Hopper

Island Hopper

New member
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I replaced the seals on my 48 WP s using PVC for a seal driver.... I have used the old seal as a buffer on conventional forks to drive against and think it should work on the USDs as well to save marring the new seals.....
 
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Loz

New member
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So can you describe or photo the pvc pipe tool? I guess it has to be split in half to go around the slider? I'll checkout KTMtalk. :tup:
 
Island Hopper

Island Hopper

New member
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113IMG_1198-med.JPG

113IMG_1197-med.JPG


I use a hose clamp to hold the halves together around the fork tube and then tap around the pvc with a deadblow hammer to set the seal in place...
 
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