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641
Joined
5/30/2017
Location
Tucson, AZ
US
CSAR FE
4/26/2020 9:20am
4/26/2020 9:20am
Edited Date/Time
5/17/2020 3:16pm
I need some help deciding on what to do here. I had my suspension revalved by Factory Connection a couple years ago on my FX450, and I think they did a great job. It is heads and tails above what it was stock, especially the Air Fork. After a couple years of riding the bike, I still don’t like the vague feel of the air fork, how it handles braking bumps/rocks, and slap down landings. Bottom line: I am over the air cartridge.
I am planning on doing one of the following:
- Option 1: Sending the forks back to FC for their spring conversion. I need my suspension serviced anyways, so including the cost of rebuilding my shock and the spring conversion for the fork, it’s around $1400.
- Option 2: Order a set of Ohlins carts, install them myself, and send the shock off for service. My only concern here is I don’t know if the valving will work out of the box for me. I had FC valve my stuff previously for A class desert/WORCS. This option will cost me $1350, including the spring and fluids for the cartridge kit. Add probably another $250-$350 for shock service.
- Option 3: Send suspension to FC for KYB conversion and shock service. This is obviously the ideal option as they will revalve the carts for me, and it’s going to work. The problem here is it’ll be around $2600 for the conversion, revalve, and shock service. Additional cost includes sleeping on the couch for a few nights. I like Factory Connection, and have used them for almost all my suspension work in the past, but I'm unsure why their cost for the KYB conversion is around $400 more than going through Enzo or some other companies.
Cone Valves unfortunately are out of the question and I’m not really comfortable buying hammered, used CVs off vital.
What would you do? If I can get the feel I want with the spring conversion, I’m good with that. If I’m not going to feel all that much difference between a good revalve and spring conversion over a cartridge kit, then the cost isn’t worth it to me. Also, is it a valid concern to have a shock that is revalved by one company, and having the fork done by someone else (see option 2)? Thanks for the help and sorry for the long post.
I am planning on doing one of the following:
- Option 1: Sending the forks back to FC for their spring conversion. I need my suspension serviced anyways, so including the cost of rebuilding my shock and the spring conversion for the fork, it’s around $1400.
- Option 2: Order a set of Ohlins carts, install them myself, and send the shock off for service. My only concern here is I don’t know if the valving will work out of the box for me. I had FC valve my stuff previously for A class desert/WORCS. This option will cost me $1350, including the spring and fluids for the cartridge kit. Add probably another $250-$350 for shock service.
- Option 3: Send suspension to FC for KYB conversion and shock service. This is obviously the ideal option as they will revalve the carts for me, and it’s going to work. The problem here is it’ll be around $2600 for the conversion, revalve, and shock service. Additional cost includes sleeping on the couch for a few nights. I like Factory Connection, and have used them for almost all my suspension work in the past, but I'm unsure why their cost for the KYB conversion is around $400 more than going through Enzo or some other companies.
Cone Valves unfortunately are out of the question and I’m not really comfortable buying hammered, used CVs off vital.
What would you do? If I can get the feel I want with the spring conversion, I’m good with that. If I’m not going to feel all that much difference between a good revalve and spring conversion over a cartridge kit, then the cost isn’t worth it to me. Also, is it a valid concern to have a shock that is revalved by one company, and having the fork done by someone else (see option 2)? Thanks for the help and sorry for the long post.
1750 dollars straight from Technical Touch. Send them an email and ask them what they would charge for setting it up for you. I might remember wrong but i think the setup is included with their KYB conversion, but don't quote me on that.
The only thing i would steer away from is a single side spring kit like WPs own or the K-tech spring kit. Now that i googled how FCs spring kit looks like it seems like that too is a single sided spring cartridge. I would not go that route, go with a proper cartridge kit for both fork legs.
What is the big complaint about single sided spring cartridges, besides the weight difference between the two forks? The AER48 is the only single function fork I have ever ridden, so I don't know what an SFF spring fork would feel like. I am familiar with KYB SSS and Showa twin chamber forks, so that is all I have to compare the AER 48 to. I have never ridden any kit suspension, unfortunately.
The single sided cartridge seems to work better when it's a light air cartridge, but not when it has a massive spring in it.
The Shop
I had the TT kit & ended up revalving it twice to get it right .
If I was to do it again I would have ENZO build me the TT kit. same kit. just with ENZO set up. FWIW.
https://mx-tech.com/shop/fork-parts/mxt-lucky-carbon/
You can thank me later.
Hammer
For reference, i have an fc350 with stock AER forks (frankly horrible in certain conditions), so have a very good frame of reference. I have ridden many KYB twin chamber set-ups, stock and revalved. Revalved KYB's were up until now the best i have ridden. Have an 17 crf450r with the latest showa twin chamber spring design.
The Kreft modified AER fork blows them all away. Square edge hard pack chop (which the stock AER totally sucks in, very harsh) simply disappears with the Kreft AER fork. I thought the trade off would have to be a wallowy feel, but you do not get that at all. There seems to be no trade offs to me, just a super plush and responsive fork.
The catch is cost, its not cheap (but neither are the options you list above). I got lucky and bought a used bike with it already installed, so got it for free, ha.
I read up on MXTech’s system too. I’m not interested in those either.
I am ordering complete Ohlins RFX48S forks this week. My buddy is a dealer and can get them to me for $2800. Seems like a better idea since I can take them with me if I get another Austrian bike in the future, or sell them and use the money for a revalve if I end up back on a jap bike.
Stay safe everyone.
Old Spode
Did you have them revalved? What do you think about them?
Pit Row
Did you notice any difference with the FE clamps?
Currently at 18 out on comp, rebound at 15. Super plush and soaks up all the stuff that make the front end feel like I had 2x4’s for forks before. I’ll likely end up going in on compression for the track a couple clicks. Running a 4.9 spring rate. Not sure what the oil level is set at. I believe 380cc. A class desert.
The front end feel is SO much better, and the front sticks like glue now.
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