| Author | Message | ||
     Duggram |
Soon I plan to replace my fork cartridges with AK-20's. I have a couple of questions: 1. Should I replace the seals at the same time? 2. Are the 1125 forks the same as those on an XB? There's this thread in the XB forum about rebuilding XB forks. It would be good if I could use it. 3. I have the Traxxion Dynamics spring compressor. Should I be using the Race Tech compressor instead? Before you tell me not to work on my own forks, you have to understand that I let a local expert mechanic install my new springs a while back and now my rebound adjusting screws are at different heights when all the way in or out. I think I should give it a try this time. | ||
| Doerman |
Bertman (aka Brett Matthews) replaced the cartridges on his with AK-20.He's touching on the discussion here. Maybe contacting him might reveal some insights? | ||
| Bertman |
XB and 1125R forks are different designs. Rebuilding principals are still the same, though internal design is different on the upper bushing. Rather than having an inner bushing that rides on the end of the slide tube, the 25R forks have an outer bushing that stays in the outer fork tube itself. The fixed distance between the two bushing should give better feel, but the only problem is that the only way I see to get the bushing is to buy the whole outer fork leg or have a close one modified to fit. The two halves come apart cleanly with no real chance of nicking a seal like the old set up. I would do it just because it is all ready apart. I used the Race Tech compressor, the Traxxion compressor looks like a two person required tool, but it might work just fine. | ||
| Duggram |
Thank you for the comment. I think I can follow your mod. But, is there any chance you would have an opinion on the new BPF front forks? I'm still going with the AK-20's because of cost, but I am still interested in BPF. Would the cost of your mod justify going with the ~$2000 BPF? | ||
| Fresnobuell |
Just read a nice article in Motorcycle Consumer Newa about getting the forks/shocks rebuilt by Race Tech (as opposed to the drop in cartridges.) Seems like the best value and I plan to do it maybe this winter when track day season is over and the •••••• weather sets in. | ||
| Jdugger |
I'm using race tech here. I did a full rebuild of the suspension: new springs, new valves, fixed low speed setting, and all new fluids. I had my work done by a local race tech guy Cliff Piper. I have been extraordinarly happy about the whole thing. I've ridden an AK-20 equipped bike, and I was really impressed, but I can't bring myself to let loose of the close to $1200 it costs for that set up. My fork job with race tech parts was $600, and if I had to compare, I'd say the AK-20s are better, but not even close to twice as good. | ||
| Bertman |
I almost held out waiting for more info on the Showa BPF forks, but wanted to get my bike done. The little bit I have heard is nothing but praise. I'll try to ask Higbee at Willow Springs tomorrow since I think he has had both AK-Gas cartridges and BPF forks. The ride over from Santa Maria to Palmdale tonight after work will be my first thrash on the AK-20 front end and I'm looking forward to it. | ||
| Mr_incognito |
Im pretty mechanically inclined when it comes to engines and other random things, but ive always been kind of sketchy to mess with my own suspension. Quite honestly I dont even know a whole lot about it. Does the 1125 have fork fluid? I know it needs to be changed like once a year, and was curious if anyone had done that themselves and how easy it is? Like I said, im not real hip on suspension stuff LOL....too critical for me to tinker with too much. | ||
| Duggram |
Brett, that would be great. The opportunity for Higbee feedback on the BPF units would mean a lot. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
Does the 1125 have fork fluid? I know it needs to be changed like once a year Ummm, yes it does have fluid, oil to be specific, and I believe the fork oil interval is something like 24,000 miles IIRC. Thankfully, it's quite a bit longer than the XBs. | ||
| Zac4mac |
I rebuilt mine, at the shop, with the "harley dealer" tools. At the 20k kilometers/12.6k service. Since I was taking up a lift, I tried to be as quick as possible. I didn't pay much attention to anything but the job at hand. With the proper tools and some attention, it's a real easy flush and fill. Front end feels as good as ever. Harlan - interval is 20k kilometers. Zack | ||
| Mr_incognito |
Oh damn, well with 24k mile intervals im not even gonna worry about it.....I know guys that flush theirs every summer though. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
Zac--Looks like we are both wrong....just checked the service manual and the fork oil is supposed to be changed at 30k kilometers/18,600 miles. I should be hitting that late this year, perfect timing get the forks rebuilt by Race Tech. | ||
| Ponti1 |
I was wondering about this the other day...Is there a 18,600mi service interval? My owner's manual is wacky, in that it lists the first three normally, but the 4th interval (with fork service) is listed as 24,000mi/30,000km. I've not really cared about it so far, since I'm just now getting ready for the 20,000km service. | ||
| Zac4mac |
Ouch, right Harlan. The early Owner's manuals have a glitch in the maintenance schedule and blow the metric-English conversion at 30k kilometers. Essentially, every 6200 miles or 10k kilometers is a check. Oil every 6200 miles/10k Km Valves every 12.4/20k Km. Fork oil every 30k Km or 18.6k miles That's where I'm at so far. Z (Message edited by zac4mac on June 21, 2009) | ||
| Bertman |
Okay, I hope I am repeating this correctly from talking with Shawn Higbee on Sunday. The difference between the AK-Gas versus the Showa BPF fork set up is that the BPF forks have better low speed compression. He was explaining the feel differences but I got all glassy eyed and could not relate to riding like that, because I don't. Shawn is a really cool guy! I come riding up and parked right behind them in the pits and he hears my Torque Hammer exhaust and immediately comes over to see what kind of exhaust that is. If anybody came up, he was more than willing to talk. | ||
| Bertman |
As a side note, my Traxxion Dynamics AK-20 equipped bike performed flawlessly when I was flying over Cerro Noroeste Road west of Frazier Park. I get to listen to my riding buddy tell every one how fast his BMW K1200S is all day long, so of course when I hit some good twisties it is time to let the Buell show its legs. That had to be the funnest, most effortless ride I have done on the 25R. | ||
| Smoke |
the biggest issue to changing/flushing your own forks is that you will NEED a fork spring compressor suitable to disconnect and reconnect the rebound adjuster. Jdugger, in the process of disconnecting/reconnecting the rebound adjuster it is easy to get the 2 forks off by a thread in height and it has no effect on rebound. it is the adjustment turns from full in that have to be together not height. OTOH i wouldn't like paying someone to have them come out like that. i noticed on mine after i had them back on the bike after replacing only the left fork seal and fluid myself. Damn mechanics!!!(me) i'll fix it next time when i upgrade with RT internals. next year AK20's! tim | ||
| Fresnobuell |
Race Tech or Axxion internals? Or are there even more options out there? Opinions? | ||
| Duggram |
Harlan, Race Tech, Traxxion Dynamic's AK-20s, Ohlins has internals (I know the Latus team has used these), and there are the Showa BPF (big piston forks). I'm thinking of the BPF's because they are simple to work with, offer better low speed response, and they appear to be the future (some of the AMA Buells use them). About $2K from Henry. But I already have Traxxion springs so I could save a little by going with AK-20s. <$1K if you install yourself. A lot of racers like these. I road a KX10 with AK-20s and liked it a lot compared to my stock 1125. (Message edited by duggram on June 25, 2009) | ||
| Fresnobuell |
I guess I should have specified that I am looking for a rebuild/revalve with the stock forks/shock, not the full cartridge setup. I feel for my growing track day addiction (no urge to race,) this is the proper way to go without breaking the bank. I have had some good email conversations with Traxxion Dynamics regarding the rebuild/revalve option. I am pretty impressed, although with my limited knowledge of the subject matter, that's not surprising. I also like that Traxxion Dynamics has done lots of work on Buells. It's nice to not get the hesitation after you tell someone you have a Buell. Anyone that can shed some add'l light on the rebuild/revalve options, that would be cool. I can forward the pretty insightful emails from Traxxion if anyone is curious about the process...and to save TD the hassle of answering duplicate questions if anyone else here is serious about doing this to their suspension. | ||
| Duggram |
When you call Traxxion be sure to talk to Dan. He is the man at Traxxion when it comes to Buell. BTW I got this from others on the list here before I called the first time. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
thanks Doug, I am leaning he Traxxion direction. They have been prompt at answering email questions and very in depth with the answers as well. Thusfar, I am impressed. | ||
| Slaughter |
I've been paying full retail for Traxxion for my racing - and while it is pricey, Max and Dan are VERY experienced in suspension tuning. My (ex) SV with GSXR front end and Penske rear, my XB with re-valving/re-springing the front and Penske rear and now my XB with AK-20 front and Penske rear. The nifty thing is that they DO understand these beasties and they CAN offer very real help and offer suggestions for setup and tuning. Ditto on talking to Dan. Heck, tell him that Doug and Slaughter put you up to talking to him (on Higbee's recommendation)! (well, as slow as I am, maybe you better not!!! - just kidding) (Message edited by slaughter on June 26, 2009) | ||
| Court |
>>>I've been paying full retail for Traxxion for my racing Smart move. Henrik . . perhaps the world's most anal retentive, detail oriented person has always had high praise for them. That speaks volumes. |
