| Author | Message | ||
     Gearheaderiko |
Sorry, I cant help you with the seals far from home and any manuals. But...if you want to stiffen the forks up, yes heavier weight fork oil will help along with adding some shims/spacers along with the stockers. Replacing the stock spacers with a longer piece of PVC will work or just use washers. About 1" will do. Nows the time to do it with the forks apart. I wouldnt recommend 7.5 fork oil. Use 10w or heavier. Shims and fork oil depend on how stiff you want or need the front forks. If stock is fine, leave it alone. | ||
| Crackhead |
EZ, Since you have both a Blast and XB rear shock, what is the length difference? I am wondering if changing the lower spring mount would allow the xb shock to mount to the blast frame. | ||
| Ezblast |
Will measure tonight. EZ | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Works performance has a listing of shock lengths on their site. (for future reference) | ||
| Ezblast |
14" vs. 10.38" | ||
| Crackhead |
14" for the Xb? What verson of the XB shock? SL, normal, STT, ULY X? | ||
| Cliffburton |
I am thinking of replacing the springs in the front forks, plus oil, seals, and maybe installing the gold emulator thingy.Im looking at Race Tech or Works Performance.Does anyone have any prior experience with either company? Which company should I go with? Any opinions would be appeciated Gents. Thanks in advance Colin | ||
| Ezblast |
If racetech has springs now as well as already having the emulator, then I would go with them, however, both companies are really good and I have been satisfied extremely with their customer service. EZ | ||
| Ezblast |
Normal. | ||
| Cliffburton |
Whats normal EZ? | ||
| Ezblast |
It was a Normal 04 S XB shock - lol - I run Works shocks and spring set with the race tech emulators - to really terrific results, however, I would not be afraid of trying/using race tech springs - if they offered a kit. EZ | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Sadly, when I talked to RaceTech they seemed oblivious to the Blast and couldnt sell me the emulators without me bringing the forks in. So go with EZ's recommendation on what to buy (unless you want to pay the $110 labor Racetech wanted to charge me just so they could sell me the 'right' emulators)  I'd hope that the springs would be easier from Racetech but.....I'm not so sure. | ||
| Cliffburton |
Which emulator do I buy from race tech EZ? Fork oil brand and wieght.I am still collecting parts to upgrade my front brake system,hose,seals,and fluid.cant find seal and piston kit for front caliper. Have been told several times it's discontinued.Forks will be a summer project. | ||
| Ezblast |
FEGV S3501 is their latest, I just look up for a Kawi ex250 86-07 - 37mm with the same ID, so will work with a Blast. My experience is that it works very well, feedback is smooth and sure, especially at hi speed. I use their 7.5 fork oil. EZ | ||
| Prichmon |
I have been looking around for a fork compression tool or procedure. I had planned to drain and reshim the forks to my preferences. I plan on leaving them in the triple trees and raising the bike. Anybody have a 1 person method for compressing the fork caps to remove the keeper? The last time I did this me and a buddy squeezed our brains out to compress the fork with 1" of spacer. Thanks Rich | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
If you dont have a tool, the buddy system works best. A large screwdriver/prybar can be used with the handlebars or clamp as a fulcrum. You can do it by yourself this way too. I havent seen a tool for 37mm forks, but I'm sure it exists. If you havent done a Blast: WARNING Do not lose the "stopper rings". They are not available from Buell and tend to fly great distances into an unknown abyss. Replacements might be found at a good bearing shop. | ||
| Ezblast |
Large c-clamp to the top tree bottom and moving part of the clamp to spring top, tighten, pull out with needle nose, do not loose!, slowly release spring till tension gone. Installation - reverse. I use a drill pump to empty forks. Eric's warning is correct. EZ | ||
| Ganthos |
hey ezblast looking to set up mu suspension after i get my bike going again could you send me the info on your gold valves? ( when to order them from) going to get works springs and rear shock,then my bike will be done besides getting the 600 kit but that will be awhile. Only have 8500 miles on the bike | ||
| Ezblast |
http://racetech.com/ProductSearch.aspx?genre=2&bra nd=Kawasaki&model=EX250&year=86-07 FEGV S3501 is the part you want - comes as a kit for both forks, and different springs for different ranges of weight on the bike. EZ | ||
| Ganthos |
K thanks | ||
| Billy_pilgrim |
Hello all, Does anybody know what the free length of the Blast stock fork springs should be? Many thanks, Billy | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
minimum 12.8" and .69" for the short spring. ...and Welcome! | ||
| Johneblast |
This is directed to EZ or anyone in the bay area that knows if there is an alternative to stock for the rear shock on the Blast. I've been riding a lot of 2-up to and from work, with an occasional day ride, and the rear seems a little mushy now as a solo rider. I remember vaguely seeing something here in the forum, but that was a few years ago!  | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
There is no cheap alternative to the rear shock. You can order one from Penske, Works, Hagan or...but you're looking at a minimum of $400 at least, $600-$800 more likely. You can install 1/4" shim in the rear shock which will increase 'preload' and achieve a decent result. You could even go more if desired and it wont change the stock geometry whereas trying to fit a shock from something else will (there is NO direct shock swap from another model/brand). The shim can be made out of PVC pipe. If you're looking for better handling the front forks should be matched with the rear and a 1" shim in the front = 1/4" shim in the rear. Though that is a fairly accurate approximation, but to truly do it right SAG should be measured, not hard to do (easier with a helper), but not necessary for the average street rider. Just going by how it feels will be good enough (whether you think the front or rear is too mushy). The Blast suspension, quite stiff when new, does get broken in and become a bit mushy after time. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
PS You'll need a shock spring compressor to install the shim. They can be hard to find. American Sport Bike has one that might work. Progressive Suspension has one THAT WONT WORK. I used one that was custom made and also fabricated one from a compressor that wouldnt work. Ingenuity is key, but BE CAREFUL. Inappropriate spring compressors can explode parts at high velocity. Take precautions. Wear safety glasses (and a cup). | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
http://www.americansportbike.com/shoponline/ccp0-p rodshow/16121.html Appears that it should work, but I havent used it. *I'm more than happy to buy a used one, if it works  | ||
| Johneblast |
Valuable info Eric. Moneys tight till the softail is paid off, so the shim way is the direction I am headed. Tom at 3rd Street Harley here in town will give me a hand with the tension part. (Yes, I said, a Harley shop that will give me a hand!) My daughter rides into work with me almost every day, so the combined weight is close to 300lbs. Thanks again for the info. | ||
| Johneblast |
Forgot to ask how the new location is treating you? | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Well, I'm not there yet. I'm doing a lot of traveling in between though! The shop is very well insulated (thank God)!!! | ||
| Ezblast |
Actually there is a guy running with an 11" CBR shock - tension-er is an easy trick, but I think dialing in the front end with the new bias - perhaps lowering the forks in the trees a bit could help, but to balance out the weight bias the rest of the way will probably take both kits - unless you attached a lowering kit to it - I've seen CBRs with seat heights less than 28" with those kits - can't be too pricey, since half of the CBRs in SF are lowered - lol EZ |
