Suspension Upgrades

[Jeff Bennetts]

Forks are currently winging their way to Woodstock, GA. Hopefully I'll have some good news that's of interest to others on this board by the end of next week...

What prompted you to switch your suspension tuner to Traxxion Dynamics?

Good question Towerguy, I didn't put the connection together when he posted the address. I know TD was one of the first companies to offer the cartridge (AK 20) they did a few adverts in the CBXPress back in the day, they also did a RaceTech upgrade, polish and tune on two sets of late model 39mm forks for me that I'm very happy with.

[Syscrush]

I figured someone would pick up on the hint. :)

What it comes down to is this - Cogent has their own cartridge setup, but it's 25mm and neither the cartridge nor their custom adjusters will fit into the 39mm fork (they were designed for 41mm and larger). Rick at Cogent is a friend, and he was willing to do a custom install of some OEM 20mm carts from a GSX-R or a Daytona 675, but I'd be stuck without external adjustment, and with the stock Pro-Link caps which I don't like the looks of. I would still recommend Cogent very highly for suspension work in general, including installation of Race Tech cartridge emulators, which I know are a popular mod (Cogent was actually the #1 Race Tech dealer for a while, not sure if they still are). They also sell Intiminators, and their own cartridges & shocks for a variety of applications.

In trying to learn if the 39mm Showa forks used by Honda in the early 80's use the same fork cap thread as the 39mm Showa forks used by Harley since '88, I found that TD actually fits their AK-20 cartridge setup in the 39mm Harley fork - which came as a big surprise to me. They don't list the CBX as a fitment, but I gave them a call and they said that they're confident they can do it (they've done CB1100F forks before). And since my forks would be their first CBX forks to get the AK-20's, they'll waive the installation fee.

When I talked to the tech there, he said that the big question mark is the fork cap thread - whatever it is, they can make a cap to work, but they need to have the forks to know for sure if it's the same as what's on the Harley forks. I'll follow up here when I get confirmation about the thread in case others are interested in swapping to Harley fork caps.

I'm on pins and needles now about the AK-20's. If they fit, those forks should work very, very well. Those internals are considered an upgrade from modern OEM cartridge front ends, which are already a huge improvement over a damping rod setup. Between the upgraded forks, custom-valved 4-way adjustable piggyback shocks w/36mm piston, and the big brake setup, it should be a whole different world from what it was when I rode it last year. If they don't fit, I'm gonna be very disappointed, so I'm trying to type with fingers crossed! :)

[Towerguy]

I figured someone would pick up on the hint. :)

I live in Woodstock......

[barryadam]

I figured someone would pick up on the hint. :)

I live in Woodstock......

[Syscrush]

Just got a call from TD - the tech took my old forks apart and said that the internals/lowers are in good shape, no signs of excessive wear or other problems. The sliders/uppers are pitted, though - which I suspected from the seller's photos on eBay. OEM replacements are still listed by Honda, no idea if they're still available, or if we'll have to go with the aftermarket ones from Race Tech.

So the good news is, those forks should look very sweet & shiny!

[Jeff Bennetts]

OEM replacements are still listed by Honda, no idea if they're still available, or if we'll have to go with the aftermarket ones from Race Tech.

So the good news is, those forks should look very sweet & shiny!

F by F, it's probably where RT gets them anyway.

[Syscrush]

F by F, or F by G?

[Jeff Bennetts]

F by F, or F by G?

Forking by Frank

http://www.frankmain.qpg.com/

[Syscrush]

Thanks. My mind went right to Fast By Ferracci, which seemed wrong. Fast By Gast does a lot of vintage H2 stuff, thought the might be in the old Honda game too...

[Syscrush]

Shock dyno results before and after custom valving, along with notes from Rick:

Here is a before and after dyno run: It is crazy how much rebound damping they had. They wanted them run at 30 clicks out, which would have made them OK but you would not have any adjustment range. Even with the adjuster wide open (30 clicks is effectively so), the shocks made too much rebound damping. Now they are likely to be optimum near the mid range setting.

He also said:

We have your shocks done, they are smaller body dia. Than other YSS shocks I have worked on but they are pretty darned nice. With the revalve, I think they will be awesome.

Can't wait! I really hope that they fit, lots of variables with the change in swinger and shocks...

[NobleHops]

Shock dyno results before and after custom valving, along with notes from Rick:

Here is a before and after dyno run: It is crazy how much rebound damping they had. They wanted them run at 30 clicks out, which would have made them OK but you would not have any adjustment range. Even with the adjuster wide open (30 clicks is effectively so), the shocks made too much rebound damping. Now they are likely to be optimum near the mid range setting.

That is VERY COOL Phil, thanks for sharing it.

N.

[Syscrush]

That is VERY COOL Phil, thanks for sharing it.

N.

My pleasure.

For me, that picture tells a 2-part story about the YSS shocks: the valving out of the box is just way off. What's the point in buying an adjustable shock if it's valved so stiff that there's only one position on the adjuster that's even close to ridable? But the other part of the story is that with some care and attention from a suspension guru it really looks like these shocks can be dialed in to be something that works comparably to the Ohlins setup that's generally considered the gold standard for these bikes, but with the added benefit of more adjustment, and a different look.

[Jeff Bennetts]

That is VERY COOL Phil, thanks for sharing it.

N.

My pleasure.

For me, that picture tells a 2-part story about the YSS shocks: the valving out of the box is just way off. What's the point in buying an adjustable shock if it's valved so stiff that there's only one position on the adjuster that's even close to ridable? But the other part of the story is that with some care and attention from a suspension guru it really looks like these shocks can be dialed in to be something that works comparably to the Ohlins setup that's generally considered the gold standard for these bikes, but with the added benefit of more adjustment, and a different look.

How much was the service to get the YSS dialed in?

[Syscrush]

How much was the service to get the YSS dialed in?

I think I got a friend price so I don't want to say in public, but looking around online it looks like most suspension shops charge $200-300 each for a full service & revalve. For doing a pair of twin shocks it would probably be less than double that.

I'm very much looking forward to giving a ride report on this setup, but it'll probably be May before that's possible.

[Jeff Bennetts]

How much was the service to get the YSS dialed in?

I think I got a friend price so I don't want to say in public, but looking around online it looks like most suspension shops charge $200-300 each for a full service & revalve. For doing a pair of twin shocks it would probably be less than double that.

I'm very much looking forward to giving a ride report on this setup, but it'll probably be May before that's possible.

Just for comparison, Dan Kyle racing will sell you a fully adjustable set of Öhlins for $1250.00, setup for your weight and riding style, then all you will need to do is set the sag on your CBX after they are installed, takes two peole about a half hour to do.