Shane661
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posted March 14, 2009 11:33 AM
Lowered Forks...WTF?
Had my forks internally lowered...confusing results....
I don't have the tools and have never taken these types of units apart. So I ordered some Muzzy 1.5" lowering blocks and took them to my local repair shop.
Before they left I measured the free travel on the slider:
About 4.9"
I measured them when I got them back:
Less than 1" difference. Even with preload at 0, the difference is only 1". Why is this?
Shane
  
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whitehendrix
Zone Head
fails!
Posts: 757
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posted March 14, 2009 08:43 PM
maybe it shows up in sag?
____________
Duct tape is the handyman's secret
weapon. The black is for formal
occasions. - ZRXDean
ill never own a busa unless
someone gives me one.... and then
ill sell it -KZScott
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KZScott
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posted March 14, 2009 11:22 PM
I would be contacting Muzzys for an explanation. let us know!
____________
01 ZX-12R 8.84 @ 156.3 no bars, DOT tires. Pump Gas, NA.... turbo 8.47 @ 164.
00 ZX-12R 8.62 @ 165.2 no bars, slicks, Pump Gas, 55 shot.... turbo 8.32 @173
00 ZX-12R Fastest NA Kawasaki in the world 1: 222.046 1.5: 226.390 Loring AFB
00 ZX-12R street turbo 1: 227.9 1.5: 234.1 Loring AFB
00 ZX-12R LSR turbo 1: 263.1 1.5: 266.5 Loring AFB Worlds fastest ZX-12R
CMG Racing RCC Turbos
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Shane661
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posted March 15, 2009 02:17 AM
 Edited By: Shane661 on 15 Mar 2009 10:18
I don't think I want to deal with Muzzys. I'll have the shop call them if the bike doesn't sit right when I put the forks on today....
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Phantom13
Zone Head
Posts: 736
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posted March 15, 2009 09:10 AM
Not 100% sure on this, but I think once the forks are loaded with the weight of the bike/rider, they will settle at 1.5".
I'd install them and take new measurements before I got on the horn with Muzzy's.
Best of luck with the forks and the upcoming 09 season. I'm no psychic... but something tells me there's a bullseye on Ali's back and you're taking aim! lol
____________
"The only place Success comes
before Work is inside the Dictionary."
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tcchin
Zone Head
Posts: 867
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posted March 15, 2009 01:14 PM
Maybe it's a topout spring/main spring interaction thing. Did your kit come with a new topout spring? Do you know if the shop made any changes to your main spring preload spacer? Have you installed the forks to see what the static/race sag numbers are?
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Shane661
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posted March 15, 2009 01:23 PM
Edited By: Shane661 on 15 Mar 2009 21:25
quote:
Maybe it's a topout spring/main spring interaction thing. Did your kit come with a new topout spring? Do you know if the shop made any changes to your main spring preload spacer? Have you installed the forks to see what the static/race sag numbers are?
They installed the kit that came from Muzzys. That is all. It did not come with new springs, only 4 spacers.
I was hoping (almost certain) that someone might have experience with these drop-in kits. They are quite common.
As I said, I am mounting the forks up and will take a measurement. Thanks.
Shane
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Shane661
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posted March 15, 2009 01:56 PM
Edited By: Shane661 on 15 Mar 2009 23:01
Also, while my patience is running thin...
If the forks are only 1" shorter unmounted they are obviously going to need a lot more sag to drop an additional .5" over where they are sitting now. In other words, I will need run my prior total sag + .5".
That defeats my whole purpose. I can't lose the front strap when I have to run tons of sag or the forks will travel too far before they top out (for drag racing).
Shane
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KZScott
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posted March 15, 2009 02:19 PM
might have to try the 2.5 in ones? sounds frustrating for sure
____________
01 ZX-12R 8.84 @ 156.3 no bars, DOT tires. Pump Gas, NA.... turbo 8.47 @ 164.
00 ZX-12R 8.62 @ 165.2 no bars, slicks, Pump Gas, 55 shot.... turbo 8.32 @173
00 ZX-12R Fastest NA Kawasaki in the world 1: 222.046 1.5: 226.390 Loring AFB
00 ZX-12R street turbo 1: 227.9 1.5: 234.1 Loring AFB
00 ZX-12R LSR turbo 1: 263.1 1.5: 266.5 Loring AFB Worlds fastest ZX-12R
CMG Racing RCC Turbos
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Shane661
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Posts: 11494
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posted March 15, 2009 02:24 PM
Edited By: Shane661 on 15 Mar 2009 22:24
Well the fact that they dicked up the top caps and charged me nearly $300 labor...yeah, I'd like to kick someone in the balls...starting with myself....
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Shane661
Needs a life
Posts: 11494
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posted March 15, 2009 02:44 PM
Edited By: Shane661 on 15 Mar 2009 23:02
At any rate, they will work...but they aren't quite what I was expecting.
I guess they aren't that bad...static sag is about 1" right now. With me on the bike they are near 1.5" lower than stock. They still have a long way to go before they top out, though. About .5" more than before, it would seem.
Oh well, next time I'll take the time to do it myself. Then I'll have a much better understanding of what is going on. 
At $99 an hour for labor, watching them shrug their shoulders when I ask a question...well...sucks.
Shane
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ninjaboy311
Zone Head
Posts: 940
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posted March 15, 2009 07:42 PM
I have some blocks waiting to be installed myself. Good thing for me though is that my best friend is a mechanic and a ZX-14 owner. So I bought him a set of blocks too in exchange for the labor to do mine. I know defeating the purpose, but we plan on still running straps even after installing the blocks. We are dragstrip only, and like the tight feel of the strap and do not want the forks to unload on the launch.
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8.74 @ 152 on stock motor and MR9 (Muzzy Powered), 205 lbs suited
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tcchin
Zone Head
Posts: 867
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posted March 15, 2009 07:52 PM
quote:
Also, while my patience is running thin...
If the forks are only 1" shorter unmounted they are obviously going to need a lot more sag to drop an additional .5" over where they are sitting now. In other words, I will need run my prior total sag + .5".
That defeats my whole purpose. I can't lose the front strap when I have to run tons of sag or the forks will travel too far before they top out (for drag racing).
Shane
I suspect that the main spring preload spacer wasn't shortened, so the forks are now highly preloaded. Running like this would be like running with a strap, and the forks will be topped out all the time. If the preload spacer is shortened by the length of the four spacers, then you should be where you need to be, and the forks will function normally.
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whitehendrix
Zone Head
fails!
Posts: 757
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posted March 15, 2009 08:23 PM
DAMN!! $99. an hour!? F that shit man.. aren't you in VA? road trip it to my shop!! it's $55./hr there. no matter what it is.
for you.. i'll charge a pizza and a Mt. Dew.
or maybe i should talk the boss into a rate hike!?
____________
Duct tape is the handyman's secret
weapon. The black is for formal
occasions. - ZRXDean
ill never own a busa unless
someone gives me one.... and then
ill sell it -KZScott
|
NOX
Needs a job
PMRA / TMRC Super Street 4022
Posts: 3745
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posted March 16, 2009 04:22 PM
I use the 2.5 inch ones, and lower the forks through the trees.........
____________
42 Wins
21 Runner-ups
2010 TMRC Super Street Points Champion
2010 PMRA Super Street #3 Points
2009 PMRA Super Street Points Runner-Up
6 Time Centerville Dragway Points Champion
Sponsored by:
Scorpion Helmets
Galfer Braking
AMSOIL
Steve's Speed Shop
Kawasaki Sports Center
Mickey Thompson Tires
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Shane661
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posted March 16, 2009 05:16 PM
I have to run a little more clearance at the mile, Nox. I'm hopeful these will get the job done....
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KZScott
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posted March 16, 2009 07:35 PM
Hey Nox, with the 60 series tire, and the 2.5 in blocks and the lowering with the trees (how much, an inch?), how far is the front of your fairing off the ground when the bike is level with no weight on it?
thx
____________
01 ZX-12R 8.84 @ 156.3 no bars, DOT tires. Pump Gas, NA.... turbo 8.47 @ 164.
00 ZX-12R 8.62 @ 165.2 no bars, slicks, Pump Gas, 55 shot.... turbo 8.32 @173
00 ZX-12R Fastest NA Kawasaki in the world 1: 222.046 1.5: 226.390 Loring AFB
00 ZX-12R street turbo 1: 227.9 1.5: 234.1 Loring AFB
00 ZX-12R LSR turbo 1: 263.1 1.5: 266.5 Loring AFB Worlds fastest ZX-12R
CMG Racing RCC Turbos
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NOX
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Posts: 3745
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posted March 16, 2009 09:51 PM
mine is different than yours......
I do not run a 60 series tire......,
I will check, but like I said before......, the little thingy...., that you put your heel on to drop the kick stand......., where it is welded to the kickstand, is the bottom of my kickstand.......
do the math......., my shit is low, and still has two inches of ground clearance.......
____________
42 Wins
21 Runner-ups
2010 TMRC Super Street Points Champion
2010 PMRA Super Street #3 Points
2009 PMRA Super Street Points Runner-Up
6 Time Centerville Dragway Points Champion
Sponsored by:
Scorpion Helmets
Galfer Braking
AMSOIL
Steve's Speed Shop
Kawasaki Sports Center
Mickey Thompson Tires
Catalyst Racing Composites
Conway Cycle
Syed Leathers
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KZScott
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posted March 16, 2009 10:14 PM
i thought you were running a 60 series from a 500ex? my bad
i think i have about an inch to go on my kick stand before its as low as yours. btw have you weighed the kick stand? its heavy! we took dads off and just use a 2x4 under the SW. you could probly do the same with your brocks.
is 2 in enough at the Mile Shane?
____________
01 ZX-12R 8.84 @ 156.3 no bars, DOT tires. Pump Gas, NA.... turbo 8.47 @ 164.
00 ZX-12R 8.62 @ 165.2 no bars, slicks, Pump Gas, 55 shot.... turbo 8.32 @173
00 ZX-12R Fastest NA Kawasaki in the world 1: 222.046 1.5: 226.390 Loring AFB
00 ZX-12R street turbo 1: 227.9 1.5: 234.1 Loring AFB
00 ZX-12R LSR turbo 1: 263.1 1.5: 266.5 Loring AFB Worlds fastest ZX-12R
CMG Racing RCC Turbos
|
Shane661
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Posts: 11494
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posted March 17, 2009 03:40 AM
I'm not sure at Loring, but at Maxton 2" would be a little low, imo. Too many ruts and bumps. The suspension actually has to do some work at speed, especially compared to the dragstrip...
Shane
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NOX
Needs a job
PMRA / TMRC Super Street 4022
Posts: 3745
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posted March 17, 2009 06:30 AM
Edited By: NOX on 17 Mar 2009 14:31
quote:
i thought you were running a 60 series from a 500ex? my bad
i think i have about an inch to go on my kick stand before its as low as yours. btw have you weighed the kick stand? its heavy! we took dads off and just use a 2x4 under the SW. you could probly do the same with your brocks.
is 2 in enough at the Mile Shane?
I was running a 110 70-
I am now running a smaller tire than that.....
90/80 17
____________
42 Wins
21 Runner-ups
2010 TMRC Super Street Points Champion
2010 PMRA Super Street #3 Points
2009 PMRA Super Street Points Runner-Up
6 Time Centerville Dragway Points Champion
Sponsored by:
Scorpion Helmets
Galfer Braking
AMSOIL
Steve's Speed Shop
Kawasaki Sports Center
Mickey Thompson Tires
Catalyst Racing Composites
Conway Cycle
Syed Leathers
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Shane661
Needs a life
Posts: 11494
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posted March 17, 2009 06:51 AM
Edited By: Shane661 on 17 Mar 2009 14:52
I sure don't like the looks of those 90/80/17's for anything but a dedicated dragbike. Even then, I'm just not sure I trust them at 150+ mph...
I know a lot of people do use them, though...everyone has to make their own calls, safety-wise.
Shane
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VincentHill
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posted March 17, 2009 08:01 AM
Shane, If you mount them and it is too stiff then you have to remove or shorten the spacers. Second, with 1 inch less and 1 inch in the trees you are down to 3 inches and then with 1/2 inch of sag you only have 2.5 inches of movement MAX not a lot to deal with.
They sound like Hacks that damaged the caps and we should know who they are to avoid them! Was it Ship's people? I am sure that they did not know how to install the kit but DID know how to take the fork apart! I have the tools from my Gold Valve making friend to do this but have never been into an USD fork. I would surely make sure you have movement before anything else!
____________
Made History @ Daytona and still one fast old man!!
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Shane661
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Posts: 11494
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posted March 17, 2009 08:28 AM
Edited By: Shane661 on 17 Mar 2009 17:11
I installed the forks and they did settle down about 1.5" lower. I was just hoping they wouldn't have so much sag in order to achieve it. Without looking at the mechanism in my hands I really don't understand how they work. I know it is not rocket-science, but I am more of a "hands-on" type of person.
I think the kit was installed properly. I wasn't happy about the fork caps, but I've vented at this point, and already talked to the shop. I'm not really looking to throw anyone under the bus. We all make mistakes from time to time.
Now that the forks are more or less done, I have to refocus on the rear suspension. I'm way, way behind with this bike...and it is stressing me out:
Since this photo, I also have the oil pan off, have ram air disconnected, gauges removed,and the clutch apart to re-configure (lock up).
Shane
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Stuart Racing
Zone Head
N.H.R.A . Dragracing.
Posts: 999
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posted March 17, 2009 09:49 AM
WOW,damn nice clutch cover....Where`d ya get that at.....nice Shane....
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Life in the Fast Lane..........
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