I've been having some trouble with my Marzocchi Shiver 45mm fork, it's pretty harsh so I had it revalved, but I'm still not satisfied with it, especially on a rocky road, it bounces off and doesn't absorb it as it should. Recently I rode an 2009 Orange EXC 450 and man that suspension was plush, it gave me a lot more confidence on the rocky road and overall it felt more smooth. So I've been searching around and found a mod on the base valve, that's supposed to give it more flow. The after-market valve was pretty expensive I believe and the only difference I could see where the size of the holes Wouldn't it be a solution to enlarge the round holes of the original valve (by drilling, dremeling or filing). Regards, Bart
think you how big to go??. those holes in the factory parts are punched. how many holes, how large ?? really is a lot more to it. there are several well knows suspension guru's who do a great job who are on the cafe here. just tell them what type of riding you do, your weight,etc. just my humble opinion....
The only solution is to bite the bullet and get the riders edge valves plus included is a shim stack designed to your weight, riding preferences, then make sure your springs are correct. I spent a lot of money on those zoke forks. Total difference. Your limited to how far you can drill the stock ones and you'll damage the shim sealing surface. Best money I ever spent on both pairs of my zokes!
Agree- will never ride a stock set again. Currently have 3 sets in use. - one FBF, one ACE, and a Factory Connection set
I second the question. Would be interesting to know though I imagine they're all on different types of bikes and it may be hard to delineate. I found Darin's (Dartyppyt) posts about Ian and Rider's Edge in another thread by chance. The Marz tc50mm forks on my wr 165 were great for mx, which I don't do, but kind of a nightmare in the woods so I immediately called Ian. He was easy to talk to and the vlaves/shim stacks arrived the next week from Canada. I put them in yesterday and first impression is a big, YES! Hopefully, workload willing, I will get a proper ride in tomorrow or saturday. I'll probably start a new thread about this if the driveway testing is any indication. People who aren't afraid to dig into a fork, but may not have enough knowledge/experience to figure out the shim stacks, really need to know this option is out there.
I found the same suspension post a little too late. Forks and shock are out to LTR. Hope to get them back soon. Were the riders edge works pistons difficult to install?
I have run A.C.E. (sadly out of business) on multiple bikes. Harvey used to drill out the OEM base valves himself.
Please pardon the delay in this reply- missed an alert or samesuch. It's a tie between the Factory Connection and ACEproducts.biz setups for my enduro use. Am running lower oil levels and both sets eat the rocks and roots very well transmitting little shock to the bars. For the bush the nod would go to the ACE setup as they are one inch lower and it steers very well in the tight stuff while still safely stable winding out top gear in the open
It's pretty straightforward. You can download the Marz manual and it has good, clear instructions. The last time around, I glanced at the manual and then just did the work. Bleeding the cartridge is a pain at first, but I have it pretty well down now (been in there three times and barely ridden the bike). From all the reviews I think you will be happy with the LTR redo. I had WER do my 08 te450 and it's good for what I use it for, DS'ing, but around here that can include lots of singletrack. That bike is good everywhere. I would have sent the 125 suspension there, but I want to learn about this stuff and I like doing the work.
Erigre, great! Let us know how you end up? I have to wait till the weather gets better to adjust my fork oil height/comp clickers. Just the little bit that I have ridden, these are turning out like the new valve set/shim stack that I have in my 08WR 250. It made the bike stick like glue, absorbs everything and makes the older frames carve like the newer frames. Ian @ Rider's Edge has the Zoke forks dialed in! Valves/shim stack is around $200 for do it yourselfers. I think Ian does them for $100 labor.
Darty, I got out on it yesterday. Much better for sure. Still had an issue with the front end settling and I think it may have to do with the .42 springs I went with. I tried to get .41 or one each of .40/.42, but could not. I ended out tagging a tree pretty good, smashed my pipe and my body a bit too. Pipe was so bad that the thing was running like an 80. Called it a day. I travel extensively for work (pro road cycling team) and head to Malaysia tomorrow. Back in two weeks and will put new springs in, new pipe, hopefully body will be better. Will continue to post my impressions after. Feeling a bit old this am...
Sounds good! You might be 40 or 41 springs since I weigh little more than you. How much preload are you installing your springs @ and are you hitting Vinduros sag numbers up front? How much oil did you put in your forks and did you get your to bottom?
