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[rayivers]

With my rear shock working a lot better (currently waiting on a 6.25 - 8.0 kg/mm progressive spring), my forks are feeling harsher than ever.  Has anyone actually adjusted their fork spring preload - or even removed their fork caps - and have any pointers for me before I start?  I've watched all three YouTube videos repeatedly and studied the only FastAce documentation I could find (AS-02 mountain-bike fork service manual), but since none of this applies directly to the APX05RC forks on my bike I'd rather not apply a ton of torque before I know what to expect.  The 1st video shows a set-screwed top piece above the actual fork cap (no screws on mine), and then what looks like nearly an inch of cap threads doused in blue Loc-Tite. 

Ray

Service Video 1: ! No longer available
Service Video 2: ! No longer available
Service Video 3: ! No longer available

[smarttoys]

What did you do to make your rear shock work alot better? Do you have a part number for the progressive spring? Thank you.

[rayivers]

Well, as you probably know the first thing I did was replace it with the optional Fox shock, after adjusting the OEM unit every which way without success - and after that all I've done is reduce the preload to 1mm and adjust the clickers for best traction and control. I briefly considered keeping the FastAce shock and replacing the OEM 475-585 lb/in spring with a softer one, but the heavy damping / limited-adjustability problems would remain; I may still do this on my FX though, for a bit more comfort on the street.

The spring is a custom wind from Cannon Racecraft (no p/n yet).  They called me yesterday for my shipping address etc., so hopefully it will be here soon.  As soon as I've put a few rides on it I'll post the results.

Ray

[Richard230]

I gave up trying to adjust my 2014 S Fast Ace suspension and just dialed everything back to "wimpy", along with reducing the preload on the rear shock slightly.  That seems to work OK for my 150 pound weight and just cruising around enjoying the ride.

[Burton]

Not to steal this thread but what size are the front forks? 38mm shaft with 43mm mounting points? Would that be called a 38mm fork or 43? I will have some goodies to post based on the answer

[rayivers]

My '14 FX fork dimensions are:

43mm (mating / sliding surfaces)
49mm (upper fork tube O.D. at top triple clamp)
53mm (upper fork tube O.D. at bottom triple clamp)
795mm (overall length, tube top to axle centerline @ full extension, no cap)

There's a possibility these forks may be 43mm copies of the 47mm Showa forks on  '04-'08 Honda CR / CRF machines, but that's only guesswork at this point.

Ray

[Burton]

Prepare for overload.

Assuming these are 43mm then the following also have 43 mm forks (not sure on OD)

43 Honda CR-125R (84-86)
 43 Honda CR-125R (87)
 43 Honda CR-125R (88-89)
 43 Honda CR-125R (92-93)
 43 Honda CR-125R (94-96)
 43 Honda CR-125R (94-96)
 43 Honda CR-250R (82)
 43 Honda CR-250R (83-84)
 43 Honda CR-250R (85-87)
 43 Honda CR-250R (88)
 43 Honda CR-250R (92-94)
 43 Honda CR-250R (95)
 43 Honda CR-250R (95)
 43 Honda XR-400R (96-04)
 43 Honda CR-480R (82)
 43 Honda CR-480R (83)
 43 Honda CR-500R (84)
 43 Honda CR-500R (85-87)
 43 Honda CR-500R (88)
 43 Honda CR-500R (92-94)
 43 Honda CR-500R (95)
 43 Honda CR-500R (95)
 43 Honda XR-500R (83-84)
 43 Honda CBR-600F4 (99-00)
 43 Honda CBR-600F4 (01-04)
 43 Honda XR-600R (85-00)
 43 Honda XR-650L (93-04)
 43 Honda VFR-750R (90)
 43 Honda VFR-800/A (02-04) “Interceptor/Interceptor ABS”
43 Honda CB-900F (02-03)
 43 Honda CBR-929RR (00-01), CBR-929RE (01), CBR-954RR (02-03)
 43 Honda CB-1000 (94-95)
 43 Honda RVT-1000R (00-04)
 43 Honda CBR-1100XX (97-03)
 43 Kawasaki KX-125B2/C1/C2/D1/E1-E2 (83-87)
 43 Kawasaki KX-125 F1 (88)
 43 Kawasaki KX-125 F1 (88)
 43 Kawasaki KX-125 H2 (91)
 43 Kawasaki KX-125 H2 (91)
 43 Kawasaki KDX-200C1-C3 (86-88)
 43 Kawasaki KDX-200E1-E4 (89-92)
 43 Kawasaki KDX-200H1-H10 (95-04)
 43 Kawasaki KDX-200H1-H10 (95-04)
 43 Kawasaki KDX-250D1-D4 (91-94)
 43 Kawasaki KDX-250D1-D4 (91-94)
 43 Kawasaki KLX-250D2-D4 (94-96)
 43 Kawasaki KLX-250D2-D4 (94-96)
 43 Kawasaki KX-250C1-C2/D1-D2/E1 (83-87)
 43 Kawasaki KX-250F1 (88)
 43 Kawasaki KX-250H2 (91)
 43 Kawasaki KX-250H2 (91)
 43 Kawasaki KLX-300 A2-A9 (97-04)
 43 Kawasaki KX-500A1-A2/B1-B2/C1 (83-87)
 43 Kawasaki KX-500 D1 (88)
 43 Kawasaki KX-500 D1 (88)
 43 Kawasaki KX-500E3-E8 (91-96)
 43 Kawasaki KX-500E3-E8 (91-96)
 43 Kawasaki KLX-650A1-A3 (93-95)
 43 Kawasaki KLX-650A1-A3 (93-95)
 43 Kawasaki KLX-650D1 (96)
 43 Kawasaki KLX-650D1 (96)
 43 Kawasaki ZX-750H1/H2 “Ninja (ZX-7)” (89-90)
 43 Kawasaki ZX-750H1/H2 “Ninja (ZX-7)” (89-90)
 43 Kawasaki ZX-750N1-N2 “Ninja (ZX-7RR)” (96-97)
 43 Kawasaki ZR-1100 A1-A4 (92-95)
 43 Kawasaki ZR-1100 A1-A4 (92-95)
 43 Kawasaki ZR-1100 C3-C4 (99-00)
 43 Kawasaki ZX-1100C1-C4 “Ninja (ZX-11)” (90-93)
 43 Kawasaki ZX-1100C1-C4 “Ninja (ZX-11)” (90-93)
 43 Kawasaki ZX-1200 C1-C3 (02-04)
 43 Suzuki RM-125 E/F/G (84-86)
 43 Suzuki RM-125 H (87)
 43 Suzuki RM-125 J (88)
 43 Suzuki RM-125 J (88)
 43 Suzuki DR-250 L/M/N/P (90-93)
 43 Suzuki DR-250 L/M/N/P (90-93)
 43 Suzuki DR-250 SL/SM/SN/SP/SER/SES (90-95)
 43 Suzuki DR-250 SL/SM/SN/SP/SER/SES (90-95)
 43 Suzuki DR-Z250 K1-K4 (01-04)
 43 Suzuki DR-Z250 K1-K4 (01-04)
 43 Suzuki RM-250 D/E/F/G/H (83-87)
 43 Suzuki RM-250J (88)
 43 Suzuki RM-250J (88)
 43 Suzuki DR-350 L/M/N/P/R/S/T/V/W/X (90-99)
 43 Suzuki DR-350 L/M/N/P/R/S/T/V/W/X (90-99)
 43 Suzuki DR-350 SL/SM/SN/SP/SER/SES/SET/SEV/SEW/SEX (90-99)
 43 Suzuki DR-350 SL/SM/SN/SP/SER/SES/SET/SEV/SEW/SEX (90-99)
 43 Suzuki RM-465 X/Z (81-82)
 43 Suzuki RM-500 D/E (83-84)
 43 Suzuki SP-600 F (85)
 43 Suzuki DR-650 SET/SEV/SEW/SEX/SEY/SEK1/SEK2/SEK3/SEK4 (96-04)
 43 Suzuki GSX-R750 J/K/L (88-90)
 43 Suzuki GSX-R750 WR/WS (94-95)
 43 Suzuki RF-900 RR/RS/RZS/RT/RV (94-97)
 43 Suzuki RF-900 RR/RS/RZS/RT/RV (94-97)
 43 Suzuki DL-1000 K2/K3/K4 (02-04)
 43 Suzuki TL-1000 SV/SW/SX/SY/SK1 (97-01)
 43 Suzuki TL-1000 RW/RX/RY/RK1/RK2RK3 (98-03)
 43 Suzuki GSX-1100 GM/GN/GP (91-93)
 43 Suzuki GSX-1100 GM/GN/GP (91-93)
 43 Suzuki GSX-R1100 WS/WT/WV/WW (95-98)
 43 Suzuki GSF-1200 K1-K3 (01-03)
 43 Suzuki GSF-1200 K1-K3 (01-03)
 43 Suzuki GSF-1200 SV/SAV/SW/SX/SY/SK1-SK4 “Bandit” (97-04)
 43 Suzuki GSF-1200 SV/SAV/SW/SX/SY/SK1-SK4 “Bandit” (97-04)
 43 Suzuki GSX-1300 RX/RY/RK1/RK2/RK3/RK4 “Hayabusa” (99-04)
 43 Yamaha YZ-125L/N (84-85)
 43 Yamaha YZ-125 S/T (86-87)
 43 Yamaha YZ-125 U (88)
 43 Yamaha YZ-125 B (91)
 43 Yamaha YZ-125 D1/E1/F1/G1 (92-95)
 43 Yamaha IT-200 L/N/S (84-86)
 43 Yamaha IT-250 K (83)
 43 Yamaha TTR-250N/NC/P/PC (01-02)
 43 Yamaha TT-250RM/RMC (99-00)
 43 Yamaha WR-250 ZB/ZD/ZE/ZF/ZG/ZH/ZJ (91-97)
 43 Yamaha YZ-250 H/J/K/L/N/S/T (81-87)
 43 Yamaha YZ-250 U (88)
 43 Yamaha YZ-250 B (91)
 43 Yamaha YZ-250 D1/E1 (92-93)
 43 Yamaha YZ-465 H (81)
 43 Yamaha IT-490 K/L (83-84)
 43 Yamaha YZ-490 U/W/A (88-90)
 43 Yamaha WR-500 ZD/ZE (92-93)
 43 Yamaha TT-600 K/L/N/S (83-86)
 43 Yamaha YZF-R6 L/LC/M/MC/N/NC/P/PC (99-02), YZF-R6 SN/SNC (01)
 43 Yamaha YZF-R6 SR/SS (03-04)
 43 Yamaha FZR-1000 W/WC/A/AC (89-90)
 43 Yamaha FZR-1000 W/WC/A/AC (89-90)
 43 Yamaha FZR-1000 W/WC/A/AC (89-90)
 43 Yamaha VMX-12 E/EC/F/FC/G/GC/H/HC/J/JC/EK/EKC (93-98)
 43 Yamaha VMX-12 E/EC/F/FC/G/GC/H/HC/J/JC/EK/EKC (93-98)
 43 Yamaha VMX-12 E/EC/F/FC/G/GC/H/HC/J/JC/EK/EKC (93-98)
 43 Yamaha VMX-12 L/LC/M/MC/N/NC/P/PC/R/RC/S/SC (99-04)
 43 Yamaha XVZ-13 AH/AHC – AM/AMC (96-00) “Royal Star”
43 Yamaha XVZ-13 AN/ANC (01) “Royal Star Boulevard”
43 Yamaha XVZ-13 ATH/ATHC-ATKJ/ATKC (96-98) “Royal Star”
43 Yamaha XVZ-13 ATL/ATLC (99) “Royal Star Tour Classic”
43 Yamaha XVZ-13 ATM/ATMC (00) “Royal Star Classic”
43 Yamaha XVZ-13LTJ/LTK (97-98) “Royal Star”
43 Yamaha XVZ-13 LTMJ/LTMC-LTN/LTNC (01-02) “Royal Star Tour Deluxe”
43 Yamaha XVZ-13 TFL/TFLC-TFS/TFSC (99-04) “Royal Star Venture”
43 Yamaha XVZ-13 TFSM (00) “Venture MM Ltd. Ed.”
43 Yamaha XVZ-13 TFSR/TFMS (03-04) “Royal Star Midnight Venture”
43 Yamaha XV-1600 AL/ALC-AP/APC (99-02) “Road Star”
43 Yamaha XV-1600 ALM/ALMC (02) “Road Star MM Ltd. Ed.”
43 Yamaha XV-1600 ATL/ATLC-ATR/ATRC (99-03) “Road Star Silverado”
43 Yamaha XV-1600 ASN/ASNC (01) “Midnight Star”
43 Yamaha XV17 AS/ASC/ATS/ATSC (04) “Roadstar”

I wonder if the 2013 DS are identical or smaller?
If anyone knows anyone with the bikes above it would help to identify if these would fit or not

[rayivers]

Wow, thanks!  That's the best overload I've had all week.   How did you come up with that list?

I'll probably separate it into dirt/dual-sport and street groups, then upside-down and rightside-up units, and if some candidates emerge I'd then start asking eBay sellers for upper-tube O.D. and length dimensions.  Who knows, there may be a decent Big 4 fork that drops right into the triple clamps.  Then the real fun begins (brake caliper, rotor, axle size, spacers, hub/spokes, etc.), or Real Fun Plan B (replace the entire Zero front end, which seems easier but may not be). 

What I'd really like to come up with ASAP, though, is an actual front fork manual. I've pretty much given up on getting one from FastAce, maybe now we can find the donor fork and get one for that.

Ray

[Burton]

I had already done some research to swap my own forks. If you swapped it would be easier to swap whole front less the tripple tree most likely.

If none of these pan out then let me know ther are other more costly items which are garenteed to work

[rayivers]

OK, will do.  It looks like many of the older forks are conventional rightside-up types, but the mid-90's are looking promising for upside-down forks w/compression & rebound adjustments (we'll see).  It's also possible the later 45-47mm USD forks have upper-tube O.D.'s that fit the Zero clamps.

Ray

[BenS]

With my rear shock working a lot better (currently waiting on a 6.25 - 8.0 kg/mm progressive spring), my forks are feeling harsher than ever.  Has anyone actually adjusted their fork spring preload...

A very common misconception people have regarding pre-load on the fork springs(including myself when I first started playing with suspension), is that adjusting it will make the forks harder or softer; it kind of does, but basically, it adjusts the ride height, just like adjusting the pre-load on the rear shock spring. It does change the operation of the fork and will feel different though, e.g. more pre-load will make the front of the bike ride higher, giving more compression travel from static(but less extension travel) and will remove sprung weight from the front, and put more weight on the rear shock. You can adjust the valving(compression/rebound) by changing the oil thickness(weight). I haven't tried the Fast-Ace forks, but it sounds like a better set of forks would be a good idea.

[Burton]

I measured my S / DS  (I have both) 2013 forks and they are 38mm tubes and the 2014 feature 43mm tubes. I will measure the upper / lower triple tree mounting points when I get home. Slightly off topic but still related to forks, anyone ever install gold valve emulators (GVE) on inverted forks? I put them on my ninja 250 and that bike feels so much better than my zero.

EDIT: the 2013 S / DS has 48mm mounting points on top and bottom of triple tree.

Here is a list of 38mm tube forks.

Honda

• CR-125R (81-83)
• XR-250R (84-85)

Kawasaki

• KX-80R2/R3/R4/R5/R6/R7 (92-97)
• KX-125 A6-A7 (80-81)
• KDX-200 A1-A3 (83-85)
• KX-250 A5-A7 (79-81)
• KDX-400 A1-A2 (79-80)
• KX-420 A1-A2 (80-81)
• KL-600A1 “KLR” (84)
• ZX-600C1-C6 “Ninja” (88-93)
• ZX-600C7-C10 “Ninja 600R” (94-97)
• KL-650A1-A18 “KLR650″ (87-04)
• VN-700A1 “Vulcan” (85)
• VN-750A2-A20 “Vulcan” (86-04)
• ZX-750F1-F4 “Ninja” (87-90)
• ZL-900A1/A2 “Eliminator” (85-86)
• ZX-900A1-A3 “Ninja” (84-86)
• KZ-1000C1-C4 “Police” (78-81)
• KZ-1000J1-J3 (81-83)
• KZ-1000K1/K2 “Ltd” (81-82)
• KZ-1000P1-P20 “Police” (82-01)
• ZL-1000A1 (87)
• KZ-1100A1-A3 (81-83)
• KZ-1100B1/B2 “GP” (81-82)
• KZ-1100D1/D2 “Spectre” (82-83)
• ZN-1100B1/B2 “Ltd” (84-85)

Suzuki

• RM-125 N/T/X/Z (79-82)
• RM-125 D (83)
• PE-175 Z/D/E (82-84)
• RM-250 N/T/X/Z (79-82)
• RM-400N/T (79-80)
• LS-650 FG/PG/FH/PH/PJ (86-88)
• LS-650 PS/PT/PV/PW/PX/PY/PK1/PK2/PK3 “Savage” (95-03)

Yamaha

• YZ-125 H/J/K (81-83)
• IT-175 J (82)
• IT-175 K (83)
• IT-250 H/J (81-82)
• YZ-250 D/E/F/G (77-80)
• FZR-400 U/SUC/W/SWC (88-89)
• FZR-400 A/SAC (90)
• YZ-400 D/E/F (77-79)
• IT-465 H (81)
• IT-465 J (82)
• YZ-465 G (80)
• XT-550 J/K (82-83)
• FZR-600 W/WC/AC/B/BC (89-91)
• FZR-600 RA/RAC/RB/***/RD/RDC/RE/REC (90-93)
• FZR-600 RF/RFC/RG/RGC/RH/RHC/RJ/RJC (94-97)
• XJ-600 SD/SDC/SE/SEC/SF/SFC/SG/SGC “Seca II” (92-96)
• XJ-600 SH/SHC/SJ/SJC “Seca II” (96-97)
• FZX-700S/SC/T/TC (86-87)
• XJ-700N/NC/S/SC “Maxim” (85-86)
• XJ-700 XN/XNC/XS/XSC “Maxim” (85-86)
• XV-700L/LC/N/NC “Virago” (84-85)
• XV-700CS/CSC/CT/CTC “Virago” (86-87)
• XV-700 J1/J1C (97)
• XV-750 U/UC/W/WC/A/AC/B/BC “Virago” (88-91)
• XV-750 D/DC/E/EC/F/FC/G/GC/H1/H1C/J1/J1C “Virago” (92-97)
• XV-1000 L/LC/N/NC “Virago” (84-85)
• XV-1100 S/SC/T/TC/U/UC “Virago” (86-88)
• XV-1100 W/WC/A/AC/B/BC/D/DC/E/EC “Virago” (89-93)
• XV-1100 F/FC/G/GC/H/HC/J/JC “Virago” (94-97)

[rayivers]

This is what I found when I loosened the LH fork cap:



There's no preload adjustment.  Based on what I've read so far, it seems to be a conventional cartridge fork which requires special tools to disassemble further.

Just out of curiosity, after the cap was back on I adjusted both L & R rebound adjusters to minimum damping, then max damping, then one max and one min, compressing the forks hard and then releasing quickly several times after each adjustment.  I could feel only a slight increase in damping with both at max, which was the same result I got from my previous riding tests.  I think whatever small adjustment range there may be is mainly around the far-CCW end of adjuster rotation, near minimum damping.

Ray

[Burton]

I thought the preload was only adjustable via the spring on this design?

Any updates on the sub fork list?

[rayivers]

Any updates on the sub fork list?

I think I'll try using the 2016 KTM 85SX 43mm front end, if the dimensions are close enough. It'll surely take some work (especially the wheel) but it will be worth it to me for an excellent fork and brake.

Ray