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Author Topic: Suspension upgrade for Zero S 2013 available?  (Read 3203 times)

morimaxx

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Suspension upgrade for Zero S 2013 available?
« on: August 17, 2016, 09:02:13 PM »

As the FastAce suspension on my Zero S 2013 feels a bit weak for that bike: Are there any suitable shocks and/or forks available which fit on my Zero?
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odedmaz

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Re: Suspension upgrade for Zero S 2013 available?
« Reply #1 on: August 18, 2016, 01:37:36 PM »

I wouldn't replace them, but instead find a suspension pro and let him work on your shocks.
you will not beleive what revalving and oil change can do.

These fastace sho ks are not as bad as you think.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

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rayivers

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Re: Suspension upgrade for Zero S 2013 available?
« Reply #2 on: August 18, 2016, 03:58:13 PM »

+1 on getting your Fast Ace units set up properly.  There's just no comparison now between the fork on my dirt bike (just springs and oil, no revalving yet) and the untouched one on my 'street' FX, which is still harsh and bouncy.

Ray
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'14 Zero FX 5.7 (now 2.8, MX), '14 Zero FX 2.8 (street), '19 Alta MXR, '18 Alta MXR, various '74 - '08 ICE dirt bikes

Manzanita

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Re: Suspension upgrade for Zero S 2013 available?
« Reply #3 on: August 20, 2016, 02:31:47 AM »

If it is the same FastAce as the 2014 Zero S, I am pretty happy with it. The adjustments actually are in the proper range (I weigh 180 pounds). Here were my initial settings set up by Catalyst Reaction: http://electricmotorcycleforum.com/boards/index.php?topic=4550.msg30175#msg30175

I have since dialed it back a few clicks for the rear compression dampening (12 out?). But that gives you an idea of the range...
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Manzanita

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Re: Suspension upgrade for Zero S 2013 available?
« Reply #4 on: August 20, 2016, 02:52:13 AM »

As the FastAce suspension on my Zero S 2013 feels a bit weak for that bike: Are there any suitable shocks and/or forks available which fit on my Zero?

When you say "feels weak" what do you mean?
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BrianTRice@gmail.com

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Re: Suspension upgrade for Zero S 2013 available?
« Reply #5 on: August 20, 2016, 03:17:18 AM »

As the FastAce suspension on my Zero S 2013 feels a bit weak for that bike: Are there any suitable shocks and/or forks available which fit on my Zero?

When you say "feels weak" what do you mean?

I can say for sure that my 13DS does not commute on 880 remotely as competently as my DSR because the suspension is weaker.

I have to admit that I'll now get the 13DS' suspension worked on to get some more life out of it.
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morimaxx

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Re: Suspension upgrade for Zero S 2013 available?
« Reply #6 on: August 20, 2016, 03:22:12 AM »

Fork friction is quite high, fork feels very stiff and bumpy. Shock and fork seems only following slow bumps, faster ones appear quite harsh. Rebound adjustments are more or less effective, but compression adjustments are not noticeable/satisfying neither fork nor rear shock. Did propper setting of spring preload of rear shock, replaced all wheel bearings recently and adjusted steering bearings. Did oil replacement of fork including seals in spring this year. My motorcycle mechanic who did the bearings replacement recently gave me the hint that there is a little mechanical acting of the guide inside the fork which seems worn out. Drove 43000 km so far.
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morimaxx

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Re: Suspension upgrade for Zero S 2013 available?
« Reply #7 on: August 20, 2016, 03:40:57 AM »

I'm in contact with a suspension specialist (Franz Racing Suspension www.franzracing.de) and he is not sure if he can get all replacement parts needed. But I'll give it a try if possible and will post results here.
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rayivers

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Re: Suspension upgrade for Zero S 2013 available?
« Reply #8 on: August 20, 2016, 05:41:11 PM »

Quote
I'll give it a try if possible and will post results here.

That would be great.  I made a diagram of my 2014 43mm forks - I don't know how close it is to the 2013 forks, but I'll post it this weekend in case it's helpful.  Maybe you could ask Franz Racing to take some photos with the forks apart (anything would be helpful).

The Teflon stanchion lube (Finish Line) I use on my fork tubes reduces seal friction a lot, especially as the seals get worn.  It used to work for weeks, but now it's just a few rides.  The Red Line Likewater oil (@ 1.5W) reduced the excessive damping too.

I've been looking for FastAce parts (other than seals) for over a year, and couldn't find anything for the models Zero uses.

Ray
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rayivers

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Re: Suspension upgrade for Zero S 2013 available?
« Reply #9 on: August 21, 2016, 06:31:11 PM »

Here's the diagram - it's for the '14 FX forks, which I think are nearly identical to the other 43's except for travel & springs/spacers:



This fork appears to be a 43mm cosmetic (external) copy of the '04 Honda CR250 47mm Showa forks, with rebound-up internals from the '95 CR250 43mm Showas.

Ray
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'14 Zero FX 5.7 (now 2.8, MX), '14 Zero FX 2.8 (street), '19 Alta MXR, '18 Alta MXR, various '74 - '08 ICE dirt bikes

hippiesparx

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Re: Suspension upgrade for Zero S 2013 available?
« Reply #10 on: August 28, 2016, 08:47:08 AM »

So Morimaxx. are you rebuilding or replacing the FastAce?
I agree, they're pretty ordinary.
The whole front end seems a bit unbalanced to me.
Has anybody done mods on the front end they're happy with?
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evtricity

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Re: Suspension upgrade for Zero S 2013 available?
« Reply #11 on: August 28, 2016, 08:59:10 AM »

I had the forks on my 2014 SR upgraded with Racetech valves and  new springs. Made a massive difference for track racing.
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morimaxx

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Re: Suspension upgrade for Zero S 2013 available?
« Reply #12 on: August 29, 2016, 02:31:52 AM »

We will try to rebuild the FastAce shock and forks if Franz Racing can do it.
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Say10 15FX 16FXS

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Re: Suspension upgrade for Zero S 2013 available?
« Reply #13 on: August 29, 2016, 02:41:39 AM »

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morimaxx

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Re: Suspension upgrade for Zero S 2013 available?
« Reply #14 on: March 17, 2017, 01:38:24 AM »

Today I got my Zero S 2013 back from a suspension specialist. It was not at Franz Racing but at Maniacmotors http://www.maniacmotors.de/fahrwerk.php because they are next to me and offer custom made rear shocks from Wilbers. Wilbers itself offers aftermarket shocks for Zero 2014 or newer:

https://www.wilbers-shop.de/index.php?cl=alist&cnid=ce486575cff2b6ffcc426f00ff9e98cb&fnc=showList&manufacturer=amu5e4136ae98d5a8327b54d6aadf5d7&year=2014&catname=ce486575cff2b6ffcc426f00ff9e98cb

But for my MY 2013 they were not able to get any suitable rear shock as the space on the 2013 swingarm is so limited. A rebuild was also not possible as they did not get spare parts for rear shock from fastace. Same for the fork they were not able to get any spare parts. Fastace itself did not reply, and the dimensions of spare parts differ from any other fork they have seen before so they were not able to rebuild fork also.

After two months sitting at their shop I have still a worn fork and rear shock. I told that to my Zero dealer and he will ask Zero if there exist new replacement fork and shocks for 2013 at least. If not it would be a end of life for my Zero 2013 far too soon.
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