fxdx front fork options

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Sep 17, 2016 | 09:41 PM

#21

chriswillrise

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From: San Diego CA

I like the idea of having stock fxdx forks. But this being a first big cruiser i really have nothing to compare too. Im going to try and keep my eye out for some used fxdx forks, i want to do a couple other things first like bars, exhaust then if I havnt found some reasonable fxdx I might just go racetech. My front end is super squishy Im not used to it. i get little speed wobbles when i hit reflectors on the freeway or leaning pretty good in a turn and i think the soft forks might have something to do with it.

Sep 17, 2016 | 10:10 PM

#22

Max Headflow

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From: poway

Quote:

Originally Posted by F86

Interesting... I didn't know that Racetech made valves specifically for DX forks. I've spent a fair amount of time on my suspension settings, but an upgrade project has been on my mental horizon for awhile... Maybe I'll start by looking into these valves and stiffer springs, as I think the stock DX fork is kind of cool.

I'm curious.. What have you done? I've got 2 bikes with DX forks. A softail bobber and 2000 FXDX that have the forks on them.. Racetech recommends 5 wt (US1 is close to 5wt) which is what they recommended for my setup.. One thing to note is that when I did my forks, Racetech recommended 0.9xx kg/mm springs got a 190LB rider.. Now they recommend 0.785. I used 0.9s at the time. If you are light you might be OK.. IIRC stock is about 0.7.. The 0.9s I've got are a little stiff. The tie-rap method shows me only getting about 4 1/2 inches of travel. Forks are good for 5.25-5.5 before they hit the damping stop.

Sep 17, 2016 | 10:24 PM

#23

Tommy C

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From: Pine Flat Dam/South Bay Area, CA

The stock DX forks are not very compliant on a rough or washboard road surface.

Sep 17, 2016 | 10:28 PM

#24

Max Headflow

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From: poway

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tommy C

The stock DX forks are not very compliant on a rough or washboard road surface.

So the tires start to slip when you push it?

Sep 18, 2016 | 04:40 PM

#25

Tommy C

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From: Pine Flat Dam/South Bay Area, CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwoltz

So the tires start to slip when you push it?

Yeah, pretty much. Even with the dampening backed off it's too stiff for a crappy road.

Sep 18, 2016 | 10:01 PM

#26

Max Headflow

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From: poway

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tommy C

Yeah, pretty much. Even with the dampening backed off it's too stiff for a crappy road.

What tires are you using?? Have you changed fork oil?? They do work better with 5 wt..

Sep 19, 2016 | 09:39 AM

#27

Tommy C

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From: Pine Flat Dam/South Bay Area, CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwoltz

Have you changed fork oil?? They do work better with 5 wt..

Haven't changed the fork oil yet. 5 wt. sounds like the way to go. The factory oil must be too heavy.

Sep 19, 2016 | 11:59 AM

#28

Max Headflow

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From: poway

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tommy C

Haven't changed the fork oil yet. 5 wt. sounds like the way to go. The factory oil must be too heavy.

The service manual say use HD type E which is close to 10wt.. Racetech recommends with their gold valves, US1 which is close very close to 5 wt. You can get a bit more adjustment if the compression and rebound valves with the 5wt. The gold valve helps a bit with the compression..

I've not compared Emulators in regular 39mm forks to the cartridges in the DX but have used them in Baggers and Softails. The Emulators make a pretty drastic improvement to those bikes but I to me they don't quite feel as good as the cartridge. Of course either one can be worse than the other if not set up correctly.

One other thing to note is the DX springs are a little soft. I added a full 1 inch spacer to the stock spring and it helped dramatically.. IIRC sag was about 50% with the adjuster preload adjuster screwed in all the way when stock. You might be bottoming.