FXDX fork springs?
Thread Starter
|
senior experienced all-knowing leader of the unwise
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,957
Likes: 351
From: USA
FXDX fork springs?
Got to replace both slightly bent fork legs from where i went airborne(flying was no problem, landing upside down was) and thought i might do a little work on them while i had them apart. Just wondering if anyone had ever used the patriot suspension FXDX progressive rate springs? I ordered some off ebay($60) thinking they might cure the only slight problem i ever had with the forks. Under really hard braking they dove pretty bad, you could adjust it out with the preload adjuster and compression damping but then it rode harsh going in a straight line. For those who don't know what i am talking about FXDX forks are 39MM 3 way adjustable cartridge forks. You can set them up to where they ride better than touring bike forks but you get the dive when they are adjusted that way. I just wanted to have my cake and eat it too.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 310
Likes: 1
From: Dayton, OH
Got to replace both slightly bent fork legs from where i went airborne(flying was no problem, landing upside down was) and thought i might do a little work on them while i had them apart. Just wondering if anyone had ever used the patriot suspension FXDX progressive rate springs? I ordered some off ebay($60) thinking they might cure the only slight problem i ever had with the forks. Under really hard braking they dove pretty bad, you could adjust it out with the preload adjuster and compression damping but then it rode harsh going in a straight line. For those who don't know what i am talking about FXDX forks are 39MM 3 way adjustable cartridge forks. You can set them up to where they ride better than touring bike forks but you get the dive when they are adjusted that way. I just wanted to have my cake and eat it too.
So make sure that your issue while breaking isn't something more serious. Take them entirely apart and have them inspected, that is my advice. You mat save alot of money by converting to an fdxl front end, its a direct swap 39mm front end.
Keep us posted on your progress.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 4
From: NC
Thats the first time I ever heard of the fully adjustable, dual disc brake 39mm front end being inferior to the damper rod basic forks that are spec on almost everything else HD sell.
In general I have never bought any motorcycle that didnt need the valving setup for me, proper springs, and tinkering with several different fork oil weights and heights to get a machine dialed in perfectly.
That being said the FXDX forks were the most adjustable and versatile forks to come on the Dyna. Granted a set of Ohlins modded 49mm forks are superior to the 39mm FXDX forks due to top shelf components used along with the larger more rigid 49mm tubes, but that setup will end up costing you another 2 grand on top of having to buy better shocks as well and dual discs for the front brakes.
To the original poster of this thread. I recently did some research and for my 255lb self, I need 1.05Kg fork springs. I will start off with a 10wt fork fluid setup at OEM recommended height and will tune from there.
Springs are readily available up to .95kg from Race Tech but since I need heavier springs than they have I will probably have Cannon Racecraft make me a set of 1.05 KG springs custom ordered.
Maybe Dyna in the works will sell you his old fork legs?
Something to be considered is a more heavy duty spring say on the high end of your required spring rate along with a lighter wt oil set with a little more oil height will net a softer initial ride with greater resistance to dive in harsh conditions. Personally those one size fits it all springs will never fit the bill and I would ditch those for a set thats meant for your weight.
In general I have never bought any motorcycle that didnt need the valving setup for me, proper springs, and tinkering with several different fork oil weights and heights to get a machine dialed in perfectly.
That being said the FXDX forks were the most adjustable and versatile forks to come on the Dyna. Granted a set of Ohlins modded 49mm forks are superior to the 39mm FXDX forks due to top shelf components used along with the larger more rigid 49mm tubes, but that setup will end up costing you another 2 grand on top of having to buy better shocks as well and dual discs for the front brakes.
To the original poster of this thread. I recently did some research and for my 255lb self, I need 1.05Kg fork springs. I will start off with a 10wt fork fluid setup at OEM recommended height and will tune from there.
Springs are readily available up to .95kg from Race Tech but since I need heavier springs than they have I will probably have Cannon Racecraft make me a set of 1.05 KG springs custom ordered.
Maybe Dyna in the works will sell you his old fork legs?
Something to be considered is a more heavy duty spring say on the high end of your required spring rate along with a lighter wt oil set with a little more oil height will net a softer initial ride with greater resistance to dive in harsh conditions. Personally those one size fits it all springs will never fit the bill and I would ditch those for a set thats meant for your weight.
Last edited by parts eeter; Oct 28, 2011 at 10:49 PM.
Thread Starter
|
senior experienced all-knowing leader of the unwise
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,957
Likes: 351
From: USA
The stock springs were perfect(except for dive) and can be adjusted for preload of course. The initial spring rate is not that important unless it is too heavy and i believe the new springs should be the stock weight. I could set it where i could hit bumps and not even feel them while the guys on touring bikes were bouncing off their seats but then i got dive under hard braking(dual floating rotors and better pads). I believe i am right with the progressive rate springs. I actually had a FXD front end with progressive springs on it before and it was vastly inferior to the FXDX forks but the FXD forks did not dive excessively. You have to understand how to set the FXDX forks up to get them to work right. Anyone who thinks FXDL forks are better should ride beside a properly set up FXDX and watch the suspension work. They are long travel forks and the legs are 1" longer than regular FXD forks. The 04-05 forks like i have had a 1" axle and with the addition of fork brace there was no flex whatever. I consider these to be the ultimate Dyna forks. Sure hated to wreck it and bend the forks! When i finish rebuilding the forks and installing the new springs i will give ride report.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 4
From: NC
My main problem with the stock springs on the FXDX is that even with the preload cranked down to the max I still have 2 inches of loaded sag. I prefer 1 inch loaded sag.
Be sure and post your sag/ fluid weight, and fluid height choices along with a comparison once yours is completed.
I think buying a one size fits all spring is kind of taking a shot in the dark with a blindfold on, but thats just me and my opinion. That is probably because I spent years racing MX and usually the first thing I would do to my bikes would be bring them home, disassemble and grease the bearings and install the proper rate springs for my weight. You know old habits are hard to break......
On a side note I have a buddy that has a great machine shop and I am gonna ask him to make me some high rise Mid Control Brackets out of billet aluminum to save about 5 lbs and add cornering clearance. I still have to do measurements and will adjust height accordingly.
Every little bit of weight reduction and cornering clearance you can get on these bikes makes a difference. Hence, the reason I only want 1 inch loaded sag.
Be sure and post your sag/ fluid weight, and fluid height choices along with a comparison once yours is completed.
I think buying a one size fits all spring is kind of taking a shot in the dark with a blindfold on, but thats just me and my opinion. That is probably because I spent years racing MX and usually the first thing I would do to my bikes would be bring them home, disassemble and grease the bearings and install the proper rate springs for my weight. You know old habits are hard to break......
On a side note I have a buddy that has a great machine shop and I am gonna ask him to make me some high rise Mid Control Brackets out of billet aluminum to save about 5 lbs and add cornering clearance. I still have to do measurements and will adjust height accordingly.
Every little bit of weight reduction and cornering clearance you can get on these bikes makes a difference. Hence, the reason I only want 1 inch loaded sag.
Thread Starter
|
senior experienced all-knowing leader of the unwise
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,957
Likes: 351
From: USA
My springs were heavier than that. On the soft preload setting i had about 3/4-1" sag and i weigh over 200 lb. Same for the rear FXDX shocks. These were new forks that i bought from Harley a couple years ago for the 04-05 models.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
LA_Dog
Softail Models
22
Dec 20, 2015 07:27 PM
ADRENALINE RUSH
Softail Models
7
Apr 24, 2015 05:33 PM
