How much dive does your [older] 39mm Dyna have?
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 421
Likes: 4
From: Alabama
Without changing springs, setting up preload for your weight, changing oil will do little for you unless the oil replaced was like water, and you upped the weight.Although changing the oil can make a noticeable difference, it is not the only thing that needs done to make the forks work correctly for you.
You didnt post your weight, loaded suspension sag, what weight oil you replaced. Without this info your statement leaves alot of variables to interpret.
You didnt post your weight, loaded suspension sag, what weight oil you replaced. Without this info your statement leaves alot of variables to interpret.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 4
From: NC
I was just referencing your post so that others wouldnt get discouraged over your results and think that there isnt a cheap and easy way to improve the 39mm damper rod style forks.
Just pointing out that the 39mm front end can be setup to work, both damper rod style and cartridge models.
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Just pointing out that the 39mm front end can be setup to work, both damper rod style and cartridge models.
.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 310
Likes: 42
From: Chicago
pats eeter,
Mine was like water, maybe more like kerosene. I was surprised it wasn't leaking. SE heavy has worked well for me though. 180 LBS so I am not too phat and I think I ride pretty hard.
Manual says every 20,000. I got the bike with 13,000, when it was 11 years old, probably never changed.
I am sure springs would be even better and I do wish I had an FXDX set up but the bike handles really well for what it is.
Mine was like water, maybe more like kerosene. I was surprised it wasn't leaking. SE heavy has worked well for me though. 180 LBS so I am not too phat and I think I ride pretty hard.
Manual says every 20,000. I got the bike with 13,000, when it was 11 years old, probably never changed.
I am sure springs would be even better and I do wish I had an FXDX set up but the bike handles really well for what it is.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 4
From: NC
I agree the OEM fluid especially the 5wt is about the worst fork fluid i have ever seen come out of a front end.
I remember the first ride I took on my 06 Street Bob and I knew immediately that fork fluid and spring setup was gonna be required. I also bought the Motion Pro Socket specific for that fork cap. I still have that, even though I sold that bike for a FXDX.
I remember the first ride I took on my 06 Street Bob and I knew immediately that fork fluid and spring setup was gonna be required. I also bought the Motion Pro Socket specific for that fork cap. I still have that, even though I sold that bike for a FXDX.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 11,483
Likes: 39
From: Passaic County, NJ
I'd bet for the $299 cost, the Progressive monotube cartridge kit would work out well. It's too bad they still don't have that kit available for the 49mm Dyna...and they've been telling me for 2yrs that they're working on it.
However, with the 2014 touring bikes finally going 49mm...I'll bet Progressive might up the amount of actual R&D put into this setup.
[EDIT] I stand corrected...Progressive does not have a 39mm kit.
2004-2013 Sportster models
2000-2013 Softail models
1984-2013 Touring models
2008-2013 Tri Glide models
These are the only models they support for that. All 41mm setups, however I'm not sure what the sportsters are.
However, with the 2014 touring bikes finally going 49mm...I'll bet Progressive might up the amount of actual R&D put into this setup.
[EDIT] I stand corrected...Progressive does not have a 39mm kit.
2004-2013 Sportster models
2000-2013 Softail models
1984-2013 Touring models
2008-2013 Tri Glide models
These are the only models they support for that. All 41mm setups, however I'm not sure what the sportsters are.
Last edited by SC-Longhair; Oct 31, 2013 at 06:02 AM.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 579
Likes: 26
From: Virginia
Racetech fork springs and their sythetic oil fixed the brake dive on my bike. Sure is stiff though on the bumps. They're straight rate springs, not progressive wound so they don't dive much at all. I did gold valves too which require you to drill the dampening rods.
http://www.racetech.com/page/id/59
http://racetech.com/ChooseVehicle.aspx
http://www.racetech.com/page/id/59
http://racetech.com/ChooseVehicle.aspx
Last edited by zimm; Oct 31, 2013 at 04:10 PM.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,749
Likes: 16
From: sand mountain Alabama
After going to a 113 I had terrible dive. It was beating the forks to death from the acceleration/deceleration.
I was tight o money so I took the cheapest way out. Added progressive springs, added fresh 10 weight fork oil, and added a 3/4 inch spacer in it. My sag is just right at one inch+.
I had to make several spacers to get it to my liking. It rides a little rough but handles very good with what I would call normal dive. I will do something better later on when money gets better.
I was tight o money so I took the cheapest way out. Added progressive springs, added fresh 10 weight fork oil, and added a 3/4 inch spacer in it. My sag is just right at one inch+.
I had to make several spacers to get it to my liking. It rides a little rough but handles very good with what I would call normal dive. I will do something better later on when money gets better.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,253
Likes: 482
From: MA
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Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 579
Likes: 26
From: Virginia
Not to be a jerk, but at the top right, you can click thread tools and subscribe from there without a post. But the info you need to know is- more spring rate, more oil viscosity, and tighter valving. Racetech, progressive, and Ricor all do that.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 4
From: NC
I built a set of 49mm cartridge Showas on my dual sport bike last year. From looking at the HD service manual these 39mm FXDX fork legs seem to be very similar. I will post up the info and pics once I tear mine down for powder,springs, and oil. I just need to buy a compressor, and a set of springs.
Considering that you came off of a WR450F Super Moto bike and I a YZ450F I think I will be able to get a setup dialed in for what we both expect from the FXDX.
Considering that you came off of a WR450F Super Moto bike and I a YZ450F I think I will be able to get a setup dialed in for what we both expect from the FXDX.