Maintenance & Technical > KX500 Original
Suspension help
hughes:
Hey Guy's
This saturday I finally got to ride some real tight single track up and down some good hill climbs. I need some help to get this old bike of mine track alittle better. Some of this single track was a single rut trail with trees on each side of my handle bars :-D. My problem is getting my bike to turn in this tight stuff. I am running the forks 10mm up in the clamps. I have the sag set at 4in(I think I will recheck).I'm running .46 front springs and a stock rear. 1'm 6'1 and 250lbs. I was thingking of setting the sag at 3.5 or 3 in to put more weight forward to keep the front loaded. I am limited due to the age of my bike but any thing ya'll can think of would be great.
gowen:
Hughes, I tend to stiffen/raise the rear shock. Also, the front forks. If they are droopy (KX's always are) they tend to suck in the corners. Your best bet might be lower the forks slightly to help with quick steering. That should help alot. Also, try working on your form in the corners. I tend to either stand on the pegs and have the ass-end passing me in the corners, to keep on the power while in and also while exiting the corner, or sitting on my ass. Either one, both are good.
KXcam22:
Hughes,
I appreciate your problem. I run my forks higher up than you, 20mm on mine. Some things to try are:
1. raise your forks more.
2. stiffen the fork rebound. This will keep the front end tucked under. Go 2 clicks at a time to see a difference.
3. experiment with weighting the pegs when you ride. Try putting all your weight on the inside peg and see how your bike responds. My 92 really responds well to this. When I ride this type of terrain I tend to crouch low, but not sit, and use the pegs to mostly steer the bike.
4. Tire choice. Some tires just don't like ruts.
Hope this helps. Cam.
hughes:
Kxcam22 wrote stiffen the fork rebound.
I have only compression adjustment on these old school forks. I am thinking that my rebound is controlled by fork oil weight. I'm running 15wt. right now. I am going to try moving the forks up alittle higher. What about sag? Would setting it at 3-3.5 inches put more weight on the front end. It seems like the front end floats in and out of these ruts. This stuff is 1st. gear tight stuff. I have tried the weighted the pegs and it works good for after we get back out on a fire road and I have a chance to get the speed up. With some of this single track you would be coming down a steep down hill and then a almost 90' turn at the bottom then back up another hill. At this point is where I need to be able to turn and point and shoot. In the wider trails I can slide her alittle bit and point and shoot.That vinly seat cover of mine is gone. I wanted to keep the factory look but I had a hell of a time staying on the seat. I just need to make some adjustment and go ride again. I think I need a new bike for the woods or just to learn how to ride. This ole bike is my first and I can ride the hell out of keeping up with the Yamaha WR'S and some KTM'S but I am paying for at the end of the day. I need to ride harder and push my body harder just keep them close. Thanks again.
I am need of new bar cones. Could these have an effect on the issues I have listed above??
gowen:
--- Quote from: KXcam22 on March 27, 2006, 06:34:45 AM ---1. raise your forks more.
--- End quote ---
Whoops, that is what I ment. ;-) As in lower the tripple clamp on the fork. I get it confused. lol
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