Maintenance & Technical > KX500 Original

Suspension Upgrade

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jolly green thumper:
Would like to upgrade the suspension during the winter months on the front and rear end of my 2003 KX500. Has anyone used the valve kits and springs made by Race Tech, and do these items make a large improvement in the performance. Rear stock suspension is OK, but not happy at all with the front end despite numerous adjustments, and replacing the oil.  No comparison to my YZ450(sorry to all die hard KX riders).Also can anyone recomend a good enduro computer and where to purchase one.

Mike

FPMXer:
For top notch Kayaba suspension work, I recommend sending it out to ENZO Racing. Ross used to work for Kayaba and is an expert. Ross did the suspension on my 06' KX450F and it's awesome. The faster the bike goes no matter what you ride over it gets smoother and jumping the bike it's like landing on a cloud. I paid $425 for a revalve and that included new bushings and seals also. Check out their web site....www.enzoracing.com But if your a DIY person then go for it.

Polar-Bus:

--- Quote from: jolly green thumper on November 14, 2006, 09:17:39 AM ---Would like to upgrade the suspension during the winter months on the front and rear end of my 2003 KX500. Has anyone used the valve kits and springs made by Race Tech, and do these items make a large improvement in the performance. Rear stock suspension is OK, but not happy at all with the front end despite numerous adjustments, and replacing the oil.  No comparison to my YZ450(sorry to all die hard KX riders).Also can anyone recomend a good enduro computer and where to purchase one.

Mike

--- End quote ---

I highly recommend these guys:

http://www.factoryconnection.com/index2.htm

I've been dealing with them for 15 years, and they do amazing work to your suspension as far as improvements.

FuriouSly:
Race Tech Gold Valves are great.  I just had the the forks and rear shock rebuilt on my 00KX5 a few months back.  If you are thinking of doing it yourself, you need to have a few tools to do so.  A friend of mine who is a Race Tech service guy and myself did the work and took about 4 hours to do so.  There was alot of talking but there was a bit of extra work that needed to be done to the suspension since it had never been apart or rebuilt from stock.

Forks:  New gold valves, stiffer springs, seals/dust covers, and oil.  You need a fork seal driver, special large hex driver socket, special cartridge removing tool, files/grinder for the factory set nuts, and misc other tools.  The shaft rods were a little corroded and rusted from some condensation so they had to be hand sanded with 600 grit in a cross hatch like the main sliding shafts of the forks.

Shock:  New gold valve but stock spring, seals were fine,  files/grinder for the set factory net, new oil, and Nitrogen for the charge.

Of course this is a quick overview of the things needed and done, but that was two of us working on them at an average pace.  If you haven't done a suspension before and do not have the tools to do it, I would suggest dropping/sending them off to a shop and have them done.  Let's say my friend and I would have a lobor cost of 8 hours at $30 and hour= $240 labor, plus his dealer cost of $350 for parts, and we are talking $550-$600 total.

Most shops charge around $600-$800 for the same average upgrade with shipping costs.  Here is a great shop   http://www.tootechracing.com/

My suspension is now capable of the 100 foot plus jumps I like in the sand and it really soaks up the little stuff.  My latest experience with suspension work for you to review...

Sly

Paul:
The valves in a modern bikes suspension are only one to two years back from the works stuff. Find a reputable local suspension person and have them re-shim and spring the bike to your weight and riding style.

When I had mine done the guy doing the work would go with me to the track to watch how I rode adn from there he re-shimmed them valves to work with my riding style and added the springs for my weight. AMAZING difference, I rode my brother in laws mail order Race-Tech setup and was not impressed at all, it was even worse for him when rode my bike and realized I paid 1/2 what he did.

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