Maintenance & Technical > KX500 Original
suspension ? for my kx 500
Rick:
I, too, race open expert or Open senior (depending upon the event) and run 5.4 rear and .43 front. I use 5 wt fork oil, and 10 wt suspension fluid in the rear with 160 lbs of nitrogen. Acme performed the suspension mods, and she rides like a dream.
On the sag, both the static and race sag are important measures. Set the static at close to 1 inch (.75 is fine), and then check your race sag. If you vary much from 4 inches, you have the wrong spring for your weight (as a general rule).
However, it must be noted that the position you are in while checking your race sag MUST BE your standard position at race speed. Most folks tend to stand with their weight more to the back of the bike, which will change your spring requirements relative to someone else of the same weight and speed but with a riding position more to the front. The correct position has been discussed here at length, but can certainly be reviewed if desired.
Good luck with the suspension setup. I, too, believe the suspension is a critical part of the bikes safety.
Rick
ajt:
Mikesmith that is a good commit, but I would think even with different riding styles you would still be close with the static sag front to rear being somewhere less than a half inch different of each other. At least on my 520 I always stayed that close, I used preload on both the forks or shock to come up with set up that work for desert (.25 more sag rearward) to tight single track(.25in more sag up front).
ajt:
Rick I agree !00% that it is important to be in the correct riding/racing position you use. I have tried a little forward or backward can move your measurement more than a turn or two of pre-load.
mikesmith:
The position on the bike is impotant like Rick said when measuring but make sure you where your riding gear (inculding a fanny pack or camel back/drink system) because if you set it up in the garage wearing toe shoes and shorts your not getting the true sag.
ajt:
Yep, it is true, that you need to have an accurate weight of you and your riding gear, I am pretty mechanical adept, as such I have used this techiniques. The heart of my question is not how to measure and such but what settings work for other riders out there, so I can take from that information and make an informed decision about how I should set my 500 up (hopefully saving me a lot of time compared to figuring out on my own and helping others out there with the same questions). Once again thanx for any input :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
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