Looking for a a set of aftermarket fork internals (Ktech, Ohlins, HM, MCT, Nitron?) with or without the fork tubes. Springs not important as I have a set of 9.0KG ones I can have fitted but would like the piston/cartridge kit (if that's the right terminology for it..) Anything considered but won't be able to spend too much so no supersport spec DDS stuff haha..
DDS are the cartridge kits, there plenty of money! My K-Tech piston kit (Compression/rebound inc flow control valves) were £315 for the pair. T3 do some as well but they are similar money I think, not sure you may be able to get a good deal.
So when someone says "ktech forks" but they have the stock caps on, is it just the the piston kit, springs and oil all done? My knowledge is limited on this subject so I'm still not sure what to look out for. Kiwi uk sold his on here when I didn't have the money and now I'm looking for some there's nothing about. Edit: just checked on the site. Chris' ad said 20mm kit so not sure what that refers to but I wouldn't know the difference between the SSRK piston kit and the 25SSK fork cartridges.
The standard forks have a 20mm Cartridge in them (as quite a few road bikes do). The aftermarket 'Cartridge kit' (this is the kit that changes the top caps of the forks) would be a 20/25mm Catridge as a complete kit, ie the only thing that remains of your suspension is the outer sleeves (25mm kit btw is designed to flow more oil as it's a bigger piston, meaning even finer damping control and it has a 12mm damping rod). So yes, if it says K-Tech Forks but the top caps are the same, that is a 20mm 'Piston Kit' like mine, the top caps look the same but the adjusters on the bottom of the forks are changed. Do you want me to try and upload some pictures of mine? 'SSRK' are racing only, don't use these for any Road application, use the 'SSK' for road stuff. This is what the Piston Kit looks like: http://www.k-tech.uk.com/feature.php?features_category_type=road&id=2379 This is what the Cartidge Kit (ie DDS 25mm looks like): http://www.k-tech.uk.com/feature.php?features_category_type=road&id=2370 For your reference: the Ohlins forks in the 'R' have a 30mm Catridge in them already (hense NIX30) and the 'Big Piston Foks that everyone talks about are 37mm form memory. I hope that helps?
That makes sense, thanks for taking the time to explain it all. Would there be a massive difference in feel between the 20SSK piston kit and the 25SSK cartridge kit? I've noticed in the photo here http://www.k-tech.uk.com/feature.php?fe ... ad&id=2378 is the piston kit included (red parts?) hence the higher price? And yes I'd be interested in seeing some photos!
from your Avatar pic it looks like your a fairly quick rider, I honestly don't know though if you would notice the difference between the 20mm and 25mm depending on what you were doing. I just had a look and the 25mm Cartridges are £800 but not sure if you need to buy the piston kits as well, because if you look at the 20mm DDS kit it is £1700!! This is where you will need to speak to a Pro as my knowledge runs out here! I will post some pictures but there isn't masses to see tbh, here is a link to an excellent video that Tony @ T3 Racing did for the Forum which explains what I was talking about: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7l1QngeibM 5 mins in, he starts talkiing about suspension and shows the standard Cartridge and then the aftermarket options.
I think I've got a bit confused here as when it says piston kit I was thinking it was the visable parts on the forks (compression adjusters) whereas I'm now lead to believe it's the INTERNAL pistons that control the flow. I'm going to do a bit of research on the subject and see if I can suss it out fully and I've emailed HM Racing to see what they fit to the TTC bikes as alot of them have their suspension done there. I watched the video from Tony but will definitely watch it again as I can't remember a thing about the forks...
The Piston kit is a Compression Valve that sits in the bottom of each leg: The 'Rebound' part is the valve that goes inside the Cartridge in the forks fo you don't see that, there is also a slightly different 'Needle' that goes insie the top cap I think. Here is the kit: Finished it looks like this:
Just an update, got an unbelievable bargain...emailed a supersport rider in bsb and he sold me a set of 20DDS cartridges plus a steering damper for 235 posted! :O Thought it was too good to be true but they're with me and all is genuine, just need them fitted! I checked with Tony Scott and he said fitting is £199 so add that to the kit T3 sell for £320ish VAT included that's around £550 all in so I'm over the moon.
I know, I said to him it'd be to good for me but he said at his level he ran the Ohlins so it wouldn't be too good, I was like ok then lol Not sure what the damper is but it's an aftermarket one that replaces the stock unit, bolted on underneath the handle bars
Theyre fairly easy things to fit if you have the manual dude, I certainly wouldn't pay £200 to get it done. It literally all just slides out and you replace what you have.
£200 is a bit steep I'd say yeah but I certainly wouldn't do it myself, everything else I have but never done forks and I'm afraid I'd mess something up. Air gaps and torque settings and all that stuff. Ill phone HM and MCT and see how much they both charge for it.
£200 is a bit much tbh, I paid something like £160 including stripping the standard cartridges and rebuilding with new fork seals (obviously as you would re-use fork seals). I got mine done at JHS in Bristol but probably a bit of a trek for you, or there is PDQ in Maidenhead worth a call. The whole point though is that it could be Max Biaggi's Ohlins forks, but if it isn't set up by someone who knows how to put it together then the benefit is lost.
The last bit being my main concern. Taking them to HM or MCT I'd know they were set up right. Will probably ring them in the new year as I won't be using them just yet so ill do it when I need them fitted. For a set of .9KG Ktech springs to go with it too so that will add to the level of change from the standard forks. I've got to ask them how to adjust preload haha, it may be the hex adjuster on top and an Allen key for damping...he didn't send the manual or any tools.
You can probably download the manual (or at least basic instructions) from K-Tech's site. yeah I have 9Nm springs in my bike, feels really soft when I was pushing the bike around the garage but out on the road it feels perfect.
I emailed them and got the PDF but its got a very detailed guide on how to change springs and not how to install the thing from fresh.
