Front end swap questions

[Snod Blatter]

Hi Mr Rod, I looked into emulators a while ago but I really don't have the skills or equipment for all the brazing and drilling/machining. I also read somewhere that the 4NX forks are different and maybe the standard choice of parts won't fit - perhaps that was your thread?? I'll try and read it all the way through!

I'm also not too keen on the idea of having to disassemble the forks to change the settings, but I guess that's not a problem once they're set up properly?

Sadmansteve - "gull wing"? I'm sure it makes sense if you've seen them in person but I have no idea what you mean!

[Con Rod]

For the brazing I just took them to a welding shop and gave the guy $10, only took him a second. The I tidied up the welds with a file and drilled the holes myself, but I am sure a welding shop could do all that for you.

The emulator I ordered was the wrong one I believe, which is why I had to turn it down to size.

So far as effort required to fit them they are the easiest option, probably followed by the Thundercart forks and then the YZF750.

Cost wise, you will most likely need springs whichever option you go for and obviously you will need oil so factor that in.

Emulators are about $150 delivered from the states from memory. I ordered them with springs from the states and the total was $280. (fork oil is about $20)

So cost wise you are looking at about $320 for the whole job including the welding and drilling.

You will pay more to replace the forks but on the plus side you can then sell the old TRX forks. Katana owners like them.

Taking the emulators out to adjust is a pain but it only takes me 20 minutes (timed) as you leave the forks on the bike and just use a magnetic grabber.

I cannot offer a comparison on the end result for emulators V a YZF750 fork swap but I can say that once set up properly they are very good. At the moment I have a friends VFR800 in my garage which has had a Penske rear put on and the forks revalved ($1900 by Shock Treatment in Walacia) and I reckon the TRX is on par suspension wise with the R6 rear and the emualtors. But be prepared for a lot of time tuning it up. I found the suggested settings that came with the emulators had way too little compression damping for spirited riding

Whichever way you go you will be delighted with the improved performance. You really can make the TRX handle like a modern bike and you will find you can put newer supersports to shame in the twisty stuff.

[Snod Blatter]

This is very interesting, there is less work to do on the damping rod than I thought but I'm not too keen on the idea of turning down brand new bits of kit to make them fit! It seems you bought the ones that Racetech recommend though, so it seems strange they don't fit. Is your bike a 4NX or a 4NU?

[Con Rod]

4UN

outside diameter of the forks is 41mm

i think the racetech site is wrong, someone else had the same issued

I understand the correct part is FEGV S4101

details here:

http://www.trx850.com/phpBB_forum/viewt ... e+emulator

[Snod Blatter]

So it seems that, from Cobba's somewhat cryptic posts, the 4NX forks do use different damper rods. So I'd have to find some Euro spec forks, or at least some rods.. Is this ever tricky! Hopefully Maxton won't want too much, I'd rather let them deal with it and set it all up for me with hopefully similar results damping-wise.

[Con Rod]

I would imagine you will get better results and obviously adjustment.

Let us know what they come back to you with I am sure many here would be interested

[Snod Blatter]

I got a reply from Maxton and it boils down to this:

New springs - £80
Cartridge internals - £330
Adjustable (rebound and preload) - £430
Installation along with new fork seals - £135

These prices are then all subject to VAT (20% here in the UK) so new springs, "basic" internals and having them fitted (which sounds like an involved job) is £654. Which is second hand Ohlins front kind of money! Oh and they also do a softer pring for the rear shock at £80 plus VAT if anyone's interested. They don't say what sort of adjustability the basic internals have, but there must be some?

So, errr, these emulators then..?

[Yoozy]

Try having a word with these chaps. I've used them several times before, good lads.

[dixonj]

+1 top service

[Snod Blatter]

What do they actually do? The site is not all that helpful. Looks like springs and oil set up for the rider?

[Yoozy]

What do they actually do? The site is not all that helpful. Looks like springs and oil set up for the rider?

Ring them and tell them what you've got and what you would like to achieve, and can they do anything with your existing stuff first.

First time I went there, very local to me btw, they looked at the bike, looked at me, now think Jaws, and said,,'we're gonna need a bigger spring'

[Snod Blatter]

So Nick at KAIS reckons £300 + VAT (i.e. £360) for fitting Racetech emulators and springs along with new fork seals and oil. This is actually really good as the springs and emulators alone seem to come to around £250.

The only downside to this is that it means I still need to source a new front wheel and some damper rods, but it would cost around the same as a new front end whilst performing somewhere close and, more importantly, there's a lot less faffing about trying to get things to fit. I think there may finally be a plan!

[cobbadiggabuddyblooo]

even if you go down the avenue of an USD front end like an R1 you would still have to get it resprung and worked to suit the TRX anyhow.

[Snod Blatter]

even if you go down the avenue of an USD front end like an R1 you would still have to get it resprung and worked to suit the TRX anyhow.

Cobba old buddy old pal! How different are the 4NX damper rods to the 4UN ones?

And yes, I know you are right, although lots of people don't seem to bother and are happy with just the looks of such a setup

[zednine]

Ive got a set of forks in bits here if you need some parts .....