Fork Upgrade

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paullavery
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Fork Upgrade

Post by paullavery »

I've been in contact with a company here that specialise in bike suspension, these guys have a great reputation & do most of the bikes that run in the isle of man TT amongst other things, they also do a fair bit of work on classic bike suspension etc. Now I've managed to get hold of a spare '79 front end I was thinking of upgrading the stock internals, just posting up on here for advice really from members who have a lot more experience than me with the CBX & was wondering is it worth putting the money into a mod like this on the CBX ?? They are also coming back to me with options on the rear shocks as well & again trying to retain as much of the classic look. Have inc the email I just received from them.

Paul

Thanks for your enquiry, we can help you out with the problem on your forks but have no spec sheet for you to read. We convert your forks, but not by modifying the existing internals. We throw everything inside the fork away and start again with our internals.
The internals we supply is our own GP20 cartridge style damping system. The cartridge system is the same type of internal as what you would find in any modern front fork. It has been manufactured and developed by our own engineers and has pistons and shim stacks for the rebound and compression damping. The Cartridge also has needle valves so you can adjust the damping. The damping adjusters are external, so you can change the damping without having to strip the forks down, but we hide the adjusters to keep the classic appearance. As part of the conversion we also machine new fork tops to take the new cartridges and damping adjusters. We also fit new springs.
Every Maxton GP20 cartridge is built to order, the reason for this is to valve and spring the cartridges to suit the fork, the bike, the riders weight and what they are using the bike for. Once the cartridge has been manufactured we then fit the cartridge to the fork to make sure it works correctly. In most conversions we have to modify the original bottom sliders and stanchions so our cartridge will fit and work properly. The forks are then returned to you fully serviced with new seals and the spring preload and damping set up.

The Maxton GP20 cartridge costs between £350.00 and £650.00 + V.A.T. Depending on how adjustable you want the cartridge to be.
- For £350.00 + V.A.T the cartridge is adjustable for rebound damping.
- For £450.00 + V.A.T the cartridge is adjustable for rebound damping and preload.
- For £550.00 + V.A.T the cartridge is adjustable for rebound and compression damping.
- For £650.00 + V.A.T the cartridge is adjustable for rebound and compression damping and preload.

To service the forks with new seals and install the cartridges costs an extra £140.00 + V.A.T on top of the cartridge.

All adjustments can be made without having to strip the forks down.

In some BMW conversions we have to make special fork tops that accommodate the original top yoke and clock holders, they have an external and internal thread. This costs an extra £50.00 + V.A.T.
If you need any more information about the modification we carry out you can ring me on the telephone number above, if you cannot get through fax me your number and I'll ring you back as our phone can be very busy.

IF YOU LIVE IN A COUNTRY WITHIN THE E.E.C THEN YOU WILL HAVE TO PAY U.K V.A.T, UNLESS YOU HAVE A TAX CODE FOR YOUR COUNTRY.

Regards

Richard
Maxton Engineering

EMS
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Re: Fork Upgrade

Post by EMS »

Honestly, Paul, upgrading the stock 35mm CBX-Z fork seems to be a waste of money IMO. :confusion-shrug: There are so many alternatives, from Prolink forks to Honda Trac forks (CB1100F) and even early 90s GSX USD forks that can be had for reasonable money and probably will yield better results. I am in the process of putting a VF1000R fork (41mm) into my '79. I am currently trying to decide whether to change the stem in the VF triple tree or have a 39mm CBX triple tree bored out. :think:

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Re: Fork Upgrade

Post by paullavery »

Your advice is greatly appreciated & I certainly respect the knowledge here on these bikes, thats why I thought it the best place to ask, will be interested to see how you get on with the 41mm fork mod. Cheers, Paul.

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Re: Fork Upgrade

Post by EMS »

paullavery wrote: , will be interested to see how you get on with the 41mm fork mod. Cheers, Paul.

I am not the first one who did a 41mm VF fork conversion. Maybe someone else can chime in too. :think:

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Re: Fork Upgrade

Post by daves79x »

Paul: You are contemplating going down a road many have traveled. You have to decide what you want your bike to be, but just know it will NEVER be a modern bike in any sense of the word. Period upgrades are the most economical, such as Mike has suggested. Grafting anything more modern will get you far away from the original look and can get into money pretty fast as well if you need to have machining done.

Best bet might be to get a set of 39mm Pro-Link forks and drop in the cartridge conversions available for little money. Bike looks still pretty original, as with these ones: (3 different bikes)

Dave
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RJ CB650
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Re: Fork Upgrade

Post by RJ CB650 »

And as I was advised, the prolinks can get a pretty nice upgrade from racetech. Will look stock using factory housing. Only difference is no more air caps.

paullavery
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Re: Fork Upgrade

Post by paullavery »

Great looking bikes, I bought the CBX for the bike it is, certainly not trying to make it something it isn't, I've got a GSX1400 & ZRX1100 for the "hooligan" in me, I was just contemplating alternatives before stripping & rebuilding the stock forks. Have to say though the pro link option does look very good.

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Re: Fork Upgrade

Post by swarrans »

Just as an aside, I have to say that i am actually really pleased with how well my Prolink handles - it is certainly much better than I expected (even with a rear shock that doesn't hold air pressure!).

We should meet up Paul - I live near Maidstone in Kent so it wouldn't be too far to ride together - ever go Boxhill bike meet?

Simon

paullavery
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Re: Fork Upgrade

Post by paullavery »

swarrans wrote:Just as an aside, I have to say that i am actually really pleased with how well my Prolink handles - it is certainly much better than I expected (even with a rear shock that doesn't hold air pressure!).

We should meet up Paul - I live near Maidstone in Kent so it wouldn't be too far to ride together - ever go Boxhill bike meet?

Simon
Sounds good Simon, have been to Boxhill a few times on a Sunday when I've ridden over to Newlands Corner, let me know dates etc. I'm hoping to ride up to the Ace Cafe meet one of the 1st Sunday's of the month now the weather is improving.
Cheers Paul.

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Re: Fork Upgrade

Post by Larry Zimmer »

Just a thought: If it were me, I'd go with the P/L 39mm forks and install Race Tech emulators. Overall probably the best value front suspension improvement for an early model. If you are a DIY person, fitting the emulators is not very challenging. A bit more $$ if you're having someone do it.
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Syscrush
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Re: Fork Upgrade

Post by Syscrush »

Pro Link forks with Race Tech cartridge emulators are a good option, with the larger 39mm forks you also have options for full cartridge internals such as the AK-20 setup from Traxxion Dynamics. This is what I've gone with on my bike, but I'm still a couple of weeks away from a ride report.

I'd be hesitant to bore out the stock Pro Link triples to 41mm to take the VFR forks - the stock triples are so slight I expect that taking away material and adding stiffer forks would make them a weak link. With 41mm forks you have more options for internals swaps including caps with adjustable preload, so it still might be worth it. The good news is that custom triples are sexxay. ;)
Phil in Toronto
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Re: Fork Upgrade

Post by Syscrush »

daves79x wrote:Best bet might be to get a set of 39mm Pro-Link forks and drop in the cartridge conversions available for little money. Bike looks still pretty original, as with these ones: (3 different bikes)
Are those emulators, or full cartridge internals?
Phil in Toronto
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daves79x
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Re: Fork Upgrade

Post by daves79x »

I was referring to emulators, but point is you have more options, as you've elaborated quite well on.

Dave

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Re: Fork Upgrade

Post by jackstraw »

swarrans wrote:Just as an aside, I have to say that i am actually really pleased with how well my Prolink handles - it is certainly much better than I expected (even with a rear shock that doesn't hold air pressure!).

We should meet up Paul - I live near Maidstone in Kent so it wouldn't be too far to ride together - ever go Boxhill bike meet?

Simon
Maidstone is the place to be - you don't drink at the Kings Arms, Offham do you? A pair of red CBX-A's parked outside a couple of weeks ago

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Re: Fork Upgrade

Post by swarrans »

Offham is really close to me as I live in Mereworth! I've never actually been to the Kings Head, but I will have to check it out now!
Are you in the area?

Simon

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