Anybody know a suspension guru around here?
Since I need something to ride for a while, I pulled my leaking forks off my 96 Honda 900RR. There's a little bit of rust spotting a little ways up on the chrome sliders, so I need them looked at to see if they're even usable. Then inspect the guts and replace the seals and whatnot. Otherwise I gotta find some replacements - joy
Quote from: Ronr on August 10, 2008, 02:38:19 PM
Anybody know a suspension guru around here?
Since I need something to ride for a while, I pulled my leaking forks off my 96 Honda 900RR. There's a little bit of rust spotting a little ways up on the chrome sliders, so I need them looked at to see if they're even usable. Then inspect the guts and replace the seals and whatnot. Otherwise I gotta find some replacements - joy
Check with Randy [thumbsup]
+1
Randy may not do the re-building but he has worked with one guy in particular over the years and will recommend him for this sort of work.
Randy has lot's of experience with riceburners... ask FastWin [thumbsup]
Randy is a good place to start but he rightfully hesitates when it comes to open heart surgery on shocks and forks. He certainly knows his way around setting sag, comp/rebound settings, etc. He and I have talked about it several times. But you have to appreciate someone who knows their personal limits and does not try to BS you. He suggested that I find someone who specializes in suspension internals (like Dan Kyle for example).
The guys at High Five Cycles (north LBJ service rd. between Abrams and Greenville) told me about a guy who is a suspension genius. He has set up their dirt bike and street/SBK boingers. Seems like he was in the mid-city area. Been too long to remember his name but they all went nuts over the guy. I'm talking someone who installs forks valve kits, re-plumbs fork cartridge and shock internals, etc. You've got to have all the very specialized tools for that stuff and the knowledge... obviously. Randy is freaking awesome but he'll be the first to tell you he doesn't have all the trick tools to do all the work.
High Five is closed Mondays but I'll go by Tuesday and ask Quincy who that guy was they were talking about. Really sounded like he would be the guy to massage the old 900's forks back to life. I'll let you know on Tuesday after the High Five visit! [thumbsup]
Fastwin, that would be great!
I told Randy about my forks. He said if there was very much rust, they were probably toast unless I spent a lot of bucks to get them rechromed. I think he likes Traxxion Dynamics for good rebuild and setup. If mine are no good, he suggested the ebay for replacement or even an upgrade fork from a newer bike. For now, I mainly need to see if these are usable, and go from there.
I could also go by Al Lamb's Honda (who owns High Five) and see Ted Poovey the Service Manager. He's Terry Poovey's brother, awesome AMA flat track racer for years who was very seriously injured at the Springfiled Mile a couple of years ago. I like to stop by and see Ted and ask about Terry's rehab. He would probably know who Quincy and the guys at High Five were talking about. Never need an excuse to stop by and say hi. Either via High Five or Poovey I'll find out the boinger magician's name and #.
Quote from: fastwin on August 10, 2008, 04:58:42 PM
I'll find out the boinger magician's name and #.
I'm sure all the ladies will want that info [thumbsup]
Got Boing?
Dan Kyle is the guy who I was thinking of when I posted earlier. When I got the 620 back, it felt like the front forks weren't up to task after L'Smart added the fully adjustable rear shock. Randy mentioned Kyle and then spent a good hour setting the ride height and sag for my weight. What a difference. The front forks still suck but it's not like I need to rush out and buy a set of Ohlins right this second. (Randy, Alan says the check is in the mail ??? [laugh] ).
Dan Kyle is awesome and a great guy. Hell, he even emailed me about an Ohlins question I had and told me to call him at his office on Dad's Day!! And he was there!! From my understanding he is the biggest Ohlins dealer in the US but he is truly a rocket scientist on all things suspension... Showa, Ohlins, White Power, whatever! And no that's not a racist comment!! >:( He set up my Power Commander on my RC51 to jive with the Sato Ti exhaust I got from him too. It runs perfect!! Just a hell of a guy. When I yank the Showas off the RC they'll be going to Dan for sure!! [thumbsup]
Dan's great. That's who I've gotten most of my 1098 goodies from. For 1098 fork mods, that's where I'd send them for sure, but for these Honda forks I just need a rebuild.
I'll get you that local guy's name ASAP! [thumbsup]
Pipper Performance in North Richland Hills does Racetech revaling and rebuild forks....
Do a google search he will come up first...
GMan saves the day!!! That's the place I was thinking of. But it's Piper Performance, one "p". Can't remember the guy's name but that is the name of the company for sure. Thanks Giannis! [thumbsup] Give them a call Ron, they come highly recommended by the High Five Cycle guys. Let us know what you find out. Still isn't going to keep me from cruising by Al Lambs or High Five... nothing better than cruising by a bike shop for a little serious time kiliing. [moto]
** well duh, the guy's name is Cliff Piper. All a goofball like me had to do was do as GMan said and goggle it and look. Gee, kinda makes sense to maybe name your business after yourself?! [roll] Anyway, his website is pretty imformative and he sounds like he's more than worth checking out. [moto]
Thanks guys, he sounds like he will be perfect! Maybe he can trick them up for me a bit while he has them apart.
I'm leaving town for the week so probably won't know anything for a bit but I'll post up when I find something out.
Thanks again!!
Quote from: Ronr on August 11, 2008, 07:19:50 AM
Thanks guys, he sounds like he will be perfect! Maybe he can trick them up for me a bit while he has them apart.
I'm leaving town for the week so probably won't know anything for a bit but I'll post up when I find something out.
Thanks again!!
i'm in "suspense"......
Bad news and good news....
Took my old forks at lunch today to Piper Performance Racing in North Richland Hills for inspection. Not a lot of rust speckles, but enough that the spots will continue to erupt, and abrade the seals. Forks are toast. :'(
They called a parts place (chop shop?? ;D) down the road, and they have a pair of the exact forks I need in stock!! Checked 'em out, chrome looks good, took them back to Piper for rebuild and some proper springs. Should be ready in a couple weeks! [thumbsup]
And now, recommendations.....
Piper Performance gave me a tour of the shop. Big and very clean. He is a Race Tech suspension builder, and a Dyno Jet dealer with a nice looking dyno setup. Might be a good alternative to Jim Sabin if he's busy or too far away (westies). He even does Harley work, not that there's anything wrong with that. Or is there.... He's an expert CMRA racer when he has time, and does sport bikes, race bikes and dirt bikes. He has a flow bench (for head work) and does quite a bit of machining and MIG and TIG welding. They were super helpful checking Honda prices for me and calling the parts place for me while I waited. Very impressed with their service so far.
Richland Motorcycle Salvage is down the road in Richland Hills. Huge storage area with tons o' parts. My forks were $375 and looked really nice. Maybe they can help me get my old ZX-6R going again?!?! Piper had good things to say about them, that they back up their stuff. Definitely worth a call if you need some parts. Didn't think to ask about Duc parts.
Now, I just need to flush out my carbs again, get Randy to seal the inside of my formerly really rusty gas tank, and I may be on the road again! Will be nice to have a functional backup bike when I get another Duc someday!
(http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh96/ronr84/IMG_0466.jpg)
good times...
pregnant dogin dude....i'm stoked to see it running man [thumbsup]
Quote from: McKraut on August 19, 2008, 07:28:36 PM
pregnant dogin dude....i'm stoked to see it running man [thumbsup]
Thanks. You don't know how painful it is driving my air conditioned truck to happy hour, with you guys all on your bad rides sitting there with stinky helmets and sweaty leather jackets.
Outstanding report! Glad to hear it. Sounds pretty much like the positive feedback I got from the High Five guys. Good to hear that this is working out. Boy do I have some relics in storage that could use some restoration magic... can you say original '86 GSXR750? Some day, maybe? [moto]
You need to have an open house someday! [moto]
Quote from: Ronr on August 19, 2008, 08:37:30 PM
You need to have an open house someday! [moto]
what happened to your 1098?
old CBR900RR are my favorite 90s Superbikes i remeber when they first came out in 92 people went crazy, lightweight and superfast compared to FZR1000, GSXR1100 and ZX11...
1098 was totaled and picked up a couple weeks ago by insurance company. Pretty pumped about riding the old RR again, very fun bike.
Quote from: Ronr on August 20, 2008, 06:33:29 AM
1098 was totaled and picked up a couple weeks ago by insurance company. Pretty pumped about riding the old RR again, very fun bike.
That thing is sweet Ron! One of my favorite old rides as well.
Thx man [thumbsup]
Just like old people old bikes can be an absolute hoot. You forget with the passing of time and with newer bikes coming along how cool some of the older bikes still are. With the gas crunch and the economy not being too spiffy I bet you start seeing a lot of older, forgotten bikes dragged out of the garage and into the shop for a re-do. I know the guys at Action Suzuki/Kawasaki have seen quite a few in the last 6 months or so. Can't get Momma to approve a new scoot but she won't say no to resurrecting old faithful. Happened to the Dad of one of Colin's baseball teamates. He talked to me about borrowing my trailer for 2-3 years to get his old Triumph into the Plano shop for tire, carb clean, battery, etc. Finally did it this May. [thumbsup] [moto]
So super duke hooked me up with a company that will fit me with the right springs to accomodate my f-350 ass and I was wondering who I needed to see about installing them. So, who can install new springs on a 1098s? Is piper performance my only option, or do we have a suitable "in house" mechanic?
Quote from: fastwin on August 20, 2008, 08:10:37 AM
Just like old people old bikes can be an absolute hoot. You forget with the passing of time and with newer bikes coming along how cool some of the older bikes still are. With the gas crunch and the economy not being too spiffy I bet you start seeing a lot of older, forgotten bikes dragged out of the garage and into the shop for a re-do. I know the guys at Action Suzuki/Kawasaki have seen quite a few in the last 6 months or so. Can't get Momma to approve a new scoot but she won't say no to resurrecting old faithful. Happened to the Dad of one of Colin's baseball teamates. He talked to me about borrowing my trailer for 2-3 years to get his old Triumph into the Plano shop for tire, carb clean, battery, etc. Finally did it this May. [thumbsup] [moto]
I love the look of the old bikes...never ridden one though. I get excited when I see one on the road. I really enjoyed the photos of the older bikes on the photo thread. I was hoping to see more pix. You guys should post up. I grew up going to car shows with my dad, never bikes though.
Quote from: Bonwilder on August 20, 2008, 08:17:07 AM
I love the look of the old bikes...never ridden one though. I get excited when I see one on the road. I really enjoyed the photos of the older bikes on the photo thread. I was hoping to see more pix. You guys should post up. I grew up going to car shows with my dad, never bikes though.
I was wanting to see more pics too, but I came to the realization that until they make cameras and computers that are "old people" friendly, we probably won't see any old bikes [cheeky]
Quote from: who dat is on August 20, 2008, 08:13:11 AM
So super duke hooked me up with a company that will fit me with the right springs to accomodate my f-350 ass and I was wondering who I needed to see about installing them. So, who can install new springs on a 1098s? Is piper performance my only option, or do we have a suitable "in house" mechanic?
Sounds like Piper for sure but I'd give Randy a call too. He's had plenty of experience messing with Scott's 1098S by now to feel pretty comfy wrenching on them. [thumbsup]
Quote from: who dat is on August 20, 2008, 08:20:40 AM
I was wanting to see more pics too, but I came to the realization that until they make cameras and computers that are "old people" friendly, we probably won't see any old bikes [cheeky]
but on a positive note, they have already begun......... www.jitterbug.com
Quote from: who dat is on August 20, 2008, 08:20:40 AM
I was wanting to see more pics too, but I came to the realization that until they make cameras and computers that are "old people" friendly, we probably won't see any old bikes [cheeky]
And that was directed at whom??? [laugh] [bang] [coffee] [bacon]
Quote from: who dat is on August 20, 2008, 08:22:48 AM
but on a positive note, they have already begun......... www.jitterbug.com
[laugh] [laugh] [laugh]
Quote from: who dat is on August 20, 2008, 08:22:48 AM
but on a positive note, they have already begun......... www.jitterbug.com
I offered to get my mom one of those phones and she got mad at me.....I was just trying to help. ;D [evil]
Quote from: fastwin on August 20, 2008, 08:22:52 AM
And that was directed at whom??? [laugh] [bang] [coffee] [bacon]
(http://emoticons4u.com/sad/533.gif)
Quote from: Bonwilder on August 20, 2008, 08:26:34 AM
I offered to get my mom one of those phones and she got mad at me.....I was just trying to help. ;D [evil]
and she had the nerve to buy a blackberry.........this is no slap in the face to anyone out there, her mom really is an idiot. I think I even heard Garmin cuss back at her!
Quote from: who dat is on August 20, 2008, 08:28:50 AM
(http://emoticons4u.com/sad/533.gif)and she had the nerve to buy a blackberry.........this is no slap in the face to anyone out there, her mom really is an idiot. I think I even heard Garmin cuss back at her!
my mom is not an idiot...she's just very funny, and I think it's more like she cusses at Garmin (sometimes I do too, esp when it took me on a 2 hr f'ed up detour through Louisiana on an already 13 hr trip to the sunshine state)
Quote from: Bonwilder on August 20, 2008, 08:32:42 AM
my mom is not an idiot...she's just very funny,
not smelling what your steppin in
Quote from: who dat is on August 20, 2008, 08:44:38 AM
not smelling what your steppin in
not pickin up what I'm layin down?
Quote from: Bonwilder on August 20, 2008, 08:45:55 AM
not pickin up what I'm layin down?
noop
still an idiot ;D