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

+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

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!

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

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       ).

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!!

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!

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! 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?! 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!!