WP Xplor fork solutions

[YZEtc]

I wish they would have listed that in the Owner's Manual.

Nice to know what you started with if you want to experiment with different levels or if you drain the fork oil without completely disassembling the fork and want to refill to the stock level.

[Dirkarider]

16 hours ago, YZEtc said:

I wish they would have listed that in the Owner's Manual.

Nice to know what you started with if you want to experiment with different levels or if you drain the fork oil without completely disassembling the fork and want to refill to the stock level.

they do list it in owners manual, read again, even lists in inches....."air chamber length" specifies 110mm +10,-20 ,but common 100-140mm max

[YZEtc]

It's not in my Owner's Manual.

I did find the specification listed in the Service Manual I have on disc.

I originally looked at the Service Manual, too, but didn't notice it the first time since it's not in the chapter about assembling the fork, but under the chapter titled Technical Data.

Funny how it lists 110mm plus 10mm through minus 20mm as you wrote while my fork legs measured 100mm.

When I read that, to me, it means 110mm is standard and you are allowed that 30mm adjustment range if so desired.

Only thing I can think of to explain the 10mm difference is if they measure the oil level with the cartridge rod pulled up, not down and bottomed like every other bike I have owned shows in their Service Manuals.

At least now I know how it was delivered to me off the showroom floor.

Edited August 11, 2019 by YZEtc

[KennyMc]

 

 

they do list it in owners manual, read again, even lists in inches....."air chamber length" specifies 110mm +10,-20 ,but common 100-140mm max

My ‘18 500 EXC lists fork oil capacity only, no longer in air gap measurements.

 

2017 EXC manual

[Dirkarider]

guess they're saving money on the printing or figure it's common knowledge, like tire pressure..maybe that's listed,I never checked

[Knightly]

+1 MX TECH Lucky system[emoji106]

[Fridh]

KTM own the general trail and enduro segmement with their 300 and 350 bikes so they can afford to fit a 85cc shock and limited adjustment forks.

For what they are intended:

Block left cartridge bleed holes.

Install OC comp adjuster at bottom of right leg and valve a bit stiffer

Close the float a bit.

In most cases stiffer springs.

For technical Enduro this was preffered to some out of the box cone valve forks. However the cone valves will be much preffered for motocross or fast cross country with the right set up.

Until we stop buying them or the japs compete more seriously for the enduro segment we will have these clever but basic function solutions from KTM it seems.

[Fridh]

The next step is "full" OC conversion.

The K-tech ORVS kit is a good example of the components involved/required

[Dirkarider]

Or....block left cartridge holes, add 2 adjustable OEM base valves & a midvalve [like right side] & that's pretty much the same.You now have an good oldfashioned open chamber fork, and you can even copy the OEM shim stacks.There's parts list at ktmtalk.com

[Burnrider]

On 8/11/2019 at 3:10 PM, KennyMc said:

My ‘18 500 EXC lists fork oil capacity only, no longer in air gap measurements.

 

2017 EXC manual

Kenny, I did have a tuner work the front forks and put a compression mod on my '17. The oil levels on both bikes are 120mm from the top.

He did some shim stacking and it feels as good as my 450 for basic trail riding or desert camping. Most of the suspension improvement on the '17 came from the innetek kit and progressive springs front and rear. The bike works well enough to sell the 450 and use the shock worm drive adjuster with the fork preload adjusters for quick changing trail to desert. The tuners are now able to copy kit performance using their own parts or other KTM parts and cut the cost. It's well worth it. 

One other item is the sticky forks. I have SKF seals and scrapers, double checked fork alignment and triple clamp torque. Forks would not return to top, compressing them from the seat in my shop. At 4,000 miles they finally turned plush from top to the bottom of the stroke. WP has tight tolerances, and it takes time til they get compliant on all the small stuff. 

[Yooj]

The next step is "full" OC conversion.
The K-tech ORVS kit is a good example of the components involved/required

Any idea if fitting the ORVS kit a straightforward diy job?

Cheers,

Yooj

[Knightly]

Can be a DIY, but I’d pay the extra $150 -$200 to have it done...

 

[KennyMc]

6 hours ago, Knightly said:

Can be a DIY, but I’d pay the extra $150 -$200 to have it done...

 

Any idea if this is true?  Does this mean you just have to buy them through a "authorized" dealer?

 

"The ORVS Piston kits are only available through K-Tech authorized dealers who have been trained to install these products, there are specialist tools and techniques required to guarantee performance and safety of this product"

[Knightly]

Oops. Sorry I got it confused with the Dal Soggio kit that basically doesn’t the same thing. The Dal Soggio kit comes with shims and a USB drive with the info you need to select the right shims.

 

The MX-Tech Luck system is DIY too... but I paid to have mine installed. [emoji846]

 

[Fridh]

There will be be some heating of loctite and clamping to undo components which may require previous experience in order to not damage any parts.

So DIY factor is relative to how many mid valve taps and cartridges you have taken apart.

 

 

[erik2002]

I installed the KTech kit on my 17 300 XCW, bought it from KTech Suspension USA - https://www.ktechsuspensionusa.com/p-22880-k-tech-suspension-orvs-fork-piston-kit.aspx

I had to heat some loctite, and it would have been nice to have clamps to hold shafts, but overall a straight forward install. Instructions were sufficient.  I'm far from a suspension expert.

I'm liking the kit, good value in my opinion.

[YZEtc]

Made an improvement to my 2019 150 XC-W by installing one 4.2 N/mm fork spring.

Stock spring rate is 4.0 N/mm.

The next stiffer rate offered by KTM as an option is 4.2 N/mm.

Installing just one 4.2 N/mm spring gets me a 4.1 N/mm rate when averaging both fork springs.

The fork stays up higher and makes the bike more stable and secure feeling.

Rode with this setup today and it's a keeper.

[Keebler750]

On 8/10/2019 at 1:34 PM, mog said:

I would have thought ktm would have gave the measurement if they felt it was a correct way to do it ?

Mog....? Are you serious? Tuners everywhere rely on the linear measurement method when possible, and you know that. KTM just doesn't give much in the way of tuning specs anywhere. I doubt it's because they (or their race techs) think it's a useless spec.

[mog]

On the old oc forks they gave the oil height and tuning range, why would they with hold the info now ?

Genuine question

 

 

[Keebler750]

I don't know, but I do know that often it's a lot easier to set and keep track of. However, on my XPLOR/Lucky I have noticed 10cc = about 5mm? (I sometimes add from the base valve end with a syringe when I have the forks upside down for a base valve shim change.)