| Author | Message | ||
     Duckbuell |
Howdy, Last month I had the pleasure of riding my S3 in North Carolina and Virginia. The roads are really incredible and intense! I came back to Austin TX with 11,600 miles, a blown shock and worn out tires and brakes. Needless to say, the S3 was not handling well. So instead buying a Triumph Daytona 675, I installed new suspension on the S3. Front Forks: Banke Big Axle Conversion RaceTech Goldvalve RaceTech Fork Springs BMW fork oil New seals, wipers and bushings Rear Shock: Penske Remote Resv 8100 series Tires: Pirelli Diablo Stradas Front Brake: EBC Black Carbon Kevlar Race ECM installed (with stock airbox and muffler). I did all the work myself, exept sending my fork legs to Banke so they could bore the axle hole to the larger diameter. The trickiest job was installing the GoldValve, but the instructions are very detailed, and I called the tech support twice. I would like to thank Banke Performance, American Sportbike, and the RaceTech customer service hotline for their great customer service and helpfulness. BadWeb was an incredible source of information! BadWeb saved my butt, when I read about putting a jack between the rear tire and the subframe, in order to install the rear shock. So was it all worth it? Yes! The bike has been totally transformed! The suspension is so compliant and controlled! When banked over in a turn, the bike maintains all composure, feedback to the rider is incredible. Overall comfort is improved, with no compromise at high speeds. Ripples, sharp edges, potholes just melt away! Feedback via the bars is greatly improved, the EBC pads are provide better grip and less effort. The Race ECM got rid of the 3000 rpm flat spot and it pulls harder the entire way to redline! The new shock will handle two up touring with luggage far better too. Well its going to hit 50 degrees here in Austin, on Christmas eve. I am going for a ride!    | ||
| Djkaplan |
I noticed a huge improvement (a total transformation, really) when I got a Penske shock to replace that crappy Showa. It's the biggest improvement I've made to the bike yet. Penske's are expensive, but you really do get what you pay for. | ||
| Duckbuell |
Howdy, the penske was a better improvement than I expected. The biggest surprise was how much better the front fork is with the goldvalve and springs. You can watch the fork responding to every small road surface irregularity - very supple. The overall comfort of the bike is vastly improved. The only hazard is that I found myself going 20% faster in all situations, because the ride is so smooth over the rough stuff! I had to adjust my riding style because it is so much more confidence inspiring. Cheers, Patrice  | ||
| Hughlysses |
Duck, nice writeup. If I had tried that I might never have gotten a Uly. BTW, what's the story on your seat? It looks like it'd be really comfortable. | ||
| Djkaplan |
I'm definitely getting the Race Tech Goldvalve and fork springs in the future. I've done a little work to the fork already, but the damping definitely could use some help. Getting the suspension dialed properly is really important to overall performance. I knew this beforehand, but I was still suprised at the huge improvement with the Penske shock. I've had two new Showa dampers on the bike and never knew how bad they really were until I ditched them. They are crap crappy crap. | ||
| Duckbuell |
Hi Hugh, I sent my stock seat to http://www.rickmayercycle.com/ It is custom built, they use 7 layers of different foam. It is fantastic! I rented a Uly for a couple of days, and loved it... it is superior to the S3 in many respects. The only problem with buying a Buell, is wanting to buy more of them! (S2,S1,X1,XB... all sweet bikes.) Cheers | ||
| Duckbuell |
Hi DJ, I would say that the Goldvalve and Springs will be a dramatic improvement, that will bring the performance of the forks in line with the penske. The reduction of dive under braking, smoothness over ripples and controled damping really amazed me. I had to read the goldvalve instructions 3 times before doing it, and called the tech support to help figure out the correct shim stack for my weight. Cheers. | ||
| Torquemonster |
Good to know, Duck. Ive been needing to stiffen up my forks, and was planning on buying the Racetech kit with my tax return....but my father in law called to ask for my weight today- after talking bikes over dinner last night. I know exactly what hes up to. Talk about a Merry Christmas! I'll still have to bear with the stock shock, but at least the front will be right. (Message edited by TORQUEMONSTER on December 24, 2007) | ||
| Rob427 |
Torquemonster, This is your Father in Law. I was going to get you the Springs but they do not make them stiff enough for your fat A**. Maybe we can adapt some Truck springs. Merry Christmas all. Rob. | ||
| Scott_in_nh |
Great post! Someday I will have the money to do the same mods...... Until then I'm just jealous! | ||
| Torquemonster |
Funny, Rob... Dont forget - I know where you live, man... ...and that Ill be by to cut the grass and clean out your garage whenever its convenient for you, sir. -looking forward to wrenchin' with ya (or just handing you the tools - ha ha) | ||
| Brokeneck |
Looks great -- I want one -- how much? | ||
| Zac4mac |
Thanks for the laff, you two. Merry Christmas. Z | ||
| Dfbutler |
Duckbuell , I'd like to redo my front end too. Could you be more specific as to how the job was done? Did you need special tools? How did you compress springs, etc? | ||
| Duckbuell |
HI Dfbutler. For special tool I used a piece of pvc pipe split down the middle and hoseclamped back together tight around the fork tube to whack the fork bushings and seals in place (acts like a slide hammer, and my hand ached for days). To compress the fork springs I put bolts in the holes that are in the metal spacer tube and put a large spanner over that and pressed them down. My wife pulled the damper rod up and pulled out the spring retainer clip. When installing the new racetech springs, I cut down the metal spacer tube by 1.5 inches because the new springs are longer. Be sure to get these: New copper crush washers for damper bolts. New dust wipers New fork seals New inner fork tube slider bushings New outer fork tube bushings New fork oil. I would not try it with out the service manual. I would be glad to scan the pages of my manual and email them to you. The racetech goldvalve is kind of tricky - You have to drill out the dimples at the bottom of the fork damper that secures the stock valve, remove circlip, thread bolt into bottom and pull out the valve. Be sure to deburr the holes you drilled or you will cut the o-ring when you slide in the goldvalve. The goldvalve uses a brass bolt that holds the shim stack - you need red locktight a tourque wrench that will do 30 INCH LBS, as to not break the bolt. It was worth all the work! Cheers. PS: If you only want to upgrade your fork springs, you do not have to totaly take apart the forks like I did (unless you want to replace the seals and bushings, and goldvalve) (Message edited by duckbuell on December 28, 2007) | ||
| Oldog |
DF search the KV I posted an description of the tear down in there | ||
| Essthreetee |
Hey Duck...How's your brother enjoying the S3T????? Jason | ||
| Duckbuell |
Hi Jason, Thanks for asking, the day after we got it home, the Throttle Position Sensor went south. My brother had to leave for Seattle for Christmas vacation, we are planning to fix it any day. He also sent the header pipe out for JetHot coating. I am sure it will be an awesome bike! We will keep you posted. Cheers, Patrice | ||
| Essthreetee |
WHAAAAATTT!?!?!?!!? Oh man!!!! Sorry to hear that... I thought about coating them when I had it, but the wrap worked for me (and my lack of budget). Glad to know it is in good hands and with someone that loves it. Jason | ||
| 2kx1 |
Howdy, I am looking into upgrading my X1and have a few ?'s about the front forks. Is there any way to make the stock forks fully adjustable? Does anyone know what clip-ons will work? If I install clip-ons , what about clutch and throttle cables? Anything else I'm not thinking of? |
