Thanks dlrides! - Help with "S" suspension swap and other advice.

hmmngwy · 09-20-2008, 06:41 AM

I just wanted to thank dlrides for being patient and answering a million questions about my new to me 950 ADV S. He laid out my options regarding swapping my 2003 "S" suspension with his non-S suspension, as well as the suspension of other years, and what other lower seat options I might try.

Not sure yet which suspension I will go for but I do need to swap for someone's lower suspension.

He also took the time to patiently answer questions and tell me about high fender mods, EPCs, decatting cans, rejetting, and other mods.

With guys like him talking about 950s, no wonder enthusiam for the big Orange is infectious.

Just wanted to say thanks.

(I hope your daughter wasn't late for the dance. Tell her I'm sorry for keeping you on the phone. Hang in there dad, the "teenage daughter" phase does pass eventually.)

mark1305 · 09-20-2008, 06:53 AM

Don's good people; And knows a thing or two about bikes.

BLUE(UK) · 09-20-2008, 09:22 AM

We have quite a few real good lads on here such as Pyndon,CPModem,CJracer etc.
In the past there were some great guys which dont post so much,one being Greg Minor.

HappyGoLucky · 09-20-2008, 10:32 AM

Barbasma, Flanny, Antware... heck theres a bunch. CMWoodys is another, even though he is/isnt banned

K2m · 10-13-2008, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HappyGoLucky

Barbasma, Flanny, Antware... heck theres a bunch. CMWoodys is another, even though he is/isnt banned

CMWoodys is still with us LITO. He posts under the name Head2Wind.

hmmngwy · 10-14-2008, 04:28 AM

Here's the bike..so far. Suspension swap completed, bike back together. Don left me an extensive hit list of things to take care of, mostly pre-emptive based on his extensive knowledge and experience with 950s. I have to admit, it is daunting to read the list he left in my log book. I just want to gas it up and ride. So I closed the log book, and took a nice ride this weekend. Paved and a bit of dirt roads. The bike rocks on dirt roads. Here's a pic of the bike along the river. I meant to snap some pics in the dirt, but was kinda busy re-learning how to slide.

Back to the list, I guess I just need to bite it off one item at a time....I can see the OC attraction. The bike definitely rocks. I just need to get through the list, and hopefully the payoff will be the gas and ride bike I want.

dlrides · 09-20-2008, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hmmngwy

I just wanted to thank dlrides for being patient and answering a million questions about my new to me 950 ADV S. He laid out my options regarding swapping my 2003 "S" suspension with his non-S suspension, as well as the suspension of other years, and what other lower seat options I might try.

Not sure yet which suspension I will go for but I do need to swap for someone's lower suspension.

He also took the time to patiently answer questions and tell me about high fender mods, EPCs, decatting cans, rejetting, and other mods.

With guys like him talking about 950s, no wonder enthusiam for the big Orange is infectious.

Just wanted to say thanks.

(I hope your daughter wasn't late for the dance. Tell her I'm sorry for keeping you on the phone. Hang in there dad, the "teenage daughter" phase does pass eventually.)

No problem, actually my pleasure !

I only post a fraction of what I used to post. Too much BS with all the new "Starbuck's" type 950/990 riders.

wpbarlow · 09-20-2008, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dlrides

...I only post a fraction of what I used to post. Too much BS with all the new "Starbuck's" type 950/990 riders.

Are us Dunkin Donut types ok?

dlrides · 09-20-2008, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wpbarlow

Are us Dunkin Donut types ok?

OK !!

Hey wp

It seems that most of the past regulars rarely post now. That may be a good indication that the 950 technical issues are a thing of the past now.

hmmngwy · 10-09-2008, 08:25 AM

Sorry for the double post but I wanted to give dlrides props...

Completed the swap, my 2004 "S" for dlrides' 2004 non-S components. Swapped forks, rear shock, sidestand, centerstand, and one brake line.

Couldn't have done it without Don's help (lots of phone calls), and the help of a lot of info from OC and KTM950.

It also helped that he happened to driving down my way.

As a bonus, the fork springs are heavier (.52) and feel much better. The bike is still tall, but very managable. I'm on the balls of my feet, instead of tip toes. I feel comfortable at stoplights and other situations. Took a really long ride to get used to the suspension and didn't really even think about it once I left the driveway. Glad I didn't go shorter.

Here's a pic of the bike stripped of the shock and forks...

Here's what I took off (still need to take off the stands and a brake line)...

Oh yeah, and Don pointed out all the extra stuff I need to check or work on to bring the bike up to snuff...

Back to the garage....

Pantah · 10-09-2008, 07:59 PM

I don't know your size, but I am 5'9" and been planning on swapping my 2004 suspension for the shorter 2006+ for 40k miles.

I think you'll like your new height. I'm on the balls of my feet too, but I've come to like the whole set-up and glad I didn't swap for shorter.

NC HILLBILLY · 10-12-2008, 10:52 AM

Yep...that dlrides is first class....called him a few days ago myself for a bit of advice.....Dunkin Donuts did you say?....you police too wpbarlow

......Mark

Quote:

Originally Posted by wpbarlow

Are us Dunkin Donut types ok?

09-20-2008, 06:41 AM	#1
hmmngwy ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Sep 2005 Location: Northeast Florida Oddometer: 232	Thanks dlrides! - Help with "S" suspension swap and other advice. I just wanted to thank dlrides for being patient and answering a million questions about my new to me 950 ADV S. He laid out my options regarding swapping my 2003 "S" suspension with his non-S suspension, as well as the suspension of other years, and what other lower seat options I might try. Not sure yet which suspension I will go for but I do need to swap for someone's lower suspension. He also took the time to patiently answer questions and tell me about high fender mods, EPCs, decatting cans, rejetting, and other mods. With guys like him talking about 950s, no wonder enthusiam for the big Orange is infectious. Just wanted to say thanks. (I hope your daughter wasn't late for the dance. Tell her I'm sorry for keeping you on the phone. Hang in there dad, the "teenage daughter" phase does pass eventually.)

09-20-2008, 06:53 AM	#2
mark1305 Old Enough To Know Better Joined: Feb 2005 Location: Merritt Island, FL Oddometer: 5,517	Don's good people; And knows a thing or two about bikes. __________________ Mark J Merritt Island, FL When a person asks you for advice, they don't want advice. They want corroboration.

09-20-2008, 10:32 AM	#4
HappyGoLucky Goeie Grys Giftige Gert! Joined: Feb 2005 Location: Displaced.ment Oddometer: 4,295	Barbasma, Flanny, Antware... heck theres a bunch. CMWoodys is another, even though he is/isnt banned __________________ To thine own self be true....

10-14-2008, 04:28 AM	#6
hmmngwy ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Sep 2005 Location: Northeast Florida Oddometer: 232	Update Here's the bike..so far. Suspension swap completed, bike back together. Don left me an extensive hit list of things to take care of, mostly pre-emptive based on his extensive knowledge and experience with 950s. I have to admit, it is daunting to read the list he left in my log book. I just want to gas it up and ride. So I closed the log book, and took a nice ride this weekend. Paved and a bit of dirt roads. The bike rocks on dirt roads. Here's a pic of the bike along the river. I meant to snap some pics in the dirt, but was kinda busy re-learning how to slide. Back to the list, I guess I just need to bite it off one item at a time....I can see the OC attraction. The bike definitely rocks. I just need to get through the list, and hopefully the payoff will be the gas and ride bike I want.

10-09-2008, 08:25 AM	#10
hmmngwy ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Sep 2005 Location: Northeast Florida Oddometer: 232	Posted this in my Flea Market Thread... Sorry for the double post but I wanted to give dlrides props... Completed the swap, my 2004 "S" for dlrides' 2004 non-S components. Swapped forks, rear shock, sidestand, centerstand, and one brake line. Couldn't have done it without Don's help (lots of phone calls), and the help of a lot of info from OC and KTM950. It also helped that he happened to driving down my way. As a bonus, the fork springs are heavier (.52) and feel much better. The bike is still tall, but very managable. I'm on the balls of my feet, instead of tip toes. I feel comfortable at stoplights and other situations. Took a really long ride to get used to the suspension and didn't really even think about it once I left the driveway. Glad I didn't go shorter. Here's a pic of the bike stripped of the shock and forks... Here's what I took off (still need to take off the stands and a brake line)... Oh yeah, and Don pointed out all the extra stuff I need to check or work on to bring the bike up to snuff... Back to the garage....

09-20-2008, 09:22 AM	#3
BLUE(UK) Beastly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2004 Oddometer: 3,404	We have quite a few real good lads on here such as Pyndon,CPModem,CJracer etc. In the past there were some great guys which dont post so much,one being Greg Minor.

10-09-2008, 07:59 PM	#11
Pantah Red Sox Nation Joined: Oct 2004 Location: India Wharf Oddometer: 8,896	I don't know your size, but I am 5'9" and been planning on swapping my 2004 suspension for the shorter 2006+ for 40k miles. I think you'll like your new height. I'm on the balls of my feet too, but I've come to like the whole set-up and glad I didn't swap for shorter. __________________ Straight ahead and faster -Bo Weaver 1970 "There I was..." -Griffin Niner Three Hotel

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