F800GS Traxxion Fork Suspension Mods

[Bayner]

Hey Johngil, what did the rebuild run you, if you don't mind saying? I'm due for an overhaul as well, if nothing more than fresh oil. 30k kms, but nothing too brutal...

[johngil]

Rebuild and re-valve ran $300.
The shop had to fabricate a part to pressurize the cartridge, so I may have paid into that.

I have the contact info if you need it.

[Bayner]

Yes please...

[johngil]

Talk to Tige or James

http://www.cyclemall.net/

[AKTroy]

Originally Posted by johngil

Bitubos still kicking ass. Just sayin'...

Rebuilt only once and about 13,000 miles on them now.

Wait you upgraded to these and still had to have them rebuilt with in 13K?

[johngil]

Once a year is normal. Oil, seals etc. don't last forever.

[Groge]

I am reading these with all of these good suggestions and solutions but have not read one that suggests using a KTM adventure fork set up which I understand is fully adjustable. Could it be cost, availability or just a matter of principle?

[AKTroy]

Originally Posted by johngil

Once a year is normal. Oil, seals etc. don't last forever.

300 bucks a year to maintain your front shocks is normal? That include shipping?

[johngil]

$300 included machining a part needed to charge the cartridge.

Normal service is around $125-150 depending on parts.
I seem to remember my WP forks being around $90 or so.
The extra $$$ is most likely because of the cartridge design.
The Traxxion forks would be around the same as the WP forks and need service yearly as well, so I guess I'm missing the point.
I'm guessing you don't service your suspension. Or do you do it yourself?

[Bayner]

Originally Posted by AKTroy

300 bucks a year to maintain your front shocks is normal? That include shipping?

You've got to keep in mind it's a gas charged unit... not quite the dump the oil and go kind of setup most are used to.

[Oso Blanco]

Originally Posted by Groge

I am reading these with all of these good suggestions and solutions but have not read one that suggests using a KTM adventure fork set up which I understand is fully adjustable. Could it be cost, availability or just a matter of principle?

I believe LukasM did.

[AKTroy]

[QUOTE=johngil;14774954
The Traxxion forks would be around the same as the WP forks and need service yearly as well, so I guess I'm missing the point.
I'm guessing you don't service your suspension. Or do you do it yourself?[/QUOTE]

My point was, it seems kind of a steep bill for just maintaining a pair of forks. Ive always just changed the oil every couple years and the seals if they leaked.

[AKTroy]

Originally Posted by Bayner

You've got to keep in mind it's a gas charged unit... not quite the dump the oil and go kind of setup most are used to.

This I know nothing about.

Still trying to wrap my head around the benifit over cost of maintaining a gas unit.

Is it that much better?

[johngil]

Originally Posted by AKTroy

This I know nothing about.

Still trying to wrap my head around the benifit over cost of maintaining a gas unit.

Is it that much better?

That's up to each individual rider. I was encouraged to keep the Bitubo units after they leaked and broke a few shims. I was ready to order the Traxxion kit otherwise.
I can't say either kit (Bitubo or Traxxion) is an inexpensive way to go, but it has meant being able to keep my 800 and be relatively happy w/ the front suspension.

In my case, I wasn't willing to swap forks, so the kit was the way to go.

[The Griz]

Originally Posted by johngil

The Traxxion forks would be around the same as the WP forks and need service yearly as well, so I guess I'm missing the point.
I'm guessing you don't service your suspension. Or do you do it yourself?

Originally Posted by AKTroy

I my point was it seem kind of a steep bill for just maintaining a pair of forks. Ive alway just changed the oil every couple years and the seals if they leaked.

You're right on the money AKTroy. Regular non-gas-charged oil-valved cartridge forks do not require a full rebuild as frequent as yearly unless you're racing enduros all season. Regular yearly no-race service on a non-gas-charged oil-valved cartridge fork is much less expensive since it's typically just an oil change, unless a seal or two needs replacing. Oil: $25 give or take $5. Seals (if they need replacing): $35 give or take $5. The rest is a visual inspection, maybe replace bushings. If something is noticed and needs replacing, it could hike the price a wee bit, but not much more. So the point is this: you pay more up front for regular non-gas-charged oil-valved cartridge forks (Ohlins, Rec-tech, Traxxion), but the regular service over time is less expensive. Typically just oil every year for the average GS rider. Seals and bushings every 2-3 years.

Service from suspension experts on regular non-gas-charged oil-valved cartridge forks is cheaper as well:

http://racetech.com/HTML_FILES/FORKREBUILD.HTML