Greetings & suspension query- Maxton vs bits off other Y

kebab19 · Post by **kebab19** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 3:53 pm

Hello.
'Phuk72' kindly referred me to this fine site for TRX owners, which seems pretty useful! Bikewise, I used to have a 1995 TDM850, which was a strong inspiration for the TRX, and currently own a 2001 Bandit 1200 and a 1981 RD350LC.

I have recently acquired a 1996 TRX in somewhat poor condition, although mainly from a cosmetic perspective. I will clean it up properly before submitting any photos

(No 'rat' TRXs to compete with here, are there?)

Anyway. My query involves suspension, specifically original versus aftermarket.
My forks have pitting where it matters (aaargh!) and I think the shock is original and untouched in the 23000 miles the bike has done. Rebuild essential.

I am debating whether to buy replacement fork leg stanchions & have the forks resprung and revalved by Maxton Engineering. I'm sure they would work wonders with the rear shock too while I'm at it.

My alternative is aftermarket / replacement suspension - specifically looking at the likes of Thundercat forks and YZF750 rear shocks, which fit with slight modifications.

My dilemna is cost - Maxton are no doubt very good, but they are quoting me around Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£300 for work on the front forks, not to mention around Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£200 for stanchions. Between that and the back shock rebuild I will be shelling out nearly Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£700 which is almost the price on the bike

Can anyone offer advice? The bike is a keeper, but I'm uncertain what path to go down re suspension.

Thanks!

youngy · Post by **youngy** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 4:14 pm

Welcome

Kais offer a shock rebuild/tune service. Good work, fast turnround (which you won't get from Maxton) and competitive pricing.

Although the forks are basic I've never found them to be "that" bad. LM Spares sell a kit of stanchions and seals (maybe more). For me it would depend on what came up at the right price and in good condition.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/YAMAHA-TRX-850-TR ... dZViewItem

cheesie · Post by **cheesie** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 10:56 pm

helo kebab were bouts in norn iron you from I live in lisburn. someone has too

dont know about your forks but give clarence bell of pro link racing in grey abbey a ring 077524993252 (pun intended) about rebuilding your rear shock or you could buy a hagon rear for prob about the price of a rebuild if you can get the yzf front end or r1 I would go for that problem is you could end up buying forks with the same problem

if you do get the forks rebiult might be best put some heavier springs in while your at it

youngy · Post by **youngy** » Sat Jul 07, 2007 9:42 am

Some more forks here:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/850-TRX-YAMAHA-FO ... dZViewItem

If you need only one stanchion, I have one that is not pitted, but I can't guarantee it's not worn too much that the seals will seal.

Shock rebuild for the same price as a Hagon? Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£250? Kais charged me less than half that including a new spring, spring seat, re-valve, oil and gas.

kebab19 · Post by **kebab19** » Sat Jul 07, 2007 10:20 am

Hello there Cheesie glad to hear of another TRX in the area ....think there are probably no more than 20 max in the North, and mine originally came from a Coleraine man living in Wales.

First, I must confess that I owned this TRX before, bought it in Wales late 2003 and sold it to my brother in January 2006. He had neglected it somewhat but when I recently came into some money I just had to buy it back. Starting to wonder now, considering the work that needs done

I find the standard forks to harsh for the hideously bumpy 'B' roads I tend to ride on - fear of losing my license on fast 'A' roads has consigned me to them. But my body is protesting! The only exception to 'B' roads is the occasional Kirkistown track day, and I suspect the forks will be only average for that too.

Has anyone fitted the Racetech's Gold Valve emulators to their forks? I have read 'Flange's' instructions from the Yahoo Group files and checked the items out on PDQ's website (ker-ching), but the conversion is irreversible and I dont want to f00k it up

I know that damper rod forks are simply not as good as cartridge forks, hence my interest in the likes of Thundercat forks as an alternative.

Regarding the rear shock, I have had bad experiences with Hagon shocks in the past, so for me thats not an option.
I have dealt with Clarence of PLR several times before and would get him to rebuild my rear shock.

Mr Young - thanks for the references to both LM spares and Kais.

Decisions, decisions.....

youngy · Post by **youngy** » Sat Jul 07, 2007 1:13 pm

Thundercat forks will need spacers with the TRX wheel or you will need the Cat wheel.

twolfe · Post by **twolfe** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 9:56 am

G'day kebab, the racetech emulators make a big difference. others find joy in just respringing and experimenting with oil levels and viscosity.
Terry

Post by **phuk72** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 6:33 pm

You found us then

TBH, your best bet is to try and buy some new fork legs and then respring (Hagon progressive or aftermarket stiffer springs) and experiment with oil levels / weight. Plenty on here have tried so you should get some base data. Cost - less than Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£100 (excluding the new fork legs).

As for the rear shock you have a number of options. The YZF750 shock bolts straight in if you can get one. I'd be inclined to have a look at getting it rebuilt and sprung to your weight - Maxton, PDQ, Rhencullen etc are all worth a look. Should only cost Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£150?

Or post in the wanted section and see what people have got.

kebab19 · Post by **kebab19** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 11:36 am

Update.

Rear end has been sorted. Noticed on the TRX Yahoo Group that someone had mentioned an unused EMC shock in a dealer's shop going for half-price (Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£150 instead of Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£300) so I rang and they still had it! Considering this shock was mentioned in a post a couple of months ago I was amazed no-one else had bought it.

Or am I missing something here - are EMC not very good?

Now just to get the front-end sorted.
Then just the FCRs....
Then just...
Lol

Trixz · Post by **Trixz** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 9:45 pm

Hi Kebab19,

Welcome here!

There are no good nor bad options in the plans of which you tell us. But as you said, the costs DO matter a lot.
Glad to hear that you've found a rear shock for half price, nice!

Hoping that your 'front end' will come to a good end so that the REX can 'roll out' again..

Greetz
Gerben

Triton · Post by **Triton** » Sat Jul 14, 2007 8:25 am

Race Tech emulators effectively turn the standard rod damping forks into cartridge forks. With spring and oil changes, the emulators are worth their weight in gold... err, sorry about that! The hype behind emulators looks too good to be true, but the proof is in the pudding and I'm on my second "Race Teched" TRX.

bernardo · Post by **bernardo** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 3:18 pm

I put an EMC shock on one of my bikes a few years ago, complete rubbish, lasted a couple of thousand miles, hope yours is better

Trixz · Post by **Trixz** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 7:18 pm

bernardo wrote:I put an EMC shock on one of my bikes a few years ago, complete rubbish, lasted a couple of thousand miles, hope yours is better

Hmmm not so good news K.