Page 1 of 2
Traxxion Fork Spring Install
Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2017 7:46 pm
by JustinNck1
I am in the process of installing traxxion fork springs on my 14A. I got something wrong or the springs are incorrect. On the adjustable fork, it is not going back to full length after spring install. It is basically collapsed all the way with no force. the non adjustable fork I can bottom out by hand and can hear the washers moving inside. Does anyone have the correct spring length for the traxxion spring kits? The spacers look to be correct, but their instructions mention tapered springs and these are not.
Re: Traxxion Fork Spring Install
Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2017 8:25 pm
by raYzerman
Shouldn't be!! Are your springs slipping down past the top of the cartridge? No way you should be even close to compressing them fully collapsed if the springs are seated on the top of the cartridge. You need to pull these apart and see what's going on.
With correct spacers, when you first go to install the fork cap, you should have to compress the spring about 15mm to get the top cap threads started. That is your initial preload. If it's really easy to compress, or you can collapse the forks, something's wrong on the bottom end of the springs... spring ID too big? Did they give you a special washer to drop onto the cartridge as a spring seat?
OR, something's wrong on the top end of the springs, e.g., no washer to hold the spacers?
Some pictures would help.
Re: Traxxion Fork Spring Install
Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2017 8:35 pm
by JustinNck1
They gave me the correct washers and spacers but the spring id is way too big and slid past the cartridge stop and actually got the spring stuck. I just got it all torn apart. After waiting 3 weeks to get these springs, they sent me just the springs without any hardware. I had to wait an extra couple days for them to realize they forgot to send the rest of the parts and now the springs are wrong. I'm not feeling too confident in their products right now.
Re: Traxxion Fork Spring Install
Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2017 8:56 pm
by raYzerman
Yeah that sucks. One other thing to check, do the springs have one end smaller diameter than the other, and perhaps you are supposed to put the small end down...... Traxxion will be able to tell you the diameters.
Re: Traxxion Fork Spring Install
Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2017 9:42 pm
by JustinNck1
The springs are same id both ends.
Re: Traxxion Fork Spring Install
Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2017 9:29 am
by OldButNotDead
Call Lee at Traxxion. He should be able figure it out.
Re: Traxxion Fork Spring Install
Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2017 9:43 am
by JustinNck1
Called this morning, they said they would have Dan call me back. If I have to wait another 3 weeks for a set of springs, I'm not gonna be very happy. I got my bike tore down taking up lift table space.
Re: Traxxion Fork Spring Install
Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2017 10:00 am
by JustinNck1
Just got off the phone with Dan from Traxxion. They admit they screwed up, and nothing they can do to expedite the order, so now I'm waiting another 3 weeks for springs. I went with Traxxion because they were gracious enough to sponsor/send gifts for EOM, but this entire order has been a disaster. Gonna call Racetech and see if they can get them sooner somehow.
Re: Traxxion Fork Spring Install
Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2017 10:15 am
by Pathfinder
This is a shock. I have been having Traxxion service my suspension for years and I have had nothing but GREAT service
from them. I was just there 3 weeks ago to get my '08 set up with the Penske and AK-20s from the '05 that I carried up
to Woodstock with me.
Re: Traxxion Fork Spring Install
Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2017 3:41 pm
by JustinNck1
Been working back and forth with Traxxion and they said the springs sent will work with a washer to stop the spring from going too far down on the cartridge. This is basically the same thing the RaceTech Guides do. They are overnighting me the correct washers.
Re: Traxxion Fork Spring Install
Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2017 3:50 pm
by OldButNotDead
Like Pathfinder, I have had excellent service with Traxxion. The root of all evil here is IMO Yamaha's decision to cheap out on the Gen III forks. Nick, Traxxion will probably give you a refund. Ohlin sells springs out of Hendersonville, NC, ask for Gary Christopher. He's an old FJR rider and might be able to expedite things. EPM Performance is another company that might be able to get you something quick. Klaus who runs the place is a good guy too. Make sure you emphasize the springs are for a Gen III.
Re: Traxxion Fork Spring Install
Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2017 4:01 pm
by wheatonFJR
I'm glad that this issue seems to be resolving soon. I have been wondering whether to go Traxxion or Cogent for my Gen 3. Cogent handled my 2004 when it needed new suspension innards.
Re: Traxxion Fork Spring Install
Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2017 4:14 pm
by JustinNck1
Hopefully I can get these washers and get everything to work. I can't wait to try out the updated suspension (Springs, Heavier Oil, Fork Brace, Tapered Roller Head Bearings). New rear shock will probably be next winter's be expense.
Re: Traxxion Fork Spring Install
Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2017 9:13 pm
by raYzerman
Good news, keep us posted. BTW the RaceTech guides are not washers, but plastic pieces to keep the springs centered on the washers.
Re: Traxxion Fork Spring Install
Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2017 9:57 pm
by JustinNck1
I don't think they are just a flat washer. The email he sent me said "make sure the machined lip it up when installing the washers", which I would assume means it's using a lip to keep the spring centered.
Re: Traxxion Fork Spring Install
Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2017 6:22 pm
by John d
Good stuff. I thought that was may have been the problem but I couldn't remember myself with mine.
Re: Traxxion Fork Spring Install
Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2017 8:43 pm
by JustinNck1
I have received the washers, now time to go see if they work.
Re: Traxxion Fork Spring Install
Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2017 10:13 pm
by JustinNck1
Everything back together and all looks good.
Re: Traxxion Fork Spring Install
Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2017 5:15 pm
by FeeJeR Fred
I see the problem: Your forks are right side up!
Curious, what weight springs did you go with, and what other work did you do on them?
Re: Traxxion Fork Spring Install
Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2017 5:49 pm
by gixxerjasen
Great to hear. Traxxion helped me a bunch on my fubar forks. Of course those are long gone and I'm quite happy with my second hand AK20 equipped forks.