Fork upgrade for Hyperstrada

zippy49 · Jan 8, 2014

Hi all,

I am almost ready to take my forks down to Race Tech for some Gold Valves. They quoted me a rough estimate of $500 for the parts and work. From prior experience with the kits they sell for conventional forks, I should be able to get to a setting that works for me for a lot less than the Andreani kit.

It will take another week to clear my workbench, plus a couple of days for them to do the work (this is a new fork assembly for them). Will advise as the project continues.

jerdog53 · Jan 8, 2014

Good! Lets hear it.

gatdammit · Jan 8, 2014

Really hope this works well and price hovers around your quote. They probably have a dozen easy sales from this site alone.

zippy49 · Jan 9, 2014

gatdammit said:
Really hope this works well and price hovers around your quote. They probably have a dozen easy sales from this site alone.

Ha ha that's what I told them. But I have discussed this with David at FastBike and he brought up an interesting wrinkle. BTW they are Racetech dealers. He said that the cartridges on most non-SBK Ducatis (and many other bikes) are sealed by peening the ends of the outer tube. It is really easy to damage the assembly if you don't know what you are doing. So, do they?

I emailed this question to R/T, and they assured me that they could do the job with no damage. I asked David which way he thought I should go, and he said R/T.

Plus he has managed to teach me a few things about USD forks. And if R/T messes up the OEM cartridges, I can always put the Andreanis in. Looks like I can do that myself.

So, I would recommend FastBike to anyone. Seriously. We'll see about Racetech. Might take that 'bench queen' down and start on the 'Strada forks today.

gatdammit · Jan 9, 2014

Is it any different than when a couple have cracked there forks to replace oil and chop spacers?

zippy49 · Jan 9, 2014

At least any damage will be performed by a professional...

ambientscape · Jan 12, 2014

Hi all...am relatively new in this bike. I feel the strada is a bit low for my height and unfortunately we only have the low version in asia. I found that motard sp marzocchi fork can fir into the hyperstrada. Will it upset thebalance if i only change the front fork?

gatdammit · Jan 12, 2014

Can you special order the standard size? If you have 32" inseam or better you'll want the standard.

Oh, and tell them it's racist to only order "low" model bikes in Asia...
(really hope the kind members of this forum get my very dry attempt at humor on that one)

ambientscape · Jan 12, 2014

gatdammit said:
Can you special order the standard size? If you have 32" inseam or better you'll want the standard.

Oh, and tell them it's racist to only order "low" model bikes in Asia...
(really hope the kind members of this forum get my very dry attempt at humor on that one)

The standard size should be the one found on the hypermotard, I assume?

LOL! Well tell me about ! I've tried on the Hypermotard (presumably its normal height of a hyperstrada in other countries) relatively quite high on my height of 184cm.

jerdog53 · Jan 13, 2014

ambientscape said:
Hi all...am relatively new in this bike. I feel the strada is a bit low for my height and unfortunately we only have the low version in asia. I found that motard sp marzocchi fork can fir into the hyperstrada. Will it upset thebalance if i only change the front fork?

You wouldn't be able to just change the forks you would have to change the triple clamps as well and might be more involved than that as the Marzs are 50mm.

zippy49 · Jan 13, 2014

ambientscape said:
The standard size should be the one found on the hypermotard, I assume?

LOL! Well tell me about ! I've tried on the Hypermotard (presumably its normal height of a hyperstrada in other countries) relatively quite high on my height of 184cm.

The 'Strada is lower than either model of 'Motard. It has 20mm less fork travel, and a lower seat. The 'Sella Bassa' (low seat) version of the 'Strada is lower still, by about the same amount.

If you put the Marzocchis on a Low Seat bike without the matching rear shock, it would likely slow down the handling. Might be possible to pull them up in the clamps to compensate, but I don't have one to look at.

My forks come off this morning, then they go to R/T. Should only take a couple of days.

zippy49 · Jan 13, 2014

jerdog53 said:
You wouldn't be able to just change the forks you would have to change the triple clamps as well and might be more involved than that as the Marzs are 50mm.

Yup, they have different part numbers. The SP also comes with different wheels...but the front axle is the same part number, so they are probably interchangeable.

zippy49 · Jan 13, 2014

gatdammit said:
Is it any different than when a couple have cracked there forks to replace oil and chop spacers?

Sorry I missed this post - yes, they make a custom valve assembly that goes inside the cartridge. Changing oil & springs does not require opening this up. They started with a similar device for conventional forks, and it includes a spring-loaded popoff valve that smooths out sharp bumps and is adjustable. I've had great results from those, so....

gatdammit · Jan 13, 2014

I'm not a supreme hooligan on the road but, I think I would have ground some metal on a low version by now.

If you're sporting a 32" inseam or greater, go with standard model. I think ergo's will be roomier on standard, which will also matter if you're 5'7" or taller.

zippy49 · Jan 14, 2014

R/T update

Removed the forks yesterday and took them down to R/T.

First, it was way easy to pull the forks. The Service Manual calls for removal of the headlight fairing, but that was not needed. They also didn't mention the ABS sensor, which has a bunch of small shims under it to get the spacing right. I put a nut on the bolt to keep it all together.

I asked for and got a tour of R/T's shop. It was spacious, well organized, and very clean. Separate rooms for bike work, fork/shock work, and a machine shop. There was an option on the valves; you can specify compression, rebound, or both. I went for both. I also asked them to contact me once they had them apart, as I am still wondering how they will deal with the sealed cartridges. They have a lathe, but putting it back together might be tough.

They also said that the shock's problems will be more apparent once the forks are done. They make their own, with all the adjustments available including hydraulic preload and high+low speed compression. Or they can revalve the stock Sachs, which sounds more to my liking.

Should have it back together in a few days. Watch this space!

jerdog53 · Jan 14, 2014

Get some pictures while your at it.

zippy49 · Jan 14, 2014

jerdog53 said:
Get some pictures while your at it.

Of what? I don't think I'll get to see them apart...but I could ask.

jerdog53 · Jan 14, 2014

zippy49 said:
Of what? I don't think I'll get to see them apart...but I could ask.

That was my thinking the internals dissembled

zippy49 · Jan 14, 2014

Asked, could happen, waiting for a reply right now.

zippy49 · Jan 14, 2014

They said yes, should happen this afternoon.

Fork upgrade for Hyperstrada

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