I'm restoring a 2000 XR100. The rear suspension linkage (the triangle with three holes) is worn out and I'm planning on CNC'ing a new one. I realized that by changing the shape of it slightly, I can increase the rear suspension travel.
Stock for this bike was 4.7". New bikes have 5.5". What do you think would be optimum? I'm assuming that I'm not going to change the front forks any time soon.
- Brad
XR100 Optimum Suspension Travel
Started by
Squidless
, Dec 22 2008 07:16 PM
16 replies to this topic
Posted 22 December 2008 - 07:31 PM
Squidless said:
I'm restoring a 2000 XR100. The rear suspension linkage (the triangle with three holes) is worn out and I'm planning on CNC'ing a new one. I realized that by changing the shape of it slightly, I can increase the rear suspension travel.
Stock for this bike was 4.7". New bikes have 5.5". What do you think would be optimum? I'm assuming that I'm not going to change the front forks any time soon.
- Brad
Stock for this bike was 4.7". New bikes have 5.5". What do you think would be optimum? I'm assuming that I'm not going to change the front forks any time soon.
- Brad
Brad,Have you been to the socalxrs.com?There is some info on this subject.Look under the tech section.
Posted 23 December 2008 - 04:55 AM
Interesting, TK race products has one with needle bearings. Socalxrs says that it doesn't work (in general).
Now I HAVE to try it.
- Brad
Now I HAVE to try it.
- Brad
Posted 23 December 2008 - 09:12 PM
Squidless said:
Interesting, TK race products has one with needle bearings. Socalxrs says that it doesn't work (in general).
Now I HAVE to try it.
- Brad
Now I HAVE to try it.
- Brad
Uhhh . . . what did I say didn't work? The late model linkage on an early bike?? It didn't, but if you got a later swingarm, I think it does. But I don't remember.
Posted 24 December 2008 - 06:44 AM
I should have been more clear. Your article said that late model parts wouldn't work on older bikes. It also implied that you didn't know of an aftermarket linkage that would do it.
- Brad
- Brad
Posted 24 December 2008 - 07:45 AM
The 01 and newer triangle linkage is wider where it bolts to the swingarm. If you want to use it, you have to use a 01+ swing arm or a BBR swing arm.
Posted 26 December 2008 - 07:06 PM
I finished my modified triangle. It is designed to give an extra inch of travel.
It was CNC machined from 1 x 3 Cold Rolled Steel. I also made some delrin bushings while I was at it.
I had to grind the shock slightly to get it all to fit. It will be a while before I have a motor ready to put in this bike, so I won't be able to fully test it for a while.
- Brad
http://i312.photobuc.../triangle-2.jpg
http://i312.photobuc...ess/linkage.jpg
It was CNC machined from 1 x 3 Cold Rolled Steel. I also made some delrin bushings while I was at it.
I had to grind the shock slightly to get it all to fit. It will be a while before I have a motor ready to put in this bike, so I won't be able to fully test it for a while.
- Brad
http://i312.photobuc.../triangle-2.jpg
http://i312.photobuc...ess/linkage.jpg
Posted 26 December 2008 - 08:11 PM
Squidless said:
I should have been more clear. Your article said that late model parts wouldn't work on older bikes. It also implied that you didn't know of an aftermarket linkage that would do it.
- Brad
- Brad
It was written in 2001 when the new style xr100 just came out. I'm pretty sure It has 36pt font saying not to try it. However, I did set up a early frame with late model linkage a few years ago, but I just don't remember what I swapped out. When I get to it. I'll delete the article. Plus, I didn't use ebay back then. Now you can get a newer swingarm for just a few bucks and swap it out.
Posted 27 December 2008 - 07:33 AM
Squidless said:
I finished my modified triangle. It is designed to give an extra inch of travel.
It was CNC machined from 1 x 3 Cold Rolled Steel. I also made some delrin bushings while I was at it.
I had to grind the shock slightly to get it all to fit. It will be a while before I have a motor ready to put in this bike, so I won't be able to fully test it for a while.
- Brad
http://i312.photobuc.../triangle-2.jpg
http://i312.photobuc...ess/linkage.jpg
It was CNC machined from 1 x 3 Cold Rolled Steel. I also made some delrin bushings while I was at it.
I had to grind the shock slightly to get it all to fit. It will be a while before I have a motor ready to put in this bike, so I won't be able to fully test it for a while.
- Brad
http://i312.photobuc.../triangle-2.jpg
http://i312.photobuc...ess/linkage.jpg
nice work on the linkage, Im impressed
Posted 29 December 2008 - 09:35 AM
Here's a side by side comparison. The bike in the back has the new linkage. The one in the front has the old linkage. It's a little unfair because the one in the front has worn bushings in the linkage, adding to the sag and the one in the back has a bald tire, making it look more extreme, but you can see the difference in the angle of the swing arm.
I'm going to convert the 2nd bike also.
I made three of these and I only need two. Does anyone else want to try one? If so, PM me. I'll decide who I send it to based on who I think will actually install it and give me feedback.
The new geometry does soften the suspension some (acts as if the spring isn't as stiff). It does require some minor grinding of the new triangle and of the end of the shock.
- Brad
http://i312.photobuc...esuspension.jpg
I'm going to convert the 2nd bike also.
I made three of these and I only need two. Does anyone else want to try one? If so, PM me. I'll decide who I send it to based on who I think will actually install it and give me feedback.
The new geometry does soften the suspension some (acts as if the spring isn't as stiff). It does require some minor grinding of the new triangle and of the end of the shock.
- Brad
http://i312.photobuc...esuspension.jpg
Posted 29 December 2008 - 01:56 PM
Hey Brad are you talking about this article?
http://www.socalxrs....reartravel1.htm
If so, I wrote it way back in late 2000 when the 2001 XR100 came out. If you have more pics and stuff and write up a little article I'll post it.. Obviously it's a bit outdated. It would be much appreciated.
http://www.socalxrs....reartravel1.htm
If so, I wrote it way back in late 2000 when the 2001 XR100 came out. If you have more pics and stuff and write up a little article I'll post it.. Obviously it's a bit outdated. It would be much appreciated.
Posted 11 March 2009 - 07:29 AM
Squidless said:
Here's a side by side comparison. The bike in the back has the new linkage. The one in the front has the old linkage. It's a little unfair because the one in the front has worn bushings in the linkage, adding to the sag and the one in the back has a bald tire, making it look more extreme, but you can see the difference in the angle of the swing arm.
I'm going to convert the 2nd bike also.
I made three of these and I only need two. Does anyone else want to try one? If so, PM me. I'll decide who I send it to based on who I think will actually install it and give me feedback.
The new geometry does soften the suspension some (acts as if the spring isn't as stiff). It does require some minor grinding of the new triangle and of the end of the shock. Overall I'm very happy with the improvement. Now I just need the time to put the 120 kit in it.
- Brad
http://i312.photobuc...esuspension.jpg
I'm going to convert the 2nd bike also.
I made three of these and I only need two. Does anyone else want to try one? If so, PM me. I'll decide who I send it to based on who I think will actually install it and give me feedback.
The new geometry does soften the suspension some (acts as if the spring isn't as stiff). It does require some minor grinding of the new triangle and of the end of the shock. Overall I'm very happy with the improvement. Now I just need the time to put the 120 kit in it.
- Brad
http://i312.photobuc...esuspension.jpg
I finally got this triangle on my bike, and it does raise the rear up at least an inch. Here is the before picture:
And here is the after picture:
The increase in travel is noticeable. The bike does seem to soak the nasties a little better. I didn't notice it feeling much softer, but it is a little soft anyway as my WP shock has lighter spring and I weigh about 200 lbs. I did have to grind quite a bit off the bottom shock mount, but otherwise it was an easy install.
Posted 11 March 2009 - 11:32 AM
Nice Job.
TK's first link bent the shock or something on full compression. He had to re-design it.
The TK link makes the spring feel softer too.
TK's first link bent the shock or something on full compression. He had to re-design it.
The TK link makes the spring feel softer too.
Squidless said:
Here's a side by side comparison. The bike in the back has the new linkage. The one in the front has the old linkage. It's a little unfair because the one in the front has worn bushings in the linkage, adding to the sag and the one in the back has a bald tire, making it look more extreme, but you can see the difference in the angle of the swing arm.
I'm going to convert the 2nd bike also.
I made three of these and I only need two. Does anyone else want to try one? If so, PM me. I'll decide who I send it to based on who I think will actually install it and give me feedback.
The new geometry does soften the suspension some (acts as if the spring isn't as stiff). It does require some minor grinding of the new triangle and of the end of the shock.
- Brad
http://i312.photobuc...esuspension.jpg
I'm going to convert the 2nd bike also.
I made three of these and I only need two. Does anyone else want to try one? If so, PM me. I'll decide who I send it to based on who I think will actually install it and give me feedback.
The new geometry does soften the suspension some (acts as if the spring isn't as stiff). It does require some minor grinding of the new triangle and of the end of the shock.
- Brad
http://i312.photobuc...esuspension.jpg
Posted 11 March 2009 - 04:53 PM
CT70Nut,
Glad to see you got it installed. I have this on two bikes now.
Thanks for sharing.
- Brad
Glad to see you got it installed. I have this on two bikes now.
Thanks for sharing.
- Brad
