Ripping around on my WR head cam vid

[tribalbc]

So another try at my Go Pro helmet cam. This time some pit riding, hillclimbs and some speed.

I think this vid really shows how well my Smart Performance modded suspension shines in the higher speed arena. The section that starts at 7:40 is full of 1-2ft whoops with all sizes of rocks, speed is around 50-60mph. I used to have to wheely this section, now I just basically plow with the front tire, making me lazy, but faster?

You can see how smooth the bike is through this high speed rough stuff

http://vimeo.com/9988989

[Ivan Krashn]

Cool video! Strange watching it because not only do I ride the same bike, I wear the same helmet.

I'm thinking of going with Smart Performance kits front and rear. As I enter old geezerdom, I'm looking for a plush ride on the smaller chop. Stock forks deflect and are kinda harsh on sharp roots ruts rocks. Not looking for supercross suspension, looking for something that will extend my seat time. I ride a lot of stuff like in the first part of your vid, maybe twistier and a little rougher. Mostly 2nd gear, occasional 1st and some 3rd gear. Haven't been able to find a detailed review of Dave's stuff used on a WR. You appear to be just the guy I need to talk to.

[off_road_4_me]

great riding, thanks for sharing

[mikeythefokker]

I went with the smart performance phase 4 kit on my 07wr450 and I couldn't be happier with it. The stock suspension on my wr was just too soft for faster aggressive riding. I did like the plush feel of the stock suspension in very rough nasty terrain, but the bike was all over the place when I got going faster. The smart performance stuff works really well. It felt way too stiff for the first ten minutes that I rode the bike, but as I got used to it I found that I could go faster and push the bike harder in tough situations. I have also found that I can go faster for longer and it is much less fatiguing. It has been wonderful for me so far. The suspension works very well, and the performance gain coupled with the confidence gain have worked together to get me moving a good bit faster. I have noticed the change in speed in relation to my riding buddies. One of them has already taken his wr to dave , and two more friends plan on making the move within the next month or two.

[tribalbc]

Cool video! Strange watching it because not only do I ride the same bike, I wear the same helmet.

I'm thinking of going with Smart Performance kits front and rear. As I enter old geezerdom, I'm looking for a plush ride on the smaller chop. Stock forks deflect and are kinda harsh on sharp roots ruts rocks. Not looking for supercross suspension, looking for something that will extend my seat time. I ride a lot of stuff like in the first part of your vid, maybe twistier and a little rougher. Mostly 2nd gear, occasional 1st and some 3rd gear. Haven't been able to find a detailed review of Dave's stuff used on a WR. You appear to be just the guy I need to talk to.

Nice choice of bike and helmet ?

That was actually just a vid of some higher speed stuff. My typical stuff is first, second gear stuff with lots of roots and logs.

Here's a clip of my home woods practise loop.

http://vimeo.com/10661061

The Smart Performance suspension difference is phenominal. The shock is outrageously better.Funny, because I didn't think stock on the shock was that bad but now it is 1000% better. Rear wheel kick, whats that ?

The forks are plusher than stock IMO, with much better bottoming resistance, Next to no energy transfer to the bars.But I have a feeling once I can try them on the MX track I might want to go a little stiffer.

I still have limited testing on this setup due to snow around these parts, still limited places to ride. But I can say I can carry alot more speed through rough ground and use half the effort I once did. I was putting alot into the bike to make it work before, now it flows, deflection is a thing of the past.

She stays high in her stroke and wants to fly instead of wallow?

[Ivan Krashn]

Thanks for getting back to me guys. You've sold me on the Smart Performance mods. Considered Gold Valves because install looks easy but doesn't address the mid valve. Now I understand a little more about the mid valve which Dave addresses in his kit. Modifying the mid could be tricky but Dave assures he can walk me through it.

Mikey, I want to go faster for longer but not too fast! At 56 I may be a bit brittle. I don't race but do ride with guys in their 30's and 40's. Most of them can haul ***. I can stay with them for a while, but I'm older and less fit (working on that). I can fly with them but run out of steam. The bike is a tremendous handful in rocks, deflecting and dancing. The new Scott's damper:smirk: has helped on that score. The Michelin Starcross front tire almost cured washout. Raised forks 3/8" in triple clamps helped steering in tight trails. Turntech batt eliminated about 4lb up high. LOVE the 803 trials tire out back. I think I've got the stock suspension dialed about as good as it gets but after 30 mi I feel like I've been wrasslin' a pig in the mud, and the pig LIKES it. I do digress!

Tribalbc-More excellent video. More like what I experience. Wish I had a place like that close to practice on. The purple gloves are a nice touch:ride: Which Go Pro camera did you use? Gotta have one. Maybe I'll get one for Fathers Day:banana: Dave will be getting a call tomorrow from me. Forks and shock are already out of the bike and I'm ready to give it a shot.

Ivan

[tribalbc]

Thanks for getting back to me guys. You've sold me on the Smart Performance mods. Considered Gold Valves because install looks easy but doesn't address the mid valve. Now I understand a little more about the mid valve which Dave addresses in his kit. Modifying the mid could be tricky but Dave assures he can walk me through it.

Mikey, I want to go faster for longer but not too fast! At 56 I may be a bit brittle. I don't race but do ride with guys in their 30's and 40's. Most of them can haul ***. I can stay with them for a while, but I'm older and less fit (working on that). I can fly with them but run out of steam. The bike is a tremendous handful in rocks, deflecting and dancing. The new Scott's damper:smirk: has helped on that score. The Michelin Starcross front tire almost cured washout. Raised forks 3/8" in triple clamps helped steering in tight trails. Turntech batt eliminated about 4lb up high. LOVE the 803 trials tire out back. I think I've got the stock suspension dialed about as good as it gets but after 30 mi I feel like I've been wrasslin' a pig in the mud, and the pig LIKES it. I do digress!

Tribalbc-More excellent video. More like what I experience. Wish I had a place like that close to practice on. The purple gloves are a nice touch:ride: Which Go Pro camera did you use? Gotta have one. Maybe I'll get one for Fathers Day:banana: Dave will be getting a call tomorrow from me. Forks and shock are already out of the bike and I'm ready to give it a shot.

Ivan

I have the regular Go Pro Hero, not HD. Works good for me, quality s alot better on my computer than Vimeo. Got mine for Christmas?

I too thought about going the Gold Valve route but the Phase 4 kit was a little cheaper, addrress's the mid valve and has unlimited tech support ?

Not too mention it is not nearly as involved or specific for the WR.

Trickiest part of the midvalve is getting it apart, the rest is pretty straight forward. If you'tre goig to DIY it I could give you a couple hints on removing.

The shock mod is dirt cheap and all I can say is wow!!!

[Ivan Krashn]

Thanks man! This will definitely be a DIY project. Can't wait to do the shock. Before I got it tamed down a bit with the clickers it would occasionally smack me in the a** hard enough to see stars. Not too bad now, but for the tiny amount Dave charges for the shock kit I'd be nuts not to do it. He tells me the shock is much easier to modify than the forks.

I would greatly appreciate any tips you may have. Never been inside the forks, sure don't want to mess em up. But if I can pull it off I'll look like a hero to all the guys I ride with who think this stuff is voo doo. It's all just parts, right? I hope!

Ivan

[MrTVDNR]

hmmm...I have the Oregon Scientific self contained ATC 2K helmet cam and love it.

Need to get out on the WR to post some vid's. now...

[tribalbc]

Thanks man! This will definitely be a DIY project. Can't wait to do the shock. Before I got it tamed down a bit with the clickers it would occasionally smack me in the a** hard enough to see stars. Not too bad now, but for the tiny amount Dave charges for the shock kit I'd be nuts not to do it. He tells me the shock is much easier to modify than the forks.

I would greatly appreciate any tips you may have. Never been inside the forks, sure don't want to mess em up. But if I can pull it off I'll look like a hero to all the guys I ride with who think this stuff is voo doo. It's all just parts, right? I hope!

Ivan

That's right it's all just parts, very easy really if you take your time. Like you say I thought the shock was pretty good, had never worked on one before and was worried it would be hard. Turned out to be easier than the forks and even more rewarding ride wise. It's the stuff dreams are made of ?

Tips

Forks

Should be basic enough for you using the manual to get the cap off and spring out. Impact gun works great for the cap.

Use your spring for friction, rather than the Yamaha special tool, on the cartridge and an impact gun to remove the base valve. After you have the cartidge out it is easy to notch a piece of pipe to make a holding tool for the other fork and retorqing.

Mid valve requires torch heat to break the red loctite. Beware the mid piston has an oring so you want it at the bottom of the tube away from the heat.

I made a clamp from wood to stabalize the tube, with a hex through the holes to prevent it from turning while removing the mid valve. Otherwise using Daves method of just putting a hex through the holes in the vise I found the tube moved around too much to get a good grip with the channel locks on the cap.

Shock

Be very carefull putting the free piston back in, very easy to tear orings, get extra ?

I ended up using heat on the shock body (hair dryer) and free piston in freezer technique in the end.

Drill press is good for drilling out the free piston.

Make sure you put the c clip in the second recess when replacing the seal head?

A good way to remove the peening on the nuts is file it out untill it looks smooth. Now remove nut untill it starts to get hard. Re seat nut and file again. Repeat process untill nut comes off smoothly with no effort.

[Ivan Krashn]

Tribalbc, u r da man:worthy: A picture is worth a thousand words as they say. My vise is already modded with wood jaws. Sent a PM to Dave to give him a heads up. I'm flying to Mazatlan tomorrow AM for a sun break but hope to have parts waiting when I get back. Thanks again, you'll be the first to know when I get it done.

Ivan