Moving forks on 09yz450

[blakers213]

Everyone suggest moving forks 5mm on 09 yz450f. Just to clarify am I moving the fork tubes up in the clamps or moving the fork tubes down in the clamps. Also any tips on tighting the triple clamps, I know not to over tighten them but top first or bottom first to prevent any twisting.

[dgcars]

What are you trying to achieve by moving the forks....

[blakers213]

It will make the front end not wash out as much and be more planted.

[dgcars]

Move the tubes up thru' the clamps. Just torque all evenly as per the manual.

[myoung]

There's a line at the top of the fork tube that is the guide for 5mm's up. You set the fork tube with the line at the top of the top clamp. This setting is for tighter turning and is less stable on high speed straight line runs. It's not a 'fix all', but when you raise the tubes and get your sag set right, it helps.

To 'set' the forks, or reset if you crashed and they twisted, tighten the lower clamp first with the top clamp loose at the tubes and the head tube. Then tighten the rest.

[blakers213]

Still confused. dgcars said move fork tubes up through clamps. Myoung said there is a line at the top of the fork tubes that the top clamp should be even with, in order to do that I would have to slide the fork tubes down.

[grayracer513]

What MYoung was trying to say is that there is a line NEAR the top of the fork tube that will show when you have raised them 5mm.

[dgcars]

Post a pic of your fork/top clamp. They have been moved already...??

[myoung]

Still confused. dgcars said move fork tubes up through clamps. Myoung said there is a line at the top of the fork tubes that the top clamp should be even with, in order to do that I would have to slide the fork tubes down.

Are you saying your tubes have been raised higher than the line?

[dgcars]

Thats what i thought...hence post a pic...bars should have got in the way though...?

[myoung]

OK, so this is three different settings to help explain.

This is my '09 YZ450 with the forks raised to the 5mm line.

This is my '91 KX250 with the fork tubes set at zero. You don't go any lower than zero.

This is my Dad's DRZ400 that has been lowered. Not sure what the setting is, it's as high as it could go with the handlebars where they are. You can see the line on the tube. This is the max raised setting suggested by the manufacturer. The risk of raising higher is hitting the tire on the fender bolts under full compression.

[blakers213]

Forks have not been moved yet I bought it new. I think I understand now from what Grayracer said the line is under the top clamp from the factory. If I move the fork tubes up I will see the line.

[dgcars]

Yeah.....?

[blakers213]

Just moved them. The top clamp was at the line so I could not see the line. Now after I moved them I am 5mm below the line with the top clamp. This adds like 10hp right.?

[myoung]

So, you raised the tubes to 10mm's?

The top edge of the tube is zero, the line is 5mm, 5mm below the line would be 10mm.

It's an extra 15hp if you use an aftermarket power band. ?

[dgcars]

Degrees....mm....hp.....it's all the same.....?