Nicely done! Your videos are very helpful! Can’t wait to see how you like them. Oh yeah, I bought a couple Tohnichi torque wrenches because of your videos. You should start selling them on your website. Ha ha I. love them.
I just changed my Xact CC springs. I didnt have access to soft jaws. For the top, I losened the top triple clamp bolts and used a 50 mm wrench, for bottom 22mm, i broke them free while the front wheel / axel was still in. Tighted them the same. Not ideal, but worked well.
Very interesting. Will be good to see your ride review. I simply replace the top spring for a softer one and the difference was huge, way better. The standard "short" sping is very stiff in comparison. This was a cheap and easy fix more me and made a big differnece. I did bladder the shock tho and it ls now amazing. 2025 husqvarna TE300. Hard enduro riding. Cheers for the video.
I rode today with the XR fork bladder kit. I was surprised at how big the difference is from stock regarding plushness. I really like it. The front end feels planted and really inspired confidence. Also less tiring as you feel less of the trail trash (roots and small rocks). Without doubt I felt the most comfortable on the bike and rode better than usual. The forks still feel stable though (don’t blow through the travel). Day 2 of riding tomorrow :-)
What are your thoughts on how the bladder is pressurized? It seems like the needle port might loose pressure over time. Do you use the same needle as you would to fill a basketball or is it smaller? Thanks again.
Yes, bladders do loose pressure over time and as such are bladder forks and shocks tend to be higher maintenance than piston forks and shocks. The needle I have measures 0.71mm diameter and is quite a bit smaller than a needle used to inflate basketballs.
There should be a solid pin that goes into the rubber valve to make a tighter seal once you have set pressure. Expecting the rubber to close in and seal against its self is what leaks.
@@vladikkenguru - You were right! I just got back from riding searched the floor under where I did the installation work and found the o-ring. I didn't notice there were o-rings when I removed the screws. I re-install the o-ring tomorrow. Thanks!
Yes, it should be. As discussed in the video stiction will be reduced which should result in a plusher ride. I'll make a ride video which includes my ride impressions regarding the kit.
There is still oil in the outer tubes, required to lubricate the tubing bushings and also damping (anti bottoming) control. As such if the fork seals go bad they will still leak oil. But the compression and rebound systems damping oil is contained in the inner chamber, separate from the outer tube oil.
Hey Mark great video. Just I saw after you pump air something came off from the needle when you came out, is the. 13.45 minutes of the video. I hope you love this new update part!
Thanks for another great video. You are an excellent mechanic. I like that you’re descriptive when explaining what you’re doing or about to do, right down to the tools you’re using.
Nitrogen is used in rear shocks because the shock temp is relatively high and nitrogen expands much less than air with increasing temp. With forks, they don't increase in temp significantly with use and as such air is commonly used. Of course you could use nitrogen (and I do have nitrogen), but there isn't a significant benefit.
I machined a 27.38mm bore in some 6061 aluminum billet 60mm diameter round stock on the lathe, then milled flats on each side and finally cut it in half.
LOL - I have a decent ‘09 300 XC and every time I demo a new bike, other than the counter balancer, I just don’t see the need for an upgrade. However, I just received an eBay purchase of a properly sprung set of forks and shock with the Race-Tech stuff. Cost me $500. Considering all of the money saved over the years, I just might have to pick up a ‘25 WR250F. Those FXs have been really good for a long time.
lol more wp fixs , Xact not really just another foolery WP marketing term and havnt they had a lot of titles but all need a fix even if you weigh in the zone
The stock XACT forks on my 2024 KTM 300 EXC I like and are easily the best stock forks I've used. The bladder kit I fitted should make them even better, with less stiction.
@@TokyoOffroad maybe if you are talking about all the attempts of WP over the last 10 years . Why is Stiction a issue for Hard enduro , do you use 3rd and 4th gear onwards for the Hard enduro They are great for content generation ktm proven because they are easily improved , noticeably improved by after market after sales content .
I look forward to and have enjoyed every one of your videos over this past, I don't know how many, few years. Thank you for them all.
I'm pleased to hear that you enjoy the videos
Nicely done! Your videos are very helpful! Can’t wait to see how you like them.
Oh yeah, I bought a couple Tohnichi torque wrenches because of your videos. You should start selling them on your website. Ha ha I. love them.
Pleased to hear that you find the videos helpful. I love my Tohnichi torque wrenches. Great quality and will outlast me for sure...
Excellent video as always
Thank you. Pleased to hear that you liked the video
I just changed my Xact CC springs. I didnt have access to soft jaws. For the top, I losened the top triple clamp bolts and used a 50 mm wrench, for bottom 22mm, i broke them free while the front wheel / axel was still in. Tighted them the same. Not ideal, but worked well.
Very interesting. Will be good to see your ride review. I simply replace the top spring for a softer one and the difference was huge, way better. The standard "short" sping is very stiff in comparison. This was a cheap and easy fix more me and made a big differnece.
I did bladder the shock tho and it ls now amazing. 2025 husqvarna TE300. Hard enduro riding. Cheers for the video.
Rear shock upgrade is next. I'll install a WP bladder kit and Dal Soggio RS kit (piston a shims) next week...
@TokyoOffroad spot on it made a big difference. I waited about 30hrs before doing them all because I wanted to see the difference and it was worth it.
Where do you find a softer spring?
KTECH i believe.
I rode today with the XR fork bladder kit. I was surprised at how big the difference is from stock regarding plushness. I really like it. The front end feels planted and really inspired confidence. Also less tiring as you feel less of the trail trash (roots and small rocks). Without doubt I felt the most comfortable on the bike and rode better than usual. The forks still feel stable though (don’t blow through the travel). Day 2 of riding tomorrow :-)
Should explain the perpendicular positioning of the torque wrench on the DelSoggio 50 octagonal spanner.
My WP upgrade kit looks very similar to a new set of KYB spring forks. Very, very similar to that.
Excellent
When would these be available for sale on your site?
how to buy this kit? i can't buy it on the manufacturer's website.
What are your thoughts on how the bladder is pressurized? It seems like the needle port might loose pressure over time. Do you use the same needle as you would to fill a basketball or is it smaller? Thanks again.
Yes, bladders do loose pressure over time and as such are bladder forks and shocks tend to be higher maintenance than piston forks and shocks. The needle I have measures 0.71mm diameter and is quite a bit smaller than a needle used to inflate basketballs.
There should be a solid pin that goes into the rubber valve to make a tighter seal once you have set pressure.
Expecting the rubber to close in and seal against its self is what leaks.
Got a direct link to your site with these? Can't find them.
I haven't listed them yet, but will do in a day, or two
Is the needle for the bladder included?
No, the needle needs to be purchased separately
13:45 loosing o-ring under screw
There is no o-ring under the bladder screws. Edit- There are o-rings under the bladder screws. Thanks for pointing this out...
@@TokyoOffroad did you check this timing? something loose from needle to floor
@@vladikkenguru - You were right! I just got back from riding searched the floor under where I did the installation work and found the o-ring. I didn't notice there were o-rings when I removed the screws. I re-install the o-ring tomorrow. Thanks!
Is it a good upgrade for 2024 closed cartridge fork?
Yes, it should be. As discussed in the video stiction will be reduced which should result in a plusher ride. I'll make a ride video which includes my ride impressions regarding the kit.
Hello Mark i just realized since it is a closed cartridge does that mean you can not have leaking fork seals? That would be amazing
There is still oil in the outer tubes, required to lubricate the tubing bushings and also damping (anti bottoming) control. As such if the fork seals go bad they will still leak oil. But the compression and rebound systems damping oil is contained in the inner chamber, separate from the outer tube oil.
Hey Mark great video.
Just I saw after you pump air something came off from the needle when you came out, is the. 13.45 minutes of the video. I hope you love this new update part!
Thanks for another great video. You are an excellent mechanic. I like that you’re descriptive when explaining what you’re doing or about to do, right down to the tools you’re using.
Surprised that nitrogen wasn’t suggested
Nitrogen is used in rear shocks because the shock temp is relatively high and nitrogen expands much less than air with increasing temp. With forks, they don't increase in temp significantly with use and as such air is commonly used. Of course you could use nitrogen (and I do have nitrogen), but there isn't a significant benefit.
How is you get exactly 27.38mm for your soft jaws?
I machined a 27.38mm bore in some 6061 aluminum billet 60mm diameter round stock on the lathe, then milled flats on each side and finally cut it in half.
going backwards to old oem tech…funny how the suspension world works
Indeed! I’m out riding on it today for the first time and it feels great. Much plusher than stock. Still great control and stability.
How much is the kit
LOL - I have a decent ‘09 300 XC and every time I demo a new bike, other than the counter balancer, I just don’t see the need for an upgrade. However, I just received an eBay purchase of a properly sprung set of forks and shock with the Race-Tech stuff. Cost me $500.
Considering all of the money saved over the years, I just might have to pick up a ‘25 WR250F. Those FXs have been really good for a long time.
lol more wp fixs , Xact not really just another foolery WP marketing term and havnt they had a lot of titles but all need a fix even if you weigh in the zone
The stock XACT forks on my 2024 KTM 300 EXC I like and are easily the best stock forks I've used. The bladder kit I fitted should make them even better, with less stiction.
@@TokyoOffroadI agree! The new forks are actually really good stock! Anything can get better! Thanks for your videos!
@@TokyoOffroad maybe if you are talking about all the attempts of WP over the last 10 years . Why is Stiction a issue for Hard enduro , do you use 3rd and 4th gear onwards for the Hard enduro They are great for content generation ktm proven because they are easily improved , noticeably improved by after market after sales content .