Hey all - have worked on forks on my dirt bike, supermotos, and Grom but never on a proper full sized sport(touring)bike. I'm looking at a kit to get everything needed, and want something in between the $80 kit on Amazon and the $800 K-Tech kit. Anyone have any recommendations? First bike it'd be used on would be a 2016 S1000XR. Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Service-Inverted-Forks-Traxxion-Dynamics/dp/B08V6Z3JT2/ref=asc_df_B08V6Z3JT2/ K-Tech: https://www.ktechsuspensionusa.com/tool-kit-front-fork-dealer-dds-113-100-155.html
Im pretty sure MotionPro has what you need ala cart. I would start with the seal driver, damping rod spanner, and soft jaws. https://www.motionpro.com/c/suspension
Unless you have another set of helping hands, a fork spring compressor is very useful. Seal drivers are also handy. A couple of wood V-blocks for your vice is nice to have, too
Race Tech and Traxxion Dynamics are also good sources for tools. You can also make use of other tools you may have. I use a couple brackets mounted to a small hydraulic press for my fork work.
that $80 kit has everything you 'have to have.' A spring compressor is nice, and after using one it's hard to imagine going back, but the first 15 years without one were fine too. Damper cartridge holding tool is pretty much needed to remove them unless you're ok with risking sticking a pry bar down there or something similar. For shock work a spring compressor is a must have.
Second buying a la carte from motion pro. Seal driver, fork oil level, damper rod. Something like the Racetech TFSC Fork Spring Compressor is also really nice to have. First time I borrowed one, immediately went on the list of tools to buy. Buy or make an adaptor to go from that big hex to something you can drive with a power drill.
Hey @SuddenBraking i have a couple of these still new in the wrapper. I appreciate you taking care of me on that KX65. They are yours if you want them. I’ve owned them for at least 10 years, I can’t remember what bike I bought them for, but they are pretty universal if the size fits.
Hey @Boman Forklift - appreciate the offer but I'll likely just make something out of wood for the random times I need to hold a fork leg But please do let me know the next time you're visiting Tyler and we can figure out a way for us to buy each other beers (and I've got plenty of bikes if you or him wanted to go for a ride).
That would be awesome, how far are you away from Manhattan? You sure? They have been in the tool box since 2010 ish. You may as well use them. Forgot I had the fork cartridge holding tool too.
Hey @Boman Forklift - tools arrived yesterday. Thanks again, and I hope that you and yours had a great holiday!
Glad the tools made it. I would like to try and hook up next time I’m there. Maybe we can get @BigBird to meet us too.
