Author Topic: KDX200 1985 shock upgrade gold valve ?  (Read 13181 times)

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Offline topari

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KDX200 1985 shock upgrade gold valve ?
« on: April 24, 2016, 07:45:54 PM »
Just wondering if any KDX enthusiasts have upgraded the KDX200 internals ?

My observations:
1) the shim stack looks like it mostly orifice damping
2) the remote reservoir does not contain a piston or bladder just empty space ? So if I add 150PSI of N2 the gas and oil will probably mix ?
3) 14mm shaft and all steel body for a shock over 30 years old, it is in excellent condition.
4) the shocks mount upside down compared to other bikes.

I think a Gold Valve setup to suit would make a worthwhile difference.

Regards,

Tom
topari

1979 IT400F, 1984 kdx200

Offline Nathan S

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Re: KDX200 1985 shock upgrade gold valve ?
« Reply #1 on: April 24, 2016, 08:40:38 PM »
1. Yeah, pretty much. A Gold Valve has to be an improvement.

2. Are you sure? Isn't there a floating piston in there?

3. Alloy body.

4. Yeah. Apart from all the dirt sitting on the seal, it's got a lot going for it.

An early Suzuki floater shock can be made to fit, and has vastly superior internals. I'm pretty convinced that the reason the Floater zooks were so well regarded in their day is because Suzuki had 46mm pistons and decent valve pistons with decent shim stacks, while the other Japanese manufacturers were pissing about with itty-bitty little shock bodies and primitive valving.

The good thing about telling the truth is that you don't have to remember what you said.

Offline topari

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Re: KDX200 1985 shock upgrade gold valve ?
« Reply #2 on: April 24, 2016, 08:57:19 PM »
1. Yeah, pretty much. A Gold Valve has to be an improvement. I think so.

2. Are you sure? Isn't there a floating piston in there? Positive, I cut one open.

3. Alloy body. No steel.

4. Yeah. Apart from all the dirt sitting on the seal, it's got a lot going for it.  And rust.
topari

1979 IT400F, 1984 kdx200

Offline LWC82PE

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Re: KDX200 1985 shock upgrade gold valve ?
« Reply #3 on: April 24, 2016, 09:57:12 PM »
Where abouts did you cut it open? Are you sure the piston is not pushed to one end? I find it hard to believe this would be an emulsion shock.
Wanted - 1978 TS185 frame or frame&motor. Frame # TS1852-24007 up to TS1852-39022

Offline topari

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Re: KDX200 1985 shock upgrade gold valve ?
« Reply #4 on: April 24, 2016, 10:00:19 PM »
I will post some pictures. I cut it open about 20mm from the top.  It is a sealed unit. Just a valve for the hose and a schraeder valve for the n2.
topari

1979 IT400F, 1984 kdx200

Offline LWC82PE

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Re: KDX200 1985 shock upgrade gold valve ?
« Reply #5 on: April 24, 2016, 10:09:21 PM »
Have you got the Clymer workshop manual ;)
Wanted - 1978 TS185 frame or frame&motor. Frame # TS1852-24007 up to TS1852-39022

Offline topari

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Re: KDX200 1985 shock upgrade gold valve ?
« Reply #6 on: April 24, 2016, 10:10:32 PM »
Have you got the Clymer workshop manual ;)

No.
topari

1979 IT400F, 1984 kdx200

Offline LWC82PE

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Re: KDX200 1985 shock upgrade gold valve ?
« Reply #7 on: April 24, 2016, 10:13:11 PM »
Well it tells you how to rebuild this shock. No need to work blindly.
Wanted - 1978 TS185 frame or frame&motor. Frame # TS1852-24007 up to TS1852-39022

Offline topari

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Re: KDX200 1985 shock upgrade gold valve ?
« Reply #8 on: April 24, 2016, 10:17:00 PM »
Thanks.
topari

1979 IT400F, 1984 kdx200

Offline tymes

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Re: KDX200 1985 shock upgrade gold valve ?
« Reply #9 on: April 25, 2016, 03:44:12 AM »
I have rebuilt a couple of mine, they are very easy to do.

I haven’t done any modifications except Mrs KDX has a lowing kit installed.

We dont race for gold but we do heaps of vinduro, the rear suspension feels very good on both and the big difference came by installing the correct spring rates for us. Heavier springs are a bit hard to come by, you have to watch the diameter of them as they will rub on air intake boot.

The remote has a piston in it that needs to be set to the correct position when you fill the shock before you charge it.

I picked up a racetech remote with blader and valved adjustment that I am going to try on the next shock I have to rebuild, just got to get around to it.

Offline Gday

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Re: KDX200 1985 shock upgrade gold valve ?
« Reply #10 on: April 25, 2016, 01:37:26 PM »
Tunes- I'm looking for a heavier spring for my 84 Kdx 200, 90kg rider - can you tell me what you found fitted?

Offline tymes

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Re: KDX200 1985 shock upgrade gold valve ?
« Reply #11 on: April 25, 2016, 03:21:45 PM »
I used a racetech 5kg with collars but had to do something about it rubbing on the air thing. There is an ebach one that fits  "BUT" it starts at 5.8kg.
I ended up getting two springs wound by king springs in QLD the same size as the original in the weight I wanted. They came in any colour you want that is yellow.
Im a few kgs heavier than you but only calculated my spring rates front and rear at a low rider level and enduro using the ractech calculator.
The 5kg spring only has about 7 mm of pre load on my shock to give me the right sag. The original spring with like about two inches of pre load was WAY too soft I think it was made for my eight year old.
The shocks are also only charged at the lower recommended pressure of the spec and filled with 5w oil. They have MSR or All Balls seal heads that are easy to get. The orings are easy to get from CBC bearings. The little one on the end of the adjuster shaft is a little tricky but shoiuldnt be to hard following the manual if you have one.
If you go a gold valve you will need someone to set up the washer stack unless your willing to trial and error it.
The final spring rate will depend on whatever your going to be riding, motorcross enduro trail ???
Rebuilt from head to toe the best money I have spent on my bike has been the money spent on suspension.
From a Vinduro perspective comfortable plushness with bottoming resistance makes it a pleasure to ride for two days. Its all about the wheel staying in contact with the ground over the terrain. VMX is a different thing and would want a stiffer setup.

Offline Nathan S

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Re: KDX200 1985 shock upgrade gold valve ?
« Reply #12 on: April 25, 2016, 08:02:08 PM »
Steel body, no floating piston... Sounds like it's not a KDX200 shock.

Any photos?
The good thing about telling the truth is that you don't have to remember what you said.

Offline topari

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Re: KDX200 1985 shock upgrade gold valve ?
« Reply #13 on: April 25, 2016, 08:39:35 PM »
Found the camera. Picture is the insides of a reservoir. Next is the shock. There is no piston in the reservoir. Looks like an emulsion shock.
BTW I have 3 kdx200 shocks. Ebay specials :)

« Last Edit: April 25, 2016, 08:47:22 PM by topari »
topari

1979 IT400F, 1984 kdx200

Offline LWC82PE

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Re: KDX200 1985 shock upgrade gold valve ?
« Reply #14 on: April 25, 2016, 08:50:15 PM »
The Clymer manual i looked at shows a floating piston for the 85 shock, tells you the depth to set it at, gas presure etc
« Last Edit: April 25, 2016, 08:52:53 PM by LWC82PE »
Wanted - 1978 TS185 frame or frame&motor. Frame # TS1852-24007 up to TS1852-39022