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Makes And Models => Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2013+ => Topic started by: morimaxx on August 17, 2016, 09:02:13 PM
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As the FastAce suspension on my Zero S 2013 feels a bit weak for that bike: Are there any suitable shocks and/or forks available which fit on my Zero?
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I wouldn't replace them, but instead find a suspension pro and let him work on your shocks.
you will not beleive what revalving and oil change can do.
These fastace sho ks are not as bad as you think.
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+1 on getting your Fast Ace units set up properly. There's just no comparison now between the fork on my dirt bike (just springs and oil, no revalving yet) and the untouched one on my 'street' FX, which is still harsh and bouncy.
Ray
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If it is the same FastAce as the 2014 Zero S, I am pretty happy with it. The adjustments actually are in the proper range (I weigh 180 pounds). Here were my initial settings set up by Catalyst Reaction: http://electricmotorcycleforum.com/boards/index.php?topic=4550.msg30175#msg30175 (http://electricmotorcycleforum.com/boards/index.php?topic=4550.msg30175#msg30175)
I have since dialed it back a few clicks for the rear compression dampening (12 out?). But that gives you an idea of the range...
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As the FastAce suspension on my Zero S 2013 feels a bit weak for that bike: Are there any suitable shocks and/or forks available which fit on my Zero?
When you say "feels weak" what do you mean?
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As the FastAce suspension on my Zero S 2013 feels a bit weak for that bike: Are there any suitable shocks and/or forks available which fit on my Zero?
When you say "feels weak" what do you mean?
I can say for sure that my 13DS does not commute on 880 remotely as competently as my DSR because the suspension is weaker.
I have to admit that I'll now get the 13DS' suspension worked on to get some more life out of it.
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Fork friction is quite high, fork feels very stiff and bumpy. Shock and fork seems only following slow bumps, faster ones appear quite harsh. Rebound adjustments are more or less effective, but compression adjustments are not noticeable/satisfying neither fork nor rear shock. Did propper setting of spring preload of rear shock, replaced all wheel bearings recently and adjusted steering bearings. Did oil replacement of fork including seals in spring this year. My motorcycle mechanic who did the bearings replacement recently gave me the hint that there is a little mechanical acting of the guide inside the fork which seems worn out. Drove 43000 km so far.
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I'm in contact with a suspension specialist (Franz Racing Suspension www.franzracing.de (http://www.franzracing.de)) and he is not sure if he can get all replacement parts needed. But I'll give it a try if possible and will post results here.
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I'll give it a try if possible and will post results here.
That would be great. I made a diagram of my 2014 43mm forks - I don't know how close it is to the 2013 forks, but I'll post it this weekend in case it's helpful. Maybe you could ask Franz Racing to take some photos with the forks apart (anything would be helpful).
The Teflon stanchion lube (Finish Line) I use on my fork tubes reduces seal friction a lot, especially as the seals get worn. It used to work for weeks, but now it's just a few rides. The Red Line Likewater oil (@ 1.5W) reduced the excessive damping too.
I've been looking for FastAce parts (other than seals) for over a year, and couldn't find anything for the models Zero uses.
Ray
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Here's the diagram - it's for the '14 FX forks, which I think are nearly identical to the other 43's except for travel & springs/spacers:
(http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/rayivers/FastAce%20APX05RC%20Fork%20Diagram.jpg)
This fork appears to be a 43mm cosmetic (external) copy of the '04 Honda CR250 47mm Showa forks, with rebound-up internals from the '95 CR250 43mm Showas.
Ray
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So Morimaxx. are you rebuilding or replacing the FastAce?
I agree, they're pretty ordinary.
The whole front end seems a bit unbalanced to me.
Has anybody done mods on the front end they're happy with?
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I had the forks on my 2014 SR upgraded with Racetech valves and new springs. Made a massive difference for track racing.
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We will try to rebuild the FastAce shock and forks if Franz Racing can do it.
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2016 Fastace catalog
http://e.issuu.com/embed.html#1116329/31832962 (http://e.issuu.com/embed.html#1116329/31832962)
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Today I got my Zero S 2013 back from a suspension specialist. It was not at Franz Racing but at Maniacmotors http://www.maniacmotors.de/fahrwerk.php (http://www.maniacmotors.de/fahrwerk.php) because they are next to me and offer custom made rear shocks from Wilbers. Wilbers itself offers aftermarket shocks for Zero 2014 or newer:
https://www.wilbers-shop.de/index.php?cl=alist&cnid=ce486575cff2b6ffcc426f00ff9e98cb&fnc=showList&manufacturer=amu5e4136ae98d5a8327b54d6aadf5d7&year=2014&catname=ce486575cff2b6ffcc426f00ff9e98cb (https://www.wilbers-shop.de/index.php?cl=alist&cnid=ce486575cff2b6ffcc426f00ff9e98cb&fnc=showList&manufacturer=amu5e4136ae98d5a8327b54d6aadf5d7&year=2014&catname=ce486575cff2b6ffcc426f00ff9e98cb)
But for my MY 2013 they were not able to get any suitable rear shock as the space on the 2013 swingarm is so limited. A rebuild was also not possible as they did not get spare parts for rear shock from fastace. Same for the fork they were not able to get any spare parts. Fastace itself did not reply, and the dimensions of spare parts differ from any other fork they have seen before so they were not able to rebuild fork also.
After two months sitting at their shop I have still a worn fork and rear shock. I told that to my Zero dealer and he will ask Zero if there exist new replacement fork and shocks for 2013 at least. If not it would be a end of life for my Zero 2013 far too soon.
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For me, having the physical specs of my shock and front/rear springs changed everything, and allowed me to look for replacements on my own. I quickly realized I'd have a hard time finding an integral-reservoir shock that fit (solution: Zero optional Fox shock) or springs that were correct for my weight and riding style (solution: Cannon Racecraft).
Re your shock: Y.S.S. (http://www.yssusa.com/series-x.html) has 3 monoshock models without reservoirs and 5 with remote reservoirs, are available in all sorts of lengths and lower mount options, and come fitted with spring & valving determined by a program using input from a short form you fill out online with swingarm measurements, riding style, weight, etc. I can pretty much guarantee at least one of them will fit your bike and work well. The Y.S.S. shocks on my vintage bike are at least the quality of the Fox shock, maybe better. My shock installation thread (http://electricmotorcycleforum.com/boards/index.php?topic=4465.msg32394#msg32394) has spring details etc. Bear in mind that since hardly any Zero component substitution will be a drop-in replacement, you may need some custom spacers etc. made.
As I've posted in my fork threads one (http://electricmotorcycleforum.com/boards/index.php?topic=4929.msg37204#msg37204) and two (http://electricmotorcycleforum.com/boards/index.php?topic=5323.msg37664#msg37664), fork springs aren't hard to upgrade once you have the dimensions and initial spring rate (calculated online using spring measurements & coil count). Once you've decided on a new rate - say, 10% softer or whatever - Cannon (http://www.cannonracecraft.com/) can hook you up. The Red Line LikeWater oil also made a big difference, especially on sharp impacts. IMO it's critical to set all compression and rebound settings to zero, otherwise the thinner oil won't make enough of a difference to really be worth doing.
Ray
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(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170317/bbb77273354d6b0f9fa7b77c76b2a62d.jpg)
Just strengthening what Ray wrote about the red stuff [emoji3]
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Just strengthening what Ray wrote about the red stuff [emoji3]
Odedmaz - I see that you've rebuilt the FastAce shock on the model S before. I am rebuilding the FastAce shock on my 2014 model S, and have not been able to find any specifications for it. Would you mind sharing the quantity/volume and type of shock oil that you used, as well as how much nitrogen pressure you used?
Thanks much!
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Hi,
It was a FX 2014 model, and actually a suspension specialist did all the work, so I have no specs.
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With my Zero DS 2013 the front fork was not very stable.
Dealer worked on it but nothing (bearings where fine and stuff).
So out of frustration I was adjusting some on the fork.
My starting point:
* it's probably wear.
So I put both forks about 2 marks more above the 'steering bracket'.
Than I rotated both a quarter turn (90°) in their 'bracket' and....... it worked !!
Front fork was more solid again.
After some adjusting front and back settings for 2 days I was and am happy again with the handling.
Just my experience, maybe totally #$%!@, but oke 8)
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Hi,
It was a FX 2014 model, and actually a suspension specialist did all the work, so I have no specs.
Oh well - glad it worked out for you!