2023 KTM 450SXF Bike Build (Update 14 - WP vs KYB Fork Testing)

Hello,

The 2023 Ride JBI R&D KTM 450SXF bike build is underway. 

Much of the 2023 KTM 450SXF has been dis-assembled.  Some items are being sent out for coatings while the majority of the dis-assembly is to get more familiar working on the new bike while double checking all the bolts, fittings, parts, and components of the bike.  Sometimes new bikes are not always built perfect at the factory and many of those accidental flaws / errors can easily be resolved while the bike is still new / fresh.  So far nothing has been found to be incorrect or missing.

The swingarm has been removed as this item will be coated with cerakote graphite black.  While not an identical match to the matte black frame it is close and will compliment well.  Before having the swing arm coated all of the swingarm M6 bolt holes were chased with a thread tap to remove the left over loctite.  The chain adjuster bolt holes were lubed with water proof grease to help reduce the odds of the bolts & threads corroding over time due to moisture getting inside the swingarm.  This was done before the coating to verify all the threads are 100% correct so we are not trying to resolve any issues after the coating has been applied.  The swingarm will still need the M6 bolt holes double checked with the thread tap and the chain adjuster bolt holes will need grease again after the cerkoate has been applied but the small extra step / time helps ensure everything will re-assemble perfect.

The linkage has been regreased and the linkage seals have been verified to be fully seated in the linkage knuckle.

The motor mount engine hangers have been removed as these items will also be coated with cerakote graphite black.  Ride JBI does have interest in testing different motor mounts but for now the focus is keeping chassis components stock and only changing the suspension settings while testing.  This ensures the suspension testing feedback and data is isolated to the suspension changes and not coming from other mods on the chassis. 

The chain adjuster axle blocks will also be coated with cerakote graphite black.  The axle block threaded onto the axle was removed after applying heat and fixturing the axle in a suspension vise that is specific for clamping round items.  The vise makes removal and the install much easier.

A black plastic kit is on order however the kit does not include the lower / underside airbox plastic piece which stock is the color white.  A 2 stroke version is available but was not able to locate a 4 stroke version of the black underside airbox plastic.  The underside airbox plastic will also be getting coated with a cerakote black, but an air cure version.  This is not expected to the final solution but a temporary one until the plastic piece is available in black.  Having seen other plastic parts treated with cerakote successfully it seemed like a easy choice.  Yes, tire roost is probably going to wreck the cerakote coating but it will be fun to see how long it last.

Here’s a few pictures and short video of the progress so far.

Hello,

Brief update today

The swingarm, axle blocks, and engine mounts have completed the cerakote coating process.

The color is graphite black.  Again not an identical match to the matte frame but compliments well.

Here are a few pics of the returned items.

 The plastic  lower airbox piece is an air cure coating.  The piece has been coated but still needs a few more days to fully cure before handling. 

New swing arm bearing seals are set to arrive early next week.  Then the swing arm bearings will be greased and installed readying the swing arm for mounting back to the frame.

Some items coming up next on the build is bike graphics, selecting what suspension to use, other cerakoted parts, and some other small but neat upgrades.

Hello,

Another update on the 2023 KTM 450SXF JBI R&D Bike Build.

Near Ride JBI HQ is Era Moto, a graphics company with an interactive graphics builder aka "Era Design Lab" on their website www.EraMoto.com.  Using the Era Moto Design Lab online software I designed the graphics for the bike build and created a render of the bike.  Beyond being able to modify bike features such as plastic color, graphic color, and logo placements; bike features such as bike frame color, suspension color, swing arm color and wheel/hub color can also be modified when using the Era Moto Desgn lab.  This helpful for providing a more complete rendering of what is envisioned on the bike build.

Yes in the picture below a 2022 KTM model is shown, but you get the idea.

The custom Ride JBI graphics have been printed but the black plastics are on back order along with a complete black seat.  So we patiently wait....

The main colors for the bike build are black and grey with a few small brown and red accents.
This matches well with the suspension that will be mounted on the bike (more on that in another post).

A few more additional items have returned to Ride JBI HQ.

These items are the engine mounting bolts and engine valve cover that were cerakote coated gold.
The gold color was chosen to compliment the gold JBI Titanium bolts used on the subframe, triple clamps, and fork axle lugs.  Curious to see if the cerakote coating on the two long engine bolts would prevent the bolts from forming rust.  Over time bikes often form rust on these long bolts from water / moisture collection between the bolt and bike frame / engine case. 

Hello again

Another brief update on the 2023 KTM 450SXF JBI R&D bike build.

Back in early 2022 a customer / friend stopped by Ride JBI HQ in need of a fork service for his WP Closed Cartridge Bladder forks off his 2014 KTM 250SX.  The WP forks featured a Gold TiN coating on the lower tubes and even after 300hours of ride time the gold TiN coating on the inner tubes show very little signs of wear.  This is very impressive for a TiN coating and usually only achieved with DLC.  Luckily the customer was able to remember the coating facility and share the info.  Ride JBI HQ is always looking for new companies to work with so I saved this info for future reference.  

As the color scheme of the 2023 KTM 450SXF JBI R&D bike build came together it became apparent
that the bikes front axle, rear axle, swing arm bolt, and linkage bolts could all be gold TiN coated to continue the gold bolt theme throughout the bike.  Now if you are thinking to yourself…..wait isnt the front axle and swing arm bolt covered up; so the bolts won’t be seen?  Well yes, you are correct.  So why do it?  Well because we can and why not try and see what happens.

When it comes to achieving consistent coating results, Ride JBI has learned surface prep is critical.
The steel linkage bolts already featured a very smooth chrome like top coating on the bolts so no additional surface prep is needed.
After 3 hours of ride time the front and rear axle bolts along with the swing arm pivot bolt already had some very light wear marks from the bearings.  A neighboring business provides REM Superfinishing so these bolts were walked across the parking lot and put thru the REM Superfinishing process.  Mistakingly I did not get photos of the bolts after the REM Superfinish process.  The bolts did come back perfectly smooth without any wear marks making them ready for the gold TiN coating.  

A set of extra Showa 49mm inner tubes were also packaged up with the bolts and sent off to the coating facility.  
We now eagerly await the return of the parts for evaluation, install and testing.  If all goes as planned this could new a new coating option offered by Ride JBI.  But first we try with our own parts and evaluate the results over time.

Hello again

Update #5 on the 2023 KTM 450SXF JBI R&D bike build

The KTM linkage bolts, front and rear wheel axles, and swing arm axle have returned from the PVD coating vendor.  The Showa 49mm fork tubes were also completed and returned (no pics).
At glance the bolts look awesome and have a rich metallic shiny gold finish.  
The gold finish is perfect for the aesthetic on this bike build to match the JBI Titanium gold bolts.
The KTM bolts and axles surface finish is not nearly as good as I was expecting / hoping for.
While TiN Gold coating is smooth and will work just fine for each parts application the coating is not smoother then the original bolt surface finish.  Usually coatings replicate the surface finish the coating is applied too.  Since all the bolts and axles were new / like new and a few parts received additional surface prep before the coating to ensure a smooth surface finish this is somewhat disappointing.  
When compared to the JBI DLC Coating which has a black mirror finish; the JBI DLC coating is magnitudes better then this TiN Gold coating.    
The Showa fork tubes came out even worse in surface finish.  The Showa inner tubes will be scrapped because the surface finish is worse then the original chrome finish.

While its a bummer this coating attempt did not work out exactly as hoped for, Ride JBI learned and will follow up with the vendor on if any adjustments can be made.  If not possible with this vendor there are plenty other TiN coating companies that Ride JBI will seek out to work with.

This leaves the remounting of the swing arm back to the bike, along with the suspension and wheels.

The black plastics are still on back order along with the black seat.  Hopefully those items become available soon.
The 2023 KTM 450SXF JBI R&D bike build is not far off from being completed and ready to ride.

Hello again,

Update #6 on the Ride JBI 2023 KTM 450SXF R&D bike build.

The aesthetic look of the bike is beginning to emerge as the coated parts are remounted / installed back onto the 2023 KTM 450SXF.  
The graphite black cerakote coated swing arm has been remounted with the gold TiN coated swing arm axle bolt.
The graphite black cerakote coated engine mounts have been remounted with the gold cerakote coated bolts.
Also complimenting are the gold cerakote coated engine / chassis frame bolts and JBI Titanium Gold bolts on the triple clamps, fork axle pinch bolts, and lower sub frame bolts.  JBI Titanium Bolts Link (Click Here)
To match this bike builds color scheme and also providing setup options for future testing the Luxon MX adjustable link was ordered and will be used.  The Luxon MX link is black and the adjusters are gold.  Perfect

The suspension has started to be remounted to the bike.  
The forks on the bike are the JBI Suspension Moto Spec WP XACT Pro 6500 kit with a matching JBI Suspension test setting B WP Shock.  Laid out next to the bike are SOME of the additional forks and shock that will be used during testing and suspension development of the 2023 KTM / Husky chassis.  More of on that later.

At this point the main hold up is the black plastics.  Hopefully soon this item is restocked and available.

Hello again,

Update #7 on the Ride JBI 2023 KTM 450SXF R&D bike build.

Growing tired of waiting on the black plastics to become available I had a friend paint the oem plastics all black resulting in a finish much better then expected.  Next is applying the graphics.  

The 2023 KTM Luxon MX adjustable link arrived to Ride JBI HQ.  The black and gold color of the Luxon MX link match perfect with the Ride JBI 450SXF bike build.  Beyond the product aesthetics the main reason this link was selected is the adjustable length feature.  The additional tuning kit was also purchased which allows for even finer tuning of the link length thereby altering seat height lower or higher.  This added tuning ability is very helpful when testing and developing suspension settings.

Hello again,

Update #8 on the Ride JBI 2023 KTM 450SXF R&D bike build.

The Era Moto Co graphics are applied to the black painted plastics.

Hello again,

Update #9 on the Ride JBI 2023 KTM 450SXF R&D bike build.

Will definitely share an update on the plastics. 

After 10 hours of use there are a few wear spots.

Unsure about the clear coat finish.  Ill ask him. 

The walk around video of the 2023 Ride JBI KTM 450SXF R&D bike

Hello again,

Update #10 on the Ride JBI 2023 KTM 450SXF R&D Bike Build

The JBI Suspension testing, tuning, and development of the 2023 KTM 450SXF suspension has begun.

Fork Info
JBI Spec WP XACT 6500 Kit
Kashima coated upper tubes
DLC coated lower tubes
Cerakote black fork lugs with JBI titanium gold bolts.

Shock Info
JBI Spec WP 2023 OEM Linkage Shock
Luxon MX Link (Standard length)
JBI Suspension 2023 WP Shock Bladder Kit in development  (more info to come)

Not shown is the other test set of JBI Spec WP XACT 6500 forks and other JBI Spec WP 2023 OEM Link Shock.
The extra set of suspension of the same components allow for back to back testing of different setups.  Usually one suspension setup is built to the current best setting which serves as the benchmark / reference point.  While the other setup is built differently based on the desired goal.  Having a clear benchmark / reference point makes suspension comparison testing much easier and efficient. 

Whats up Bruce!  Good to hear from you.

It is impressive you broke a JBI Tank Removal tool.  Those things are made of tough 4140 Steel Alloy
Equally impressive is the strength and amount of loctite those WP nitrogen cylinders are assembled with!

Hows the replacement warranty tool be working?

Congrats on the new bike!  Hmmmm.  This is where it helps to carry shock springs in gaps of 2Nm instead of gaps of 3Nm like WP does.

A 51Nmm would be a little too soft, but a 54N would be over kill.

I think a 52Nmm would the best spring rate.  That spring rate with 7-9mm of preload would probably result in 104-106mm of race sag for you.  These are in stock at the shop if your interested, just give me call or email. 

Hey Bruce,

Great find on the black air box. 

Is the lower airbox the same on the SXF and XCF models?  I see that one is listed for the two stroke models.

Im curious to hear your feedback once you receive it. 

Whats up Bruce!

Solid work trimming away the side panel for easier access to the shock compression adjuster assembly. 

Thanks for the update on the black airbox plastic.  Glad to see it fits the four stroke models as well. 

How much ride time do you have on the new bike?

Bruce,

Glad to hear you are logging in hours on the new bike!

Thank you.  The new JBI Suspension 2023 WP Linkage Shock Bladder Kit has come together really nicely in all aspects, design, development, and testing.

If production stays on schedule, the new bladder kits will be available at the end of the month or early September.

Here are a few YouTube videos that document the development of the 2023 WP Linkage Shock Bladder Kits.

Lately Ride JBI has been doing lots of WP vs KYB testing and rider feedback/reviews. 

A common question is which is better "WP XACT 6500 or WP Cone Valve vs the KYB SSS kit.

So I figured the best way to answer this question was a video series of riders sharing their opinions after riding each setup back to back.  Those videos and info will be posted later. 

2023 KTM 450SXF Bike Build
Update 12 - JBI Spec KYB SSS KTM Forks

Here's a look at the JBI Spec KYB SSS KTM forks that were built for continued testing and settings development.

These JBI Spec KYB SSS KTM forks are tested and compared directly against our JBI Spec WP XACT Pro 6500 and JBI Spec WP Cone Valve setups.

2023 KTM 450SXF Bike Build
Update 13 - WP Shock Bladder Kit

Using the 2023 Ride JBI KTM 450SXF R&D bike the JBI Suspension 2023 WP Linkage Shock Bladder Kit has completed development, testing, revisions, and production.

With proud excitement Ride JBI is pleased to announce the arrival of the 2023 WP Linkage Shock Bladder Kit.

In the threads above there are YouTube videos that share insight into the development and testing process of this bladder kit which began back in December 2022.