2017 ktm 350 SXF forks

JCMX421
Posts
48
Joined
7/27/2023
Location
Williamstown, NJ, USA
Edited Date/Time 8/5/2023 8:55am
 

Hey guys

Noticed yesterday when doing some maintenance that my forks are making a harsh creaking sound when compressing, I checked all torque specs in the triple clamps and checked for any binding and doesn’t seem like anything’s off, not any serious falls lately and not any noticeable leaks around the seals. I was planning on sending them out this winter for service and tuning to solid performance. But any recommendations on what I could check/adjust that might help, I’m going to post a video here shortly. 

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willbilly
Posts
407
Joined
6/28/2016
Location
Corpus Christi, TX, USA
8/6/2023 6:59pm

When were they last serviced? Inner and outer chambers along with air cartridge. 

TDC
Posts
394
Joined
8/4/2023
Location
HTown, TX, USA
8/6/2023 8:02pm

For the price of a re-valve and springs you can buy used SSS YZ forks or partial front end. All you have to do is shim the stawk bottom triple clamp. I 1st swapped to Showa 1st gens, that required upper and lower shims. They say 2nd gen are 'day and night better, FYI. These should be cheaper. 

JCMX421
Posts
48
Joined
7/27/2023
Location
Williamstown, NJ, USA
8/7/2023 8:54am
willbilly wrote:

When were they last serviced? Inner and outer chambers along with air cartridge. 

Probably never previous owner didn’t take care of the bike really other then oil and filter changes 

JCMX421
Posts
48
Joined
7/27/2023
Location
Williamstown, NJ, USA
8/7/2023 8:56am
TDC wrote:
For the price of a re-valve and springs you can buy used SSS YZ forks or partial front end. All you have to do is shim...

For the price of a re-valve and springs you can buy used SSS YZ forks or partial front end. All you have to do is shim the stawk bottom triple clamp. I 1st swapped to Showa 1st gens, that required upper and lower shims. They say 2nd gen are 'day and night better, FYI. These should be cheaper. 

Good to know I’ll look into it and see if I can find any. 

The Shop

YZed250
Posts
1341
Joined
11/9/2014
Location
Costa Mesa, CA, USA
8/7/2023 1:35pm

1. They are cheap to service and setup. They have some good potential when you grease the air side and revalve. I would probably get a service done during the season in case you break something. 

2. You might be able to pickup a newer set of 2021-2022 XACT cartridges as a DIY drop-in upgrade. FYI, you might need bottoming cones, too. That would also be pretty inexpensive and a nice update to replace your 2017 AER inserts. 

JCMX421
Posts
48
Joined
7/27/2023
Location
Williamstown, NJ, USA
8/7/2023 2:44pm
YZed250 wrote:
1. They are cheap to service and setup. They have some good potential when you grease the air side and revalve. I would probably get a...

1. They are cheap to service and setup. They have some good potential when you grease the air side and revalve. I would probably get a service done during the season in case you break something. 

2. You might be able to pickup a newer set of 2021-2022 XACT cartridges as a DIY drop-in upgrade. FYI, you might need bottoming cones, too. That would also be pretty inexpensive and a nice update to replace your 2017 AER inserts. 

Yeah I got in touch with solid performance they’re a really great service center for wp by me and I’m sending them my shock and forks for service and tuning and it’ll run about 500, not the worst but it needs it I mean bikes at 114 hours it’s not like it’s just been sitting in a shed it’s been through a lot lol. 

1
willbilly
Posts
407
Joined
6/28/2016
Location
Corpus Christi, TX, USA
8/7/2023 7:15pm

My guess about the sound the forks are making is the air chamber is dry. It requires a special grease. I use Race Tech seal grease others use Slickoleum. You could let the air out of the air chamber slowly. Remove the schraeder valve and using a syringe squirt 5ml of fork oil in the valve stem. That would help troubleshoot but the forks should be serviced soon. 

1

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