Forks bottoming out after factory connection work

Unfortunately I've been on a similar ride with Factory Connection multiple times.

Always too soft, once they accidentally mixed up my A-kit suspension with another rider (who was like 100 pounds lighter than me) and sent it back to me setup for him. Another time I got multiple shock springs back, so a few people were surely missing theirs.

All of this on my shipping dime ($100s) and the time it takes out of your riding season and the hassle of tearing your bike apart multiple times.

Factory Connection. Never Again. Period.

So $1400 worth of work, and the forks are set up so bad that  blow the cartridge seals on the first ride? 

Ok then. 

Let's open a suspension shop.

That sounds awfully light, my Kyb converted ktm 350 forks are 4.8 from Enzo and I weigh 155lb

4 stroke are a lot heavier and put a lot of weight on front end so they need beefier springs.

Rm250 came stock with 44 or 45 kg.mm and that was good for 180lbs

Nothing like charging full coin to swap parts that aren't worn out

IDK....I would probably cut my losses and go back to the local guy. 

Just came across this thread and, if you're still around, was curious how things turned out.

Man that's rough for that price.  I've used Graeme Broughe for my last few bikes.  I'm 240 without gear and have always gone a bit  stiffer on the springs and softer on my clickers.  GB has valved my stuff so perfectly out the gate that I very rarely touch my clickers. Super push.  Controlled. Predictable and confidence inspiring.  All for half what FC charges. On top of this GB's a good dude. Always take the time to listen to what you need and always available for questions. 

I tried FC out for my RM250 I rebuilt. I was really happy with that they did it wasn’t cheap tho. Seemed more firm initially and didn’t blow through the stroke. Believe they had me running .44 in the front and 4.8 in the rear I’m 150lbs. I can’t imagine fc would mess up showas you would think they would have a ton of data on them.

@RideJBI does awesome work , and rides a lot of the stuff he sets up.  highly recommend him.  have had stuff done by FC, Enzo and JBI.  go jb

I searched a few suspension threads, it seems like most ship it back 2-3 times for any co.  I dropped mine off at a shop & they shipped it. Setup for a top 40b rider that I didn’t request.  I think riders should set it up for there 1st 2 laps of racing.  The most important, in the 125 class I would say that’s Expert level .  Forks R Way too soft now .  The 1st 2 laps everyone is wo & grouped up . Not a good time to be swamping .  What’s your opinion? 

One or two rates on the springs won't have much effect on bottoming, oil level...ya

The bottoming issue could be a few different things, depending on what they did internally.

Valving sure, defective cartridge, or something with the hydro stops, hard to know without inspecting it.

It's easy to check blown cart seals as they will leak oil down the shaft when compressed also they will cavitate...which you can hear as well as see because the rod won't fully extend.

I would like to see what they did with the valving, as well as check the condition of the hydro stops.

It's ok for a fork to bottom about once a lap, I've had forks that were awesome but every once in a while if I oj-d a jump I'd get a wicked metal to metal bang..normal.

Sounds like there's definitely an issue with your setup.

Hopefully, they get it sorted this time.

Just as a recommendation, if you have a local tuner, I would be inclined to stick with him and here's why.

If you can establish a good relationship with him and he is willing to help you work out any complaints....that's gold!

Tuners don't always nail a tune the first or even second time.

I do most of my own tuning and service now, but in the past I have worked closely with tuners to hone in on a desired setting and this can take several revisions.

I never expect a tuner to give me free time or parts unless it's miles off, 

so I'll pay what's fair and agreeable with the tuner, just have that conversation!

You could have taken your forks to your local tuner and paid him to sort out the problem, which is what I'd do if fc doesn't nail it this time.

I’m no expert but I agree on those springs being light.  

I did the same with Racetech! Very disappointed 

It sounds like something may have been stuck between the shim and head on the rebound stack so on compression oil was not sealed blocking it off.