Growler48
I just took my Super Duke to Traxxion Dynamics, in Woodstock, Georgia, for a suspension upgrade. I had them install AK-20s in my forks and an MC/10 Triple Adjustable JRi rear shock. I know others have already had the AK-20s installed, but I have the first Super Duke in the world with a JRi shock, or so I'm told!
AK-20s
There's not much that I can post about the AK-20s. They are proprietary, precision made cartridge inserts. Traxxion had to machine them to fit for the installation. There's nothing external to see except the fork caps. I'm really happy that I now have the ability to adjust my preload. Rebound adjustment is still on the right fork and compression on the left. Here is what the new fork caps look like. The black adjuster is for preload.
The red adjuster is for rebound. The compression adjuster is silver.
JRi Shock
When I first contacted Traxxion, my intent was to go with an Ohlins shock, but I was concerned about the piggyback reservoir size. As you can see, there's not much room to play with when you have the Austin Racing GP1 Hi Slung exhaust system.
I measured 185mm from the top eyebolt center to the bottom of the reservoir. Traxxion told me that the same distance on the Ohlins shock was 200mm, so it wasn't going to work. My next choice was to go with Penske, but we found out that Penske wouldn't work either because something (can't remember what) wouldn't fit. I was frustrated at that point because I really wanted to replace the OEM shock. I then decided to just get the OEM shock revalved. After that plan was set in motion, the Traxxion rep told me that he thought a JRi shock might work for me. Of course, the first thing I said was that I've never heard of JRi, then asked about them and did some research. The folks that founded the company used to work for Fox Shocks and Penske Shocks and they are on par with those shocks. Based on what I was told and what I read, I decided to go for it. Traxxion contacted JRi, sent them the Ohlins spec sheet to build the shock from, and had them custom build one for me.
In addition to the shock, I got a Hyperco spring. Of course, I had to have it powder coated Orange! Traxxion sent the shock off to a powder coating shop that they use and the result was impressive! The local guy who powder coated my OEM spring did a poor job, so I was happy to get this one and have it turn out so nicely!
I arrived on a Thursday and dropped the bike off for installation. I was very impressed when they showed the shock to me. The finish was top notch. It also seemed much smaller in diameter than the OEM shock and was surprisingly light! The black, blue and Orange combo looked great, too!
I got a call later that day and was told that one of the eyebolts that came with the shock was the wrong size (12mm vs 14mm). I ended up staying in Atlanta to wait for the correct diameter eyebolt to be shipped. The new one was too long, so the technicians used the OEM eyebolt to measure from and machined it to the correct length. The installation went well after that. The shock would not fit with the reservoir on the right side, like the OEM shock, so it was mounted with the reservoir on the left. I don't think it makes a difference, but at least the reservoir won't be exposed to the heat of the exhaust pipe. The bike was then set up for me (preload, sag, compression and rebound).
When I picked the bike up, they told me that when they put the JRi shock on their dyno, they weren't happy with the results, so they spent about 2 hours re-valving it so that it performed to their specs. Also, when they handed me the OEM shock, I was surprised at just how heavy it was. It seemed twice as heavy as the JRi shock.
The Hyperco spring is smaller in diameter and provides for more space between it and the exhaust pipe.
Here is what the stock spring to exhaust pipe clearance looks like.
Here is what the Hyperco spring to exhaust pipe clearance looks like.
I'm really happy with Traxxion Dynamics and the work they did for me. They're perfectionists and it showed. If anyone else wants a set-up like this, I highly recommend using them. I wouldn't order directly from JRi without talking to the Traxxion folks first. If you go thru Traxxion, they'll have my specs to work from and should provide an uneventful experience.
I've had the bike out on a few rides and tried to find as many different situations as I could to test out the suspension, including some high speed runs. The suspension was flawless and was plush on bumpy surfaces and firm in the corners. The suspension no longer feels "wooden". It's more "responsive" now. A nice upgrade to the stock suspension!
A few pictures of the shock installed.
AK-20s
There's not much that I can post about the AK-20s. They are proprietary, precision made cartridge inserts. Traxxion had to machine them to fit for the installation. There's nothing external to see except the fork caps. I'm really happy that I now have the ability to adjust my preload. Rebound adjustment is still on the right fork and compression on the left. Here is what the new fork caps look like. The black adjuster is for preload.
The red adjuster is for rebound. The compression adjuster is silver.
JRi Shock
When I first contacted Traxxion, my intent was to go with an Ohlins shock, but I was concerned about the piggyback reservoir size. As you can see, there's not much room to play with when you have the Austin Racing GP1 Hi Slung exhaust system.
I measured 185mm from the top eyebolt center to the bottom of the reservoir. Traxxion told me that the same distance on the Ohlins shock was 200mm, so it wasn't going to work. My next choice was to go with Penske, but we found out that Penske wouldn't work either because something (can't remember what) wouldn't fit. I was frustrated at that point because I really wanted to replace the OEM shock. I then decided to just get the OEM shock revalved. After that plan was set in motion, the Traxxion rep told me that he thought a JRi shock might work for me. Of course, the first thing I said was that I've never heard of JRi, then asked about them and did some research. The folks that founded the company used to work for Fox Shocks and Penske Shocks and they are on par with those shocks. Based on what I was told and what I read, I decided to go for it. Traxxion contacted JRi, sent them the Ohlins spec sheet to build the shock from, and had them custom build one for me.
In addition to the shock, I got a Hyperco spring. Of course, I had to have it powder coated Orange! Traxxion sent the shock off to a powder coating shop that they use and the result was impressive! The local guy who powder coated my OEM spring did a poor job, so I was happy to get this one and have it turn out so nicely!
I arrived on a Thursday and dropped the bike off for installation. I was very impressed when they showed the shock to me. The finish was top notch. It also seemed much smaller in diameter than the OEM shock and was surprisingly light! The black, blue and Orange combo looked great, too!
I got a call later that day and was told that one of the eyebolts that came with the shock was the wrong size (12mm vs 14mm). I ended up staying in Atlanta to wait for the correct diameter eyebolt to be shipped. The new one was too long, so the technicians used the OEM eyebolt to measure from and machined it to the correct length. The installation went well after that. The shock would not fit with the reservoir on the right side, like the OEM shock, so it was mounted with the reservoir on the left. I don't think it makes a difference, but at least the reservoir won't be exposed to the heat of the exhaust pipe. The bike was then set up for me (preload, sag, compression and rebound).
When I picked the bike up, they told me that when they put the JRi shock on their dyno, they weren't happy with the results, so they spent about 2 hours re-valving it so that it performed to their specs. Also, when they handed me the OEM shock, I was surprised at just how heavy it was. It seemed twice as heavy as the JRi shock.
The Hyperco spring is smaller in diameter and provides for more space between it and the exhaust pipe.
Here is what the stock spring to exhaust pipe clearance looks like.
Here is what the Hyperco spring to exhaust pipe clearance looks like.
I'm really happy with Traxxion Dynamics and the work they did for me. They're perfectionists and it showed. If anyone else wants a set-up like this, I highly recommend using them. I wouldn't order directly from JRi without talking to the Traxxion folks first. If you go thru Traxxion, they'll have my specs to work from and should provide an uneventful experience.
I've had the bike out on a few rides and tried to find as many different situations as I could to test out the suspension, including some high speed runs. The suspension was flawless and was plush on bumpy surfaces and firm in the corners. The suspension no longer feels "wooden". It's more "responsive" now. A nice upgrade to the stock suspension!
A few pictures of the shock installed.