WP suspension on a Stark

[drehwurm68]

Well, here is my interpretation of WP suspension on the Stark. I didn't want to go as far a cutting into the frame, but one of the advantages of the WP stuff is that it is modular and there are quite a few different parts available. There are a few options in the Xact Pro shock series, but the shock used above, 19-22 Xact Pro 8950 part#18180T07SET, checks most of the boxes. In general with the Supertrax system on the pro shock it is way easier to swap out the top shock body than to fiddle with the clevis where the rebound and fast rebound (Supertrax) is located. It also helped that the previous gen shocks (19-22) can be found for little money and I got a new shock for almost 60% off of MSRP. So I started with that:



turned it into this:



mixed it with some parts I already had:



and was pretty happy how it turned out:



It is a close fit with the preload adjuster and to reach the rebound clicker, but basically it fits like it was made for the Stark - no rubbing or touching, all the clickers can be reached fine.

Michael

 

[Theo]

When you guys do this kind of modifications, do you first test the shock without the spring, installed on the bike on a stand, to make sure that nothing rubs or collides with anything as the swingarm moves up and down?

 

[Miller973]

When you guys do this kind of modifications, do you first test the shock without the spring, installed on the bike on a stand, to make sure that nothing rubs or collides with anything as the swingarm moves up and down?

Yes. I did.

 

[Miller973]

Well, here is my interpretation of WP suspension on the Stark. I didn't want to go as far a cutting into the frame, but one of the advantages of the WP stuff is that it is modular and there are quite a few different parts available. There are a few options in the Xact Pro shock series, but the shock used above, 19-22 Xact Pro 8950 part#18180T07SET, checks most of the boxes. In general with the Supertrax system on the pro shock it is way easier to swap out the top shock body than to fiddle with the clevis where the rebound and fast rebound (Supertrax) is located. It also helped that the previous gen shocks (19-22) can be found for little money and I got a new shock for almost 60% off of MSRP. So I started with that:

View attachment 14548

turned it into this:

View attachment 14549

mixed it with some parts I already had:

View attachment 14550

and was pretty happy how it turned out:

View attachment 14551

It is a close fit with the preload adjuster and to reach the rebound clicker, but basically it fits like it was made for the Stark - no rubbing or touching, all the clickers can be reached fine.

Michael

This is great! Glad to see someone else making it work. I personally like the look of the newer shock body. Cutting the frame wasn't too painful, I like to tinker anyways.

 

[drehwurm68]

When you guys do this kind of modifications, do you first test the shock without the spring, installed on the bike on a stand, to make sure that nothing rubs or collides with anything as the swingarm moves up and down?

Yes, this is inevitable. I also run the shock empty (no oil/gas) and do remove the bumper for testing to be able to use full stroke.

Michael

 

[drehwurm68]

I personally like the look of the newer shock body.

I hope to get a loaner 2023+ shock to see if the reservoir and lower clevis on this one will fit - length could be fixed with removing the top out spring assembly. That could be the easiest conversion, but I do have some concerns about the short clevis hitting the link arms.

BTW did you ever measure the length of your MX shock? I have seen conflicting lengths on the Internet. Some say 475mm, Öhlins has both the MX and EX shock at 470mm and I measured my EX shock at 470mm.

Michael

 

[drehwurm68]

Well, unfortunately the 2023+ KTM WP Xact Pro shock does not directly fit - it does contact the subframe on the top and the knuckle (triangle lever) on the bottom. Nevertheless, depending on your motivation and the right tools, it possibly could be made to fit. Regarding the clearance issue on the top It seems like there is enough material on both the subframe and upper shock body to make it work without drama. On the bottom it is different though as you probably have to remove quite a bit of material from the knuckle at the point of its highest stress. I'd say making that shock fit falls right between the upper two projects, possible but takes some dedication!

Michael