Originally posted by terry hay
Steve
As I mentioned in the post that I thought at first glance Kayaba was attempting to produce a cheap dual chamber. My initial conclusion based on this assumption was that the system was bound to fail due to the fact that the damper rod was not sealed against the top of the cartridge. Oil was bound to escape more easily from the lower portion then it could get back in and we would end up with an emulsified mixture within the cartridge. After I was informed about the "speed sensitive" air spring I had to re-evaluate but still came to the same conclusions regarding flow. In order for the speed sensitive air spring to work effectively I believe we would need to allow a bit more oil to bypass the seal around the cartridge. This could perhaps be achieved and made adjustable by a replacable bleed jet similar to that of a two stroke carb main jet, positioned in the spring seat at the top of the cartridge. Any thoughts? [/QUOTE
The 2004 KX fork does have a bladder but the purpose of the bladder is significantly different than the old model bladder fork. With the check valve or restrictive barrier now freely allowing oil into the lower portion of the fork and holding pressure in the lower portion of the fork, the fork is less prone to cavitation. Although pressure within the cartridge is still changing as the fork goes through it's stroke, the cartridge is effectively sealed from the drastic change in pressure of the airspring as the fork moves through it's travel.
Thus, with the lower portion of the fork effectively sealed and "charged," the role the bladder is to take up the volume of oil displaced by the piston rod rather than only being used to manipulate the size of the air chamber. There is still some effect of a speed sensitive airspring in the new fork but to much less of a degree than the old bladder fork because the lower portion of the fork is already charged and the bladder is under pressure.
If you think of the fork in these terms, effectively this is a sealed cartridge fork. The top of the cartridge is not absolutely sealed but that is not necessarily a bad thing bercause air can escape from the cartridge and the cartridge is continuously charged every time the fork moves through it's travel to maintain pressure within the cartridge. The oil volume is also much greater than a true closed cartridge fork also. This system is not necessarily better than a sealed cartridge fork, I just don't think we are ready to throw the baby out with the bathwater yet...
Originally posted by terry hay
Onore GT
Once again I am disappointed that a concept is released in an underdeveloped state, and we, the motorcycle buying public are asked to be patient while they get it right.
Terry
Originally posted by terry hay
Onore GT
The designer of the bladder fork obviously had his own agenda when he first ventured into this design folly. Wether he wanted a poorly designed speed sensitive air spring or a poorly designed dual chamber fork is not important. The fact that the design reeks of failure, is.
Terry
Originally posted by terry hay
I would doubt very much that we would find a bladder in a well tuned factory fork.
Terry
What brand of subtank are you using? Is it true that oil will accumulate into the tanks?Originally posted by Onore GT
...I can't begin to describe how well the subtanks work, never will I own a bike without them...