PDS Shock SX vs. EXC

K

KathiM

Member

May 18, 2001

13

0

• Jul 6, 2002

• #1

Gurus I need your help.

I got the chance to buy a 2002 SX shock for my 2000 300EXC ($300). Does it make sense to do this invest? I heard that the 2002 schock has got low and high speed compression adjusters and a longer spring. Who knows the exact differences???

Another worry is that the SX valving does not support my rocks and woods riding.

Is the 2002SX shock really far better even for non MX ???
Please help me to find the answer...

KathiM

 

K

KathiM

Member

May 18, 2001

13

0

• Jul 6, 2002

• Thread starter
• #2

By the way:
the guy who sells the shock says there is number on the shock: 1218W734 and 37/01. What does that tell me? The 37/01 looks like week 37 in 2001, so is this really a 2002 shock?

If the 2002 has a longer travel will it fit into my 2000 EXC anyhow?

KathiM

 

Jeremy Wilkey

Owner, MX-Tech

Jan 28, 2000

1,453

0

• Jul 6, 2002

• #3

Kaithim,
The SX shock is miles better.. And it will bolt right up.. The valving is going to be an issue, but really since your getting such a deal, I'm sure you would be able to get it valved up for a resonable price.. For that price your getting a great deal, and a way better shock!


BR,
Jer

 

K

KathiM

Member

May 18, 2001

13

0

• Jul 6, 2002

• Thread starter
• #4

Jeremy, what d you mean by valving is going to be an issue, will it be worse until I revalve it? I thought with the low and high speed adjustment I can get around it. $300 is the budget overall and I thought it might be better than a revalve at the current 2000 shock. (Government allows only $300 at this time :D )

Any comments?

KathiM

 

Jeremy Wilkey

Owner, MX-Tech

Jan 28, 2000

1,453

0

• Jul 8, 2002

• #5

KM,
Well the shock is way better overall as mentioned, however the compression adjuster is a far cry from softer overall EXC.. If you can live with it for a while I would get it and then, revalve later...

Regards,
Jer

 

K

KathiM

Member

May 18, 2001

13

0

• Jul 10, 2002

• Thread starter
• #6

Ok, I think I will buy it. I found a guy who can do shocks and so I want to put the standard EXC stack in. Who knows the 2002 EXC shim stack or where to get it?

Will my 2000 spring fit in?

Thank you in advance

KathiM

 

Jeremy Wilkey

Owner, MX-Tech

Jan 28, 2000

1,453

0

• Jul 12, 2002

• #7

Kathim,
Your spring will fit right on!

BR,
Jer

 

K

KathiM

Member

May 18, 2001

13

0

• Jul 15, 2002

• Thread starter
• #8

Jeremy I just heard that the internal oil flow is different between 2002 SX and EXC so just putting the EXC shims in would not have the desired effect of having an EXC behavior - ehat is different? To avoid confusion I cannot do a shock myself thy guy I'm about to buy it from works at a KTM dealer.

help needed, I have to decide in the next days. (spending the money and then revalving it again is not in the budget).

KathiM

 

W

WhiPit

Member

Mar 16, 2000

236

0

• Jul 15, 2002

• #9

Kathi,

I know you are expecting a response from Jeremy, and I'm sure he will, but the fact that the SX shock has a dual compression adjuster will only compliment the EXC valving, not hinder it.

You are still on the right track, that shock will be well worth the investment!

;)

 

marcusgunby

LIFETIME SPONSOR

Jan 9, 2000

6,450

2

• Jul 15, 2002

• #10

Whilst i adgree the shocks do differ slightly in design the valving hasnt cahnged that much as far as im aware.I would think the EXC stack would be a good starting point just as it would in a 2000 EXC shock.It could be improved on but then so could the 2000 when it was new.

 

Jeremy Wilkey

Owner, MX-Tech

Jan 28, 2000

1,453

0

• Jul 16, 2002

• #11

Originally posted by marcusgunby
Whilst

Click to expand...

....I love that word.. Anyway it is true that things have been moved around for the better but these changes are only for the postive.. You will only be ahead as you've already been told..

BR,
Jer

 

K

KathiM

Member

May 18, 2001

13

0

• Jul 17, 2002

• Thread starter
• #12

Thanks for the advice. I will report out on the performance of my crossover shock. The final question is if I should take a PDS6 or PDS7 (I can choose!)?

I'm 200lbs and ride mostly woods and rocks.

KathiM

 

Jeremy Wilkey

Owner, MX-Tech

Jan 28, 2000

1,453

0

• Jul 17, 2002

• #13

KaithM,
Base it on your fork springs your using.. .41-.43 run the six over .44 and run the 7 for good ballance. I would recomend the 7, but if you've got soft springs in the fork you'll be out of balance.


BR,
Jer

 

K

KathiM

Member

May 18, 2001

13

0

• Aug 8, 2002

• Thread starter
• #14

I got it!

Yesterday It ried the 02 shock revalved to EXC with a PDS7 and it is superb! I feel glued to the track (sand, hard pack). It has virtually no friction so that I wonder if the nitrogen pressure is correct. Just laying the hand on the seat makes it move. Is there any way of telling if the pressure is ok? Or is there really that unbelievable difference between the '00 and '02?

I got the .44 fork springs in but they feel a little harsh compared to the .40. I do not know if this is caused by the excellent shock performance that I now realize how "average" the 00 fork is. I'm thinking of putting one .04 and one .44 in. Will that be ok or does it produce to much torque in the fork? If do I that how would I calculate the required pre-load - is it different in every side of the fork????

Still many questions...

KathiM

 

M

Mathew

Member

Oct 9, 2001

6

0

• Aug 8, 2002

• #15

This has got me thinking - being kind of a tinkerer and do it yourselfer I have been considering at a minimum changing the oil in my 2001 520 EXC shock. I am not confident enough to start messing with shim stacks on my own - but maybe just going with the stock 2002 stack would be something to try? Does anyone know if there was any other changes between 2001 & 2002? Where can I find what the stock shim stacks are for 2002 (or is that top secret suspension guru stuff)?

Thanks - Mathew

 

marcusgunby

LIFETIME SPONSOR

Jan 9, 2000

6,450

2

• Aug 9, 2002

• #16

The 98/99/00/01 shocks were IMO not very good and tunable compared to the 02s.The PDS is a nightmare to service and you will need to buy the needed shims and many special parts so unusually for me i would reccomend sending it out to a specialist.