KFX 450R Front Shock Install

[bkelley]

Finally got around to installing my KFX 450R front shocks. Got them for a pretty awesome deal on eBay, $150 for a "brand new" set. They were taken off the bike before it had even been started. The guy still has three sets left, actually. Here is a link to the auction. (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220505502413&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWNX%3AIT) Anyways, I wasn't sure how I was going to do the fabrication at first. I was seeking advice from two members on here that had installed the KFX shocks as well. One said they cut the eyes down with a hacksaw, the other said they ground them down. So I decided to use both methods. Instead of using a hacksaw and doing it by hand, I sought the help of a band saw. First we took off the stockers and used them for measurements. We basically had to take 1/8" off each side of the eye. Instead of punching out the metal bushings and stuff, we just cut right through it. This is where the band saw proved very useful. The metal coupling is hardened steel, sawing by hand would have been a pain in the ***. After cutting as far as possible without hitting the reservoir we switched from the band saw to an air angle die and cut the rest of the eye slice off. From there we tried mounting the shock to see where we were sitting. Almost there but still had to do a little more work. Took an air sander and flattened down the back side of the shock eye, also took the grinder to the back side of the mount on the frame and finally had to grind down the nut where the plastics bolt on. After all that, the shocks bolt on like they were made for the bike.

Overall it was a fairly simple job, took about 4 hours of slow but steady work. I must say the band saw is they way to go for this job. If you don't have access to one, good luck. It definitely can be done, it will just take a lot more work.

Feel free to ask any questions. Pictures will be in the next post.

[bkelley]

Comparing the two shocks:
http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/7902/img9638.jpg

Cutting on the band saw:
http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/7271/img9656r.jpg

http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/3895/img9655.jpg

Taking the rest of the cut off with the die grinder:
http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/1356/img9662.jpg

Cleaning up the eye as well as flattening the back for the fit:
http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/9799/img9665.jpg

http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/4521/img9640.jpg

Grinding down the frame and the bolt:
http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/363/img9650.jpg

After (that's the nut that also needs to be taken down with the grinder):
http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/9595/img9657e.jpg

How the mount looks:
http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/4098/img9652.jpg

http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/7029/img9653l.jpg

One side on:
http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/1606/img9651d.jpg

And both on:
http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/7900/img9667.jpg

http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/5692/img9669d.jpg

http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/3391/img9670c.jpg

http://img704.imageshack.us/img704/8387/img9807h.jpg

I could easily tell the difference just by lifting the front end up and playing with the suspension. There is actually some cushion when you push down on the grab bar. Before it would just spring right back up. Can't wait to hit the trails to test them out.

[KISSmyACE]

let us know how it rides!!

[IRISH-RACER-14]

i was thinking of doing the same. my 300ex shocks are so soft. it hurts when i land after jumps. i think i need stiffer shocks

[Donjuan400ex]

dude dont they look good when you get them all done up!! haha glad to see you were able to get them on!! and damn good job on pics haha i wish i would have done the same on my build!! and im glad that we got ours done before everyone else see's this post. i have a feeling alota people will be picking a aset of these up haha

Good work
Anyone doing this install you can also use a grinder with a metal cuttin wheel and a sanding wheel and it gets the job done!!
Just measure twice and cut once

[Ryan'07400ex]

Nice job man I wish I coulda helped more but I didn't have any of those tools. Great write up, you didn't need help at all. It's looking fly.

Btw I didn't do anything to the frame I just grinded the head of the shock eye down where it would rub. I didn't wanna mess with the mount and possibly weaken it. just my .02 for anyone else doing this.


One guys asked how they ride... better. They are way softer if you want or way stiffer and then of course you can change rebound for whatever your doing.

[bkelley]

Originally posted by Ryan'07400ex
Nice job man I wish I coulda helped more but I didn't have any of those tools. Great write up, you didn't need help at all. It's looking fly.

Btw I didn't do anything to the frame I just grinded the head of the shock eye down where it would rub. I didn't wanna mess with the mount and possibly weaken it. just my .02 for anyone else doing this.


One guys asked how they ride... better. They are way softer if you want or way stiffer and then of course you can change rebound for whatever your doing. It's all good, I still appreciate the help I got from you and Donjuan. It lead me in the right direction. We decided to take the back part of the bracket off so we wouldn't have to take as much off the shock eye.

Thanks for all the comments, guys. I'm really liking the results and I haven't even hit the dirt yet haha.

[F-16Guy]

Looks good, man! Just an FYI: The nuts for the fender brackets are just lightly tacked into place. You can easily knock them off with a chisel or old screwdriver and secure the brackets with a standard button head screw and nut.

[KISSmyACE]

Originally posted by Ryan'07400ex


One GIRL asked how they ride... better. They are way softer if you want or way stiffer and then of course you can change rebound for whatever your doing.

hahah awesome good to hear!

[gt400ex]

Great write up! How is it sitting with the new shocks? Higher/ lower?

[bkelley]

Originally posted by gt400ex
Great write up! How is it sitting with the new shocks? Higher/ lower? I haven't adjusted them at all or taken any measurements. I think I remember reading in one of the other guys' thread that it doesn't change it much at all, like 1/8" lower or something.

[Sinister95Z]

Now that they are installed, they look great. Seems like way too much modification for me though. If you have to cut and grind that much to make something fit, I think it might have been worth a few extra bucks to just pick up some 450R shocks that fit way better. Cutting the frame is where I draw the line.

I bet they ride ten times better than stock though. I know I was very happy when I got rid of the stocker pogosticks for some decent shocks.

[bkelley]

Originally posted by Sinister95Z
Now that they are installed, they look great. Seems like way too much modification for me though. If you have to cut and grind that much to make something fit, I think it might have been worth a few extra bucks to just pick up some 450R shocks that fit way better. Cutting the frame is where I draw the line.

I bet they ride ten times better than stock though. I know I was very happy when I got rid of the stocker pogosticks for some decent shocks. I didn't cut the frame I just took a little of the back bracket down to have the shock fit. I've seen some of the guys do the same for the TRX450r shock installs. Yeah, it did take a little work but I'm fine with that. No way I could have found a brand new pair of any other 450 shocks for the same price.

[Donjuan400ex]

I love workin on my quad and these shocks were a blast to mod! And for 110$ off there was no better deal!

[rcatvrider]

I wish I had a bandsaw, stationary or cordless, when I did mine. Yours came out cleaner since you have access to a grinder. You will like them, much better that stock.

[bkelley]

Finally got out and got them all adjusted and tested out. It's an unbelievable difference. With the the shocks adjusted it actually lowers the front it down a bit and widens out the stance. I feel like it gives my fronts a lot more bite in the corners. Overall it was well worth the time and money. Oh, and I found out that my friend had a set of low hour YFZ fronts that he would have given to me. Oh well, still really happy with the KFXs.

[omeeomy]

just curious on what you have your settings at?
im 200 pounds
im doing the mod this week end
thanks i hope it works as well as you say it does
also were do you have your rear set at?

[bkelley]

I have everything fairly stiff as I am 6'5" 270lbs. Don't know the exact settings, though.

[omeeomy]

ok i guess il start in the middle and work from there
the back is what im most concerend about
as i go thru the whoops it starts to pogo on me
any advice would help

[bkelley]

Most likely the rebound is returning your shock back to the standard position too quickly. If you have too fast of a setting the bike will want to buck you. It's something you have to mess with, a lot. Just make sure you do it out where you can test it.

Here is an article that helped me: http://www.atvrideronline.com/tech/100_0508_set_up_suspension/index.html

[omeeomy]

hey thanks alot man ill read up on that

[bkelley]

No problem. Let me know how the install goes if you get some KFXs.

[omeeomy]

hey bkelly the install was easy
i took a gringer with vut off wheels sliced lil off hech side
didnt have to take ony off the top for that fender bolt
they slid rite in took about half an hour
ready to ride now see hoe these things work
doin my sparks key today
all i need now is a cnc stabilizer
i also got some cool black flame shock covers lol
that alone will add 3 hp lol

[bkelley]

Yeah, you better hold on once you put those cover on haha. Glad to hear they went on easy. I think a lot of people are going to start using the KFXs now. Let's see some pictures.

[omeeomy]

ill get some pics soon as shes clean
had it out inthe snow and mud
had to try out the shocks and sparks key lol
ill wash her up soon and ger her all ready for the big dance lol

[bkelley]

How do you like them?

[omeeomy]

hard to tell just in the yard but they do go over frozen dog turds pretty well

[Foxhound013]

I'm trying to find a set for myself right now. Anybody have any or know where I can get a pair.

[Foxhound013]

Never mind guys, I should have a set of 09 shocks here soon.