Frequently Asked Questions

Whether discussing a set of forks or a shock, held up by spring or air, all suspension creates damping in a similar fashion. Suspension relies on the hydrodynamics of pushing oil through a chamber. In the simplest terms, this means that as a shock shaft moves through the shock body—which is filled with oil—the resistance generated produces a damping effect. The shock shaft will have a piston assembly affixed to its end. This piston is strategically porous to allow oil to flow through. Atop the piston there are numerous shims of varying thickness and diameter stacked upon each other. As oil flows through the piston, the shims bend in response, creating resistance. The thickness and diameter of the shims, along with their quantity and arrangement, all directly affect how much bending resistance they will have, and the damping feel of the suspension as a result. This “shim stack” is commonly referred to as the “valving” and is the main focus of our suspension revalve. By reworking the shim stack, we can “revalve” the suspension, changing its handling character and customizing it for each client.

There are numerous other factors that have some impact over how the suspension will work. Just a few examples will be the diameter of the fork/shock body, which can change the flex character of the suspension; the internal tolerances of the moving parts, as unwanted friction typically offers a harsher feel and makes the performance of the revalve less predictable for the suspension tuner; the piston design, which will impact how much and how rapidly oil flows onto the shim stack; and many, many more variables. At Precision Concepts, we put in the effort to control as many of these factors as possible. We will hone, polish and replace parts as necessary, all with the final result in mind. That result is customizing your suspension to work for you, our client, so you can better enjoy your passion, ride safer and faster, with the most comfort and confidence possible.

Visit our Suspension Revalve page to learn more.

Suspension performance is one of the most subjective features of a motorcycle. There is no “perfect” set up because what works for one person likely won’t work for the next. Even two riders of identical weight and ability will have minor variances in riding technique. This will make the exact same suspension set up feel and work differently for either rider. The reason to revalve your suspension is to customize it so it works perfectly for you. If you push the front end really hard into corners on the track, you’ll want a stiffer fork valving. If you don’t want to feel the washboard chop on your long adventure rides, you’ll want a plusher set up. If you weigh a hundred forty pounds and ride a 450, you’ll likely need your suspension valved a little softer. Some motocross riders like a plusher feel, while others actually prefer a bit of feedback, or “harshness”, because it helps them better feel the traction and terrain. The point is, suspension set up is incredibly personal. And getting your bike working for your unique size, weight, skill, preferred terrain, etc. can drastically impact your riding experience.

Visit our Suspension Revalve page to learn more.

The quick answer is that everyone can benefit from revalving their suspension. Most motorcycles come from the manufacturer with a generic suspension set up that will work reasonably adequate for a wide variety of riders. It isn’t set up with your unique needs in mind. Personalizing your bike’s handling can be of huge benefit. It can make you feel safer and more confident. It can allow you to charge into the next corner faster, or take some of the fear out of casing that jump. And it can also make the difference during an all-day ride in the desert, improving your level of comfort and endurance. So, whether you’re racing your buddies through the trails; aspiring to be a professional motocross racer; or a weekend warrior who just likes to ride in the hills with your friends, your suspension can surely be customized to improve its performance for you.

Visit our Suspension Revalve page to learn more.

There are some limiting factors that can impact the result of a revalve. The most obvious would be the quality of the suspension and its internal parts. This would pertain to the tolerances and materials used by the suspension manufacturer. It can also refer to the style of fork; for example, some regard the 4 Chamber System (4CS) fork as having limited performance. Suspension is also massively affected by the chassis on which its mounted. If you were to take the suspension off of a Honda CRF450R and mount it onto a Suzuki RM-Z450, the handling wouldn’t even feel like it was in the same universe. These elements may be somewhat out of your control, but there are other factors that are within your control that can influence the handling of your bike.

The rigidity of your triple clamps would be one example of an aftermarket accessory that can change the feel of your bike’s handling. Rigid triple clamps can take a plush, compliant front end and make it feel supercross stiff. Alternatively, an overly flexy set of triple clamps can make the front end feel vague and hurt cornering traction. Another one of our favorite examples is your choice of skid plate. A plastic skid plate will have a negligible effect on your bike’s handling. Do nothing other than change to a hard-mounted aluminum skid plate and the character of your bike can change dramatically. It can make the rear end feel harsher and more likely to deflect over sharp bumps.                                                     

With these thought in mind, it’s important to understand the effect of any aftermarket accessories you may be considering. This isn’t to dissuade you from changing a part or accessory for performance or style, simply to empower you with the knowledge that it may have an effect on your bike’s handling. Our staff at Precision Concepts has decades of experience with the effects of different parts and accessories on handling character and can help you make the right decisions for the performance (and style) of your bike.

Visit our Suspension Revalve page to learn more.