2012 non-ES Super Tenere Forks (am I stupid?)

ThrottleItOut

New Member
Joined
May 10, 2020
Messages
19
Location
Indy
Hello everybody, really dumb question here. I recently purchased a Penske shock assembly and fork internals from Stoltec, and unfortunately it came with no instructions (and I have not been able to reach Stoltec to ask them directly). So, each fork clearly has compression and rebound damping adjustments. Stoltec sent me two sets each of compression and rebound piston/shim stacks. So far so good. However, I've been following along with the video linked below, and it states that one fork handles compression damping and the other handles rebound damping. My fork internals are identical to what is shown in the video (see photos, also below) - only one shim stack per fork. What am I missing?


284619547_718160729497846_7578072157535377725_n.jpg284032833_1024806808142949_7732509111402211668_n.jpg
 
Last edited:

jrusell

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 23, 2017
Messages
460
Location
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
I do not see a link to the video you are mentioning, but installing the Stoltec kit does not change your forks operation.
You will still have compression at the bottom and rebound adjustment at the top of each fork.

Only kits where you swap out the entire cartridge assembly will convert to rebound in the right fork and compression in the left.
The Ohlins FKA 106 and some others are available to do this. The Stoltec kit is a big improvement to stock, but not a conversion like you are thinking.

The blue valve is your replacement compression piston and valve stack.
The red is the replacement rebound valve and stack.
The shim stack is zip tied to the stack in the correct order, so when you take it apart do not mix up the shims. Keep them in exactly the same order as they assembled them.

Look carefully at the stock compression assembly. You will notice the bolt holding it together has the threads staked to prevent the nut from coming loose. This must be filed off before attempting to remove the nut or you can damage the holder for the valve.

Racetech has good instructions on their website on how to disassemble the stock components. Read this over and make sure to get proper torque figures from the instructions.
You can follow their instructions, but you will just use Stoltec components instead of race tech gold valves.

I haven't used Stoltec valve kits, but by the pics you posted I don't see a replacement check plate and spring. So it looks like you will also be reusing the stock check plate and shim/spacer that are installed on the opposite side of the compression and rebound valves. So make sure to look these over closely before taking everything apart and get them installed on the correct side of the valves.

Try posting a link to the video again. Maybe it's my computer, but I can't see the video link you mentioned.
 
Last edited:

jrusell

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 23, 2017
Messages
460
Location
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
Ok for some reason I can now see the video you posted.

Fz09 forks are not the same as our forks. The video has some parts that are relevant, but some things are considerably different on S10 forks. That video doesn't show any of the work required to change the compression valve or stacks for our forks, and there is no drilling of the cartridge on our forks.

There are much better videos out there that show compression and rebound valve replacement on a conventional 20mm cartridge. Keep looking and as mentioned look for the gold valve instructions on the race tech website.

I would suggest doing one fork at a time and leaving the 2nd fork assembled so you can look back and forth in case you get confused on the install procedure or check plate location.
 

ThrottleItOut

New Member
Joined
May 10, 2020
Messages
19
Location
Indy
Thanks for the detailed reply. I'm still having trouble finding a more relevant video (not sure if the youtube search algorithm is throwing me for a loop, or I'm just getting old...). In the photo below, item #1 is obviously a compression or rebound shim stack. Item #2 appears to be a bottoming valve, not a comp/rebound valve stack. Am I wrong about item #2? Otherwise, where is the second stack?

Unfortunately I'm getting the ole' 404 not found error when I try to open the relevant racetech instructions.


1653912897948.png
 
Last edited:

jrusell

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 23, 2017
Messages
460
Location
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
#1 is your rebound piston. Shim stack is on one side, check plate and shim is on the other.
#2 the bright aluminum piece is the holder for the compression assembly. The part with the o-ring is the compression piston. Piston with shim stack on one side plus check plate and spring on the other.

Notice the red valve from Stoltec has a similar teflon type band around the piston. This is because it moves up and down in the cartridge. this is the rebound piston,
Blue valve from Stoltec that has an o-ring on it the same as the stock is the compression piston.

You need to put your stock holder/compression assembly in a vise. (flats on the bright end in the vise) Use a file and file the peening off the holder where the nut is so you can remove the nut. Be very careful. the holder is not very strong and if the peening is not fully removed it is very easy to damage the shaft the compression piston sits on.
Slowly lift the check plate/spring off the valve and set aside. (to be reinstalled later) Then remove the compression piston and shim stack which in below the piston. Lay everything out and keep in order.
You will be installing your new shim stack first, the new blue valve with the o-ring next and the stock check plate and spring(unless Stoltec supplied a new check plate and spring) on top. Nut goes back on with locktite and torqued to spec. Check ,but I think it is very little at only 5Nm.

Picture below is stock compression assembly on top, rebound below.

72D953A7-A662-4674-A988-DD253CF3E92D.jpeg
 

ThrottleItOut

New Member
Joined
May 10, 2020
Messages
19
Location
Indy
Thank you! Knowing item #2 is not just a bottoming valve makes it all make sense. If you ever find yourself in Indy I owe you a beer.
 

SkunkWorks

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 13, 2018
Messages
1,733
Location
Colorado
Thank you both!
I'm about to do this exact same upgrade on my 2014, with new springs.
This helps me to know what I'm looking at before I take it all apart.
 
Top