1st ride Big ROCK = busted spindle!

[philclarke73]

Well I learned the hardware that early season snowbiking can be expensive! I hit a nice size boulder on my maiden voyage on my Timbersled. Almost sent me over the bars but no major 'bodily' injuries. I can't say the same for my spindle and front forks. The spindle is completely done, all the mounting hardware is twisted, axle bent, and to top it off I pinched both fork tubes.


Can you just buy a spindle and mounting hardware from Timbersled? The new website still isn't finished and wasn't able to find the spindle.


Doesn't anyone have a spindle for sale and mounting HW for a 2013 KTM 500 EXC?


Thanks

 

[Tride]

Yeeouch! That looks painful, physically and financially. Sure hope you can find some fork tubes!

 

[wwillf01]

Well I learned the hardware that early season snowbiking can be expensive! I hit a nice size boulder on my maiden voyage on my Timbersled. Almost sent me over the bars but no major 'bodily' injuries. I can't say the same for my spindle and front forks. The spindle is completely done, all the mounting hardware is twisted, axle bent, and to top it off I pinched both fork tubes.


Can you just buy a spindle and mounting hardware from Timbersled? The new website still isn't finished and wasn't able to find the spindle.


Doesn't anyone have a spindle for sale and mounting HW for a 2013 KTM 500 EXC?


Thanks

You have the call a dealer to order


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[wwillf01]

Well I learned the hardware that early season snowbiking can be expensive! I hit a nice size boulder on my maiden voyage on my Timbersled. Almost sent me over the bars but no major 'bodily' injuries. I can't say the same for my spindle and front forks. The spindle is completely done, all the mounting hardware is twisted, axle bent, and to top it off I pinched both fork tubes.


Can you just buy a spindle and mounting hardware from Timbersled? The new website still isn't finished and wasn't able to find the spindle.


Doesn't anyone have a spindle for sale and mounting HW for a 2013 KTM 500 EXC?


Thanks

Also check eBay for the lower stanchion I tanked one of mine on dirt while saying hi to a boulder. Found a new one on eBay for 1/3 the cost ....


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[egesledder]

I did the same thing last season, luckily my fork tubes were still usable. I actually welded in some new aluminum to the spindle and ran it the rest of the season like that. I ended up buying just the spindle before I sold that kit. The new spindle wasn't cheap...

 

[powderzone]

did the same

Been there. You can probably still ride the fork...for the winter anyhow. The travel is limited by the c-clamps so you won't be getting the fork to run into the indented area unless you're at full travel so the fork shouldn't weep oil too badly. It might get you through the winter?
Call your local rep, they will have a spare spindle, clamps etc... Check your carbide on the ski. It probably needs to be replaced as well.

 

[powdermuncher]

Yes early season carnage we had one guy almost loose 2 toes yesterday on a bike ( had his toes between the side plate and a rock) They saved both toes but one is about 1/8 inch shorter now.
One sunk sled in a creek and an other flipped and ripped the oil tank open.

I stayed home setting up the Mountain horse for the new owner And getting the old sled ready for the season.

Did the same damage on a early season ride 2 years ago now I have a drag link that bolts up to the brake caliber mount and I also drill out the back brace on the pedestal( spindle) so it can collapse without wrecking the forks. To many people complained about the spindle getting bend so TS beefed them up now you end up wrecking forks. Spindle less than 200 bucks fork tubes over a grand F**ck the spindle . No matter how bad they are 1/2 hour with a hammer and welder and I am back riding the fork is an other matter.

 

[SteepNdeep450]

Yes early season carnage we had one guy almost loose 2 toes yesterday on a bike ( had his toes between the side plate and a rock) They saved both toes but one is about 1/8 inch shorter now.
One sunk sled in a creek and an other flipped and ripped the oil tank open.

I stayed home setting up the Mountain horse for the new owner And getting the old sled ready for the season.

Did the same damage on a early season ride 2 years ago now I have a drag link that bolts up to the brake caliber mount and I also drill out the back brace on the pedestal( spindle) so it can collapse without wrecking the forks. To many people complained about the spindle getting bend so TS beefed them up now you end up wrecking forks. Spindle less than 200 bucks fork tubes over a grand F**ck the spindle . No matter how bad they are 1/2 hour with a hammer and welder and I am back riding the fork is an other matter.

Picture of what you did?

 

[SteepNdeep450]

All you guys that have wrecked forks go instantly to buying new ones from the factory or buying off ebay, have any of you asked like race tech or anyone that does suspension work how much it was to replace the lower tube? They coat them and what not on factory bikes so I imagine they are replaceable. I've seen them on their site for sale too. Just not sure how much it would be compared to an ebay set.

 

[Rush44]

eBay has been a really good resource for finding cheap forks that might need a little rebuild love. I was able to snag my buddy a set of KX forks for his 13 last year for $300 shipped. They just needed new seals and springs... all in for $450. Just because the part numbers don't match doesn't mean they won't fit. They change numbers for stupid reasons like the cap colors or small stuff that doesn't affect fitment. Find a good OEM parts guy to go through the book for you and see if they fit.

Early season is a love hate relationship.... you want to get out SOOOO bad but you are afraid of the consequences. It's like banging a hot chick with herpes.

 

[philclarke73]

I was also searching the web for places that 'fix' fork tubes. Has anyone gone down this path before? I think it works for bent forks but not 'pinched' like I have.

Thanks

 

[SteepNdeep450]

I was also searching the web for places that 'fix' fork tubes. Has anyone gone down this path before? I think it works for bent forks but not 'pinched' like I have.

Thanks

I'm kinda curious to prices as I can't find any on their website. Here is what I was talking about though.

http://racetech.com/page/title/FTNK Fork Tubes#3

 

[philclarke73]

thanks for the link. I'm going to give them a call. I'm also going to check with a couple of my local suspension shops.

 

[SteepNdeep450]

thanks for the link. I'm going to give them a call. I'm also going to check with a couple of my local suspension shops.

Actually just gave them a call and he said the fork tubes in chrome range from about 175-250 per one. Then I was getting transferred to the service department to see how much it was to swap them out by them but no answer so I would guess you can get it done for less than a 1000. Sounds like a good bit less.

 

[philclarke73]

I called them also...but the guy I talked to said they don't sell dirt bike fork tubes just street bikes?!!? I hate that about bike shops.....not consistent based on who you talk to.

I called Kreft (who did my 4CS suspension) and they quoted $240 each tube plus $165 standard fork service.

I also called Timbersled and they pointed me to a local dealer for a new spindle. The shop isn't open until tomorrow....does anyone know the price for a spindle and mounting HW (i.e. fork clamps, bolts ect.)

thanks

 

[Wheel House Motorsports]

Fork Clamps are $90 per, so $180 for the set, and spindles are $226

 

[mdr219]

Hi !

Check on KTMTalk for the complet set !!!
I saw for $$300.00 us (open chamber)
I bought a set Closechamber forks from the KTM SXF 450 2009 (motor blowed)
Pay only $$ 175.00 cdn with shipping.
Huge deal for the close chamber

 

[AKdragon700]

Motion Sports

Ask Shaun @ Motion Sports RG3 NW Suspension Center, Coeur d'Alene, ID

He builds custom sets for snowbikes and I love mine. Maybe he can build you a snowbike specific set for cheap