For 2009 Dragons... Polaris and Walker Evans changed the valving and piston on the Front-track W.E. Air shock.
The IFS (ski shocks) will be getting bumped up to 225 psi pressure but will retain the same valving and piston as the 2007/2008 models.
The rear track shock remains unchanged.
All the new 2009 deliveries will have these changes
For the front track shock, a new 2 piece high flow piston and preloaded valve stack is used to get rid of some of the diving and stiffness problems encounterd with the 2007 and 2008 WE Air Shock equipped dragons.
A replacement Piston and pre assembled valve stack is available from Walker Evans directly for less than $50....
Walker Evans Racing, (951) 784 - 7223
The new front track shock specs are ALSO up the pressure to 225 (from 215) and run 60cc of oil.
This WILL NOT be a warranty claim or change from the factory.
Walker Evans also has upped their quality control on the charging methods used to give a more consistant nitrogen charge. For those that dont know... Walker is located in very hot Riverside California... the temps are often over 90 in the plant... they will be charging the shocks to compensate for this difference as well as doing a 2 step charging process.
The Walker shocks are an emulsion design (nitrogen and oil are mixed)... when you charge the shock initally, the oil and nitrogen reach an equilibrium with each other as the gas mixes with the oil.... after a short period of time (24 hrs) a lower pressure is read... the second step is to bring all the shocks to 225lbs nitrogen pressure after they have set out for a while... this gives more consistant charge that has been such a problem in the past.
If you are doing these yourself, it may be a good idea to do the initial charge to 200 psi... then put them in the freezer... then, while still cold, charge them to 225 psi.
I will try to post the chart with the temp/pressure cross for charging the shocks when it becomes available (for charging when warm)
These upgraded pistons are actually the same 2 piece piston that is used in the IQ racer coil-over shocks for the past few years... There is also a piston/valvestack available for the IFS shocks that uses this high flow piston, 5cc more oil and 225 psi... this will give a bit firmer ride while still being compliant thru the bumps.
In my research on these shocks, I have found that they do not perform well when used in colder temps (below 10 deg F) and have a tendency to blow out seals when used below zero degrees... If you use them in sub zero temps... you may want to use a different, lighter viscosity, oil in the shock...
A lighter weight oil will have less chance of seal blow outs on big hits when its real cold out.
I do NOT have any other technical info on this.
Stock Walker Evans oil is 5 weight oil.
There are 3 and 2.5 weight oils out there as well.
SLP carries lighter weight oil..."Extra light"
http://www.startinglineproducts.com/...&productID=817
Maxima as well as Klotz make lighter oils as well... 3 weight.
http://www.deycore.com/universal_parts.htm
Carls cycles and TriCity Performance have had very good results in revalving these shocks and setting them up as well..
www.carlscycles.com
www.tricityperformance.com
Curt at FTX motorsports has been using a lighter oil with good success. Try contacting him... he can do all of the piston/valving updates as well if you are not equipped for this.
http://www.ftxmotorsports.com/
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