HP2 Front Forks Bulliten
- Thread starter (RIP) maverick
- Start date
Wings I like what you have done there with the HP2. Could you give us more details i.e. how much roughly spend and what work machining wise needed to be done. I decided instead of spending more cash on extended warranty and services from BMW will be doing it from now on myself. Bike has just gone over 18k miles and although the forks were replaced last year pretty much sure they will be wearing out over time again.
The WP 48mm seems the way to go and hopefully they last longer than the standard chocolate made forks
The WP 48mm seems the way to go and hopefully they last longer than the standard chocolate made forks
Sorry, didn't realise you couldn't see my profile
Sortehd now though, looks a nice job, like Mav some deatils to the photo's would be good
Wings
Registered user
Mike the Mechanic
Its quite a forking story, I flew a set of forks in from Enduro tech in the UK initially the forks were great but then the BM dealers here didnt insert them properly we had serious sticktion so I found a guy Mike who was a mechanical engineer for a company in Germany that is contracted to design BMW's, the man is a German perfectionist through & through. I hgad arranged all the parts an commited to the job when he opened the Triple clamp screws of the endurotech forks & they sprung into place.
I have to say that Cris Hockey does a great job & for 450 pounds you got a good deal and much better quality forks than standard. Just get them fitted right.
Mike supplied the new WP 2009 Closed cartridge motocross forks for a great price, he got them on ebay in Germany brand new. I got a set of KTM works triple clamps from a suspension specialist in SA, Hilton Hayward for a great price Hilton designs WP forks for WP so a good contact to have.
Mike built various brackets to fit the fender & instruments on to the new triple clamps he machined the new bearing cap I now have sealed headset bearings instead of the origional existing open bearings. Fitting the BMW wheels was an issue as the KTM clamps are thinner than HP2 he had to machine brake brackets and the calippers plus the axlew is 26mm on BM and only 25 on KTM so the KTM axle clamp had to be machined larger to fit a spacer. We could have gone with KTM wheels but i wanted the tubeless and have 2 sets so we stuck with the BM ones
One of my favourite bits of the job is when I was discussing the bars running over the front guard Mike said that they look like you should be able to pick the bike up with them but theyre not strong enough. At the end of the Job he stated in true German syle "Now you can pick up ze bike with them".
I also had to get the forks resprung with 5.6 springs to suit the HPs extra weight.
I am fanatical about my HP2 and am over the moon with the Job Mike spent 3 weeks on it working often till 2 am. I was very lucky with the cost of the parts and Mike was generous with the Labour charges.
In total the job cost approx 2,000 pounds. I think at full price you would probably look at around 4,000 plus.
The other bikes are an 09 Husaberg 570 (goodness gracious what a bike) and a Gas Gas TXT pro 300 trials bike, lots of fun.
Racing Enduros on the husaberg and previously a KTM 530 taught me what suspension should be, my HP2 now feels better than a KTM 990
The rest of the bike is rater special too I have Ohlins on the back, a steering Damper, HPN Tank, a power controler thingy, no Cat, the new BM indicators Hepco Becker top rack that fits the BMW horse shoe shaped back perfectly, the Wunderlich screen which for me is the most comfortable. etc etc... its taken 2 years to get it right.
A final note is that Mike said havng worked on all the BM bikes in the pas the HP2 is the only one he would consider buying. But he would change the suspension straight away.
I will ping him this thread, maybe he'll join in,
Its quite a forking story, I flew a set of forks in from Enduro tech in the UK initially the forks were great but then the BM dealers here didnt insert them properly we had serious sticktion so I found a guy Mike who was a mechanical engineer for a company in Germany that is contracted to design BMW's, the man is a German perfectionist through & through. I hgad arranged all the parts an commited to the job when he opened the Triple clamp screws of the endurotech forks & they sprung into place.
I have to say that Cris Hockey does a great job & for 450 pounds you got a good deal and much better quality forks than standard. Just get them fitted right.
Mike supplied the new WP 2009 Closed cartridge motocross forks for a great price, he got them on ebay in Germany brand new. I got a set of KTM works triple clamps from a suspension specialist in SA, Hilton Hayward for a great price Hilton designs WP forks for WP so a good contact to have.
Mike built various brackets to fit the fender & instruments on to the new triple clamps he machined the new bearing cap I now have sealed headset bearings instead of the origional existing open bearings. Fitting the BMW wheels was an issue as the KTM clamps are thinner than HP2 he had to machine brake brackets and the calippers plus the axlew is 26mm on BM and only 25 on KTM so the KTM axle clamp had to be machined larger to fit a spacer. We could have gone with KTM wheels but i wanted the tubeless and have 2 sets so we stuck with the BM ones
One of my favourite bits of the job is when I was discussing the bars running over the front guard Mike said that they look like you should be able to pick the bike up with them but theyre not strong enough. At the end of the Job he stated in true German syle "Now you can pick up ze bike with them".
I also had to get the forks resprung with 5.6 springs to suit the HPs extra weight.
I am fanatical about my HP2 and am over the moon with the Job Mike spent 3 weeks on it working often till 2 am. I was very lucky with the cost of the parts and Mike was generous with the Labour charges.
In total the job cost approx 2,000 pounds. I think at full price you would probably look at around 4,000 plus.
The other bikes are an 09 Husaberg 570 (goodness gracious what a bike) and a Gas Gas TXT pro 300 trials bike, lots of fun.
Racing Enduros on the husaberg and previously a KTM 530 taught me what suspension should be, my HP2 now feels better than a KTM 990
The rest of the bike is rater special too I have Ohlins on the back, a steering Damper, HPN Tank, a power controler thingy, no Cat, the new BM indicators Hepco Becker top rack that fits the BMW horse shoe shaped back perfectly, the Wunderlich screen which for me is the most comfortable. etc etc... its taken 2 years to get it right.
A final note is that Mike said havng worked on all the BM bikes in the pas the HP2 is the only one he would consider buying. But he would change the suspension straight away.
I will ping him this thread, maybe he'll join in,
Vettie
Guest
I am the lucky owner of Mr Wings upgraded forks that he did not use because it was fitted poorly.
I must say I struggled to get it right, but now it is working and I must declare they are sweeeeeeet.
Definately a upgrade, they are 100% better than standard.
Still need to do the rear, anyone knows of a Ohlins / WP or Wilbers for sale?
I must say I struggled to get it right, but now it is working and I must declare they are sweeeeeeet.
Definately a upgrade, they are 100% better than standard.
Still need to do the rear, anyone knows of a Ohlins / WP or Wilbers for sale?
Karlz
Registered user
Thanks to Maverick, I proudly ventured into my local BMW shop presenting the printed pdf as supplied. Initial thoughts from the dealer (bike now out of warranty), "You will probably have to pay for it", but a phone call later confirmed that BMW will replace free.
I picked up the bike today after the mod to the forks and previously there was some play, especially noticable under heavy front brake or going over bumps. That sympton is now gone.
Thanks Maverick for that tip.
Remember to print it out and take it into your dealer.
BMW cant resist, escpecially as they have admitted the fault.
That is great news Karlz, glad it helped someone thus far. I am to scared to check my front forks at the moment as it has now covered 10000 miles since being replaced and look/feel ok at the moment 
I've complained to BMW UK about my fork failures.
And mentioned that others have experienced similar problems.
I quote from their reply:
"BMW, as a worldwide manufacturer, keeps detailed records of all component failures and parts ordered through our network of Approved Dealerships. This information is then centrally collated by my colleagues at BMW in Munich, Germany. This data helps us to understand the components which are failing on our vehicles so we can make adjustments accordingly. I have taken this opportunity to investigate the issues you have been experiencing with your bike, however, we do not have any manufacturing concerns over the forks fitted to your motorcycle."
So who's lying then?........
And mentioned that others have experienced similar problems.
I quote from their reply:
"BMW, as a worldwide manufacturer, keeps detailed records of all component failures and parts ordered through our network of Approved Dealerships. This information is then centrally collated by my colleagues at BMW in Munich, Germany. This data helps us to understand the components which are failing on our vehicles so we can make adjustments accordingly. I have taken this opportunity to investigate the issues you have been experiencing with your bike, however, we do not have any manufacturing concerns over the forks fitted to your motorcycle."
So who's lying then?........
Unfortunately, I'd have expected no other response. If they ever admitted that there was an issue then everybody would want new forks, and neither they nor Marzocchi would want that.
Doesn't make it any easier though, having to fight your way through blanket denials both they and you know to be untrue
Doesn't make it any easier though, having to fight your way through blanket denials both they and you know to be untrue
BiG DoM
Registered user
Print out the technical bullitin and go wave it in their face - it is a clear admission of a problem and they must fix it as they have done for others. I intend doing the same and hope to be entertained ... but am not holding my breath either.
WarthogROK
Guest
no manufacturing concerns. ok
I agree, no manufacturing concerns. That fork manufactured just fine. However, they are assholes for not admitting how dangerous it is to bolt that perfectly manufactured fork to the front end of a 420lb 100hp dirt bike (!)
I have had mine apart several times, changing oil, changing seals, and adding Wilbers progressive springs. I have experienced the "clunk"...the bushing at the bottom end of the damper cartridge coming loose a bit. I now have a safe fork, better suited to the weight of the bike, decent for slower rock trails (doesn't deflect) and pretty darn good for high speed hardpack and ruts. But it took A LOT OF WORK!
A guy can work with the stock fork legs, add some .52 or .56 straight-rate springs, or some progressive springs, change oil viscosity and level...and come up with a decent set of forks suitable for most terrain ridden at less than professional levels. There are also tuners who can drop in damper cartridges to add that luxurious travel adjustable rebound and compression damping to both legs.
BTW, the right leg (rebound leg) has a linear compression adjustment in the foot. Add 1 or 2 clicks to that valve, stiffer springs, thinner oil, 1 cm more oil level...and you have a pretty decent front boinger.
** and buy the 45mm fork seal driver tool **
an average mechanic with the fork seal driver tool and spring compessor can fix those forks
I've complained to BMW UK about my fork failures.
And mentioned that others have experienced similar problems.
I quote from their reply:
"BMW, as a worldwide manufacturer, keeps detailed records of all component failures and parts ordered through our network of Approved Dealerships. This information is then centrally collated by my colleagues at BMW in Munich, Germany. This data helps us to understand the components which are failing on our vehicles so we can make adjustments accordingly. I have taken this opportunity to investigate the issues you have been experiencing with your bike, however, we do not have any manufacturing concerns over the forks fitted to your motorcycle."
So who's lying then?........
I agree, no manufacturing concerns. That fork manufactured just fine. However, they are assholes for not admitting how dangerous it is to bolt that perfectly manufactured fork to the front end of a 420lb 100hp dirt bike (!)
I have had mine apart several times, changing oil, changing seals, and adding Wilbers progressive springs. I have experienced the "clunk"...the bushing at the bottom end of the damper cartridge coming loose a bit. I now have a safe fork, better suited to the weight of the bike, decent for slower rock trails (doesn't deflect) and pretty darn good for high speed hardpack and ruts. But it took A LOT OF WORK!
A guy can work with the stock fork legs, add some .52 or .56 straight-rate springs, or some progressive springs, change oil viscosity and level...and come up with a decent set of forks suitable for most terrain ridden at less than professional levels. There are also tuners who can drop in damper cartridges to add that luxurious travel adjustable rebound and compression damping to both legs.
BTW, the right leg (rebound leg) has a linear compression adjustment in the foot. Add 1 or 2 clicks to that valve, stiffer springs, thinner oil, 1 cm more oil level...and you have a pretty decent front boinger.
** and buy the 45mm fork seal driver tool **
an average mechanic with the fork seal driver tool and spring compessor can fix those forks
BiG DoM
Registered user
Ir would be interesting for comparison if other HP2E riders posted their fork setting that have been arrived at for the standard forks. I am sure the 15 clicks all round does not work for everyone?!
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