GMD Replacement: Suspension Shop Alternatives

[FriskyDingo]

So with the closure of GMD I'm looking for other options for quality suspension work, new to me bike on the way I was planning on upgrading with new cartridges and rear shock.

Shock is easier to resolve, can buy a new one already setup with correct spring/valving and swap that out myself.

After seeing unions MT7 install of the same Andreani fork inserts I'm not going to attempt that install myself.

Going to talk to my buddy at Razee, i'm sure they can do the work, but it's not there specialty.

I've googled it, not much in NE, mostly MX shops.

So what's other peoples plans for suspension work with PK gonzo

[Paul_E_D]

Good question. Will be watching this space.

[Crconnor18]

Give Tim a ring. I’m not sure of his bandwidth but does some great work. He’s up in Nashua

https://superbikeservices44.com/

[boosten lebaron]

Well this is news to me. I was just looking at my gsxr reminding myself I needed to get it over to Pete for a refresh. What happened?

[Paul_E_D]

He sold the business to Innovative in Albany, but they are not going to be set up for business for a while.

[jeantarrou]

So with the closure of GMD I'm looking for other options for quality suspension work, new to me bike on the way I was planning on upgrading with new cartridges and rear shock.

Shock is easier to resolve, can buy a new one already setup with correct spring/valving and swap that out myself.

After seeing unions MT7 install of the same Andreani fork inserts I'm not going to attempt that install myself.

Going to talk to my buddy at Razee, i'm sure they can do the work, but it's not there specialty.

I've googled it, not much in NE, mostly MX shops.

So what's other peoples plans for suspension work with PK gonzo

I think Razee's actually sent a lot of their suspension stuff to Pete.

Mailing your stuff out is an option, my suggestion is getting a cheap rifle case for shipping, and I've had luck with Traxxion Dynamics.

[01xj]

Shitty. That explains why I couldn't find shocks on his website last week.

[Jim]

shipping ok or are you only considering local shops?

[FriskyDingo]

Give Tim a ring. I’m not sure of his bandwidth but does some great work. He’s up in Nashua

https://superbikeservices44.com/

You have experience with his work? Sounds like a good guy, I like the site descriptions, clean shop pics and his passion for what he's doing. Going to reach out, I could take both bikes up there since it sounds as if he specialized in air cooled Duc engines as well as suspension. Only down side bit of a drive.

Thanks for the link

I think Razee's actually sent a lot of their suspension stuff to Pete.

Mailing your stuff out is an option, my suggestion is getting a cheap rifle case for shipping, and I've had luck with Traxxion Dynamics.

Yeah, I know for major stuff and race bikes they worked with GMD. Would like to support the local shop when possible.

shipping ok or are you only considering local shops?

Shipping is an option, but given equal quality I'd be willing to pay a bit more for local.

[sdog30]

http://www.markbiltracebikes.net

He's in jersey, but literally right behind the track. He also provides track side support at Njmp. Easy enough to ship him the suspension, I've done it a bunch. He specializes in Ohlins and used to race at Loudon in the 90s. Very reasonably priced as well.

Mark was my main suspension guy until I switched to motards. Pretty sure Jon Van still uses him, as well.

[Crconnor18]

I haven’t had my bike serviced yet (came with all new components) with Tim but my garage mates have had their penske’s serviced with him and had great reviews. I plan to have my FJ’s parts brought up soon and have my uncles CB-1000 forks there now.

He has been doing Scott @ innovative’s suspension for his bikes and does some spectacular work with Ducati’s and even races his 749r each round.

[MattR302]

I remember Mo K telling me that Manchester Honda/KTM is a RaceTech authorized service shop.

[nhbubba]

https://factoryconnection.com/Locations-shop-NE

Factory Connection in Barrington, NH?
No personal experience. Maybe they focus exclusively on dirt/MX?

[backinthesaddle]

Razee’s does a lot of dirt bike suspension stuff with factory connection. Not sure these days re on road/track bikes. I think the manager of FC is the son of former AAMRR official Steve Ross. But based on their website it seems they focus on off road mostly which keeps them pretty busy.

[boosten lebaron]

I remember Mo K telling me that Manchester Honda/KTM is a RaceTech authorized service shop.

I was just told today by a triple A Enduro guy that a service tech at Manchester Honda is the suspension whisperer. I guess he was a semi famous road racer back in the day and is now the main racetech guy in the area. I think he said his name was Eric or Mark. I will ask him tomorrow again.

[MattR302]

I was just told today by a triple A Enduro guy that a service tech at Manchester Honda is the suspension whisperer. I guess he was a semi famous road racer back in the day and is now the main racetech guy in the area. I think he said his name was Eric or Mark. I will ask him tomorrow again.

Eric Block

[sdog30]

Eric Block

He does my suspension now. He gets pretty busy. I know he does motards, wasn't sure if he did sport bikes.

Factory connection only does dirt bikes, btw.

[Kurlon]

Factory connection only does dirt bikes, btw.

To clarify, they only want to do dirtbikes that ride on dirt. The word "supermoto" scares them.

[Imbeek]

For those interested in suspension work for motocross, Netra, or Jdays, I’ve used Factory Connection and was impressed with their knowledge and professionalism. As of a few years ago, they had vans that would go to local mx practice tracks and help with setup, and do on-site fluid refreshing and spring changes, etc, while you wait, or you could drop or pickup shocks and forks there for revalving or other stuff that wouldn’t be done that day, to save freight charges.

I remember Rick Ziegfelder (sp?} used to be a factory mx mechanic in the 80’s, then started FC, so hence the name.

They ain’t cheap…

[Kurlon]

They transformed my 92 WR250 at a Stimilon, and I still see their van up here for MX207 events.

[sdog30]

I have used factory as well for my dirtbike. Not cheap. And they will do supermoto, but have no data for that and will not guarantee their work on a supermoto.

Homie has a sportbike though that he needs the suspension done on, so...

[backinthesaddle]

For those interested in suspension work for motocross, Netra, or Jdays, I’ve used Factory Connection and was impressed with their knowledge and professionalism. As of a few years ago, they had vans that would go to local mx practice tracks and help with setup, and do on-site fluid refreshing and spring changes, etc, while you wait, or you could drop or pickup shocks and forks there for revalving or other stuff that wouldn’t be done that day, to save freight charges.

I remember Rick Ziegfelder (sp?} used to be a factory mx mechanic in the 80’s, then started FC, so hence the name.

They ain’t cheap…

Then they became the Team Honda satellite 250MX team, later becoming Geico/FC team, and closing down in the last couple years when Geico pulled out.

[Imbeek]

I have used factory as well for my dirtbike. Not cheap. And they will do supermoto, but have no data for that and will not guarantee their work on a supermoto.

Homie has a sportbike though that he needs the suspension done on, so...

…and I need to find someone to install gold valve cartridge emulators in a pair of Harley touring forks (or otherwise transform them from turd-like to awesome)

[Mgiossi]

I also have heard good things about Tim. I haven't used him personally yet but i have some friends that have and all reports came back as a good option. Going to miss Pete for sure. He has been my only suspension guy I have ever had work on my bikes. Good for him though being able to move on. I wish him nothing but good things. GMD will be missed though

[Jim]

Shipping is an option, but given equal quality I'd be willing to pay a bit more for local.

MRP Motorsports in MD is my go-to. Kenny is great and very reasonable prices. He's the on-track suspension shop at all the CCS events from NJMP to Daytona. he's done my shock and damper at the track last year and will be doing my forks this season. he also fixed a ride height issue at Daytona with me when i was getting a nasty wobble in the banking.