Topic: 1977 CB550K & MikesXS Cartridge Emulators

[CarbonK]

So I’m in the process of putting cartridge emulators into my forks but I ran into a wall. After reading a couple threads on this mod I noticed my damper rods might be a little different.
First off, the emulator’s outer diameter is larger than that of the top of the damper rod and won’t fit inside. Am I going to have enlarge the top of the damper rod? Or am I doing something wrong.
Second, I’ve read that the damper rods have 2 rebound holes towards the top which most suggest at least one be welded shut but mine have 3.
Last, are all three holes at the bottom of the rod compression holes or is it just the top most hole. How many should be drilled?

[Bankerdanny]

That's for a CB550? Mike's XS is a Yamaha shop.

[CarbonK]

I’ve read posts from a few members here who’ve used them instead of Race Techs Gold Valves on our bikes. I’d like to think I’m not that dense haha

[Bankerdanny]

The '77 550 does use a revised fork from the 76 and earlier bikes.

[CarbonK]

Can any one enlighten me on what these parts/part is and it’s function within the forks? Thanks.

[Bankerdanny]

Is that from the kit? It looks like something that would work as a damper with the holes controlling the flow of oil.

That isn't anything you would find in a stock SOHC4 CB550 of any year.

[CarbonK]

Nah, didn’t come with the kit. They were on the rods when I popped the forks open. It looks like someone’s been in there before me because I found 2 copper crush washers instead of 1 on the Allen bolt that holds the damper rods in place on the bottom of the forks.
I wondered why I couldn’t find any mention of these parts in the threads I’ve looked through.

[Yamahawk]

I have used Mikes XS damper valves in Yamaha Vision forks, and they work well. The damper valve is supposed to seal against the top of the damping tube, and it looks like it does in your picture. So, that should work. As far as the holes, the smaller ones are rebound usually, and the larger ones compression. I had to drill the extra set of holes on my damper rods on the Vision, so perhaps that has already been done by a P.O. It looks like someone has tried to add a valve to the fork as that looks like one in the pic with all the holes in it. If it isn't in the stock forks, that might be the case. The damper holes were 5/16" drilled out, so measure the holes you have. The spring on the top of the damper valve controls compression damping, and usually set to between 2 and 4 turns in, more for racing. Hope you get it sorted out!
Charlie

[CarbonK]

Thanks for the help Charlie! I came across instructions online which say the stepped portion of the damper valve should fit inside the rod. The outer diameter of this part of the valve is a bit bigger then the inner diameter of the top of the rod so it looks like I’m gonna need an adapter.
I’m guessing I should remove this mystery piece if I want the valve to work as intended? At this point I already reasambled the forks and am deciding whether to get back in them or find some easier to work with forks. 

[seanbarney41]

Racetech probably has specs for and sells the adaptor you need.  I don't know how happy they would be about mating them with Mike'sXS emulator.