Topic: Front Fork Damper Valve... anyone tried these???

[IHWillys]

I don't wish ill upon Mike's XS as a supplier or anyone purchasing these but there is a reason these "look exactly like" the Racetech ones.  These are blatant rip-off copies from China.  I know it can be difficult to do, but I try to not support such activities with my $$$.  Our manufacturing base has been eroding for a very long time and having innovative products that are well made be so massively undercut by copies made elsewhere is discouraging to say the least.  The fact that we embrace these copies because they are so much cheaper than the originals is another nail(admittedly amongst many others) in our own industrial coffin.

Also, there is the possibility that these cheap copies don't perform as well as the Racetech ones do.  Will it meet and maintain the same level of performance as the Racetech product?  I don't know. 

Ken
No affiliation with Racetech.

[Nikkisixx]

I don't wish ill upon Mike's XS as a supplier or anyone purchasing these but there is a reason these "look exactly like" the Racetech ones.  These are blatant rip-off copies from China.  

As it is almost Haloween, I've decided to create a ZOMBIE thread  

I've searched RaceTech's site and don't see any claims that any of their products are made in the USA.  I've a strong suspicion they've outsourced production to Asia, which is how/why their design has been ripped off.  Can anyone substantiate or refute this theory?

As an aside, I strongly support North American manufacturing whenever possible.  

[Terry in Australia]

I think North American Manufacturing is a great company, and wish them well. I've got a set of those cheap chinese ripoff's, and I'd almost hazard a guess that the North American Manufacturing Co has been outsourcing to the same factory in China for quite some time........... 

[gnarlycharlie4u]

As it is almost Haloween, I've decided to create a ZOMBIE thread  

haha glad you did.

so what's the consensus on the xs cart emulators? people liking or hating them?

more importantly, where can I get an affordable pair of single rate springs?

[Terry in Australia]

As it is almost Haloween, I've decided to create a ZOMBIE thread  

haha glad you did.

so what's the consensus on the xs cart emulators? people liking or hating them?

more importantly, where can I get an affordable pair of single rate springs?

I think NAMCO sells them mate, but they may be manufactured in china?

[IHWillys]

I think North American Manufacturing is a great company, and wish them well. I've got a set of those cheap chinese ripoff's, and I'd almost hazard a guess that the North American Manufacturing Co has been outsourcing to the same factory in China for quite some time........... 

Point well taken.

I guess I am just a bit upset concerning the current state of manufacturing capability here in the US.  I received a degree in Industrial Technology barely 16 years ago and yet this is no longer a course of study offered by the university.  No need for it here. 

Ken

[bwaller]

so what's the consensus on the xs cart emulators? people liking or hating them?

more importantly, where can I get an affordable pair of single rate springs?
[/quote]

I bought a set of straight rate springs from RaceTech, smaller diameter and shorter than stock so need spacing.

[Alan F.]

I know it's an old thread but good info here nonetheless. If any of the OPs are still here please weight in on how these worked out.

MikesXS Emulators are still available:
https://www.mikesxs.net/yamaha-xs650-damper-valve-pr-front-forks-77-84-oem-1t3-23170-00-00.html
They're $59.95 now.

And the other cheap alternative for larger diameter forks is the V-Twin Manufacturing Emulators you can find on Ebay for 41mm Harley forks, I think I spotted them as low as $37 + shipping.
I made an adaptor and put a set of these in a set of 41mm forks from a 90s Honda Nighthawk.
These Emulators have a 33mm diameter and can likely be turned down to a smaller diameter, but they're just too big for 35mm forks.

Here's a thread on the Nighthawk forum (with a link to a second thread) where I list all of the details.
http://nighthawk-forums.com/index.php/topic,3525.msg32940.html#msg32940