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

[paulages]

sorry- i looked at them tonight, and realistically just had priorities. got two bikes to finish for "selling season," which is really about two hot weeks here in portland. fired the 750 engine i've been rebuilding up tonight and rode it around a bit. feels great. still gotta do paint and some detailing, and finish the cl350. i'll get the GL forks apart soon- promise.

[jaguar]

any updates on the valve installs?

[ralt12]

Yeah, they work pretty well, although I did manage to make mine too stiff, so it's closer to the "race track" setting, which isn't exactly perfection on a bumpy road. Having said that, the Ikon 714's I put on the back are the bee's knees, just great.

[jaguar]

any good pics of the install?

[eurban]

Thought I would bump up this older thread and add a bit of new info.  I helped a buddy to install a set of Racetech emulators on his 80s gpz.  Very nice improvement in the front forks allowing for improved ride over the bumps without brake dive.  He is still tinkering with the settings and oil weight but even our first aproximation was noticeably better than stock.  For those of us who care, Race-tech now has the GL1000 on their application list using part #FEGVS3301.  This is a different number (FEGVS3001) than for the 750s and 500/550s so the much lower priced MikesXS emulator doesn't look to be an option.  Wonder if they can get them in a larger size?  Guess I will ask . . .Who out there actually has some saddle time with the MikesXS pieces in their SOHC?  How about sharing?

[Joksa]

Racetech lists the same emulator for 500 and 750, but the 500 has
a damper rod that screws into cap bolt (like in cadrigde forks).

I can not see how the emulator can be installed to a 500 or am I missing something?

[ev0lution7]

so how hard was it to install these in a 750k after reading this post it was a little confusing if anyone actually came back and said "I got it"

[paulages]

so how hard was it to install these in a 750k after reading this post it was a little confusing if anyone actually came back and said "I got it"

i've installed them two different ways: with a 1" aluminum spacer so that the valve clears the roll-pin in the stock damper, and with the roll pin driven most of the way out and cut off with an o-ring around the bottom of the CV to seal it. i trust the o-ring version more, but the spacer is per race tech's instructions.

[voxonda]

Got a tip from MRieck about the Race Tech Gold Valve Emulators for my replica racer, but these valves are not simply found in Europe and a bit pricey. After reading this topic I got interested in the valves from: http://www.mikesxs.net/mikesxs-suspension.php?category_id=6.2
After some 'googling' I found out that there is a Dutch distributor, so I ordered a set. Will try them on my latest project. Also received the preload adjusters from Kevin at TTR, so this should be a nice fork setup.

Just had to see how they look.

Cheers.

[ttr400]

Looking good Rob.

Kevin

[ev0lution7]

anyone installed the steering dampner from Mikexs?? it looks good for $49 plus $20 for a 35mm fork adapter that would be awesome with these emulators!

[voxonda]

anyone installed the steering dampner from Mikexs?? it looks good for $49 plus $20 for a 35mm fork adapter that would be awesome with these emulators!

I would first see if you really need a steering damper. On my replica the damper made the steering heavy, after removing it it went fine. Shouldn't install it just for looks IMO that is.

Cheers, Rob

[voxonda]

Well received the Valve Emulators today. Decided to try them on my Japauto replica. Although this is a "F"-fork it is still ø35 m/m. Must say I am happy with my present setup. Still curious so here come the spanners.

Rob

[ColinMc]

Reviving this thread to see if anyone used the 35mm ones from MikeXS in their GL1000 forks? I have my GL forks completely in pieces rebuilding them and am curious if anyone got anywhere with that...or with making adjusters that can be used without taking the forks apart. Or if I can get a 37mm version of the same ones MikeXS sells, what company makes them?

[paulages]

i've been running the mike's XS emulators in my bike for a little but now, and i'm still not sure about them. i have them at 7 turns (the maximum suggested range), and there's still much more dive at a slow stop than i'd like. the handling is pretty good altogether, but i still can't tell if they're really working properly. i don't have progressive springs, so i could be mistaking soft springs for slow damping, but i don't believe so... it doesn't bounce, it just doesn't dampen the compression travel enough.

[MRieck]

i've been running the mike's XS emulators in my bike for a little but now, and i'm still not sure about them. i have them at 7 turns (the maximum suggested range), and there's still much more dive at a slow stop than i'd like. the handling is pretty good altogether, but i still can't tell if they're really working properly. i don't have progressive springs, so i could be mistaking soft springs for slow damping, but i don't believe so... it doesn't bounce, it just doesn't dampen the compression travel enough.

What are you running your fork oil level at?

[paulages]

i've been running the mike's XS emulators in my bike for a little but now, and i'm still not sure about them. i have them at 7 turns (the maximum suggested range), and there's still much more dive at a slow stop than i'd like. the handling is pretty good altogether, but i still can't tell if they're really working properly. i don't have progressive springs, so i could be mistaking soft springs for slow damping, but i don't believe so... it doesn't bounce, it just doesn't dampen the compression travel enough.

What are you running your fork oil level at?

20 weight bel ray at 6 or 7 inches... can't remember the spec off the top of my head. maybe i measured that wrong? i took the spring out, compressed the fork fully, and measured from the top of the tube.

[MRieck]

i've been running the mike's XS emulators in my bike for a little but now, and i'm still not sure about them. i have them at 7 turns (the maximum suggested range), and there's still much more dive at a slow stop than i'd like. the handling is pretty good altogether, but i still can't tell if they're really working properly. i don't have progressive springs, so i could be mistaking soft springs for slow damping, but i don't believe so... it doesn't bounce, it just doesn't dampen the compression travel enough.

What are you running your fork oil level at?

20 weight bel ray at 6 or 7 inches... can't remember the spec off the top of my head. maybe i measured that wrong? i took the spring out, compressed the fork fully, and measured from the top of the tube.

I'd start at 5" using the method you described. 20W is heavy IMO but it effects the rebound more than compression with the emulators. You need better springs Paul with the right amount of preload.

[voxonda]

Or try aset of preload-adjusters, so you can vary a bid. Works for me!

PM, if interested.

Cheers, Rob

[ev0lution7]

so what is the downlow are they worth it??

[paulages]

i've been running the mike's XS emulators in my bike for a little but now, and i'm still not sure about them. i have them at 7 turns (the maximum suggested range), and there's still much more dive at a slow stop than i'd like. the handling is pretty good altogether, but i still can't tell if they're really working properly. i don't have progressive springs, so i could be mistaking soft springs for slow damping, but i don't believe so... it doesn't bounce, it just doesn't dampen the compression travel enough.

What are you running your fork oil level at?

20 weight bel ray at 6 or 7 inches... can't remember the spec off the top of my head. maybe i measured that wrong? i took the spring out, compressed the fork fully, and measured from the top of the tube.

I'd start at 5" using the method you described. 20W is heavy IMO but it effects the rebound more than compression with the emulators. You need better springs Paul with the right amount of preload.

yeah, i really need good springs and adjustable preload would be nice. i'll try a little more oil. i installed taller rear shocks (cb900 showa, just to try a different geometry), and the front end feels a lot nicer. i was running really stiff boge rear shocks.

[jaguar]

i know its been a while
what $20 adaptor are you talking about?

any word on the differance in settings between progressive and 'normal' springs?

better info on how to make the spacer?
thanks
for the help

[paulages]

the adapters i've seen decribed by racetech are just a 1" piece of tubing that gets the emulator above the roll pin on the top of the damper rod. i've made my way around that a few different ways, but 1" alu tubing works just fine.

[jaguar]

so they dont do anything to center the cartridge? just raise it up?  my rods dont have that pin but the cartridge doesnt sit center.  like the ones in the pics...

[Joksa]

Racetech lists the same emulator for 500 and 750, but the 500 has
a damper rod that screws into cap bolt (like in cadrigde forks).

Any info on this? According to this thread http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=65013.0
it might not be good idea to discard the rod.