Front End Fork Recommendations- Race Tech Emulators?

Hey all, I am going to be upgrading my VTEC's suspension over the winter to pass the time.  Winter in the Midwest is no fun.

I don't want to alter the stock bike with different forks from an RC 51 or CBR or anything.  For average sport riding and sport touring, I am confident that with some fork revalving and adjustments the stock forks will be fine.

Has anyone tried the Race Tech emulators on their VTEC and how did they work?  What fork oil / spring rates are you using?  I am 185 lbs with gear and will be loading the bike down with gear in the OEM side bags and top trunk.  So that will probably be another 40 lbs or so.

I have read through some of the old comments on Race Tech emulators but was curious if there was any new info or opinions out there.


Thanks for the feedback and suggestions.

I too am curious. I called RMR Suspension (Greater Vancouver, BC) to find out about the cost of a front end rebuild/upgrade and a rear end rebuild of my Penske shock. I was surprised to be told that Gold Valve Emulators were not necessary because the 6th gen has a cartridge fork and all that GVEs do is to emulate the cartridge fork.

Opinions?

http://www.traxxion....rtridgeKit.aspx

Emulators  - emulate cartridges for older style non cartridge forks.  They do carry valve replacements with shim kits for customizing damping, its a swap with the valves in the honda cartridges.  I did my own replacement years ago. started with just a valve replacement.

http://www.vfrdiscus...__+gold +valves

Then I sourced some cbr forks and swapped out the valves so I could get rebound adjustment

http://www.vfrdiscus...dge#entry637990

It's funny how some terms can get stuck in people's brains...I've heard many people refer to Race Tech Gold Valves as "Emulators"--a term that hasn't been current since the early 1990s.  Race Tech famously developed "Cartridge Fork Emulators" for use in the older "damping rod" type forks commonly found on sport bikes in the 1980s.  Some, more budget-oriented bikes continued to use damping rod forks throughout the 1990s, but VFRs have had cartridge forks since the RC36 was intriduced in 1990.

Race Tech also makes Gold Valves, which are made for cartridge forks, and consist of a new compression valve body and shims (they also make rebound Gold Valves, but they are less useful).  That is what you were thinking of, and it is a common upgrade even for cartridge forks.  Any bike shop worth its salt should have known why you were using the wrong term, but they should also have been happy to sell you Gold Valves!

Ciao,

Thanks for the updates and opinions!

[image: View Post]JZH, on 01 October 2012 - 01:02 AM, said:

Race Tech also makes Gold Valves, which are made for cartridge forks, and consist of a new compression valve body and shims (they also make rebound Gold Valves, but they are less useful).  That is what you were thinking of, and it is a common upgrade even for cartridge forks.  Any bike shop worth its salt should have known why you were using the wrong term, but they should also have been happy to sell you Gold Valves!

Ciao,

I installed the Gold compression and rebound valves last season along with .95kg springs on my 03.  Coupled with the Ohlins in the rear it completely transformed the bike.  It feels planted no matter what kind of bumps or ripples I'm hitting.  I'm right around 200lbs and ride 2-up quite a bit plus I've done several track days on it.  Honestly I don't know that there's anything else I could've done to the VFR that would have a greater impact on rideability or performance.

Best product for non adjustable front ends is something like Traxxion dynamics AK-20.  It is hey dropping modification and works great on SV-650 but I have never used 1 on a VFR.

I got a smoking deal on a set of Ohlins valve and springs for the front of mine. Worth it's weight in gold.
My original plan was to install RaceTechs myself, but this deal undercut what it would cost me.

I've installed the Race Tech emulators in a couple older Gold Wings, and they made a huge difference there as well.

If you don't mind wrenching, forks aren't hard to work with. Just very messy.

Another option, shoot Jamie Daugherty an email and see what he'd recommend and what he'd charge.
http://www.daughertymotorsports.com/

I think I will look into the Ohlins valves and springs...good recommendation! The Race Techs sure are pricey, for the whole Gold Valve Comp/ Rebound kits and spings you are looking at almost $500 without labor to install.

I also shot Jamie and email but have not heard back from him yet.

I can do the job for you as well.

AK-20's are super expensive as well, but I hear they work great!

AK-20's are super expensive as well, but I hear they work great!

if you give your specs Traxxion, then they're basically drop in! but even then there still a lot of adjustability if you need it .

I just got of the phone with Thermosman. He is going to do my 929 shock and my forks. I will report back what he did and his it feels. He needed my weight and intended riding style. (I dare say that some Ohlins stuff may find it's way in there)

AK-20's are super expensive as well, but I hear they work great!

Not as expensive as some front end swaps I've seen, and you get to keep your linked brakes. Yes they do work great.

I think I will look into the Ohlins valves and springs...good recommendation! The Race Techs sure are pricey, for the whole Gold Valve Comp/ Rebound kits and spings you are looking at almost $500 without labor to install.

I also shot Jamie and email but have not heard back from him yet.

I shot you a reply, let me know if you didn't get it.

Something to keep in mind is that the Ohlins valves are not the same design as other aftermarket pistons. The valve pistons that I make, as well as other manufacturers, are of a high flow design. You will find this is what cures the damping issues with the stock VFR forks. All VFR's since the mid-90's have come with Honda HMAS valve pistons from the factory. These are a 4-port design which are restrictive and cause excessive high speed damping. This creates the harshness many people complain about. It also is the reason you feel like you are riding on the edge when you aren't really pushing that hard. To counteract that, Honda made the valving with very little low speed damping. This doesn't provide much control or rider feel.

What does this have to do with Ohlins fork pistons? They are almost identical to the Honda HMAS parts. Since the HMAS parts are at the root of the problems with the stock valving I will let you draw the conclusion to how well the Ohlins parts perform.

Another thing to keep in mind is that for the street you really only need to upgrade the compression side. The stock rebound valve pistons are good enough providing you install the correct shim stacks on them.

Hey Jamie yes I did. I think I will find a Saturday to ride my VTEC up there to your shop and get the front forks done. Maybe even have you install my new Ohlins shock (once I get it). I will call and make an appointment. Thanks for the advice!