Ohlins for FXR

[Detlev]

Just rang CKTechnical about getting a shock like pumba for my FXR and the price that I was given was about $800 and they need the bike to do the shock.That pretty much puts an end to that Idea.

[Mental Trousers]

Was Pumba's done just recently?? I saw it there and had a bit of a giggle. The shock is worth twice what the bike is!!

[Detlev]

I had a chat with Pumba and he told me the shock had been a recent addition to his bike and the cost was $600 and there was no need to send the bike to New Plymouth.

[jasonu]

Just rang CKTechnical about getting a shock like pumba for my FXR and the price that I was given was about $800 and they need the bike to do the shock.That pretty much puts an end to that Idea.

Sounds like a bargain to me. Look at the alternatives, duff around on the stock (probably stuffed) shock or buy something cheaper that MIGHT work. Good suspension equals a faster bike.

[Drew]

That's pretty bloody cheap for them to fit it. I imagine the top mounting point requires modification, or the linkages. Either way it's a bargain.

[Matt Bleck]

Just rang CKTechnical about getting a shock like pumba for my FXR and the price that I was given was about $800 and they need the bike to do the shock.That pretty much puts an end to that Idea.


Mate ring this guy, Richie Ebbett, MotoSR, Mobile 021 514 775 Workshop 07 308 0310!

[White trash]

Ring Kerry Dukie on 0800 I BLO GOATS

He'll make you a shock out of a toilet paper tube, empty Red Bull can, two piece of bailing twine and a trampoline spring. And what's more that shock would out perform anything available to current MotoGP teams.......

[Str8 Jacket]

JTFC, I paid about $800 for my fixxer. Road registered, wof'ed and all.

Time to realise that it really is "just a bucket". You don't need flash shit on yer bike until you can outride what you're currently riding!! Look at the geometrical setup of your FXR. Foot pegs, seat position and handle bars etc BEFORE you look at pouring $$ into suspension mate. They're just FXR's, they're not worth it! IMHO.

[Matt Bleck]

Ring Kerry Dukie on 0800 I BLO GOATS

He'll make you a shock out of a toilet paper tube, empty Red Bull can, two piece of bailing twine and a trampoline spring. And what's more that shock would out perform anything available to current MotoGP teams.......

This sort of attitude could be the reason you have no friends James... :yes:

[White trash]

This sort of attitude could be the reason you have no friends James... :yes:

I don't think it is actually Paul. It's possibly more to do with the fact that I'm an arsehole I should think.

[Kickaha]

It's possibly more to do with the fact that I'm an arsehole I should think.

I'd be inclined to agree with you

[crazy man]

Just rang CKTechnical about getting a shock like pumba for my FXR and the price that I was given was about $800 and they need the bike to do the shock.That pretty much puts an end to that Idea.dont wast ya money on that crap just ride the dame thing

[fi5hy]

Ring Kerry Dukie on 0800 I BLO GOATS

He'll make you a shock out of a toilet paper tube, empty Red Bull can, two piece of bailing twine and a trampoline spring. And what's more that shock would out perform anything available to current MotoGP teams.......

hahahahahahahahahahah your the fuckin man hahahahahahahah its ture:facepalm:

[Henk]

JTFC, I paid about $800 for my fixxer. Road registered, wof'ed and all.

Time to realise that it really is "just a bucket". You don't need flash shit on yer bike until you can outride what you're currently riding!! Look at the geometrical setup of your FXR. Foot pegs, seat position and handle bars etc BEFORE you look at pouring $$ into suspension mate. They're just FXR's, they're not worth it! IMHO.

To be honest I partly agree with you, ride what you have until it is the limiting factor, and It seems like a s**tload of cash to drop on a shock for an FXR. However, Pumba's standard shock was rooted, and if I found myself in that position I'd be looking at something aftermarket and new if I could find the cash, because the only other option I can see is to buy a secondhand FXR shock that is probably not far off just as screwed as the one coming out if not just as bad.

[Buddha#81]

I'm going through this, being a fat fooker is probally part of the issue. Its a bag for bucks thing and are more than happy to pay decent money for somthing good. I'm looking at one of these http://www.yss-australia.com/VIEW.php?brand=19&txtSearch=FX+125&cmdSearch=Show+Model#searchview at 1/2 an Ohlins its closer to the mark but its fooken heaps if it comes in and is wrong.

[Arronduke]

The YSS job looks OK..$415 NZ plus freight and GST $477NZ plus freight.. so $520 notes and its for a 125...!

$600 notes for a custom job ... assuming it is sounds Ok after all.

Now where does the wife keep her gold ?

[Buddha#81]

......and its for a 125...!

It fits a range of simular small capcity bikes, I just used it for the link. Found it through the Main YSS site and serched by the 255mm centre to centre needed.

[Henk]

Pretty sure the FXR is known as a 150 Raider in other parts of the world and they have a listing for them.

[Kickaha]

Pretty sure the FXR is known as a 150 Raider in other parts of the world and they have a listing for them.

Raider is a step through, the FXR is know as the FXR in other parts of the world

[Henk]

My bad (10char)

[Kickaha]

My bad (10char)

http://www.suzuki.com.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=83&Itemid=80

Look up "Malaysian Cub Prix" on youtube, they have full on series for these style of bike

[richban]

My YSS has been going strong for about a year now love it. I sent the old shock to Aussie and they made it with the stock FXR spring. Me 95 ish kg with my gear on and sag setup was mint. If you are a feather weight the stock spring might be no good. Good service.

[sinfull]

Well MY FXR should be endowed with Olins by the end of this week ! AND i might add i'm getting two for not much more !

[hmurphy]

I saw "Ohlins" and "FXR" next to each other and thought it was a joke!! You're waayy too rich to be racing a bucket!! STOCK FTW!!

[Buckets4Me]

I saw "Ohlins" and "FXR" next to each other and thought it was a joke!! You're waayy too rich to be racing a bucket!! STOCK FTW!!

I've seen an Ohlins shock in an FXR and it was a custom job made to fit
will take a pic next time I get a chance

[Henk]

I saw "Ohlins" and "FXR" next to each other and thought it was a joke!! You're waayy too rich to be racing a bucket!! STOCK FTW!!

Anyone priced up a new shock from Suzuki? suspect that a known good stock shock might bleed you the same amount.

[Detlev]

eye to eye on an FXR 235 mm

[NSR143]

Just rang CKTechnical about getting a shock like pumba for my FXR and the price that I was given was about $800 and they need the bike to do the shock.That pretty much puts an end to that Idea.

Don't listen to these guys, drop your shock off to me I have a Ohlins sticker, or it might be a Oshit! sticker from PB and give me a $567 (i may even paint your existing spring another colour)

[jasonu]

JTFC, I paid about $800 for my fixxer. Road registered, wof'ed and all.

Time to realise that it really is "just a bucket". You don't need flash shit on yer bike until you can outride what you're currently riding!! Look at the geometrical setup of your FXR. Foot pegs, seat position and handle bars etc BEFORE you look at pouring $$ into suspension mate. They're just FXR's, they're not worth it! IMHO.

You will never win with that attitude.

[Str8 Jacket]

You will never win with that attitude.

Maybe I already have won races with that attitude.... :facepalm:

[Arronduke]

Hell what a can of worms.

Still i am some way off needing a new shock... need to get it running well first.

BUT when i do... at least I now have a few options.... paint the spring... add an ohlins sticker and walk around with my nose in the air....:innocent:

heee

[Dutchee]

I don't get why anyone should get upset about people deciding they need Ohlins or WP.

Some fat barstards probably do need heavier shocks/forks for their bikes, otherwise they might need to go on a diet, and what's cheaper and easier? And really why spend a couple of hundy (if you can afford it) on a second hand POS shock that is quite possibly as flogged as the one taken out. Better option would be to get something decent.

Also, it is totally wank value, but I keep forgetting to look at Pumba's bike - hmmm, maybe that's why he keeps crashing - to show off the shock to those who haven't actually noticed it when the bike is upright. Sorry Pumba, I promise next time I see your bike I'll go and drawl all over the shock.

Arron, this bike of yours better be good, have lots of bling and that we all need to have a bib to wipe the dribble off, or you're so going to get heaps of shit from all of us (just for a change). No excuses any more, I read how impressed Kel was with your riding on the weekend - MAN UP DUDE.

[Detlev]

Have found another option .:yes:

[Str8 Jacket]

Hey, don't get me wrong I have no problems with people paying for suspension of any kind. I was just stating what I think for me personally. If I had a bit of spare $$ and I could ride my bike a lil harder then I would be getting whatever....

I just know how much detlev hates spending $$!! :yes:


Have found another option .:yes:

Excellent, whatcha got?

[Detlev]

If it is a sucess will post all the details, after our next meeting in december.

[Shorty_925]

what happened to the YSS option?

[Pumba]

Hmmm, it apears I have been outed:facepalm:


I had a chat with Pumba and he told me the shock had been a recent addition to his bike and the cost was $600 and there was no need to send the bike to New Plymouth.

For the record, as much as it matters, the price I told you certinaly wasnt a qoute, and I said you may not need to send CKT the bike. And I recomended you contact CKT and discuss it directly with them and get the answers direct for the full story, which clearly you have now done.


Was Pumba's done just recently?? I saw it there and had a bit of a giggle. The shock is worth twice what the bike is!!

I am sure you wernt the only one. Even I thought it was funny after visiting the shop. The bike seemed a little out of place.


.............Some fat barstards probably do need heavier shocks/forks for their bikes..............Also, it is totally wank value, but I keep forgetting to look at Pumba's bike.........

Well if the first one wasnt a dig the second one defently was. Its a shame you are such I nice person or I could take offence:bleh:

[Henk]

Its a shame you are such I nice person or I could take offence:bleh:

Take offence anyway.

[Detlev]

If you want to spend the dosh on your bike good on you.:whocares:

[Detlev]

what happened to the YSS option?

this one should come in $200 cheaper and maybe just as good.:woohoo:

[Shorty_925]

this one should come in $200 cheaper and maybe just as good.:woohoo:

you buy it, give/lend it to me for a bit and ill put it in my bike to test it out before I consider if i want to buy one the same :innocent:

[Yow Ling]

That kinda money isnt too bad, considering I just had a new spring made for my rear shock, the spring alone was $160. Well worth it too !. The shock I use is a showa off a a 95 rs125. for the people who say a stock shock is best , try a really good shock , you may be suprised

[RMS eng]

you can give me a call about a price to fix your shock,do alot of rebuilds and repairs on old VMX and new race shocks .chris RMS engineering 09 817 9500 check out my old web site,new one coming soon.www.rms-engnz.netfirms.com

[Gremlin]

I don't think it is actually Paul. It's possibly more to do with the fact that I'm an arsehole I should think.

<img src="http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb236/_Gremlin/roger-the-penguin.jpg?t=1290056228"/>

[F5 Dave]

On my old RG I used an old RM80 shock shortened internally. From memory I think Chris did it & it held together & worked well. So yeah RMS is well worth considering if you don't want to punt the brand new flash shock prices.

[White trash]

<img src="http://img2.moonbuggy.org/imgstore/roger-found-it-hard-to-make-friends-with-the-other-penguins.jpg"/>

Lollies <tenchars/>

[Arronduke]

excellent post ... still laughing

[Robert Taylor]

The $600 shock was built using the original spring and a number of the parts were old stock at lowish prices ( that are now exhausted ). It took nigh on three hours from go to wo. Analysis, parts collection, assembly. And then removal of the shock over and above that because inevitably our first valving spec was about 90% there and we wanted to refine it more. More time that was otherwise going to be on another chargeable job. I also recieved the bike at home on a Saturday ( or Sunday ) to give some flexibility to the owner. I have no problem with that if it helps in a world that is so busy.
Do the maths.............
We always insist on having the bike in such case's so we can set it up, that may lose some sales but better to send it away in an optimised state than be badmouthed by keyboard jockeys etc etc.
We in fact also do a lot of one offs for VMX ( vintage moto-x ) and we find in these cases that the owners tend to mix and match stuff such as swingarms and mounting points etc, all things that impact on the leverage and motion ratio applied to the suspension. Very often if you send something off ''sight unseen'' its not going to be as good as it can be.
Its a whole lot more than about just making the shock fit. I make no apologies about the price of Ohlins stuff and Im certainly not getting wealthy from it ( contrary to what some would like to believe )
Yes you can buy cheaper stuff but theres usually a reason for that and custom build by nature is expensive because its time consuming. It costs just about as much in time to build a shock for a bucket as it does a Superbike, the value of the shock is not indexed to the value of the bike.
Each to their own.

[Robert Taylor]

This sort of attitude could be the reason you have no friends James... :yes:

Jimmy has got lots of friends. I think like a lot of people he likes to know who people are and what their past is. And with a number of people the reality just might be a little different to all of the wild stories.
Id start asking questions about the validity of very fanciful claims.

[Buckets4Me]

The $600 shock was built using the original spring and a number of the parts were old stock at lowish prices ( that are now exhausted ). It took nigh on three hours from go to wo. Analysis, parts collection, assembly. And then removal of the shock over and above that because inevitably our first valving spec was about 90% there and we wanted to refine it more. More time that was otherwise going to be on another chargeable job. I also recieved the bike at home on a Saturday ( or Sunday ) to give some flexibility to the owner. I have no problem with that if it helps in a world that is so busy.
Do the maths.............
We always insist on having the bike in such case's so we can set it up, that may lose some sales but better to send it away in an optimised state than be badmouthed by keyboard jockeys etc etc.
We in fact also do a lot of one offs for VMX ( vintage moto-x ) and we find in these cases that the owners tend to mix and match stuff such as swingarms and mounting points etc, all things that impact on the leverage and motion ratio applied to the suspension. Very often if you send something off ''sight unseen'' its not going to be as good as it can be.
Its a whole lot more than about just making the shock fit. I make no apologies about the price of Ohlins stuff and Im certainly not getting wealthy from it ( contrary to what some would like to believe )
Yes you can buy cheaper stuff but theres usually a reason for that and custom build by nature is expensive because its time consuming. It costs just about as much in time to build a shock for a bucket as it does a Superbike, the value of the shock is not indexed to the value of the bike.
Each to their own.

you get what you pay for

it's easier to be a resonable rider on a good bike than ride is shitty bike resonably ???

[Yow Ling]

The $600 shock was built using the original spring and a number of the parts were old stock at lowish prices ( that are now exhausted ). It took nigh on three hours from go to wo. Analysis, parts collection, assembly. And then removal of the shock over and above that because inevitably our first valving spec was about 90% there and we wanted to refine it more. More time that was otherwise going to be on another chargeable job. I also recieved the bike at home on a Saturday ( or Sunday ) to give some flexibility to the owner. I have no problem with that if it helps in a world that is so busy.
Do the maths.............
We always insist on having the bike in such case's so we can set it up, that may lose some sales but better to send it away in an optimised state than be badmouthed by keyboard jockeys etc etc.
We in fact also do a lot of one offs for VMX ( vintage moto-x ) and we find in these cases that the owners tend to mix and match stuff such as swingarms and mounting points etc, all things that impact on the leverage and motion ratio applied to the suspension. Very often if you send something off ''sight unseen'' its not going to be as good as it can be.
Its a whole lot more than about just making the shock fit. I make no apologies about the price of Ohlins stuff and Im certainly not getting wealthy from it ( contrary to what some would like to believe )
Yes you can buy cheaper stuff but theres usually a reason for that and custom build by nature is expensive because its time consuming. It costs just about as much in time to build a shock for a bucket as it does a Superbike, the value of the shock is not indexed to the value of the bike.
Each to their own.

So seeing as FXR150 is far and away the most popular racebike in New Zealand, is it possible to come up with an out of the box shock? plenty are expiring with no good reliable source of replacment , wreckers dont have any, looks like people are going to want something. Choices Ohlins Ckt doesnt sound very enthusiastic, Yss have to deal overseas, or import a bunch of used shocks from Thailand.
if the research , parts selection bla bla was out of the equation could you come up with a good quality one shock fits all solution? Like Hagon do for many bikes

[timg]

So seeing as FXR150 is far and away the most popular racebike in New Zealand, is it possible to come up with an out of the box shock? plenty are expiring with no good reliable source of replacment , wreckers dont have any, looks like people are going to want something. Choices Ohlins Ckt doesnt sound very enthusiastic, Yss have to deal overseas, or import a bunch of used shocks from Thailand.
if the research , parts selection bla bla was out of the equation could you come up with a good quality one shock fits all solution? Like Hagon do for many bikes

That would be good. I queried sorting the FXR suspension with RT but it is the must have your bike thing that makes it difficult. I'm happy to spend my hard earned pocket money on good gear but getting my bucket from the SI to RT.... One would think it would not be impossible to get hold of a std FXR and work something out that would suit most. Seems that there are a number of interested FXR bucket racers.

[Buckets4Me]

That would be good. I queried sorting the FXR suspension with RT but it is the must have your bike thing that makes it difficult. I'm happy to spend my hard earned pocket money on good gear but getting my bucket from the SI to RT.... One would think it would not be impossible to get hold of a std FXR and work something out that would suit most. Seems that there are a number of interested FXR bucket racers.

offer pumba $1000 and you could have an ex demo one cheap :p

but who realy is going to come up with the cash
as enough of you say it's only Buckets not motoGP (I'd pay but I already have one $1600 last time I looked)
we have run YSS shocks but got it wrong (check out chambers backside)

[Robert Taylor]

If there are indeed numbers it makes it more feasible and that puts a ceiling on the price. But that price is variable if a spring is required for a lightweight rider.

If someone can get an FXR to me Im happy to do some development. Bryces one was very much a one off and I didnt expect to replicate it, it was also built from a mix of parts that was old stock and a lower price. Crunching the numbers the price should have been higher because of the time I spent on it. EVEN THEN...there has been no trackside development to optimise further and Im sure it could be a lot better yet. But who pays to get me to a track and spend a day? ( Its got to pay its way as there are real costs ) With all respect to Bryce I only have his feedback to go on.

The spec is basic ( no external adjusters save for spring preload ) but its whats on the inside that counts.

It would be possible to build a real bells and whistles one from MotoGP derived TTX technology with adjustable ride height and a hydraulic spring preload adjuster but I dont think anyone wants to spend over 2k to gain maybe 1/2 to 1 second per lap.But stranger things have happened. ( TTX suspension holds all the lap records on our regualr road race tracks )

Up-specing the rear must also be neccessarily matched with effective mods in the front end to both keep the bike balanced and to improve lap times. Sure people have said ''they are only buckets'' but why wouldnt anyone use the valuable resources ( and there are options ) to try and improve performance?

Bryce, heres a thought. Perhaps youd like to think of any incremental improvement that I can make to your shock to improve it even further. EG perhaps a little more rebound control, a little more ride height control etc. Ill do so FOC and then Ill have a spec that can be replicated.

If I get a minimum of 3 confirmed non cancellable orders and I dont have to use anything other than the stock spring then figure on $695 per shock gst incl. All it takes then is for people to put their money where their mouth is.

[Robert Taylor]

offer pumba $1000 and you could have an ex demo one cheap :p

but who realy is going to come up with the cash
as enough of you say it's only Buckets not motoGP (I'd pay but I already have one $1600 last time I looked)
we have run YSS shocks but got it wrong (check out chambers backside)

What was the issue with those Thai built shocks?

[speedpro]

$695???

That is a real bargain for this sort of gear.

[Kickaha]

If I get a minimum of 3 confirmed non cancellable orders and I dont have to use anything other than the stock spring then figure on $695 per shock gst incl. All it takes then is for people to put their money where their mouth is.

Buddha will need a heavier duty option :whistle:

Good price, if I was effeminate enough to be riding an FXR I'd probably go for it :bleh:

[jasonu]

So seeing as FXR150 is far and away the most popular racebike in New Zealand, is it possible to come up with an out of the box shock? plenty are expiring with no good reliable source of replacment , wreckers dont have any, looks like people are going to want something. Choices Ohlins Ckt doesnt sound very enthusiastic, Yss have to deal overseas, or import a bunch of used shocks from Thailand.
if the research , parts selection bla bla was out of the equation could you come up with a good quality one shock fits all solution? Like Hagon do for many bikes

There is another way, rebuild the worn shock. Chris Pickett of RMS Engineering ph 09 817 9500 can very successfully do this for a lot less $'s than buying a replacement and the result will be better than the stock unit and a whole shit load better than buying some used crap from overseas.

[richban]

What was the issue with those Thai built shocks?

I had mine built in Aussie at YSS and it has been great (original spring). I think I payed around $550 $600 including shipping my shock to them. Rebound and compression adjustable. They also do emulators and springs for the front. There is no issue with them as long as they are setup correct. They couldn't manage a ride height adjustable version something to do with the shock being so short.

[Buckets4Me]

What was the issue with those Thai built shocks?

they where to stiff and bounced a few riders off (not the shock but a setup problem. They where for off road use :) )
now chambers has a new frame FZR not the old gp125 suzuki :) ( you can throw money at something and still never get it anywhere near right)

these old guys will never go to the dark side and buy an FXR (if they did there would be 2 orders straight away)

$700 is half the cost of rebuilding a good engine and gives you more advantage ( it's not all about HP )


224014 the old bike that scared people

224015 how we see F4 racing

[Damien_Toman]

Love the Tui ad. :clap:

I use the standard shock on the middle setting and it works fine. An adjustable one would be better, no doubt. It's the front end that I have issues with. I'm on #15 oil and might try going back to standard #10. I went to 15 to try to minimise diving but now it does not track well on the bumps. Anyone else on #10?

[jasonu]

Love the Tui ad. :clap:

I use the standard shock on the middle setting and it works fine. An adjustable one would be better, no doubt. It's the front end that I have issues with. I'm on #15 oil and might try going back to standard #10. I went to 15 to try to minimise diving but now it does not track well on the bumps. Anyone else on #10?

I've got a set of Aprillia 40mm USD forks with triple clamps and stem for sale if anybody wants them. $475.

[TZ350]

I went to 15 to try to minimise diving but now it does not track well on the bumps.

Gold Valves from RT are the hot ticket for controling Dive.......

[xr-rider]

So seeing as FXR150 is far and away the most popular racebike in New Zealand, is it possible to come up with an out of the box shock? plenty are expiring with no good reliable source of replacment , wreckers dont have any, looks like people are going to want something. Choices Ohlins Ckt doesnt sound very enthusiastic, Yss have to deal overseas, or import a bunch of used shocks from Thailand.
if the research , parts selection bla bla was out of the equation could you come up with a good quality one shock fits all solution? Like Hagon do for many bikes

any bike shop that deals with whites powersports should be able to get a yss. im not sure how it works with shops/importers but there aim was that people could walk in to a bike shop and purchase the shock. Im not 100% sure on the facts to do with it though

[Damien_Toman]

Gold Valves from RT are the hot ticket for controling Dive.......

Sounds expensive :). I was thinking 10 oil with a little extra?

[RMS eng]

Love the Tui ad. :clap:

I use the standard shock on the middle setting and it works fine. An adjustable one would be better, no doubt. It's the front end that I have issues with. I'm on #15 oil and might try going back to standard #10. I went to 15 to try to minimise diving but now it does not track well on the bumps. Anyone else on #10?
you may need to try stiffer springs,fit air valves to fork caps or if they are damper rod forks weld and re-drill the holes smaller.if you need this work done phone chris 09 817 9500 RMS eng

[Buckets4Me]

Sounds expensive :). I was thinking 10 oil with a little extra?

it's racing not a three legged sack race :p

[Damien_Toman]

you may need to try stiffer springs,fit air valves to fork caps or if they are damper rod forks weld and re-drill the holes smaller.if you need this work done phone chris 09 817 9500 RMS eng

Thanks for the suggestions.

[Damien_Toman]

it's racing not a three legged sack race :p

Off to a witty early start , I see, B4M :). "Gold" valves do sound expensive :). I'm serious about trying #10 oil topped up a bit more than standard as it is easy for me to do and if (when?) it does not improve things I might investigate those good options. Has anyone found modern upside-down adjustable forks that fit?

[jasonu]

Off to a witty early start , I see, B4M :). "Gold" valves do sound expensive :). I'm serious about trying #10 oil topped up a bit more than standard as it is easy for me to do and if (when?) it does not improve things I might investigate those good options. Has anyone found modern upside-down adjustable forks that fit?

I've got a set of Aprillia 40mm USD forks with triple clamps and stem for sale $475 ono. Might not 'bolt right on' but shouldn't be too hard. Call Chris Pickett 09 817 9500, he will be able to tell you what will be involved and even do it for you.

[TZ350]

"Gold" valves do sound expensive :)

As they work differently to old damper rods, its the way Gold Valves (Emulators) function that makes them good and worth the $$$.

Damping rod forks are notorious for being both too harsh and too easy to bottom. This is the nature of damping rod fixed orifice forks. Until now, all you could do is change spring rate, oil viscosity and damping hole size. The best available was a serious compromise.

Simply put Emulators make damping rod forks perform like well-tuned cartridge forks. Emulators are tunable compression dampining valves that sit on top of the damping rods and are held in place by the main springs.

A good read that explains the difference between emulators and damper rods. http://www.sportrider.com/tech/146_9502_tech/index.html

[Damien_Toman]

Thanks for the info. TZ. Does sound good.

[Robert Taylor]

Hell what a can of worms.

Still i am some way off needing a new shock... need to get it running well first.

BUT when i do... at least I now have a few options.... paint the spring... add an ohlins sticker and walk around with my nose in the air....:innocent:

heee

Interesting perspective? Even if you did spend $690 I dont think that gives anyone the right to walk around with their nose in the air. Even if it was $6900.........

[Robert Taylor]

I had mine built in Aussie at YSS and it has been great (original spring). I think I payed around $550 $600 including shipping my shock to them. Rebound and compression adjustable. They also do emulators and springs for the front. There is no issue with them as long as they are setup correct. They couldn't manage a ride height adjustable version something to do with the shock being so short.

I can say with 100% conviction that apples for apples, rider for rider and bike for bike a pedigree Swedish shock optimised to the bike ( with added length ) will outperform a seemingly adjustable Asian built shock. Having external adjusters is seemingly a great idea but its the spec inside the shock that really counts. Thats where over 30 years of supplying suspension at the very sharpest ends of road racing and having the biggest r&d suspension department really pays dividends. Many other companies follow and copy but cut corners in key areas such as quality and friction reduction etc. Lower price is always attractive but there are always reasons for that
As I said before though each to their own, there isnt a whole load of margin in such work for me but why Im insistent on having the bikes is being able to optimise to the nth degree. Maybe such an attitude is more worthy of respect in that it shows we work to a standard rather than a price, even if its inconvenient.

[Robert Taylor]

they where to stiff and bounced a few riders off (not the shock but a setup problem. They where for off road use :) )
now chambers has a new frame FZR not the old gp125 suzuki :) ( you can throw money at something and still never get it anywhere near right)

these old guys will never go to the dark side and buy an FXR (if they did there would be 2 orders straight away)

$700 is half the cost of rebuilding a good engine and gives you more advantage ( it's not all about HP )


224014 the old bike that scared people

224015 how we see F4 racing

Thanks for the clarification, it rather emphasises what a lot of people throughout motorcycling fail to grasp, its more than about the shock just fitting the bike. Theres also another huge misconception, ''fully adjustable'' shocks are anything but!

[Robert Taylor]

any bike shop that deals with whites powersports should be able to get a yss. im not sure how it works with shops/importers but there aim was that people could walk in to a bike shop and purchase the shock. Im not 100% sure on the facts to do with it though

Yes indeed anyone can supposedly walk into a bikeshop and buy a shock. But how many bike shops have suspension experts in the truest sense? Im not ''knocking'' bike shops per se, its just that to get the very best out of suspension this has very much become a specialist field, a trade in its own right.

[Buckets4Me]

Off to a witty early start , I see, B4M :). "Gold" valves do sound expensive :). I'm serious about trying #10 oil topped up a bit more than standard as it is easy for me to do and if (when?) it does not improve things I might investigate those good options. Has anyone found modern upside-down adjustable forks that fit?

yep witty and stupid (cant stand it when people want everything for free)

I priced up fixing the suspention on my bike and splashed out on an rs frame instead
can you see why (specialy since it came with all the fruit and spare wheels) for about the same price as a rear shock

[Robert Taylor]

you may need to try stiffer springs,fit air valves to fork caps or if they are damper rod forks weld and re-drill the holes smaller.if you need this work done phone chris 09 817 9500 RMS eng

Chris with all respect thats a 70s ''solution''. If you reduce the size of those fixed orifice damping holes sure its going to give you more initial low speed compression hold but its going to make the abrupt bump compliance even worse. That increases the risk of crashing while cornering if you strike an abrupt bump whilst leaned over ( it happens ), overloads the tyre more and often takes away edge grip.

Race Tech brand emulators turn the suspension from crummy old 50s style fixed orifice damping into speed sensitive damping. Race Tech and not the crummy rip off copies that are made of lower longevity materials and have less tuning options.

[Damien_Toman]

yep ......splashed out on an rs frame instead
can you see why (specialy since it came with all the fruit and spare wheels) for about the same price as a rear shock

RS frame? Honda or Aprilia?

[jasonu]

Chris thats a 70s ''solution''. If you reduce the size of those fixed orifice damping holes sure its going to give you more initial low speed compression hold but its going to make the abrupt bump compliance even worse. That increases the risk of crashing while cornering if you strike an abrupt bump whilst leaned over ( it happens ), overloads the tyre more and often takes away edge grip.

Race Tech brand emulators turn the suspension from crummy old 50s style fixed orifice damping into speed sensitive damping. Race Tech and not the crummy rip off copies that are made of lower longevity materials and have less tuning options.

Robert, you are totally correct when you say modding the damper rods ect. is old hat. But I think what Chris is trying to put forward is a cheap way of noticeably improving the standard equipment for not a lot of money. I did the same thing to some TZR50 forks ( a long time ago) and got a good improvement.

[speedpro]

Agree with that. I've gone the emulator route, but damper rods can be tuned to be a lot closer to what we want than how they come. Jim Steadman's bike is a good example I'm familiar with, it's good enough to wear the sidestand tang on left corners and still feels planted at bucket racing speeds on a kart track.

[Robert Taylor]

Certainly going for smaller holes in the damper rods does improve ride height and brake pitch control and translate into faster lap times. But in terms of fluid dynamics its still very very crude, because its still fixed orifice damping from the earlier part of the 20th century!!!. If you ride over something abrupt ( and Im led to believe this happens from time to time ) the holes are now so small that they will not pass enough fluid and the suspension will go into hydraulic lock. That will overload the tyre and shorten its life. It will also cause more crashing than is prudent unless you guys race on tracks that are ''billiard table'' smooth and / or never run off line?
Race Tech emulators whilst still crude at least provide some modicum of speed sensitive flow modulation. There is the small low speed orifice that provides decent ride height and brake pitch control and at higher suspension shaft velocities ( abrupt bumps / seal lip changes etc ) the poppet opens against poppett spring pressure to allow more flow so the suspension actually moves! Even race track bikes should absorb nasty bumps.....
Even emulators are crude and they will momentarily pop off their seats under certain circumstances of load as all that is holding them in place is spring force. Ideally they should be positively secured to the top of the damper rods.
At the risk of being maligned I thought we were now in the 21st century?

[speedpro]

....Even emulators are crude and they will momentarily pop off their seats under certain circumstances of load as all that is holding them in place is spring force. Ideally they should be positively secured to the top of the damper rods.

Interesting. I have wondered about that, given the near "0" preload on the springs there is very little to hold them seated at full extension. Being able to thread them into the top of the damper rods would seem a good idea.

[F5 Dave]

Mt wgtn has some pretty nasty sections of stutter bumps, my old forks were particularly prone to skating across them.

[Yow Ling]

Interesting. I have wondered about that, given the near "0" preload on the springs there is very little to hold them seated at full extension. Being able to thread them into the top of the damper rods would seem a good idea.

Give em a wee zap wit the mig , that should stop them moving round

[Robert Taylor]

Give em a wee zap wit the mig , that should stop them moving round

The scary thing is someone may believe what you have just posted