'Gold valves'?

[Robert Taylor]

Guilt.. The worst kind of trip..

Will try get a photo of said valves, however if they are unsuitable I will probably ask more questions about your retail pricing. Despite the cost I would rather get it right first time than fuck around with a home built item that may or may not do the job..

We do have a handful of kits at present at pre- increase prices.

[Robert Taylor]

Citroën cars had shim stack digressive suspension in 1954. My old Dad used to add and remove shims in his workshop 35 years ago. It was interesting telling him about Ohlins - he wandered off to his workshop and came back with a little digressive valve and asked "like this?" I wish I had taken a photo of it.

Search for the word "leaf" on this page - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydropneumatic_suspension

Steve

Some digressivity is good, on bumpy ''g'' out surfaces you also often have to have a little progressivity to ''catch'' longer stroke movements to afford some decent pitch control.

[gatch]

We do have a handful of kits at present at pre- increase prices.

Excellent, I asked about getting hold of said valves and they have already been put back in the H2.. Probably could find something a little more suitable yes..

I'm not entirely certain about the model of fork on my spada as there is no stamps or stickers, working on it right now.. The rear however is showa ky6, height adjustable only, nitrogen filled.

[gatch]

I emailed showa support yesterday asking what model number fork was installed on the spada, haven't got a reply yet.

If they are hoping that by not replying to my correspondence I will give up they have another thing coming..

Edit - for some reason my email service reckons I am spamming showa with junk mail.. Bastards

[Robert Taylor]

are all gold valves the same ? If not what are the major differences ? The little springs on them would vary yes ? Port sizes ?

I ask because i have access to a pair (unsure of what bike they come from) and have considered trying to make my own to suit my forks (i'm sure they are showa ky6 - 89 honda spada).

Am i barking up completely the wrong tree or is this doable ? I've got a project i'm working on and i would like to fabricate as much of the bits i can as possible, mostly to keep the cost down..

Any help would be great.
Cheers
gatch

what is the exact model designation and engine capacity of that bike, all suffixes / prefixes etc?

[gatch]

89 honda spada, mc20, vt250j

engine capacity is 249cc

[Robert Taylor]

89 honda spada, mc20, vt250j

engine capacity is 249cc

99% that its damper rod type and therefore requires emulators, the size required can be determined by the od of the fork springs.
If it has no external adjusters and the initial feel is very ''mushy'' then its damper rod type, almost completely unlikely that a bike of that capacity and vintage has cartridges.

[gatch]

Yes sounds about right, the front end is about as solid as a water bed..

As its a one year only model its hard to find any relevant info, I have a service manual (and soon a book with part numbers hopefully) but at the moment I can't tell you any other numbers/figures.

[cowpoos]

99% that its damper rod type and therefore requires emulators, the size required can be determined by the od of the fork springs.
If it has no external adjusters and the initial feel is very ''mushy'' then its damper rod type, almost completely unlikely that a bike of that capacity and vintage has cartridges.

same diameter forks as a MC21 nsr

[gatch]

37mm sound about right ?

thats what my ruler and eye-ometer tell me

[Robert Taylor]

37mm sound about right ?

thats what my ruler and eye-ometer tell me

Remove one fork cap to expose the top of a spring and measure its outer diameter ( you can leave it in place so its not a big deal to do this )

[gatch]

righto, will do tomorrow, don't have the necessary 17mm hex key on hand..

The gold valve emulators are adjusted by a thread in the top of the unit yes ?
might have to turn up some new fork caps so I can fiddle with them externally..

[Shaun]

righto, will do tomorrow, don't have the necessary 17mm hex key on hand..

The gold valve emulators are adjusted by a thread in the top of the unit yes ?
Might have to turn up some new fork caps so i can fiddle with them externally..

no stop weight

[Robert Taylor]

righto, will do tomorrow, don't have the necessary 17mm hex key on hand..

The gold valve emulators are adjusted by a thread in the top of the unit yes ?
might have to turn up some new fork caps so I can fiddle with them externally..

Ok, but you cannot fiddle with them externally, that would take some very elaborate and clever engineering

[cs363]

righto, will do tomorrow, don't have the necessary 17mm hex key on hand..

The gold valve emulators are adjusted by a thread in the top of the unit yes ?
might have to turn up some new fork caps so I can fiddle with them externally..

No, you won't be able to adjust them externally as they sit on top of the damping rod, under the spring (see attached pic). That said if you are getting someone like RT to do the job and give him all the neccessary information about your bike, weight and riding style he has the knowledge to set them up for you. Once set up you shouldn't need to readjust them unless your habits change like perhaps going from road riding to hard out track use.
RT has done an emulator install and suspension tune on two of my bikes and I cannot speak highly enough about the work done, he's not the cheapest but his work is beyond repute - hence the Dr. Bob moniker he is often labelled with.
Bear in mind that to be totally effective you will ideally need to get the correct weight fork springs for your weight/riding style, though I'm sure he will explain all that to you.
One thing I can tell you is that you will not regret spending the money, particularly if you intend keeping the bike for some time.
Suspension tuning is the best bang for buck mod you can make to a bike in my book!