Racetech Suspention question

[Omegaman]

I'm in the process of turning my 1996 GS into a race bike and am currently redoing the forks with Racetech Springs.  Does anyone have any baseline information on the amount and wt of folk oil to use?? I'm about 6'3", 210 and was planning to use 15 wt oil.

Thanks!

[The Buddha]

Ok I know its off topic... slightly...
But never ever ever ever send your suspension to Racetech to do any work on it. They do the work just fine, but they hold your forks and make you pay 2-3 times the estimate they gave you.
Cool.
Srinath.

[zlei]

http://traxxion.com/forum/

[Omegaman]

Nothing there on the GS 500... I'm looking for a volume measurement, not a distance one.

[Bob Broussard]

You can buy Racetech springs and install them yourself.
If you get the emulator valves, you'll need to dismantel the forks and drill out some damping holes. Still a do-it-yourself job.
The biggest hassle is getting the bolt on the bottom to unscrew.

I have .85 springs and emulators. My friend has .90 springs only. He wieghs 200+
Both have 20 wt oil. My forks feel firmer with the emulators.

Oil level is set at 99mm (3 7/8") from the top with the forks completely compressed.

[f155mph]

I got the springs and valve emulator on my bike and I think they are great!  I installed them myself and I don't think they are that hard to install.  Totally change the way the bike handle.  No more nose drive when I brake.  Since you have to take the shock apart.  I would recommend a total rebuilt of the shocks.  Save you time later.  I changed the rear shock also with one from a RF600.  The bike rides great, but it is a little firm.  I bounce around a lot.  Kinda like riding a rigid frame.  Not fun on crappy road.

[Hi-T]

How would the emulators work out with progressive springs?  I'm just curious.

[Bob Broussard]

I've never had progressively wound springs. Most springs for racing are straight rate.
The emulator valves allow adjustment of the compression damping.
The oil viscosity affects the rebound.
With emulators it would firm up the forks compared to the springs alone.
Depending on the adjustment of course. It would really improve nose dive under braking (still dives, but slower)
The biggest hassle is changing adjustments. You have to take off the caps and pull the springs, then pull the valve with a homemade tool.
Adjust the valve and drop it back in.  Even more involved if you want to change fork oil wt. to effect rebound.
Race Tech gives you instructions on initial settings of the valve.
I haven't messed with the setting since I put them in. So for street it wouldn't be an issue.

[Omegaman]

I am installing the racetech springs WITHOUT the emulators.  I still am looking for a volume amount for oil in each leg (in cc).. can anyone help?

[Bob Broussard]

Specs call for 382ml for each fork. Don't know how many CCs that is.
Even then you draw some out when you adjust the level to 99mm down from the top edge. Plus the new springs take up more volume.
I would figure about 370ml should be fine, if you don't have a way of setting the level by height.

[cernunos]

ml=cc, BTW love this GS500 and the forum too.

Cernunos

[Omegaman]

AHA!!

This place is AWESOME!!  I'm sure I'll be positing more questions as I turn mi GS into a race bike.

Thanks again for the 370ML answer!!