Hi Guys and Girls,

I thought I would pass on my experiences todate with the now completed installation of the Race Tech Gold Emulator Valves and correct Springs for my weight to the front forks of my 09 Softail.

After much research and verbal discussion with various people about "how can I improve the front end handling" on my softy, I purchased a set of the above Valves, stripped the front end after doing all the measurements as per instructions found that the OEM Springs would not do and that I would need to "cut" the Harley springs to required length, this is not recommended, the ends of compression springs are engineered to sit squarley on mated surfaces and this result cannot be achieved by cutting.

While I odered the recomended race Tech Springs for my model softy (all information easily gleened from Race Tech web site), I went ahead and performed the modification required to be carried out on the "Damping Rods", requires 2 sets of extra holes drilled.

I then reinstalled the forks with the OEM gear, same seals and all as there was very little to no visual wear. I could not wait as it was Thursday and I had to be in Newman Friday night for the commencment of the Pana Riders Bike Show. I also installed a tad heavier fork oil for this trip.

A few days after my return the new Race Tech Springs arrived and I imediatley stripped down and reinstalled the new gear, I took the opportunity whilst i had the time to do a check on the "warpage" of the "Slider Tubes" with dial indicator, all good so installation went ahead.

I have also installed the "Bobber style gaitors" to the top end Slider Tubes to protect against stone chips, I thought it might detract from the original look of the bike, but it has come up OK.

I have ridden the bike over all the rough country back roads down my way at the back of Kwinana, Mundijong and Byford areas where the roads are narrow and dont recieve the maintenance that high traffic flow roads do, a good testing ground.  I also know some of these specific  road areas as the roughness sticks in my mind.

I am happy to report that the modifications have passed with flying colours, quite noticable and only after a few kilometeres from home. The main initial feel was for the elimination of the "harshness" when large bumps are encountered. I took the bike over a series of speed bumps in a 50K zone, I usually have to back off to 20K to approach these but not now. To prove a point I, to test above what I would normally do I was travelling over these at the full 50K.

I went around this circuit with a mate on his 06 Fatboy, from behind he was so suitably impressed he is now in the process of reseaching and ordering a set, i might add he is a lone distanced traveller with over 90,000K on this fatty, which he purchased new.

I still have to do a trip or two to do a full assesment, this initial trial was done with just my body weight and no gear stowed onboard like when I do travel, but I am already confident that this modification will be of a significant benifit to the long term ride on my Softy.

Cheers all,  Paul. 

 

Had the same race tech suspension in the front of my 09 night train for over 12 months now. Installed them along with Shotgun shocks in the rear. 10/10 for handling improvement. Would recommend them to anyone.

Going forward, the variables for fine tuning the system further are oil weight and spacer piece length adjustment, the obvious and initial evolution is to tinker with oil weight as you have done.
Presently I am still basking in the satisfaction of my initial installation, I still need time to feelthe bike if further work is required.
I have just roughly sketched out what is required for on the run adjustment set screws. These will require machining and tapping out the fork tube cap nuts, just a thought.

Ive run race tech gold valve emulators in my fxrs and then in my roadking, both with constant rate race tech springs. Had .9kg in the fxr and 1.kg springs in the roadking, couldnt have been happier with the difference. Unfortunately Harley go with the cheapest Japenese showa suspension around dampening rods(apart from the 2011 xr1200x which has the showa "big piston fork BPF", basically the emulaters change the damping rod set up to a cartridge type. Both my kits came with a recomended oil weight. I would stick with this oil weight. The idea of boring the damping rod holes out is to let the oil flow unrestricted through the open emulater hole letting the springs work under normal riding conditions, when you hit a big bump hard and fast the emulater valve pops open allowing quicker oil flow, the trouble with going to a heavier oil weight is that you run the risk of a hydraulic lock, which basically means the oil is to heavy to go through the emulater as designed, resulting in a solid front end (as we know oil dosen't compress)which you will certainly feel going through the bike. "shock treatment" an aussie company sell race tech gear and are great to deal with---cheers Grim

 ..... 'good stuff' maties, just the sort of reading, I need, although, I am still only partially, enlightened on which way to go.... shockes were a much easier choice, as it's only a 3 tin install.. and I went off half-cocked anyway.. and got some half decent ?? Progressive 970's (piggy back) nitrogen filled.. I know there is much better then these.. but, did what I thought I could afford..

... While at this stage.. I'm gathering some momentum... about what it is too tune, the pointy-end of our rides.. I'm just wondering if there is a good rule of thumb or selection criteria .. to get a close or if not accurate 'fix' to improve the OEM forks on my particular ride (08 Dyna FXD SG).

While the joy, of riding my bike, has increased over the last few days.. with the addition of the PS 970's .. and as, 'all' are saying on this forum.... that it's a natural progression.. to remedy furthur.. Just wondering if there is some links you know of, for further investigation .. inclusive of video, fitment instructions, price, where to get, how to make it suit my personal needs.. lol.. got no idea.. excpet if it feels good.. 

... but for sure, it has become more evident, after changing out my oem shocks.. that, the front of the bike needs attention.. I've kept stock shocky size... I don't need to lower or otherwise.. anyhow... just stopping in to thank you for the info.. it helps us all.. 

 

cheers ---------.> Nods