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Fork upgrade with emulators

  • gordone
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16 Jan 2019 03:11 #796861 by gordone
Fork upgrade with emulators was created by gordone
I`m searching for information concerning upgrade my forks with emulators.
I assume these is something I cannot do myself ?

What company does these in Europe and US ?
Do I need some new parts ?

Somebody have some technical information concerning emulators ?

1981 KZ650-D4, with 1981 z750L engine (Wiensco 810 big bore).

Project:
www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/607213...sr-1981-z750l-engine

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16 Jan 2019 05:13 - 16 Jan 2019 05:15 #796864 by martin_csr
Replied by martin_csr on topic Fork upgrade with emulators
Here's a good topic with pics from another Kawasaki forum. plus a couple of Racetech links & Racetech video.

Kawasaki motorcycle site >> Installing cartridge emulators in forks (there's pics.) by Hoyt-Clagwell

Racetech

Racetech


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Last edit: 16 Jan 2019 05:15 by martin_csr.
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16 Jan 2019 08:18 #796872 by gordone
Replied by gordone on topic Fork upgrade with emulators
If I understand these correct can I install it with fork installed one the bike....

Why is not everybody install a emulator in each fork ? No brainer ? or ?

1981 KZ650-D4, with 1981 z750L engine (Wiensco 810 big bore).

Project:
www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/607213...sr-1981-z750l-engine

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16 Jan 2019 08:25 - 16 Jan 2019 08:26 #796873 by martin_csr
Replied by martin_csr on topic Fork upgrade with emulators
From what I've read, you have to disassemble the forks & modify the damper rods, so you have to remove the forks from the motorcycle.

Why isn't the upgrade done more often? Possible reasons: Cost. Not a simple install. Not commonly known.


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Last edit: 16 Jan 2019 08:26 by martin_csr.

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16 Jan 2019 08:28 #796874 by gordone
Replied by gordone on topic Fork upgrade with emulators

martin_csr wrote: From what I've read, you have to disassemble the forks & modify the damper rods, so you have to remove the forks from the motorcycle.

Why isn't the upgrade done more often? Possible reasons: Cost. Not a simple install. Not commonly known.


.....


Yes I see that, but you are able to adjust without taking off the forks.

These is maybe a project for next winter :)

1981 KZ650-D4, with 1981 z750L engine (Wiensco 810 big bore).

Project:
www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/607213...sr-1981-z750l-engine

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16 Jan 2019 08:39 #796875 by martin_csr
Replied by martin_csr on topic Fork upgrade with emulators
I don't know how to adjust them. I haven't read that much about them & haven't read anything recently.




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16 Jan 2019 09:53 #796877 by gordone
Replied by gordone on topic Fork upgrade with emulators

martin_csr wrote: I don't know how to adjust them. I haven't read that much about them & haven't read anything recently.

He explain it in the youtube video.



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1981 KZ650-D4, with 1981 z750L engine (Wiensco 810 big bore).

Project:
www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/607213...sr-1981-z750l-engine

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16 Jan 2019 10:03 #796878 by Move0ver
Replied by Move0ver on topic Fork upgrade with emulators
Race Tech emulators can be adjusted by taking off the fork cap and pulling the preload, main spring, and emulator out of the fork.

There's different emulator springs you can use to adjust the emulator and the preload can be changed as well.

***with the preload, I played around with mine using PVC pipe cut to the length I wanted to test. Once I found one I was happy with (riding a few miles to test) I cut some steel tubing to that length and used the steel one as my "permanent" pre load.

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16 Jan 2019 10:05 #796880 by Move0ver
Replied by Move0ver on topic Fork upgrade with emulators

martin_csr wrote: From what I've read, you have to disassemble the forks & modify the damper rods, so you have to remove the forks from the motorcycle.

Why isn't the upgrade done more often? Possible reasons: Cost. Not a simple install. Not commonly known.


.....


You need to drill (and deburr) some additional holes in the damper rod. Obviously a good time to do a thorough rebuild of the fork assembly.

Agree with your reasons on why it's not done. Absolutely worth the cost however

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17 Jan 2019 05:47 - 17 Jan 2019 06:12 #796926 by martin_csr
Replied by martin_csr on topic Fork upgrade with emulators
Agree with your reasons on why it's not done. Absolutely worth the cost however

Yes, Hoyt Clagwell in that first link is the one who got me to thinking about making the upgrade. he's a big proponent of the cartridge emulators & has suggested them often over at that forum. Does anybody else make a device like that? I've never looked further than racetech. hee.

Gordone, here's a link about adjusting the racetech gold valve emulators. Racetech >> Tuning Guide .
It says the emulators have to be removed from the forks to be adjusted, but usually this can be done with the forks still mounted on the motorcycle.

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Last edit: 17 Jan 2019 06:12 by martin_csr.

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17 Jan 2019 06:33 #796929 by BohicaBob
Replied by BohicaBob on topic Fork upgrade with emulators
I first installed Race Tech Cartridge Emulators and Race Tech springs on my '73 Z1-900. I was so impressed with the results that I also installed them on my '78 KZ1000. I found the task of installation fairly easy and straightforward.

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18 Jan 2019 05:02 #797004 by gordone
Replied by gordone on topic Fork upgrade with emulators

BohicaBob wrote: I first installed Race Tech Cartridge Emulators and Race Tech springs on my '73 Z1-900. I was so impressed with the results that I also installed them on my '78 KZ1000. I found the task of installation fairly easy and straightforward.


Did you use much time on tuning ?
1. Tuning the valve ?
2. Findings correct preload on the spring ?

1981 KZ650-D4, with 1981 z750L engine (Wiensco 810 big bore).

Project:
www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/607213...sr-1981-z750l-engine

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