Anyone tried cartidge emulators?

I'm wanting to install cartridge emulators from Race Tech in my '84 ZN1100. Does anyone have any experience with these?

Not personally, but some on another forum prefer them over progressive springs.

Yes, they help. When you install them make sure to replace the bushings (if your forks have them) seals and springs. I have had very good luck with the springs that Race Tech recomends.

I found the Race Tech cartridge emulators and springs to be excellent. I installed them on my '73 Z1-900.

I was impressed enough with the setup and performance to purchase another set of Race Tech's emulators and springs for my '78 KZ1000 which I'll install when I get the springs (they are back-ordered).

Thanks guys. The drawings and explanations on Race Tech's site make a lot of sense to me. They did not have the right springs for my bike though, so I'm getting a set custom made at Cannon Racecraft in GA. I'm have high hopes for these emulators and if they are as impressive as I think, I will also install them in my girlfriend's '82 KZ1000.

Are you going to replace the rear shocks? I have had good luck with "Progressive" and "Works" shocks on my older bikes.

80B4 wrote: Are you going to replace the rear shocks? I have had good luck with "Progressive" and "Works" shocks on my older bikes.

I have the Progressive springs front and their shocks on the rear of my "80B4" and I like them.

Personally, I'm not a fan of progressive style springs. Not in the front end anyway. I'm with Race Tech when they say that a "regresive" system is what you want. Attained by a linear rate fork spring and a regressive self-adjusting, variable damping rate. The stock springs in my ZN1100 are the progressive type and to me they make an old school fork even worse.
I haven't looked into the rear shocks yet but if these emulators work as well as I think they will, I may go with Race Tech rear shocks as well.

I have a set to install...I was wondering about the position for the extra holes that need to be drilled in the damper rod...anybody installed a set in a kz650? If I am interpreting the directions correctly, I need to enlarge the two existing pairs of holes to 1/4"... rotate damper rod 90 degrees, and drill a new through hole between the existing two...Is this correct? I plan on calling tech support, but they are out in Cali, and I have to wait for FOUR WHOLE HOURS! LOL! Also, there is a fiber (?) seal at the top of rod...is this a wear item? It looks ok, but should I replace it while I have the forks apart? Thanx, all!

I can't speak to drilling holes in the fork cylinder (that would scare me too much unless I had extras in hand), but if the fiber ring you mentioned is like the one in the pic below, I have never seen a replacement offered. Fortunately, I don't think they wear down very much as long as the forks receive normal maintenance. Ed

Yup! That's the one...Well good deal, that is one less part I need ...Thanx Ed! And yes, the prospect of drilling out the rod is a daunting one, am taking it to a machine shop to get it done, but have to be double dern sure of where they need to go!

According to Louie at race tech, the two lower holes in the fork cylinder are to be enlarged to 1/4" and chamfered. rotate cylinder 90 degrees, and drill one new through hole, 1/4" also. Above and at same spacing as existing two. SImple right? not for my wimpy little drill press! Gotta machine shop right around the block, but the guy is not awnsering his phone! !@#$%^&* delays! LOL!