Front Fork Cartridge Emulator - RD500 ForkPiston Diameter ?

General forum on frames, brakes, suspension, wheels and tires

Moderator: rztom

Message
Author
rd84
- - - - -
- - - - -
Posts: 1618
Joined: Thu Nov 17, 2005 7:12 am
Location: Leicestershire, UK

Re: Front Fork Cartridge Emulator - RD500 ForkPiston Diamete

#31 Post by rd84 » Mon Jun 18, 2018 6:30 am

Hi,

I finally rode my bike with the Racetech emulators - the damping is much better controlled than the OEM forks - it really supports the front end under hard braking but isn’t harsh and deals with bumpy roads well - it’s eliminated the severe fork dive I had under braking but gives a nice smooth ride - I fitted heavier springs as well - previously heavier springs alone didn’t resolve the Fork dive issue and they gave a very harsh ride. I found that heavier damping oil and different air gaps with stronger springs was an improvement over OEM but never resolved the Fork dive under braking and gave a bad ride on bumpy roads - the Racetech emulators plus harder springs are a significant improvement. My advice would be to go for the softest recommended spring unless you’re just going
to use the bike on trackdays.

I purchased the emulators from PDQ who will advise on spring rate for your rider weight and also provide the correct damping oil.

Hope this feedback is of help and apologies for it taking so long.

Cheers
Paul

V4 Heaven
Posts: 182
Joined: Mon Nov 28, 2011 6:43 pm
Location: Wiltshire, UK

Re: Front Fork Cartridge Emulator - RD500 ForkPiston Diamete

#32 Post by V4 Heaven » Mon Jun 18, 2018 8:27 am

Hi Paul,

Good news and thanks for the comprehensive feedback.

Is it a job for the home diy-er to fit them or would a professional have to do the job?

Cheers.
Gettin' kinda squirrely!

rd84
- - - - -
- - - - -
Posts: 1618
Joined: Thu Nov 17, 2005 7:12 am
Location: Leicestershire, UK

Re: Front Fork Cartridge Emulator - RD500 ForkPiston Diamete

#33 Post by rd84 » Mon Jun 18, 2018 10:41 am

V4 Heaven wrote:Hi Paul,

Good news and thanks for the comprehensive feedback.

Is it a job for the home diy-er to fit them or would a professional have to do the job?

Cheers.
My bike was with a local bike engineer so I asked him to do it to make my life easy - however I think it’s definitely a home diy job.

Cheers
Paul

smokamoto
Posts: 147
Joined: Thu Apr 06, 2006 12:18 am
Location: sacramento, ca

Re: Front Fork Cartridge Emulator - RD500 ForkPiston Diamete

#34 Post by smokamoto » Mon Jun 18, 2018 2:31 pm

I just completed my RZ500 Emulator install at home, my fifth set on various bikes, all done at home.

V4 Heaven
Posts: 182
Joined: Mon Nov 28, 2011 6:43 pm
Location: Wiltshire, UK

Re: Front Fork Cartridge Emulator - RD500 ForkPiston Diamete

#35 Post by V4 Heaven » Tue Jul 24, 2018 4:21 pm

rd84 wrote:
1601pete wrote:Any news Paul?
Hi,

I was busy at work so M.E. Motorcycles of Burton have just fitted the emulators for me - they didn’t give any problems - once the weather warms up I’ll collect the bike and report back how it handles.

http://www.memotorcycles.com

I bought Racetech Emulators and springs from PDQ in the UK http://www.pdq1.com/brand.php?BrandID=11 who were very helpful and gave a fast service.

Cheers
Paul
Hi Paul,

Was it as simple as giving PDQ a shout and asking for RD500LC RaceTech emulators?

We’re they pricey?

Cheers

Andy
Gettin' kinda squirrely!

rd84
- - - - -
- - - - -
Posts: 1618
Joined: Thu Nov 17, 2005 7:12 am
Location: Leicestershire, UK

Re: Front Fork Cartridge Emulator - RD500 ForkPiston Diamete

#36 Post by rd84 » Thu Jul 26, 2018 10:10 pm

V4 Heaven wrote:
rd84 wrote:
1601pete wrote:Any news Paul?
Hi,

I was busy at work so M.E. Motorcycles of Burton have just fitted the emulators for me - they didn’t give any problems - once the weather warms up I’ll collect the bike and report back how it handles.

http://www.memotorcycles.com

I bought Racetech Emulators and springs from PDQ in the UK http://www.pdq1.com/brand.php?BrandID=11 who were very helpful and gave a fast service.

Cheers
Paul
Hi Paul,

Was it as simple as giving PDQ a shout and asking for RD500LC RaceTech emulators?

We’re they pricey?

Cheers

Andy
Hi Andy,

I can’t remember the price - I bought a kit of emulators, springs and damping oil - have a chat with PDQ - they just need your bike type - your weight and the type of riding that you do -

Cheers
Paul

rd84
- - - - -
- - - - -
Posts: 1618
Joined: Thu Nov 17, 2005 7:12 am
Location: Leicestershire, UK

Re: Front Fork Cartridge Emulator - RD500 ForkPiston Diamete

#37 Post by rd84 » Thu Jul 26, 2018 10:14 pm

Part Number FEGV S3501

Cheers
Paul

V4 Heaven
Posts: 182
Joined: Mon Nov 28, 2011 6:43 pm
Location: Wiltshire, UK

Re: Front Fork Cartridge Emulator - RD500 ForkPiston Diamete

#38 Post by V4 Heaven » Fri Jul 27, 2018 4:56 am

Nice one thanks.

I have a random leaking fork seal after fully rebuilding my forks with brand new Yamaha parts.

I guessed if they're going to have to come apart again, I may as well do this mod at the same time!
Gettin' kinda squirrely!

User avatar
tacky1
Posts: 1248
Joined: Mon Sep 14, 2015 12:30 pm
Location: Bay Area. CA.

Re: Front Fork Cartridge Emulator - RD500 ForkPiston Diamete

#39 Post by tacky1 » Fri Jul 27, 2018 1:08 pm

rd84 wrote:Part Number FEGV S3501

Cheers
Paul
I used these in all my bikes. RZ500s. RZV500, rg500 and my 350s. Just different springs and oil to suit each bike.
I did have pics on my build thread but f***ing photobucket took away all the pics.
1985 RZv500
1984 RZ500 Hybrid
1986 RG500 Walter Wolf
1986 RG500 Skoal Bandit
1984 RZ350
1984 RZ350 Hybrid
1981 RD350LC
1981 RD350LC Hybrid
2009 CR500AF Supermoto 250X
2007 CR500AF 250X
1988 YSR50 (2)
1989 VFR750R RC30
1984 GPZ750 Turbo

V4 Heaven
Posts: 182
Joined: Mon Nov 28, 2011 6:43 pm
Location: Wiltshire, UK

Re: Front Fork Cartridge Emulator - RD500 ForkPiston Diameter ?

#40 Post by V4 Heaven » Sun Mar 10, 2019 11:46 am

Chaps,

When fitting the Racetech Emulators, did you need to drill any more holes in the damper rod?

Do the emulators come with instructions to tell you if this is required?

Or can you leave them as per original, and allow the emulator to do the rest?

Cheers.
Gettin' kinda squirrely!

steveho
Posts: 229
Joined: Thu Aug 20, 2015 4:01 pm
Location: Southampton, England

Re: Front Fork Cartridge Emulator - RD500 ForkPiston Diameter ?

#41 Post by steveho » Sun Mar 10, 2019 12:33 pm

Hi, the instructions say to open up the existing holes in the damper rods and also drill additional ones too.
This needs to be done so as to disable the compression damping so the emulators can take full control.
Well worth the effort. :grin:

smokamoto
Posts: 147
Joined: Thu Apr 06, 2006 12:18 am
Location: sacramento, ca

Re: Front Fork Cartridge Emulator - RD500 ForkPiston Diameter ?

#42 Post by smokamoto » Sun Mar 10, 2019 1:23 pm

steveho wrote: Sun Mar 10, 2019 12:33 pm Hi, the instructions say to open up the existing holes in the damper rods and also drill additional ones too.
This needs to be done so as to disable the compression damping so the emulators can take full control.
Well worth the effort. :grin:
And be careful to de-burr the inside of the holes that are enlarged/drilled, and clean the damper rods thoroughly. Tedious but necessary.

V4 Heaven
Posts: 182
Joined: Mon Nov 28, 2011 6:43 pm
Location: Wiltshire, UK

Re: Front Fork Cartridge Emulator - RD500 ForkPiston Diameter ?

#43 Post by V4 Heaven » Sun Mar 10, 2019 1:24 pm

Thanks Steveho.

I’ve just spotted them on the RaceTech website, so thanks for the confirmation.

Next question, were any additional spacers needed at all when rebuilding?

Thanks again!
Gettin' kinda squirrely!

User avatar
tacky1
Posts: 1248
Joined: Mon Sep 14, 2015 12:30 pm
Location: Bay Area. CA.

Re: Front Fork Cartridge Emulator - RD500 ForkPiston Diameter ?

#44 Post by tacky1 » Sun Mar 10, 2019 1:55 pm

No extra spacers needed..


Image
Image
1985 RZv500
1984 RZ500 Hybrid
1986 RG500 Walter Wolf
1986 RG500 Skoal Bandit
1984 RZ350
1984 RZ350 Hybrid
1981 RD350LC
1981 RD350LC Hybrid
2009 CR500AF Supermoto 250X
2007 CR500AF 250X
1988 YSR50 (2)
1989 VFR750R RC30
1984 GPZ750 Turbo

V4 Heaven
Posts: 182
Joined: Mon Nov 28, 2011 6:43 pm
Location: Wiltshire, UK

Re: Front Fork Cartridge Emulator - RD500 ForkPiston Diameter ?

#45 Post by V4 Heaven » Sun Mar 10, 2019 2:39 pm

Thanks Tacky,

Was it a noticeable difference after?

What weight of fork oil did you use after fitting the emulators?

Cheers.
Gettin' kinda squirrely!

Post Reply