Fork Cartridge/Emulator

[mkane]

I just had Race Tech install there emulator in a track bike. I just sent Maxton an e mail asking for a price on there gp20 installation just in case.

[tzrz350]

Here is the answer I got from Maxton:

We convert your forks, but not by modifying the existing internals. We throw everything inside the fork away and start again with our internals. The internals we supply is our own GP20 cartridge style damping system. The cartridge system is the same type of internal as what you would find in any modern front fork. It has been manufactured and developed by our own engineers and has pistons and shim stacks for the rebound and compression damping. The Cartridge also has needle valves so you can adjust the
damping. The damping adjusters are external, so you can change the damping without having to strip the forks down, but we hide the adjusters to keep the classic appearance. As part of the conversion we also machine new fork tops to take the new cartridges and damping adjusters. We also fit new springs.

Every Maxton GP20 cartridge is built to order, the reason for this is to valve and spring the cartridges to suit the fork, the bike, the riders weight and what they are using the bike for. Once the cartridge has been manufactured we then fit the cartridge to the fork to make sure it works correctly. In most conversions we have to modify the original bottom sliders and stanchions so our cartridge will fit and work properly. The forks are then returned to you fully serviced with new seals and the spring preload and damping set up.

The Maxton GP20 cartridge costs between £350.00 and £550.00 + V.A.T. Depending on how adjustable you want the cartridge to be.

- for £350.00 + V.A.T the cartridge is adjustable for rebound damping.

- for £550.00 + V.A.T the cartridge is adjustable for rebound and compression damping.

All adjustment can be made without having to strip the forks down.

To service the forks with new seals and install the cartridges costs £140.00 + V.A.T. In some cases there are also charges for any extra work to get the forks to work correctly. In Norton and Seeley conversions we machine new bushes for both top and bottom sliders, the bushes are made from a hard wearing frictionless plastic called Delrin. The bushes cost an extra £80.00 + V.A.T. In some cases we also have to get the original sliders honed as the bore of the slider is not machined very well. The cost of honing the sliders is £80.00 + V.A.T for the pair. In some Triumph forks the seal is held in place with friction on the outside diameter. We machine a groove in the bottom slider, so the seal is retained with a cir-clip. This costs an extra £50.00 + V.A.T.

The cartridge conversion fits inside most forks with stanchions that have an outside diameter of 35mm or bigger. In some Honda forks the stanchions are 35mm outside diameter, but the internal diameter of the stanchion is too small for the cartridge to work. For these forks we supply new Hard Chromed stanchions with a larger internal diameter. These cost £200.00 + V.A.T a pair.

[mkane]

Not a bad price. I wonder what the turn around is. If I hadn't already spent $400 my forks would be in the mail.

[tzrz350]

For someone who is thinking of buying the Racetech valve, plus change the spring, plus the work involved, I'd say that is a valid option!

I requested some info on the performance or testimoni, I want to know how good the improvement is with the cartridge.

[hondaror]

I'm liking this!

[tzrz350]

I verified on forum based on other bikes (MT09) and I was able to confirm that the prices above are for a pair. Good!

They seems to be involved in Superbike with success. This is probably the ultimate fork upgrade that keeps the original look. I am interested!

That means I would have to ship my forks to UK...

[mkane]

Maxton will not deal with the US or Canada. Afraid of being sued. Saved me a grand. The Race Tech valve is adjustable internally for compression. Rebound controlled with oil viscosity.

[subxero]

The RT emulators get the job done. $100 odd bucks from springs and $140ish for emulator is money well spent if you want to keep the stock look.

Like previous post said, the emulators are adjustable in a manor of speaking. They typically come with 2 compression adjustment springs, a blue and a yellow. Then you can adjust the preload on each little spring itself to adjust the compression. + mess with oil level as well.

and again like previous post said, just mess with some different weight oil to get the rebound dialed in. It is not all that much work and all done by yourself. Once you get it dialed in you shouldn't have to mess with it much. Just make sure you record your magic oil mixture for later reference when you want to change it out, do seal replacement ect...

[T.RexRacing]

If you're considering the Maxton route just install a first gen R6 fork. Conventional so it retains the look but modern guts,brake and wheel.

[tzrz350]

I want to maintain the original look. In order to use the R6 forks, I'd have to change the triple tree, wheel, fender, etc. I prefer the Maxton solution.

Then its a mater of being able to do the upgrade effectively. I am discussing with a canadian company that has a partnership with Maxton and sells suspension solutions to Maxton. I wanted to know if they could upgrade my forks with the GP20 and it is indeed possible. They know very well the Maxton GP20 and provided me confidence in their capability to perform the work. They have nice machinery too.

So more to follow on this...

[Off Road]

I've been thinking of trying the Race Tech emulators in one of my bikes.

Here's a link to an interesting article explaining the operation of damper rod forks, and the RT emulators.

http://racetech.com/html_files/DampingRodForks.HTML" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[mkane]

Nice read. Looking forward to 2015 track days using these emulators.

[RuZty]

I did the Race Tech emulators years ago, along with the damper rod mods and it was money well spent. Later did the R6 shock and Triumph calipers as well. I personally could not spend a grand to upgrade the stock forks, that puts you well into the law of diminishing returns on a 35mm fork. The suggestion to use early R6 is good, changing the whole front end is no big deal and done right would be unnoticeable by anyone but the most ardent anorak. Good luck either way.