Fork Cartridge/Emulator
Moderator: rztom
Fork Cartridge/Emulator
Hi,
I want to improve the front suspension as much as possible but without swapping the fork inner and outter tubes (keeping stock look). The forks are currently disassembled.
The bike is a 1983 RZ350, Canadian model. Spring diameter is 27 mm and the fork inner tube external diameter is 35 mm. My rear suspension is already upgraded to R6 so it would be nice to have the front follow the same performance.
First I wanted to check if anybody had incorporated a modern bike "real" cartridge into the RZ350 forks. Seems like nobody has done it, probably that there is no cartridge that would fit. If you know one, let me know!
But by doing that research I found that cartridge emulators exist.
Question is, does MikesSM sells one that fit the 1983 RZ350 without modification other than on the dampening tube ? If so, what is the emulator part number ?
I will likely opt for stronger springs 0.8 kg/mm (being above 220 lbs myself) and wt 15 oil. Any comments welcomed.
Thanks!
I want to improve the front suspension as much as possible but without swapping the fork inner and outter tubes (keeping stock look). The forks are currently disassembled.
The bike is a 1983 RZ350, Canadian model. Spring diameter is 27 mm and the fork inner tube external diameter is 35 mm. My rear suspension is already upgraded to R6 so it would be nice to have the front follow the same performance.
First I wanted to check if anybody had incorporated a modern bike "real" cartridge into the RZ350 forks. Seems like nobody has done it, probably that there is no cartridge that would fit. If you know one, let me know!
But by doing that research I found that cartridge emulators exist.
Question is, does MikesSM sells one that fit the 1983 RZ350 without modification other than on the dampening tube ? If so, what is the emulator part number ?
I will likely opt for stronger springs 0.8 kg/mm (being above 220 lbs myself) and wt 15 oil. Any comments welcomed.
Thanks!
In doubt, full throttle!
1971 Kawasaki F8
1983 RZ350
2002 BMW R1150R w/sidecar
2012 Ducati Monster 1100 EVO
2014 KTM 150SX
1994 TZR350
1971 Kawasaki F8
1983 RZ350
2002 BMW R1150R w/sidecar
2012 Ducati Monster 1100 EVO
2014 KTM 150SX
1994 TZR350
Re: Fork Cartridge/Emulator
I think MikesXS units only fit the later forks dont they?
80 XT500 Supermoto!
81 RD350LC Resto
82 RD421LC Hybrid
82 RD350LC decapitation project
82 RD250LC JDM '251LC' YPVS
83 RZ350 Resto
84 RZ500 Resto
85 RZ350 F1 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Hybrid
Like Watches? www.PloProf.com & www.DeskDivers.com
81 RD350LC Resto
82 RD421LC Hybrid
82 RD350LC decapitation project
82 RD250LC JDM '251LC' YPVS
83 RZ350 Resto
84 RZ500 Resto
85 RZ350 F1 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Hybrid
Like Watches? www.PloProf.com & www.DeskDivers.com
Re: Fork Cartridge/Emulator
That is what I am trying to figure out... you mean the 1986 up model?
In doubt, full throttle!
1971 Kawasaki F8
1983 RZ350
2002 BMW R1150R w/sidecar
2012 Ducati Monster 1100 EVO
2014 KTM 150SX
1994 TZR350
1971 Kawasaki F8
1983 RZ350
2002 BMW R1150R w/sidecar
2012 Ducati Monster 1100 EVO
2014 KTM 150SX
1994 TZR350
Re: Fork Cartridge/Emulator
85-on... well, for most of the world... not usa as they had 83/4 forks in their 85.
Maybe they will fit with a bit of work machining, I just dont know.
Did you find the threads on this forum that talk about this upgrade?
Maybe they will fit with a bit of work machining, I just dont know.
Did you find the threads on this forum that talk about this upgrade?
80 XT500 Supermoto!
81 RD350LC Resto
82 RD421LC Hybrid
82 RD350LC decapitation project
82 RD250LC JDM '251LC' YPVS
83 RZ350 Resto
84 RZ500 Resto
85 RZ350 F1 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Hybrid
Like Watches? www.PloProf.com & www.DeskDivers.com
81 RD350LC Resto
82 RD421LC Hybrid
82 RD350LC decapitation project
82 RD250LC JDM '251LC' YPVS
83 RZ350 Resto
84 RZ500 Resto
85 RZ350 F1 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Hybrid
Like Watches? www.PloProf.com & www.DeskDivers.com
Re: Fork Cartridge/Emulator
I searched them but the information on emulators are spreaded over many post. I am also confused on whether or not it would fit my bike.
In doubt, full throttle!
1971 Kawasaki F8
1983 RZ350
2002 BMW R1150R w/sidecar
2012 Ducati Monster 1100 EVO
2014 KTM 150SX
1994 TZR350
1971 Kawasaki F8
1983 RZ350
2002 BMW R1150R w/sidecar
2012 Ducati Monster 1100 EVO
2014 KTM 150SX
1994 TZR350
Re: Fork Cartridge/Emulator
Check with "Evansward" I believe he did this on his US spec bike. I will try and do a search and post a link.
85 Y/B, Toomey pipes, PWK 28's, JJH Needle #2, 45 pilot jet, 145 main, Pods, VForce 4 reed blocks, +3 ignition, Milled head 1.1mm squish, R6 Shock, Progressive
Many Vintage MX Bikes, 03 ZRX1200R, 86 Moto Guzzi 1000 Le Mans MK IV, 86 VFR 750, 74 GT 550
Many Vintage MX Bikes, 03 ZRX1200R, 86 Moto Guzzi 1000 Le Mans MK IV, 86 VFR 750, 74 GT 550
Re: Fork Cartridge/Emulator
I just sent a PM to Evans ward. Thanks.
In doubt, full throttle!
1971 Kawasaki F8
1983 RZ350
2002 BMW R1150R w/sidecar
2012 Ducati Monster 1100 EVO
2014 KTM 150SX
1994 TZR350
1971 Kawasaki F8
1983 RZ350
2002 BMW R1150R w/sidecar
2012 Ducati Monster 1100 EVO
2014 KTM 150SX
1994 TZR350
Re: Fork Cartridge/Emulator
Here is the forum link;
http://www.rzrd500.com/phpBB3/viewtopic ... +emulators" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.rzrd500.com/phpBB3/viewtopic ... +emulators" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
85 Y/B, Toomey pipes, PWK 28's, JJH Needle #2, 45 pilot jet, 145 main, Pods, VForce 4 reed blocks, +3 ignition, Milled head 1.1mm squish, R6 Shock, Progressive
Many Vintage MX Bikes, 03 ZRX1200R, 86 Moto Guzzi 1000 Le Mans MK IV, 86 VFR 750, 74 GT 550
Many Vintage MX Bikes, 03 ZRX1200R, 86 Moto Guzzi 1000 Le Mans MK IV, 86 VFR 750, 74 GT 550
Re: Fork Cartridge/Emulator
Just contact Racetech, they can probably sort you out. They only make emulators in so many sizes to fit all bikes, I'm sure they could help you out. Yeah they're more expensive but you get good info. I've put them in all my conventional forks and they work great if you take the time to set them up properly.
- Evans Ward
- -----
- Posts: 1546
- Joined: Sun Jun 07, 2009 6:39 pm
- Location: Macon, GA
Re: Fork Cartridge/Emulator
Answered your PM. Chris (NCRiding) helped me here and this mod transformed the handling of the bike. Although I used the MikesXS emulator, we followed the RaceTech instructions. The MikesXS instructions with their product are written to mod the XS650.
84 RZ350-Toomeys,SCR milled head, stk 26 carbs,300 M, 35 P, stock regrooved needles AS 2.5 turns out,stk air box,Banshee reeds Zeel non-progr CDI,TSRL Program YPVS,alum rad,R6 shock,GV emulators w/RT springs,fork brace,Shindy steering damper.
Re: Fork Cartridge/Emulator
Evans Ward wrote:Answered your PM. Chris (NCRiding) helped me here and this mod transformed the handling of the bike. Although I used the MikesXS emulator, we followed the RaceTech instructions. The MikesXS instructions with their product are written to mod the XS650.
Would you elaborate on how they transfromed your bike. I have done the R6 mod and rebuilt my stock forks, which had progressive springs already, with 15wt oil.
Very interested in doing the emulators but would love to here your thoughts, feed back now that you have ridden on them for a while. Thanks!
85 Y/B, Toomey pipes, PWK 28's, JJH Needle #2, 45 pilot jet, 145 main, Pods, VForce 4 reed blocks, +3 ignition, Milled head 1.1mm squish, R6 Shock, Progressive
Many Vintage MX Bikes, 03 ZRX1200R, 86 Moto Guzzi 1000 Le Mans MK IV, 86 VFR 750, 74 GT 550
Many Vintage MX Bikes, 03 ZRX1200R, 86 Moto Guzzi 1000 Le Mans MK IV, 86 VFR 750, 74 GT 550
- Evans Ward
- -----
- Posts: 1546
- Joined: Sun Jun 07, 2009 6:39 pm
- Location: Macon, GA
Re: Fork Cartridge/Emulator
^ feels and handles more like a modern bike now, has a very firm feel, little dive when encountering hard bumps, confidence inspiring, YRMV.
84 RZ350-Toomeys,SCR milled head, stk 26 carbs,300 M, 35 P, stock regrooved needles AS 2.5 turns out,stk air box,Banshee reeds Zeel non-progr CDI,TSRL Program YPVS,alum rad,R6 shock,GV emulators w/RT springs,fork brace,Shindy steering damper.
Re: Fork Cartridge/Emulator
Confidence inspiring unless I am trying to keep up with Evans
1973 RD350
2014 Suzuki DT1000
1979 RD400F Daytona Special
1984 RZ350
2014 Suzuki DT1000
1979 RD400F Daytona Special
1984 RZ350
Re: Fork Cartridge/Emulator
I have been doing a lot of reading. Here are some measurements of my 1983 RZ350 dampener tube.
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In doubt, full throttle!
1971 Kawasaki F8
1983 RZ350
2002 BMW R1150R w/sidecar
2012 Ducati Monster 1100 EVO
2014 KTM 150SX
1994 TZR350
1971 Kawasaki F8
1983 RZ350
2002 BMW R1150R w/sidecar
2012 Ducati Monster 1100 EVO
2014 KTM 150SX
1994 TZR350
Re: Fork Cartridge/Emulator
The Race Tech cartridge part number is FEGV S3301: OD 26.5 mm - Step (bottom): 19.5 mm - Plate (top) 13.5 mm
Question, does the MikesXS has similar measurement to this one ?
I also sent a query to Maxton Suspension about their fork conversion and their GP20 cartridge. Anybody has verified their product suitability and price yet? Seems like they have a real cartridge that can be implemented in 35 mm forks.
http://www.maxtonsuspension.co.uk/files ... rsions.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.maxtonsuspension.co.uk/files/gp20.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Question, does the MikesXS has similar measurement to this one ?
I also sent a query to Maxton Suspension about their fork conversion and their GP20 cartridge. Anybody has verified their product suitability and price yet? Seems like they have a real cartridge that can be implemented in 35 mm forks.
http://www.maxtonsuspension.co.uk/files ... rsions.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.maxtonsuspension.co.uk/files/gp20.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
In doubt, full throttle!
1971 Kawasaki F8
1983 RZ350
2002 BMW R1150R w/sidecar
2012 Ducati Monster 1100 EVO
2014 KTM 150SX
1994 TZR350
1971 Kawasaki F8
1983 RZ350
2002 BMW R1150R w/sidecar
2012 Ducati Monster 1100 EVO
2014 KTM 150SX
1994 TZR350