Mikes XS emulators in stock RZ forks- who has done this?

[Evans Ward]

Graham- look here/ link below for the Mikes XS emulators

http://www.mikesxs.net/product/27-1086.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks Evan. The link takes me to the page for xs650 emulators. They don't list in there catalogue Rz350 . Are these xs650 emulators the right ones?

Yes, these are the only ones that Mikes XS sells and will work just fine in the RZ forks. For those that have seen (and have fitted) both the RT Gold emulators and the knock off Mikes XS ones, they are said to be very very similar. For what I heard, the patent expired on the RT piece and it was reverse engineered. All I know is that I saved a bunch of money with the Mikes XS product and my RZ handles great!

Joshua- the guy that did your brazing and sanding knows his stuff! Very nice work.

[kpke]

Juicebox, thank you for the very informative post.

I would like to do this to 1 or 2 of my bikes and this will be very helpful.

[Juicebox]

Happy to help guys. It's about time I post something on this forum besides rookie questions. I would like to make one small correction. One of the pictures in my post shows the valve sitting on top of a rod and it is sitting up on the rod, and the main body of the valve is not flush with the top of the rod.....in that picture the valve is actually sitting on the smaller inner rod....the one you end up getting rid of. The main body of the valve will sit flush on the larger outer rod, which is where it is supposed to sit. In Jools post, you can see that on the bottom of the valve, the end where the nut is, there is a smaller diameter area right above the nut, and then the larger diameter main body. The issue is that the smaller diameter area of the valve is smaller than the opening in which it sits, meaning the whole valve can move from side to side, potentially leaving the rod opening partially uncovered. Machining isn't necessary to have the valves cover the rod openings and be flush, but it does remove any possibility of the valve moving laterally, giving peace of mind. Not sure if I cleared anything up....or created more confusion. If you buy the valves, the part I just tried to explain will all make sense. It was the hole brazing and re-drilling that confused the shit out of me. Good luck.

[steveloomis]

Just to clarify in my own mind, was the top inside of the tube machined to allow the emulator to sit in the recess and not slide off the top?

Steve

[Juicebox]

Steve, yes, I had a small ledge cut into the top inside of the rod. In the first picture below, the screw driver is pointing to the smaller part of the valve I was referring to. This smaller part, and the nut, will fit into the opening on the top of the rod whether you machine it or not. However, if you dont machine the opening a little, the main body of the valve will just sit on top of, but not in the the top of the rod. Because it is on top of, and not in, the rod, it can slide laterally, creating the potential for an opening to be created. This is shown in the second photo. In the third photo, the opening has been machined just enough to let the main valve body to sit in, and not on the rod, thus preventing it from being able to slide laterally. I dont know the tolerances between the inside of the upper fork tube and the crown of the fork piston, so I dont know what the chances of that valve sliding over are, especially with the fork spring on top of the valve pushing down on it, but I didnt want to find out. Besides, the guy at work said he would do it....so why not. I also forgot to mention that the small 2mm hole that has to be drilled near the crown of the fork rod is 32mm down from the bottom of the crown.

[steveloomis]

Got it, thanks...

[JonW]

One thing missing from this thread... Guys, how good/bad is the suspension now this is done?

[Juicebox]

Jon, my suspension is a mess. I made lots of changes, all at once, to the front and back, and made no adjustments before putting it away for the winter. I couldn't give you a very good opinion right now, but sorting this out is the first job on my list when I get the bike out....and if you would like, I will give you an opinion then.

[JonW]

Thanks Juice, understood and defo would appreciate the update when you have it :)

[Evans Ward]

Jon- I only got about 100 miles ride time on my RZ before it encountered the problems that grounded it. My bike has been at Chuck Quenzler's shop in Florida since October '13. I have the Mikes XS emulators with RT straight rate springs, 15w fork oil, R6 shock conversion in back. Initial ride impression for that 100 mile ride was very favorable and the bike handled more like a modern bike. This ride was in the Great Smoky Mtns (Moonshiner 28 and Waymah Rd loop) on a spirited ride with evansje1 and a fast cat named Craig Wiseman on a Moto Guzzi bagger! I've never seen anyone ride like Craig, and John and I aren't slow pokes by any stretch of the imagination. ! Before, I had progressive springs in front w 15w fork oil. I don't want to pass judgment until I get the bike back and log more miles on it but I do think I'll like the front suspension changes!

[JonW]

Cool, thanks for the update, sorry to hear the bike is off the road at the moment. Can I ask what springs you got from RT in the end v's your weight? I also have the R6 rear shock so its sounding like your setup is close to mine.

[Bare]

One thing missing from this thread... Guys, how good/bad is the suspension now this is done?

Shocks are improved with Valves.. Albeit Using Mobil 1 ATF ...Yess It makes for a Very Good fork oil.
Front seems better controlled/ more planted.
Did take a few em valve adjustments top dial it in though.
Bit of a PITA to effect. Quite Happy now.
Valves give a palpable improvement. When fitted with appropriate oil and suitably uprated (in my case coil cut) springs.
Oem Valvie springs are Too Soft for most any uses. My setup has been working happily for 3 years
Definitely worth the ~$50 bux. But imo not worth $200.. for that price one can buy better forks..

[JonW]

Thanks bare, I now get what you mean.

[joolstacho]

Sorry I haven't come back on this one before now.
Mike's XS Emulators transform the front end. Cheap, easy enough to do. Take note of the various installation tips in this thread.
That's it. Nuff said!