front end upgrade

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jun 3, 2018 | 12:38 PM

tcazes

Thread Starter

Tourer

Joined: Jun 2018

Posts: 356

Likes: 47

From: freedom

front end upgrade

so i have been reading a ton of old threads on everything from the gold valves from race tech to the intiminators to full on inverted setups. while an inverted setup is in the works for next year i NEED something to help out my 09 fxdb. it only has 6k miles on it and im the second owner but gosh the suspension is horrid.

i plan on going with ohlins stx36 monotubes in the rear but for the life of me can't decide what to do up front. im a heavier guy weighing in at 250 so the rears will be heavy duty springs in 13.39 length but for the front what is the best bang for your buck these days? the progressive hi performance cartridge kit? a combo of springs and valves? what would yall suggest? i was thinking of going with bel ray 20wt fluid for sure since harley type e seems super light.

Jun 3, 2018 | 09:15 PM

Dyna100

Tourer

Joined: Feb 2017

Posts: 361

Likes: 56

From: Lancaster, CA.

Gold valves and 10w works good for me in my low rider. I have he Ricors in my Wideglide with 5w, they also work well. If you go with valves 20w might be too thick.

Jun 3, 2018 | 09:39 PM

MRFREEZE57

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2014

Posts: 5,465

Likes: 6,333

From: pacific northwest

I used the ohlins NIX22 cartridges up front, are a bit more $$$ than other set ups but are worth it IMHO.. have the external spring tension and dampening adjustments for much easier changes to the system.

Jun 4, 2018 | 05:23 AM

tcazes

Thread Starter

Tourer

Joined: Jun 2018

Posts: 356

Likes: 47

From: freedom

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dyna100

Gold valves and 10w works good for me in my low rider. I have he Ricors in my Wideglide with 5w, they also work well. If you go with valves 20w might be too thick.

im curious as to why ricors recommends only that super light 5wt with their valve system. i usually run 15wt in just about all of my bikes but as soft as the stock springs are in the street bob i was tempted to go 20. it might be too much for the golds too though you are right.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MRFREEZE57

they are definitely more money but im eyeing them awfully hard simply because of how easy it is to make adjustments and because im weird about having the same suspension front and back lol.

Jun 4, 2018 | 08:46 AM

F86

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2015

Posts: 2,840

Likes: 900

From: Philly Suburbs

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcazes

I'm definitely not a suspension expert, but I think the problem is that the heavier oil doesn't move through the valves quickly enough to allow them to react properly to movement, especially sudden jarring stuff... The result is that they don't end up damping properly. I know it sounds counter-intuitive to run a lighter oil for more performance-oriented handling, but that's often the case with real cartridge systems (which the gold valves try to emulate). My belief (possibly incorrect) is that the oil in a conventional Harley fork is a somewhat static part of the damping function, whereas with the valves it's the movement of the oil that becomes important.