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.

 

 

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.

 

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.

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.

 

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.

 

I mean that does make sense. I may try the ricors setup with the stock springs first.

 

legends makes a cartridge kit for the front also that costs around $750.00.

 

i came across the legends kit when googling around. dont know much about them. i have always run racetech or ohlins. ill look into legends

 

HrdNox is running Andreani cartridges and seems pleased with them.