Race Tech gold valve tuning help
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2014
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From: Southern California
Race Tech gold valve tuning help
If anyone has experience with race tech gold valve and springs for 49mm front let me know. I just put then in my front end and did all adjustments based on racetech tech support and it feels harsher than stock. seems to pogo way to much. sag is about 1 1/4. gold valve spring compressed at 1 1/4 turns. screaming eagle heavy duty fork oil 5.1" from top. i typically ride 80-100 if that makes a difference. Any help would be great
from what i hear you have to drill 4 holes to make a total of 6 - 5/16 holes in there, i spoke to the cat at racetech, i am going to be installing mine this coming weekend... very stoked for it. I can do step by step pics... i am going to keep my 1" drop and progressive springs, run 15w spectro oil.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 5,477
Likes: 5
From: New Braunfels, Texas
I don't have that setup but can offer a litlle advise. I have a 2011 superglide with the 49mm forks.
1. screamin eagle heavy fork oil is way too thick for your application. I use amzoil 10w. Belray 7w. might be a good choice as well.
2. try to get your sag at 1.5", seems to be the magic number.
3. I had a "pogo stick" feel to my bike and had to go one step lighter spring then traxxion recomended but the traxxion is a straight rate spring.
Just for reference, I'm running a traxxion straight rate spring, 380mm long, .90 spring rate. (had a .95 and didn't like it on successive bumps, I weigh 185-190)
Amzoil 10w shock therapy fork oil
modded ricor intimidators.
sag set at 1.5
I forget the fork level but I did compensate for the intimidator disk and the longer spring.
I took it apart and put it back together 4 times before I got it spot on. Once you get it set you never have to mess with it again so go the extra mile dialing it in. Even when you get it set up properly it will be a bit stiffer then stock but you should have zero pogo sticking.
I bet if you get your sag to 1.5 and put a lighter oil in it you will see a big difference.
Good luck
1. screamin eagle heavy fork oil is way too thick for your application. I use amzoil 10w. Belray 7w. might be a good choice as well.
2. try to get your sag at 1.5", seems to be the magic number.
3. I had a "pogo stick" feel to my bike and had to go one step lighter spring then traxxion recomended but the traxxion is a straight rate spring.
Just for reference, I'm running a traxxion straight rate spring, 380mm long, .90 spring rate. (had a .95 and didn't like it on successive bumps, I weigh 185-190)
Amzoil 10w shock therapy fork oil
modded ricor intimidators.
sag set at 1.5
I forget the fork level but I did compensate for the intimidator disk and the longer spring.
I took it apart and put it back together 4 times before I got it spot on. Once you get it set you never have to mess with it again so go the extra mile dialing it in. Even when you get it set up properly it will be a bit stiffer then stock but you should have zero pogo sticking.
I bet if you get your sag to 1.5 and put a lighter oil in it you will see a big difference.
Good luck
Last edited by rooti; May 29, 2014 at 02:49 PM.
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Joined: May 2013
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From: NH
from what i hear you have to drill 4 holes to make a total of 6 - 5/16 holes in there, i spoke to the cat at racetech, i am going to be installing mine this coming weekend... very stoked for it. I can do step by step pics... i am going to keep my 1" drop and progressive springs, run 15w spectro oil.
Last edited by NHMJONES; May 29, 2014 at 04:48 PM.
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2014
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From: Southern California
Thanks for the replys. I have my forks drained now, going to try spectro 15w (rt said to try) as well as set my oil level at 160mm and see what that does. I have read a little (cant find much info on it) about drilling the two additional holes in the gold valves but think i should wait until i try different oil and level. Im not sure i like the rt progressive spring idea that came with the kit (one size fits all) but will run it for now. Is there any pros/cons with trying a straight rate spring with the gold valves? RT seemed pretty confident that the progressive spring in there kit was the way to go so i listened.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 5,477
Likes: 5
From: New Braunfels, Texas
I'm really surprised they didn't comment on your sag...that's one thing that will make it stiffer then it has to be. Straight rate springs are more "tuneable" With the progressive type or two stage spring, the softer part of the spring is used up pretty quick and then you get into your stiffer spring. With the ricor intimidators, the valve adjust to a harsh bump or soft bump, not really the spring. I would think it would be similiar for race tech, but I'm sure they know their product better then me. Brian@ricor was running the race tech progressive spring on his dyna (with the intimidators) and loved it.
I think race tech and traxxion are more geared into sport bikes rather then harleys. I am running one step softer spring then what the race tech calculator said and that in itself took away the pogo sticking.
Look at it this way...compare the rider position on a sport bike rider vs. a harley rider. The sport bike riders body is in a forward position vs a harley riders sit up position. The sport bike has more weight on its front end on just the riders position alone.
I still think you need to be at 1.5 sag on a dyna no matter what suspension your running up front. 1.25 is too stiff.
I think race tech and traxxion are more geared into sport bikes rather then harleys. I am running one step softer spring then what the race tech calculator said and that in itself took away the pogo sticking.
Look at it this way...compare the rider position on a sport bike rider vs. a harley rider. The sport bike riders body is in a forward position vs a harley riders sit up position. The sport bike has more weight on its front end on just the riders position alone.
I still think you need to be at 1.5 sag on a dyna no matter what suspension your running up front. 1.25 is too stiff.
Last edited by rooti; May 30, 2014 at 11:25 AM.
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Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2014
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From: Southern California
I'm really surprised they didn't comment on your sag...that's one thing that will make it stiffer then it has to be. Straight rate springs are more "tuneable" With the progressive type or two stage spring, the softer part of the spring is used up pretty quick and then you get into your stiffer spring. With the ricor intimidators, the valve adjust to a harsh bump or soft bump, not really the spring. I would think it would be similiar for race tech, but I'm sure they know their product better then me. Brian@ricor was running the race tech progressive spring on his dyna (with the intimidators) and loved it.
I think race tech and traxxion are more geared into sport bikes rather then harleys. I am running one step softer spring then what the race tech calculator said and that in itself took away the pogo sticking.
Look at it this way...compare the rider position on a sport bike rider vs. a harley rider. The sport bike riders body is in a forward position vs a harley riders sit up position. The sport bike has more weight on its front end on just the riders position alone.
I still think you need to be at 1.5 sag on a dyna no matter what suspension your running up front. 1.25 is too stiff.
I think race tech and traxxion are more geared into sport bikes rather then harleys. I am running one step softer spring then what the race tech calculator said and that in itself took away the pogo sticking.
Look at it this way...compare the rider position on a sport bike rider vs. a harley rider. The sport bike riders body is in a forward position vs a harley riders sit up position. The sport bike has more weight on its front end on just the riders position alone.
I still think you need to be at 1.5 sag on a dyna no matter what suspension your running up front. 1.25 is too stiff.
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 608
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From: Kingston, Washington
what year Dyna? I just set my '12 49mm forks up, I used PJ1 10w oil, 3.74" from the top bled and compressed.
RT progressive springs, tighter coils to the top.
The sag is set at the recommended 1", and I lowered them internally 1".
Gold valve set at 1.5 turns with the blue spring.
Riding later today, will report back.
RT progressive springs, tighter coils to the top.
The sag is set at the recommended 1", and I lowered them internally 1".
Gold valve set at 1.5 turns with the blue spring.
Riding later today, will report back.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2014
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From: Southern California
Well it is night and day difference. I did drill two more holes in the gold valve and set it 2 turns in. Rode about 100 miles yesterday and the front felt great, well planted even on some crap freeways in LA.