2001 FLHTCUI fork spring experience
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4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
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2001 FLHTCUI fork spring experience
I want to replace my front springs. I am pretty sure I want the race tech emulators so I get the quick compression allowed when hitting sharp bumps like lane dots. The current stocks spring are soft but I'm not after a race hard suspension. I want cushy. So has anyone put the emulators in with stock springs?
What I have found out is the stock spring's rating is .738kg and 1.407kg (two stage spring). Progressive is .89kg/1.42kg, and race tech has the choices of the soft rate to be .80kg, .85kg, .90kg, 95kg, and 1.0kg . For my weight (196) racetech says to use 1.0kg for the soft end. A progressive spring without emulator seems too stiff to me. With emulator - I wonder.
What I have found out is the stock spring's rating is .738kg and 1.407kg (two stage spring). Progressive is .89kg/1.42kg, and race tech has the choices of the soft rate to be .80kg, .85kg, .90kg, 95kg, and 1.0kg . For my weight (196) racetech says to use 1.0kg for the soft end. A progressive spring without emulator seems too stiff to me. With emulator - I wonder.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,007
Likes: 4
From: Vancouver, B.C.
RE: 2001 FLHTCUI fork spring experience
I just dug out my invoice from RaceTech. I have the 1.0 kg springs installed with my Gold Valve emulators. (I weigh pretty close to the same weight as you) I went with 15 weight Belray fork oil and turned the damping up on the Gold Valves about a 1/2 turn from the factory settings they came with.
I wouldn't call the ride overly 'stiff' at all, but I knew that I would be happier 'more firm' than 'too cushy' so I turned them up a bit. (I didn't want to be unhappy and have pull everything back apart again.....I gambled essentially, and won)
This made a huge improvement to the stock forks. More compliant over the road surface, but not really any more 'stiffer' so to speak. Also less dive when braking. Good bang for the $$$.
2001 FLHT? Don't your forks have a cartridge in one of the legs, or is that prior to HD going to a cartridge setup in one leg of EGs?
My '05 RK has the same internals in BOTH legs. The RaceTech kit required me to modify the damper rods when installing Gold Valves. (drilling additional holes to the ones already there)
The cartridge leg also requires a special spring compression tool to get it back together. I was able to rig something up to get mine back together again.
CN
I wouldn't call the ride overly 'stiff' at all, but I knew that I would be happier 'more firm' than 'too cushy' so I turned them up a bit. (I didn't want to be unhappy and have pull everything back apart again.....I gambled essentially, and won)
This made a huge improvement to the stock forks. More compliant over the road surface, but not really any more 'stiffer' so to speak. Also less dive when braking. Good bang for the $$$.
2001 FLHT? Don't your forks have a cartridge in one of the legs, or is that prior to HD going to a cartridge setup in one leg of EGs?
My '05 RK has the same internals in BOTH legs. The RaceTech kit required me to modify the damper rods when installing Gold Valves. (drilling additional holes to the ones already there)
The cartridge leg also requires a special spring compression tool to get it back together. I was able to rig something up to get mine back together again.
CN
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4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
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RE: 2001 FLHTCUI fork spring experience
Thanks, that helps, at least their recommendation does not sound too harsh. The 2001 was the last year of the just having 2 fork springs. The cartridge started in 2002, and I think it was 2006 they put 2 springs back in and added old style race-tech emulators. What does the adjustment on the emulator do, does it affect compression or rebound?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,007
Likes: 4
From: Vancouver, B.C.
RE: 2001 FLHTCUI fork spring experience
Compression. The valve body has ports on the underside of it covered over by a disc. Upon compression the oil flows through the ports and pushes up on the underside of the disc to flow through the valve. (a glorified check valve) There is a screw adjuster w/ a spring that can be tightened down or backed off to increase or decrease the disc's resistance to oil flow, hence changing the compression damping. I turned mine in a bit from the factory setting.
I could scan the Gold Valve installation sheets and E-mail them to you if you'd like.
I think I know where I put them. I also have a pic or two that shows a fork leg all apart where you might get a look at how a Gold Valve looks, although the RaceTech website will show you the same thing. I'll attempt to attach them.
CN
[IMG]local://upfiles/1799/A38B3701E6104D38966CAC4CABBBDDDA.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/1799/BFA28FDB4C28417E928CD7B3E1E271B6.jpg[/IMG]
I could scan the Gold Valve installation sheets and E-mail them to you if you'd like.
I think I know where I put them. I also have a pic or two that shows a fork leg all apart where you might get a look at how a Gold Valve looks, although the RaceTech website will show you the same thing. I'll attempt to attach them.
CN
[IMG]local://upfiles/1799/A38B3701E6104D38966CAC4CABBBDDDA.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/1799/BFA28FDB4C28417E928CD7B3E1E271B6.jpg[/IMG]
Former Sponsor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 5,360
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From: Davie, FL
RE: 2001 FLHTCUI fork spring experience
Comfortably Numb A real good write up there. If you was closer, would like to put you to work! Great understanding of this unit. A pleasure reading knowing you know what you are talking about.
We do not use a progressively wound spring (not the company but the way it is wound). Linear is the only way to go. When taking apart HD 1" lowered progressively wound kit for a 2007 SG, we calculated that you only have 1/2" of travel until you go into the stiff non-progressive spring. Make sure you check the upper and lower bushings prior to assembly. They should be free of scratches and wear.
I believe that the front side of the bushing wears due to the weight of the bike and rake wearing only one side of the bushings. Here is photos of the same 2007 SG with little mileage on it & my theory.
Comfortably Numb How are you feeling? I hope you are fully recovered.
[IMG]local://upfiles/29413/C5652E5738684E2E803A509BF55216A7.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/29413/478D73505DF743F8B2336E3B1AA6A152.jpg[/IMG]
We do not use a progressively wound spring (not the company but the way it is wound). Linear is the only way to go. When taking apart HD 1" lowered progressively wound kit for a 2007 SG, we calculated that you only have 1/2" of travel until you go into the stiff non-progressive spring. Make sure you check the upper and lower bushings prior to assembly. They should be free of scratches and wear.
I believe that the front side of the bushing wears due to the weight of the bike and rake wearing only one side of the bushings. Here is photos of the same 2007 SG with little mileage on it & my theory.
Comfortably Numb How are you feeling? I hope you are fully recovered.
[IMG]local://upfiles/29413/C5652E5738684E2E803A509BF55216A7.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/29413/478D73505DF743F8B2336E3B1AA6A152.jpg[/IMG]
Thread Starter
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4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
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RE: 2001 FLHTCUI fork spring experience
sure, I would like to see a scan of those instructions. Not much literature on racetech's website. I sent an email to them asking my question about using the lighter springs.(no answer yet)I think the .80kg might be what I want even though I don't weight 80 lbs. LOL.I think I can add extra fluid if I want more compression, and a thicker oil if I want more damping. If I go too stiff of spring then I have to take it apart and swap. So I think I'll error on the light side. It will still be better than stock and I'll be able to run right on the lane dots (well except the rear shocks).
Former Sponsor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 5,360
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From: Davie, FL
RE: 2001 FLHTCUI fork spring experience
ORIGINAL: a2wheelerte
sure, I would like to see a scan of those instructions. Not much literature on racetech's website. I sent an email to them asking my question about using the lighter springs.(no answer yet)I think the .80kg might be what I want even though I don't weight 80 lbs. LOL.I think I can add extra fluid if I want more compression, and a thicker oil if I want more damping. If I go too stiff of spring then I have to take it apart and swap. So I think I'll error on the light side. It will still be better than stock and I'll be able to run right on the lane dots (well except the rear shocks).
sure, I would like to see a scan of those instructions. Not much literature on racetech's website. I sent an email to them asking my question about using the lighter springs.(no answer yet)I think the .80kg might be what I want even though I don't weight 80 lbs. LOL.I think I can add extra fluid if I want more compression, and a thicker oil if I want more damping. If I go too stiff of spring then I have to take it apart and swap. So I think I'll error on the light side. It will still be better than stock and I'll be able to run right on the lane dots (well except the rear shocks).
Ans: No way! Let them answer you first. You would have a front end that would suck. What do you weigh. we do so many of em', at last resort & if they do not answer you with the correct answer, you may call toll free. Let them do the job you paid them for than double check them.
Question: I think I can add extra fluid if I want more compression, and a thicker oil if I want more damping
Ans: No way! You have this all wrong. You change the orifice(s) in place of oil & never-never put in more oil than what is required! You have the principles all wrong entirely.
Question: If I go too stiff of spring then I have to take it apart and swap. So I think I'll error on the light side.
Ans: Why leave anything to chance. Just buy the right part. There is only one correct answer and never leave anything up to chance or error.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,007
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From: Vancouver, B.C.
RE: 2001 FLHTCUI fork spring experience
Hi Howard
Thanks for the nice comment.
I am doing pretty well. I've been off work for close to 6 months and close to getting back. (Feb?)
Physically I'm pretty capable; mentally will have to be determined once I get under some stress again.
The key thing is that I'm once again able to ride. I lost virtually the whole season up here, and for awhile there was some concern as to whether I'd ever recover enough to get back on my bike without crashing in the first corner. I was very lucky.
a2wheelerte
I've dug up the RaceTech sheets. I'll see if I can't post them up for all to see, but I could PM them to you as well if you'd like. I'm not sure posting them up will infringe on any copyright, but I'm leaning towards it being OK.
2 pages for Valves, 3 pages for fork springs.
CN
Thanks for the nice comment.
I am doing pretty well. I've been off work for close to 6 months and close to getting back. (Feb?)
Physically I'm pretty capable; mentally will have to be determined once I get under some stress again.
The key thing is that I'm once again able to ride. I lost virtually the whole season up here, and for awhile there was some concern as to whether I'd ever recover enough to get back on my bike without crashing in the first corner. I was very lucky.
a2wheelerte
I've dug up the RaceTech sheets. I'll see if I can't post them up for all to see, but I could PM them to you as well if you'd like. I'm not sure posting them up will infringe on any copyright, but I'm leaning towards it being OK.
2 pages for Valves, 3 pages for fork springs.
CN
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,007
Likes: 4
From: Vancouver, B.C.
RE: 2001 FLHTCUI fork spring experience
Here's the 2 Gold Valve pages.
CN
[IMG]local://upfiles/1799/B4A2D283C800490D94DC4FD02EB1C1DA.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/1799/1CAB7365C02744D086ECA3B250F7EF96.jpg[/IMG]
CN
[IMG]local://upfiles/1799/B4A2D283C800490D94DC4FD02EB1C1DA.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/1799/1CAB7365C02744D086ECA3B250F7EF96.jpg[/IMG]
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,007
Likes: 4
From: Vancouver, B.C.
RE: 2001 FLHTCUI fork spring experience
Here's the 3 RaceTech fork spring pages.
CN
[IMG]local://upfiles/1799/672DB9C40770492FB323D1F83E4CB792.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/1799/8AB1ED341F9544439A844CB7A7212B97.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/1799/BCA8C49C80564CBF887AF2FCC9290315.jpg[/IMG]
CN
[IMG]local://upfiles/1799/672DB9C40770492FB323D1F83E4CB792.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/1799/8AB1ED341F9544439A844CB7A7212B97.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/1799/BCA8C49C80564CBF887AF2FCC9290315.jpg[/IMG]