- Joined
- Apr 22, 2020
- Messages
- 3,022
I am in the process of installing Race Tech Gold Valves in my old Betor forks on the P11 to see if I can soften up the harsh hit on square edged bumps. It is a road only P11, and I need a plusher front end. The harsh hit is mostly due to the forks being old and me not changing fork oil and cleaning them often enough. Race Tech claims their valve makes old forks potentially better. They call it a cartridge emulator. Could all be BS, but I'm going to give it a go anyway. If you want to know how it all works check out the Race Tech dot com website.
I forgot to take a before picture of the damping rod. Below is an after damping rod modification picture. The stock damping rods have a pair of small holes just above the foot. The silver alloy lump at the right end of the rod in the pic is the foot. What has to be done is open that existing set of holes up to 1/4" and add 4 more 1/4" holes for a total of 6 in each damping rod. The valves go on the top of the damping rods, and shorter springs are used. I have to cut spacers to make up the proper spring pre-load. I've also spent a couple of hours with a hand file smoothing out and cleaning up radiuses on parts that didn't slide that well. Anyhow, all pretty simple stuff.
The valves and springs are supposed to arrive tomorrow. I'll take a pic of them in the assembly orientation on the damping rods. I might get a ride in Sunday with the valves installed. That's the plan anyway.
I forgot to take a before picture of the damping rod. Below is an after damping rod modification picture. The stock damping rods have a pair of small holes just above the foot. The silver alloy lump at the right end of the rod in the pic is the foot. What has to be done is open that existing set of holes up to 1/4" and add 4 more 1/4" holes for a total of 6 in each damping rod. The valves go on the top of the damping rods, and shorter springs are used. I have to cut spacers to make up the proper spring pre-load. I've also spent a couple of hours with a hand file smoothing out and cleaning up radiuses on parts that didn't slide that well. Anyhow, all pretty simple stuff.
The valves and springs are supposed to arrive tomorrow. I'll take a pic of them in the assembly orientation on the damping rods. I might get a ride in Sunday with the valves installed. That's the plan anyway.