Out with the OLD and in with the NEW

[jvb_ca]

Just installed the new RPM fork valves and 0.85kg springs along with the recommended Motul synthetic 5 wt fork oil.





Just installed the new RPM fork valves and 0.85kg springs along with the recommended Motul synthetic 5 wt fork oil.
I picked up a near perfect set of front forks from a 92 I believe. The ones without the adjustable compression damping. No d-shaped rod to deal with. This front end is replacing a set of fork lowers from an 89 with racetech emulators and 1.0kg straight rate springs. I have had this setup for the last couple of years and I thought this was as good as it would get with the damper rod forks. WRONG....Wow I cannot believe the difference between the two front ends. The new setup with the RPM valves blows the racetech emulator setup out of the water. Can you say smooth? I did a 200km ride this past Monday, our Canada Day holiday, and knew as soon as I pulled out of my driveway that this setup was gonna be nice. Gone was the bump over the curb at the end of my driveway. There is a set of train tracks around the corner that I barely even felt as I rode over them. Yah Baby.  I headed straight for the twisties about 20km west of here. Being here in Ontario our roads take a shit kickin from the frost heaving in the spring. Lots of asphalt seams everywhere. I don't even fell them any more. I was grinning from ear to ear the whole trip. I actually started trying to go over the imperfections in the road just to see if I could feel them. Giggle, giggle. The front end is so smooth now and firmly planted and holds its lines like it knows were to go. Instills confidence while heeled over in the corner so much that I had to pull back the reigns on myself so's I didn't over cook a couple of the corners. I also have had limited riding time the last year or so. High speed braking is a dream. Front end diving is not an issue. It never was with the Racetech setup either, but no more harshness in other areas. Had the front tire howling a few times before i realized it. I absolutely love the way it handles now. Rock solid steady and liquid smooth. I haven't set any sag numbers yet. I just bolted it up at Randy's recommended setup for my weight and off I went. Seems to work very well with the Penske Sport shock I have in the rear, but who knows how much better it could be with proper sag numbers or even the RPM shock?   This inertia valve technology stuff really works. I can now understand what some of the other guys have said when they converted to a cartridge fork, the FZ1, YZF600R, or the uber sexy USD's that chicks really dig, that changing to this suspension transforms the bike into a whole new bike. I would assume that this is very close. Can it get better?
For anybody contemplating a front end upgrade you will be amazed at the difference this setup will make. And it is as easy as changing the fork oil to install. Plug and play. Did I say smooth?
Big thanks to Randy at RPM for developing this setup and also to Marsh for hosting this site that keeps all of this FJ knowledge available to everyone.

Cheers...Jake.

[markmartin]

Jake, what fork oil and weight were you using with the Race Tech Emulators and the 1.0 springs. ?   I've got the same setup you had, R.T. Emulators and 1.0 straight rate springs.  I'm curious.  

Glad you like the new set up.  

Mark M

[jvb_ca]

Mark,
I had mixed some 10wt and 15wt belray fork oil, so I guess around 12 wt. I started with the recommended 15wt then tried the 10wt and settled in between. Seemed to work fine.
I also had another set of spacers cut to adjust preload. Played with that a bit as well and settled at around 15mm preload. This was in the middle postion on the adjuster.

Cheers..Jake

[markmartin]

Thanks Jake.  I meant to ask this as well:         How did you have the spring on your R.T. emulators set?

Yellow spring with two turns in is the recommended setting on the RT directions. I started with that setting and have backed off on the spring since.  

Curious.  Thanks!

Mark M

[racerrad8]

The new setup with the RPM valves blows the racetech emulator setup out of the water.

I can now understand what some of the other guys have said when they converted to a cartridge fork, the FZ1, YZF600R, or the uber sexy USD's that chicks really dig, that changing to this suspension transforms the bike into a whole new bike.

I would assume that this is very close. Can it get better?

For anybody contemplating a front end upgrade you will be amazed at the difference this setup will make. And it is as easy as changing the fork oil to install. Plug and play. Did I say smooth?

Cheers...Jake.

Thanks Jake for the compliments on the fork valves and true comparison to the RT "emulators" you just removed from your bike.

Unfortunately while the USD conversions are "cool" (per their owners), they still do not really compare to the RPM fork valves. I can actually speak from experience as I have ridden bikes with both systems. Since the USD fork does not incorporate the patented bypass valving technology they are actually pretty rough/rigid/stiff since they do not have the patented technology.

The RPM valve has the best of both worlds, a true FJ tuned shim stack for performance when you need it and the bypass valving for that "liquid smooth" ride you are already experiencing.

I am here to tell you I do not know if it can get any better. I am always tweaking on the set-ups looking for better performance, but to date I have not come up with anything better than what I have now. But I will keep searching, but I can tell you USD forks will not get there as they are a cartridge valve fork and have no bypass valving options.

Just think, the new RPM rear shock has the same bypass technology installed. I have been told that with both the front & rear suspension components being of RPM origin the ride is equal to, "a magic carpet ride" or "I feel like I am sitting in the recliner at home".

I believe your experience will be the same as David R posted after removing his high dollar three way adjustable Penske for the RPM testing..."This is just too big to wait."

Thanks again and you will find that you keep searching out the bumps, rough roads and "imperfections" as it never stops amazing the rider. I have never heard a USD owner comment they cannot believe the ride quality and actually search out imperfections of the roadway because they can no longer feel them.

Randy - RPM

[aviationfred]

The RPM fork valves and 0.85kg springs are my next mod. The piggy bank is being fed to make this happen.

Fred

[Bozo]

The new setup with the RPM valves blows the racetech emulator setup out of the water.

I can now understand what some of the other guys have said when they converted to a cartridge fork, the FZ1, YZF600R, or the uber sexy USD's that chicks really dig, that changing to this suspension transforms the bike into a whole new bike.

I would assume that this is very close. Can it get better?

For anybody contemplating a front end upgrade you will be amazed at the difference this setup will make. And it is as easy as changing the fork oil to install. Plug and play. Did I say smooth?

Cheers...Jake.

Thanks Jake for the compliments on the fork valves and true comparison to the RT "emulators" you just removed from your bike.

Unfortunately while the USD conversions are "cool" (per their owners), they still do not really compare to the RPM fork valves. I can actually speak from experience as I have ridden bikes with both systems. Since the USD fork does not incorporate the patented bypass valving technology they are actually pretty rough/rigid/stiff since they do not have the patented technology.

The RPM valve has the best of both worlds, a true FJ tuned shim stack for performance when you need it and the bypass valving for that "liquid smooth" ride you are already experiencing.

I am here to tell you I do not know if it can get any better. I am always tweaking on the set-ups looking for better performance, but to date I have not come up with anything better than what I have now. But I will keep searching, but I can tell you USD forks will not get there as they are a cartridge valve fork and have no bypass valving options.

Just think, the new RPM rear shock has the same bypass technology installed. I have been told that with both the front & rear suspension components being of RPM origin the ride is equal to, "a magic carpet ride" or "I feel like I am sitting in the recliner at home".

I believe your experience will be the same as David R posted after removing his high dollar three way adjustable Penske for the RPM testing..."This is just too big to wait."

Thanks again and you will find that you keep searching out the bumps, rough roads and "imperfections" as it never stops amazing the rider. I have never heard a USD owner comment they cannot believe the ride quality and actually search out imperfections of the roadway because they can no longer feel them.

Randy - RPM

Bloody hell Randy, I'm already loosing sleep waiting for the shock to arrive, now I'll have to use sleeping pills or listen to a Harley owner talking about going through winding roads at high speed passing an R1.

[jvb_ca]

Thanks Jake.  I meant to ask this as well:         How did you have the spring on your R.T. emulators set?

Yellow spring with two turns in is the recommended setting on the RT directions. I started with that setting and have backed off on the spring since.  

Curious.  Thanks!

Mark M

Mark,
I has initially had the set at 2 turns out as well, but was loosening them off. I think I was at around 3/4 to 1 turn.  I cannot tell what color my springs are as whatever paint was on them is now gone. I had read your report on loosening them off and spring color and didn't even realize that they came with different springs.

Cheers...Jake

[jvb_ca]

Unfortunately while the USD conversions are "cool" (per their owners), they still do not really compare to the RPM fork valves. I can actually speak from experience as I have ridden bikes with both systems. Since the USD fork does not incorporate the patented bypass valving technology they are actually pretty rough/rigid/stiff since they do not have the patented technology.



Just think, the new RPM rear shock has the same bypass technology installed. I have been told that with both the front & rear suspension components being of RPM origin the ride is equal to, "a magic carpet ride" or "I feel like I am sitting in the recliner at home".

I believe your experience will be the same as David R posted after removing his high dollar three way adjustable Penske for the RPM testing..."This is just too big to wait."


Randy - RPM

Yes the USD's look cool and very modern, but is good to know that they don't compare to these valves. I guess I will have to start saving for the new RPM shock now... as this is the only way its going to get better. Does it need to get better??? I dunno...pretty damn smooth now. Awesome...smooth ride with performance when you want it.

Cheers...Jake

[ELIMINATOR]

Can you elaborate on the "easy as changing the fork oil" bit please?

[racerrad8]

Can you elaborate on the "easy as changing the fork oil" bit please?

1) Remove the top fork caps.
2) Remove drain screws from the bottom of the forks and let the oil completely drain.
3) Install drain screws into bottom of forks.
4) Refill fork with new oil, cycle to remove air bubbles and adjust to proper level.
5) Install top fork caps.
6) Go out for a ride.

Randy - RPM

[ELIMINATOR]

I meant what work is involved in fitting the fork valves and springs?  

Why did jvb-ca comment about the "D" SHAPED RODS, AS MINE IS A 1990 3cv model?

The ones without the adjustable compression damping. No d-shaped rod to deal with.

[racerrad8]

I meant what work is involved in fitting the fork valves and springs?  

Why did jvb-ca comment about the "D" SHAPED RODS, AS MINE IS A 1990 3cv model?

Sorry about that, I miss understood the question.

The RPM fork valves are truly just a drop in product with the exclusion of making an adjustment to the damper rod before installation, cutting off the "D" shaped rod for the early model forks and measuring & fitting the spacers.

If you have the adjustable front forks, then you will need to set the fork adjustment of the damper rod to the middle setting/hole. You can then drop in the fork valves & springs. The upper cap needs to have the "D" shaped rod cut off just like any other fork valve installation.

You need to take some measurements and cut the spacers to length. Add the oil, set the level and install the fork caps before heading out for a ride.

I have posted several posts of members and their installations & photos for clarification.

Installed RPM valves, Racetech springs & Rebuilt forks
RPM fork valve installation??
RPM Fork Valve
The 'D' rod refered to on the RPM Fork valve instalation guide

Randy - RPM

[fj11.5]

Hey randy, any idea when you will have more fork valves in stock mate, 

[racerrad8]

Hey randy, any idea when you will have more fork valves in stock mate,  

I received an email from them earlier today; "We should be shipping Vibranators and fork valves to you this week."

So, I hope to see them early next week.

I wasn't planning on the run of them that I had over the last couple of weeks, plus the short week last week did not help either.

Make sure you click the notify tab on the product description of the website, then you will get an email once they are back in stock.

Randy - RPM