Been Working on Something

[Rob Hephner]

I have been working with a very reputable company and while it has taken a lot of effort I do believe we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

I like to do things right, instead of guessing at a solution and not really getting it 100% correct.

The 1300 has thrown us quite a few loops and while we are not quite ready to call it done, we do believe we are close.

I know this is cryptic, but heck where is the fun if I just post up what it is....

Here is a hint. When done it should be pretty darn cool.

Any guesses??

 

[Marshal_Mercer]

I have been working with a very reputable company and while it has taken a lot of effort I do believe we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

I like to do things right, instead of guessing at a solution and not really getting it 100% correct.

The 1300 has thrown us quite a few loops and while we are not quite ready to call it done, we do believe we are close.

I know this is cryptic, but heck where is the fun if I just post up what it is....

Here is a hint. When done it should be pretty darn cool.

Any guesses??

Rob:

They do look cool. Based upon the size, what looks like a shim stack on top, and the "O" ring, I'd say that it's an adjustable, fork damper. If that's it, sign me up!

I'm guessing that I'm wrong because of your "cool" hint.

Marshal

 

[dbst1300]

Adjustable dampers for the front forks??????????????

 

[MikeP1300]

Adjustable dampers for the front forks??????????????

That would be nice!! 2 please.

 

[Black Ops]

It's a quick change whatsitz with fully articulated slide thinggymabob's. I know it not a dodad because those are all plastic. Gizmos have wire and whizzers and baggers come in sets.

 

[Mellow]

OMG.. even the table you put your parts on is clean... ugh... throw some grease on something man, you're killing me...

I start my bike and I have grease on one hand and blood on the other..

 

[Kempo-STer]

Parts to make the water flow out of my faucet faster or is it new headlights that will stop the left one from going out?????

 

[Austin city limits]

Enema Dispenser???

:duck:

 

[sirepair]

Either muffler bearings or turn signal fluid pressurizer?

How bout cartridge emulators for front forks?

 

[SteveST1300]

So when can we expect it to be done? The suspense is killing me!

 

[JZH]

Please do spill the beans...Those appear to be OEM Showa cartridge fork compression damping units modified with Race-Tech Gold Valves. I do not see how they would be "adjustable" in the sense that they could be externally adjustable, but there's something about the way they are spaced up that doesn't look "normal" to me. I've been meaning to install a set when I install the Sonic springs, but have not taken the forks apart, yet.

ISTR that Chris (sport_tourer) had installed a set of FMGV S2040 Gold Valves in his ST1300 some time ago, so this is presumably something more interesting than that? Hope so!

Ciao,

 

[Lou65]

Come on Rob ...give it up.

PS LOVE what you did to your scooter.

 

[Highway Troll]

Sign me up for two when you start production.

 

[JW-1300]

Enema Dispenser???


ACL--Do we need to get more fiber in our new diet???

 

[John Anthony]

This has the feel of Joe's, "I know a secret!" thread. Spill the beens, or we'll send Mugsy over to give you a New Jersey walk around the block!

John

 

[sandman]

I WANT IT..:hotpepper .I WANT IT.:hotpepper ..I WANT IT.:hotpepper


Gordon

 

[Austin city limits]

Enema Dispenser???


ACL--Do we need to get more fiber in our new diet???

Not so far but stay tuned for updates!!! :duck:

 

[gegundez]

I have no clue, maybe some shi-at-su seat massagers?? Hmmm...

 

[Rob Hephner]

OK, yes it is a suspension part!

What I showed a photo of was the compression section of the stack, but we are also working on the rebound. (Hands were too oily to take photos at that point.)

Adjustable is one of those funny words. While I would love forks with external adjustability like a sport bike the cost is extremely prohibitive. However, by taking the fork apart and making changes we can in effect make "adjustments" it is just very time consuming. (Not to mention the cost of the fork oil.)

Lucky for my and ultimately all ST riders, Race Tech want to properly develop a kit for ST Riders and this legwork is yielding results.

I need to put a few thousand miles on this set, so give me a few weeks and we will make another assessment.

The goal is to get both low speed damping and high speed damping at a proper balance. Previously I have ridden bikes that have been great at high speed but not very reactive at low speed. I can tell you right now we are 95% there with the system and when done anyone should be able to buy the valves as they are, match up the proper spring for their weight and be ready to roll.

Stay tuned!!

In case I didn't mention it, these a regular off the shelf Race Tech gold valves that are being modified to get the results needed on the ST1300.

 

[wjbertrand]

Interesting. Dunno if you have arrived at the same conclusion Rob, but IMHO, the stock forks have too much high-speed compression damping, particularly in combination with stiffer aftermarket springs where such excess isn't needed any more to prevent bottoming. I sure hope these new parts can address that. I'm wondering though, you must have to change/modify the internal cartridges it would seem to make this work?