Been Working on Something

Rob Hephner

Rob Hephner

Mobile Pest Control
Joined
Feb 24, 2005
Messages
823
Age
57
Location
Show Low, AZ
Bike
ST1300
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.

2054189302_5c124baece.jpg


Any guesses??
 
Rob Hephner said:
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.

2054189302_5c124baece.jpg


Any guesses??
Click to expand...
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
 
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.
 
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..
 
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?????:eek:
 
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,
 
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
 
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.)

2054190922_27b677f91a.jpg


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.)

2051240019_e9fc9b382e.jpg


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!!

2052020276_64323d8cd1.jpg


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.
 
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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?
 
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