I need a front susp pep-talk! Racetech etc.

[nick2ny]

Howdy--The front suspension on my '94 900 SS CR is undersprung and underdamped. I want to put on either a new fork or racetech internals into this one. I think I'm better off putting racetech stuff in this one because the brakes and wheels'll fit.

Before I start, I must say that I notice that the front wheel looks a little off kilter when viewed from the riding poistion. If I sight the big steel brake caliper bolts along the triple trees, one of them is maybe 3/8 of a bolt head diameter ahead of the one on the other side. The forks may just be twisted in the trees. Anyway....

For fast road riding and the occasional track day, do I just want a Racetech gold kit and some stiffer springs from this page, for a total of around $300?

RT - Digital Product Search

I looked at this install page and it looks like a lot of work. How long should it take me to install the valving kit and new springs? A day? I am an okay, but slow and methodical mechanic. It took me 8 hours to change the timing belt and water pump on my miata.

Fitting Race Tech Springs and Valves to Showa Forks

[Joe-B]

How about buying a used set of the fully adjustable SP Showa forks? They come up for sale often and it seems that you'd be better off putting money (valving and springs) into them. Like these:
DUCATI 900SS 900 SUPERSPORT FORKS DAMPERS *FREE SHIP* | eBay

[nick2ny]

Originally Posted by Joe-B

How about buying a used set of the fully adjustable SP Showa forks? They come up for sale often and it seems that you'd be better off putting money (valving and springs) into them. Like these:
DUCATI 900SS 900 SUPERSPORT FORKS DAMPERS *FREE SHIP* | eBay

Oh, I was under the impression that the racetech gold valve kits made everything adjustable. I guess not. I'm not a big expert on the internals of the various forks...

[Joe-B]

Originally Posted by nick2ny

Howdy--The front suspension on my '94 900 SS CR is undersprung and underdamped. I want to put on either a new fork or racetech internals into this one. I think I'm better off putting racetech stuff in this one because the brakes and wheels'll fit.

Before I start, I must say that I notice that the front wheel looks a little off kilter when viewed from the riding poistion. If I sight the big steel brake caliper bolts along the triple trees, one of them is maybe 3/8 of a bolt head diameter ahead of the one on the other side. The forks may just be twisted in the trees. Anyway....Common problem.

For fast road riding and the occasional track day, do I just want a Racetech gold kit and some stiffer springs from this page, for a total of around $300?
Yes. However, for my preferences, RaceTech's spring recommendations are on the soft side. This is assuming you have fully adjustable Showas like in the link (compression, rebound). Some CRs came with non-adjustable Marzzochis, no?
RT - Digital Product Search

I looked at this install page and it looks like a lot of work. How long should it take me to install the valving kit and new springs? A day? I am an okay, but slow and methodical mechanic. It took me 8 hours to change the timing belt and water pump on my miata. Hard to say. Ever changed the oil or seals in your forks? It's not much harder than that. I'd think a day would be plenty. You DO need a way to compress the spring in order to loosen the locknut, so you can remove the cap. 2 people helps.

Fitting Race Tech Springs and Valves to Showa Forks

Good luck !

[Flash Harry]

Originally Posted by nick2ny

Howdy--The front suspension on my '94 900 SS CR is undersprung and underdamped. I want to put on either a new fork or racetech internals into this one. I think I'm better off putting racetech stuff in this one because the brakes and wheels'll fit.

Before I start, I must say that I notice that the front wheel looks a little off kilter when viewed from the riding poistion. If I sight the big steel brake caliper bolts along the triple trees, one of them is maybe 3/8 of a bolt head diameter ahead of the one on the other side. The forks may just be twisted in the trees. Anyway....

For fast road riding and the occasional track day, do I just want a Racetech gold kit and some stiffer springs from this page, for a total of around $300?

RT - Digital Product Search

I looked at this install page and it looks like a lot of work. How long should it take me to install the valving kit and new springs? A day? I am an okay, but slow and methodical mechanic. It took me 8 hours to change the timing belt and water pump on my miata.

Fitting Race Tech Springs and Valves to Showa Forks

I'm the author of that install how-to and I can tell you, it was worth doing. Like you, I'm a slow and methodical person but even though it took a couple of afternoons (lots of photos etc) I could probably repeat the job in a couple of hours. The satisfaction I got from doing it myself was enormous. If I did it again, I would buy a proper spring compressor.

In your case, your forks are a little different to the fully adjustable items. I'm not sure you would gain as much from modding the CR forks but anything would be an improvement. I have read here and elsewhere that the CR forks can be played with for some improvement.

Here's some info that might help you make a decision either way:

1. If you upgrade your forks by replacing them, you will still need to consider refurbishing them to suit your personal requirements by at least swapping out the springs and changing the oil.
2. The most inexpensive replacement forks are the 900SS/SP forks as they fit straight in. Someone will correct me if I'm wrong here but I believe the axle, clamps, brakes, and front wheel are identical. Using any other Ducati forks will require replacing many parts and in the end, a re-spring may still be necessary.
3. Read the last couple of paragraphs of the how-to. There is something real old-school about doing your own work. Sure, it can take a few hours but if you can do it and make it work, people will start to look at you very differently. You will look at you differently. This sort of job will always carry a certain amount of cred and does heaps for your confidence.
4. This last one will start an argument for sure: The front end on my 900SS (SS/SP) is every bit as confidence inspiring as the one on my old 748SP. The improvement is amazing but I did spend a bit of time setting it up. These are great bikes and they deserve better suspension.

I will admit, these aren't the first forks I've stripped down but the results were that good I will be doing the rear shock after Christmas.

[Armen]

AFAIK, The Gold valve thingies make compression adjustable, rebound is a factor of the fork oil viscosity. I've got the adjustable forks on my '98 900SS and put the Gold Valves in. Actually, when I pulled the forks apart, I found out a previous owner had put in the valves, but had some odd ideas on the shim stack. I bought the parts from ECS in NY, who had their version of the correct shim stack. With the springs I bought from them (Race Tech, softer than the Race Tech ones in there when I got the bike), and the gold valves, the bike was MUCH better. Having said that, it was nice to have the external adjustments to tweak further.

[avocet]

racetech might build the best hardware, but DO NOT send anything to their tech shop. i sent my vfr rear shock and they put on a LIGHTER spring, then wouldnt give me the reasons or charts and the techs wouldnt call or return emails. i am riding around with my preload full on. going to send it somewhere else for respring and revalve and suck it up. fook em.

did my vfr fork, and it is excellent, and not nearly as hard to install as i might of thought. as long as you have the tools and space, it is fairly easy. just slow down and keep track and understand before your start pulling stuff apart.

got a gold valve comp kit to go in the ss... hopefully i can get her done before spring!!!

[Vic_Ducfut]

FWIW:

I had very positive results from a swap to RT Springs, bushings, and a compression Gold Valve on my Aprilia RST.
The RT Spring Calculator worked for my case.

It was total turmoil dealing with RT.
They eventually made good on their website error on valving shims tho'.
(And they fixed the web-data for future users too.)
RT's How-To video was quite helpful, as this was my first full fork rebuild.
(Plenty of fluid changes in the past may have helped.)

Flash Harry's #3 comment is 'Gold' about doing the work yourself !!!

[Chuckracer]

Contact Rick at Cogent Dynamics:

Frequently Asked Questions

[curveman99]

I'm doing the Race Tech in my 99SS forks this winter, for the cost its a good upgrade. NY upgrade your forks could cost more but maybe done the best way for a buck?


Still have your wheels...........