What is the best bang for the buck in an adjustable set-up?
Racetech doesn't seem to offer Gold Emulators for the 900CR forks. Fork springs, yes. Gold Emulators, no....Your best bang for the $ is race tech springs for you weight and some gold valves and the correct wt oil.
Agreed! The 160 is plenty of rubber unless the bike is a full on racer. The 160 will also create more nimble handling and more responsive switchback performance, as well as better low speed/parking lot handling. The 160 also offers less rotational weight and less unsprung weight as well!! Combined with a lower profile front tire (which will decrease trail) the bike can be made to ~feel~ lighter and ~feel~ more responsive when it comes to switchback performance. Not to mention less rotational weight and less unsprung weight up front.Please don't use a 180 rear tire as that only slows down the side to side transition a 160 is more than enough.
Again, Racetech doesn't seem to offer a single thing for the non-adjustable CR forks other than oil and springs. No "Gold Valves" (actually this should read "Gold Emulators") are available for the 1996 900CR stock forks. None that I can locate, at least.I've got a '95 900SS CR myself Mark. Believe me,been there-done that with the non adjustable 41mm Showa forks that came standard on these bikes. ....
Racetech springs and gold valves were miles better than stock but since the springs and gold valves were inside the fork cartridges the only way to make any adjustments was to remove the fork cartridges,make your adjustments,and reinstall them. What an effing royal pain in the ass that was to do.
I cannot seem to verify that these cartridges will fit the non-adjustable CR forks. That eBay link is vague, it only says "41mm Showa forks for '95 Ducati 900SS". There is no mention of "non adjustable" or "CR" forks in the ad. I also went to the Andreani web site and put in my year/model ('96 900CR) and the only thing they seem to offer is a rear shock for it.The simplest way to upgrade the stock non adjustable 41mm Showa forks that I've found is to install a set of Andreani fully adjustable fork cartridges. These fork cartridges are designed to fit your stock forks and bolt right in.
Both fork cartridges are preload adjustable,the right fork cartridge handles all the rebound,and the left fork cartridge handles all the compression. All adjusters are external and easy to use.
Not the cheapest option granted Mark,but no need for new wheels,brakes,axles,oversize bearings yada yada yada....
Simply remove your forks,remove and $hit-can the stock non adjustable fork cartridges,bolt in the Andreani fork cartridges,fill with oil,install the forks,make your adjustments,and ride off into the sunset. Bada-Boom! It's that simple.
Installed a set of these Andreani's in the stock Showa forks on my '03 VFR800. With the right tools on hand it was so easy to do it was ridiculous.
Click me Mark.>>>https://www.ebay.com/itm/Andreani-A...444828?hash=item213410eb5c:g:acgAAOSwVtZaH91Z
It's an afternoon's work if you take it slow, no special tools or equipment required. With GSXR cartridges and racetech springs, the forks are transformed, probably on par with the aftermarket cartridges you have. $150-200 worth of parts if you already have the SP forks, double that if you don't, gets you a nice set of fully adjustable, reasonably compliant forks. The mod is not as bad as you make it sound. Out of curiosity how much did your cartridges cost?Gixxer adjustable fork cartridges are cool and all but from what I've read it sounds like a lot of work dickin' around to make them work with your stock forks.
Can you elaborate on the nut size/brand association? Which size indicate Marzzocci, which size indicate Showa?Step one.
What forks do you have?
CR forks are NOT the answer as both marzzocci and showa made non-adjustable forks for the CR. You can tell them apart by the nut size on the cap or the showa logo on the lower casting.
There IS a race tech GOLD VALVE for the showa forks, there is NO valving for the Marzzocci due to the construction of the cartridge tube. The Showas can be disassembled and re-built , due to how the marzzocci cartridge tubes are assembled you can not re-assemble then if you take them apart.
Correct, my mistake. One of many. Be prepared to witness more as time goes by.FYI: a emulator is for a damper rodfork NOT a cartridge fork. The Marzzocci M1R forks on the Paso 907 and 1990 851 were the last to use a damper rod fork.
Agreed .. 100%.Again the gold valve is high speed damping (shaft not vehicle speed) so if you do not have sharp edge bumps that will spike the shaft speed you do not need them probably. A set of Marzzocci forks with proper oil weight , straight rate springs (I use race tech) and oil height work just fine for 90% of riders.
Sage advice.Work with someone who can set you up and get you sprung in the proper range and you will probably be happy. As always inspect the Marzzocci forks for chrome wear and if good you have something better than most oem adjustables out of the box.
Those are junk, man. I've dealt with other Chinese crap like that a number of times over the previous ten+ years. The alloy used is typically quite soft, which makes it easy to machine at very high speeds ... which means they can pound them out by the bucket loads per hour. I'd avoid throwing your money at that kind of garbage. It's the same stuff you see in ads for all types of bike stuff ... rear sets, control levers and control lever perches, headlight mounts, on and on and on.I’m interested in the preload caps as well. Came across these on eBay, looks like a Chinese knock off similar to the Ducati part above. Anyone know what size cap to order for a 1995 ss/cr? This one is listed as 41 mm.
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.ca/ulk/itm/311950723445