ok...I got the rear shocks handled...what upgrade for the front now?

[No Cents]

   this winter upgrading the suspension on my 2008 FLHX is on my to do list.
I made my mind up on which rear shocks to get...and I ordered a "custom built" set this morning by a company that proudly makes them in the USA. 

Now the front end will have to be address too. I'm still running the stock front end suspension on my bike.
Is the Progressive mono tubes the best bang for the buck...or is there something better in the same price range as the mono tubes?

Ray

[Admiral Akbar]

The FLHX has HDs version of the emulators in the front.. Best bang for the buck is adding 1.0-1.1KG/mm springs, set the sag to 1 1/4 and use 7 to 10wt oil..

[calif phil]

Legends has a new mono tube setup  but they are much $$$

[No Cents]

The FLHX has HDs version of the emulators in the front.. Best bang for the buck is adding 1.0-1.1KG/mm springs, set the sag to 1 1/4 and use 7 to 10wt oil..

Max...where can the springs your talking about be purchased from? Are the stock FLHX dampening rods good enough?

Ray


   added later:
Max I went to Race Tech's web site and found the correct part# for the front spring replacement for my bike.
part# S3234100 is a 1.0 kg/mm spring. I didn't see a 1.1 kg/mm spring offered on their web site.
I watched a video of their gold emulators and I thought it was interesting...but you say I don't need them...huh?
In the video they took the stock HD dampening tube and drilled the holes out larger in it and then add in their gold emulators into the system. 

[azlou66]

Ray I put Progressive Mono Tubes in my 08 FLHX last year HUGE improvement over stock. I'm sure there are better upgrades out there but for the money spent I'm impressed.

[HighLiner]

I'd say ohlins and traxxion is the top of the heap right now but they are pricey.

[Scooter_trash_1]

Im running the Racetech springs,the 1.kg and the Intiminators, over on another forum there is a guy named fabri8tor, that does special set-up them.  I really like the improvement in ride, little brake dive recovers nicely from bumps, much more controlled. Max is steering you right..

[No Cents]

 surfing around the ole inter web...I found that the Race Tech 1.0 kg/mm springs can be bought for a few pennies over $100.00.
That doesn't seem too bad of a price...if it does make a noticeable improvement as Max stated.

Ray

[klammer76]

I have the mono tubes (non lowered version) in my 2002 FLHTC front end. The have taken the brake dive out but I find them to be harsh on bumps, frost heaves etc here in the North East. I know many on here like them but I am considering looking around for another option. I upgraded the rear to standard height Works ARS/DRS Steel Trackers.

klammer

[No Cents]

Im running the Racetech setup,the 1. kg springs and the emulators, over on another forum there is a guy named fabri8tor, that does special set-up them.  I really like the improvement in ride, little brake dive recovers nicely from bumps, much more controlled. Max is steering you right..

   Scott...I'm taking it as you are running their gold emulators too?

[JohnCA58]

Race Tech on my bike for the last 10 years   Can't be beat.

[No Cents]

  I have found the Race Tech 1.0 kg springs (part# S3234100) for $97.92 ...and their gold emulators (part# FEGV S3802) for $115.67 on Amazon with free shipping from the same vendor on there.
  I think this will be an option I will be looking at to possibly buy...and I'll be doing some more research on it to see if this is the smart way to go.
Keep the input coming men!

Ray

[strokerjlk]

  I have found the Race Tech 1.0 kg springs (part# S3234100) for $97.92 ...and their gold emulators (part# FEGV S3802) for $115.67 on Amazon with free shipping from the same vendor on there.
  I think this will be an option I will be looking at to possibly buy...and I'll be doing some more research on it to see if this is the smart way to go.
Keep the input coming men!

Ray

I run progressive stock height .
I appreciate them even more ,now that I have pearl with stock-ers. almost forgot how nice they are .

[TweekmyTwin]

I just did what Bruce had said a few weeks back with one exception.. I replaced the damper tubes to a 6 hole'r instead of the 2 hole stock . You can drill more holes in your stock ones but the bleeder hole near the top is just a little too big.. should be around 3/64. You can weld the hole and re-drill  Or by a new set from harley..46422-06 . They put these in back in 07 which I think was their best up set along with the blow valve. It wasn't bad from the factory but along with the 1.0kg. springs..
But then again.. it's just my opinion. Hope you stop long enough to say hello at the V-Twin expo this time..
Jim

[ThumperDeuce]

I still think that the RaceTech emulators and springs are the best bang for the buck.  Talk to Rick for setup advice.

I switched to the Traxxion setup last year.  The biggest difference I can tell is low speed over a rough surface like paving brick.  It rides very smooth.  Kind of pricey, but I like it.  You can Google around for a performance comparison between the Ohlin and Traxxion setups.

 

Next mod for me will be some Ohlin rear shocks when they come out.

[George W]

Race Tech 1.0 kg spring... PM Sent

[Admiral Akbar]

I just did what Bruce had said a few weeks back with one exception.. I replaced the damper tubes to a 6 hole'r instead of the 2 hole stock . You can drill more holes in your stock ones but the bleeder hole near the top is just a little too big.. should be around 3/64. You can weld the hole and re-drill  Or by a new set from harley..46422-06 . They put these in back in 07 which I think was their best up set along with the blow valve. It wasn't bad from the factory but along with the 1.0kg. springs..
But then again.. it's just my opinion. Hope you stop long enough to say hello at the V-Twin expo this time..
Jim

The 08s already have the 6 hole damping rods at the bottom and the small hole up top...  I've done a number of setups with the forks and for me progressive light springs with stock emulator or racetec emulator with 10wt work well..  Racetec is only the lightest bit better.. But you need to tighten it up a little.. 

[No Cents]

I just did what Bruce had said a few weeks back with one exception.. I replaced the damper tubes to a 6 hole'r instead of the 2 hole stock . You can drill more holes in your stock ones but the bleeder hole near the top is just a little too big.. should be around 3/64. You can weld the hole and re-drill  Or by a new set from harley..46422-06 . They put these in back in 07 which I think was their best up set along with the blow valve. It wasn't bad from the factory but along with the 1.0kg. springs..
But then again.. it's just my opinion. Hope you stop long enough to say hello at the V-Twin expo this time..
Jim

..ok Jim...I'll be looking for you. I hope to try to make it down to the lounge on Friday night to see everyone and have some laughs.

  Thanks to everybody that has replied! 
I think I will order up a set of the Race Tech 1.0 kg springs and I'll give them a try with some 10W fork oil as Max has suggested.
I figured if anyone should know what would be needed to be done...it would be Max with his drunken camel. Thanks for helping Max!
It sounds like my factory 6 hole dampener should be sufficient then.
  If you men that have tried this kind of upgrade...and didn't think the gold Race Tech emulators were necessary...I'll hold off on them and just try the springs first.
I just hate the idea of having to pull the legs back off again if I do need to add in the gold emulators.

Ray

[Scooter_trash_1]

Deleted

[No Cents]

     
  thanks Scott and George W on your experiences with the Race Tech products.
while surfing the old inter web today I did find these springs that I thought was interesting.
Has anyone ever heard of them before...or ran these springs?

[attach=0]

Ray

[HighLiner]

I think I read a straight rate spring is the best.

[04 SE Deuce]

FLEK S3810,  RT springs (1.0kg/mm) & emulators kit list $260,  discounted $208.   

FRSP S3234100  Springs only (1.0 kb/mm).  List $130 discounted $99

FEGV S3802 emulators only $170 discounted $119

Ray,  As you can see it's cheaper to buy the springs and emulators together which would be my choice if you go with 1.0kg/mm springs.  I listed part #'s for 1.0kg/mm spring rate which is what most guys run, RT has re-adjusted their spring rate calculator to the firm side and they now call for at least 1.0kg/mm or more in any bagger application,  right or wrong.  1.0kg/mm is the stiffest spring that RT has for 41mm forks.  If your are much over 200lbs (rider weight) you may want to go 1.1kg/mm.  I run 1.0's in my Deuce.  RT spring/emulators are stone reliable requiring no more maintenance than a stock fork.

Sonic springs offers 1.1 & 1.2kg/mm for $85, these are made by Canon Racecraft:   http://sonicsprings.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=154_243&osCsid=9a9edc20750864257706b9d51080269c
Cannon will not sell any spring that they make for a customer (Sonic) but they custom will make/sell custom springs for $140.
http://www.cannonracecraft.com/
You have to make sure that the springs offer the travel needed and will not coil bind given the spring preload and fork travel of the bike.

Traxxion Dynamics is another place to get 1.1kg/mm springs,  I believe they buy from Cannon but not absolutely sure.

Ray I listed the sources for springs as your threads tend to get a lot of views.  Suspension tuning is personal preference combined with bike/rider weight.  In a typical application it's not hard to hit the set-up springs/preload/emulator setting close the first time. 
I've posted emulator tuning tips in the past along with suggesting 4 slow speed compression bleed holes in the emulator for most Harley applications which requires you to finish drilling 2 partially drilled holes in each emulator. 

Here is an article in Thunder Press that RT had on their home page recently:  http://www.thunderpress.net/motorcycle-reviews/race-tech-small-wonders/2015/10/12.htm

As you can see RT corrected their set-up to the authors taste by going to 4 holes,  which the author mistakenly called adding 4 holes in the article. 

RT emulators originally had 1 slow speed compression damping hole then they went to 2 holes with 2 other holes partially drilled so the user can finish drilling those to make 4.  As spring rate increases less slow speed (more holes) helps to improve ride quality.  Also using the yellow spring at a low setting around 2 turns helps to allow the valve to open early (again ride quality) but not to open too fast or far so as to minimize suspension dive speed and total travel used.  If you run light 10wt of less fork oil you can use 2 holes.  The damper rod still controls rebound damping via the holes at the top of the damper rod when using emulators so if you use 10wt or lighter fork oil you are reducing rebound damping from stock which in theory should be increased as fork spring rate increases.  Some set-ups require modifying (as Tweek mentioned) or eliminating the rebound holes in order to run lighter oil.  The advantage to lighter oil is it is more consistent viscosity wise over temp changes which IMO is not a big seal on a cruiser.  IME most guys end up with 15wt and 4 holes, including those that try several oil viscosities/set-ups.  You need to know the actual viscosity of the oil weight/brand you choose as brands vary and effects tuning. 

Curious to hear what you think of the Super Shox.  -Rick

[jmorton10]

Curious to hear what you think of the Super Shox.  -Rick

I would like to know that also.

I am running the Legend Revo coil shocks, but I may try something else.

~John

[No Cents]

   thanks for the info Rick! 
Where are you getting the discounted prices from you quoted for the Race Tech spring and emulator kit?
I think I might as well go ahead and install both the springs and emulators at the same time...and hopefully I'll be done with it at one shot.

  How did you know I ended up opting for the SR1's   
Brian from SuperShox will be custom building me a set of their SR1's set up for my 190 lb weight and my bike.
The guarantee he gave me when talking to him over the phone this morning made my mind up on my final decision on which shock to go with. The communication with Brian has been outstanding...and I think their custom made shocks will be too.

Ray

[Admiral Akbar]

One thing to note.. Rebound damping on an 08 fairing bike is different than a deuce.. The rebound hole is smaller and fork oil determines rebound damping.. Unless you drill out the rebound hole on your forks and heavier oil, you should use less slow speed orifice and a little more pressure on the high speed valve spring.. I wouldn't drill out the rebound damping hole.. Best to use the lightest viscosity oil possible..