peteinpa Posted January 9, 2021 Author Share Posted January 9, 2021 So a bit of a rant...I'm sick of the lack of caring/customer support out there. Just give me your money and get out of my face is the new mantra. It's viral everywhere. E-mails to Race Tech, Sonic Springs, Company I got the Race Tech springs from, all un-answered. I wanted to see if I wanted to return the Race Tech springs and go Sonic but got ZERO. I'll have to pay shipping to return the Race Tech springs. Rather avoid that hassle. All I have left is you guys. Should I cut the OEM spacer to account for the added length of the Race Tech spring? (I want to leave the spacer 5-8mm longer then the math calls for, for more preload) I'd like to do this only once correctly. I don't want to be removing forks during the riding season if it can be helped. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supporting Member betoney Posted January 9, 2021 Supporting Member Share Posted January 9, 2021 1 hour ago, peteinpa said: All I have left is you guys. Should I cut the OEM spacer to account for the added length of the Race Tech spring? (I want to leave the spacer 5-8mm longer then the math calls for, for more preload) I'd like to do this only once correctly. I don't want to be removing forks during the riding season if it can be helped. Considering the circumstances, at this point -if it were me- since you already have everything ready to go, I would proceed with the plan of cutting the spacer. One thought on longer spacer length with stiffer springs - as an example (I'm using random numbers here) if a .70kg spring and spacer combo had a combined final length of 300mm and then you installed .95kg springs and spacer with the exact same 300mm final length, the stiffer springs will compress or sag less once installed (stiffer spring will require more force/weight to compress equal distance). Combining a stiffer spring AND a 5-8mm longer spacer might make it difficult to achieve proper sag settings unless you are already currently using all of your preload adjustment on your fork cap. 2 ***2015 Candy Red FJ-09*** Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supporting Member piotrek Posted January 9, 2021 Supporting Member Share Posted January 9, 2021 (edited) If you don't go anywhere with Race Tech support for a return etc., I think you'll be good to cut the spacers, but first check the fit of the OE spacer against the new spring to make sure it sits right and doesn't flop about. There is a note on the FZ board about some kind of washer that Race Tech supplies... but that might be for their own spacer tubing. Obviously cut the spacer true or the washer on top of the spacer won't fit on properly, forcing the assembly crooked. Cut with a margin to be able make corrections. That spacer plastic feels like the type that may be easy to crack while cutting/drilling, so use caution. This may be applicable... check diameter on each end of the spring. The end of the spring with smaller diameter should be facing up (against the spacer). This is what the service manual calls for. This may be because the OE spring was progressive, but anyway... so you know. The fit against the spacer is better that way anyway. My Stoltec springs measured different at each end, albeit not by much. Edited January 9, 2021 by piotrek 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peteinpa Posted January 20, 2021 Author Share Posted January 20, 2021 Well... Change of plans. I bit the $$, returned the RT springs and ordered Sonics. I just want to R&R springs, not cut and guess. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peteinpa Posted January 28, 2021 Author Share Posted January 28, 2021 All installed. Sonic 1.0 springs, Maxima 10 wt. oil set at 140mm, I left the forks sticking out the top at 10mm. Firmed the front end right up. Have to wait for sag check, rest of bike still apart for everything else. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supporting Member piotrek Posted January 28, 2021 Supporting Member Share Posted January 28, 2021 (edited) 10 hours ago, peteinpa said: All installed. Sonic 1.0 springs, Maxima 10 wt. oil set at 140mm... Hope the Maxima 10W works well for you. The OE compression circuit is pretty restrictive, and could be harsh at 32 cSt@40C (looking at charts). OE setup is ~16cSt@40C and 174mm air gap. Easy to change though if you want something different. You can leave the stuff in the dead leg as is. Edited January 29, 2021 by piotrek Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peteinpa Posted January 28, 2021 Author Share Posted January 28, 2021 On the Stotec site it says if you only do springs go with Maxima 10 wt. Preliminary bouncing (all I've got right now) shows it to be right. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ride365 Posted January 29, 2021 Share Posted January 29, 2021 On 1/7/2021 at 6:26 PM, betoney said: I also have used Sonic springs on my past few bikes, there was no modification necessary and I have minimal preload adjusted on the fork caps, maybe 1-2 lines of adjustment used. I'm gonna have to call Sonic, as only the FJ-09 springs are listed but none for the Tracer 900. Sonic springs are great and no spacers need to be cut unlike Racetechs universal kits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supporting Member betoney Posted January 29, 2021 Supporting Member Share Posted January 29, 2021 4 minutes ago, Ride365 said: I'm gonna have to call Sonic, as only the FJ-09 springs are listed but none for the Tracer 900. Sonic springs are great and no spacers need to be cut unlike Racetechs universal kits. I don't believe there are any dimensional differences between the FJ, Tracer or GT fork legs. One spring dimension should fit them all but I agree, its best to call and make sure. 1 ***2015 Candy Red FJ-09*** Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wintersdark Posted March 18, 2021 Share Posted March 18, 2021 On 1/28/2021 at 7:14 PM, betoney said: I don't believe there are any dimensional differences between the FJ, Tracer or GT fork legs. One spring dimension should fit them all but I agree, its best to call and make sure. The Stoltec guys told me the springs are identical between the FZ, MT, FJ and Tracer. Completely interchangeable. I'm really sad that my set from them never arrived. They refunded, but won't ship across the border again. *cries* 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandman900 Posted January 26, 2022 Share Posted January 26, 2022 On 1/4/2021 at 5:42 PM, texscottyd said: @peteinpa - Are you only installing new springs, or are you also doing the Gold Valve revalving? I had the full Race Tech springs & valving done on mine, and think I still have all the paperwork. Excuse me for the thread hijack, doing forum suspension research- did you feel the money spent on this was worth it? Any regrets or disappointments with the complete package? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peteinpa Posted January 27, 2022 Author Share Posted January 27, 2022 Yep, I'm happy. JUST AVOID RACE TECH! ALLTHOUGH I'm not as picky as some, I'm still running the OEM rear shock at max preload. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supporting Member betoney Posted January 27, 2022 Supporting Member Share Posted January 27, 2022 21 hours ago, sandman900 said: Excuse me for the thread hijack, doing forum suspension research- did you feel the money spent on this was worth it? Any regrets or disappointments with the complete package? Race Tech Gold Valves are just one option, other companies sell fork piston kits as well. https://www.ktechsuspensionusa.com/p-21465-k-tech-suspension-20ssk-fork-piston-kit.aspx https://traxxion.com/product/axxion-valve-upgrade/ https://www.sportbiketrackgear.com/ohlins-fork-piston-kit-universal-20mm/ A suspension specialist will also be able to 're-valve' the forks with their own parts. 1 ***2015 Candy Red FJ-09*** Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
denveryzf Posted January 27, 2022 Share Posted January 27, 2022 2 hours ago, betoney said: Race Tech Gold Valves are just one option, other companies sell fork piston kits as well. https://www.ktechsuspensionusa.com/p-21465-k-tech-suspension-20ssk-fork-piston-kit.aspx https://traxxion.com/product/axxion-valve-upgrade/ https://www.sportbiketrackgear.com/ohlins-fork-piston-kit-universal-20mm/ A suspension specialist will also be able to 're-valve' the forks with their own parts. Thanks for this, I'm eyeing the k-tech stuff right now. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member fr8dog Posted January 28, 2022 Premium Member Share Posted January 28, 2022 23 hours ago, denveryzf said: Thanks for this, I'm eyeing the k-tech stuff right now. I had K-Tech piston kit and springs installed. Noticeable difference for the better. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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