New Venture owner with a fork question

[yamahale]

Hi everyone, feels good to have an 87 Venture now, always wanted one but was too young before lol.....my question is, has anyone installed a Race Tech cartridge emulator kit, my springs are very weak and 18 psi didnt help much. I need fork seals/oil replacement but want to have the front end as good as possible and dont mind spending the 100.00+ above and beyond just new springs....the funny thing is the part # FLEKS3890 fits many bikes from Harleys to an FZ750 so will it work on this bike?

[vneufeld]

If I may, I'd like to piggyback a more basic question on a first gen Venture Royale (1983). Just purchasing. Am told the "clunk" in the fork is "normal." Really? If true, any fix? A brace is suggested? Can anyone verify, inform, direct? Thanks

[Freebird]

I know that Rick Butler has installed the Race Tech system on his 2nd gen. You might send him a PM. He knows a LOT about the suspensions on these bikes.

 

As for the "clunk", I don't think it is normal. I think it is usually a result of the front springs being shot.

[Flyinfool]

Everyone that has gone to the progressive front springs has been quite happy with the results. I will be putting mine in this winter.

 

As for the clunk, The only clunk I get on my 88 is if I hit a bump or pot hole during hard braking and bottom out the front end.

[lsutley]

I have another fork spring related question, if there is no objection? If the air compressor lines to the forks are removed, after the Progressive replacement, should the open connections be plugged. Is there enough air volume, within the fork cavities, to allow for compression without blowing the seals? Perhaps attaching a canister, with a low charge, would allow for compression without elevating the pressure too high?

[camos]

If I may, I'd like to piggyback a more basic question on a first gen Venture Royale (1983). Just purchasing. Am told the "clunk" in the fork is "normal." Really? If true, any fix? A brace is suggested? Can anyone verify, inform, direct? Thanks

I experienced a clunk when the head bearings were loose. Tightening them made the clunk go away.

[Pam]

I had the clunk in my 83 and when I pulled the front springs and measured them, they were well below the minimum length. I replaced them with a set of progressive springs and fixed the clunk and made the world of difference in ride and handling. Comparing the stock to the progressive was like comparing a chicken leg to a turkey leg

[KIC]

Ditto on the progressive springs. Made an incredible difference in my 89. Also get a heavy duty front fork brace. Again, it made a big difference. Disassemble the top head bearings and grease and then re-tighten...make sure there are no cables or wires that get stuck in behind while reassembling.. (don't ask me how I know..)

 

I have attached a document that might help.

 

Also, here is a link to my thread as i did mine:

 

http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=65735&page=6

 

Good Luck !

[syscrusher]

I have another fork spring related question, if there is no objection? If the air compressor lines to the forks are removed, after the Progressive replacement, should the open connections be plugged. Is there enough air volume, within the fork cavities, to allow for compression without blowing the seals? Perhaps attaching a canister, with a low charge, would allow for compression without elevating the pressure too high?

 

My answer would be yes, plug em. Some people have put Schrader valves on the forks so they can be pressurized manually but the forks are designed to have air pressure. You could also use a remote canister connected to your existing lines. That would probably even be easier since it would balance between the two forks automatically, unless one of them leaked.

[yamahale]

OK I was going to at least put the Prog or Race Tech springs in, what I am curious about is the Race Tech cartridge emulator kit, it has devices that replace the damper rods(?), 2 small extra springs and its $259 retail in Parts Unlimited....anyone?

[yamahale]

here is one on Ebay:

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Race-Tech-Complete-Front-End-Suspension-Kit-90kg-mm-FLEK-S3890-FLEK-S3890-/251592796275?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3a94196873&vxp=mtr

[syscrusher]

here is one on Ebay:

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Race-Tech-Complete-Front-End-Suspension-Kit-90kg-mm-FLEK-S3890-FLEK-S3890-/251592796275?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3a94196873&vxp=mtr

 

That's not the one for Venture Royale.

[syscrusher]

That's not the one for Venture Royale.

 

 

Actually it said it won't work for my 1993 but it does work with your 1987, which is also a MkII like my 1993. There must be some mistake somewhere. The 1983 is also shown to fit and it is a MkI with a different style fork from MkII.

[Rick Butler]

If you want to see what makes Cartridge Emulators work with dampening forks, here is a link to an article that explains everything:

 

http://www.racetech.com/page/title/Emulators-How%20They%20Work

 

Hope this helps,

 

Rick

 

OK I was going to at least put the Prog or Race Tech springs in, what I am curious about is the Race Tech cartridge emulator kit, it has devices that replace the damper rods(?), 2 small extra springs and its $259 retail in Parts Unlimited....anyone?

[Rick Butler]

Just one note on this.....which Progressive makes in their installation instructions.

 

Once you get springs with the right spring rate for the weight of the bike and the driver, you no longer need to add air to forks. The only reason Yamaha provides air to either the front forks or rear shock is to set the preload or ride height of the bike for additional weight above the average weight they designed the bike for.

 

Hope this helps,

 

Rick

 

My answer would be yes, plug em. Some people have put Schrader valves on the forks so they can be pressurized manually but the forks are designed to have air pressure. You could also use a remote canister connected to your existing lines. That would probably even be easier since it would balance between the two forks automatically, unless one of them leaked.

[MiCarl]

To reiterate: You should plug the air passages if you're removing the lines. The air trapped above the oil acts as an additional spring. Plus, you don't want dirt or moisture getting in or oil getting out.