Gold valve emulater install

[ME 109]

'Emulator'
One who messes with his suspension because someone else did it.

[Mal S7]

'Emulator'
One who messes with his suspension because someone else did it.

HA! That's brilliant Jeff.

That's me!

[enigmaT120]

Hey, at least this thread saved me some trouble. Thanks!

[jjwithers]

'Emulator'
One who messes with his suspension because someone else did it.

Very true. I got suckered into emulators and in hind sight, i wish i just kept everything stock. I have had my forks apart so many times now...
I wish i found this thread earlier....
But i am dialing them in and starting to like the results (finally).

The normal garage test won't be the same. You have to ride it to feel it.

Braking is great. The bike doesn't sag, dip or anything when braking or turning. Fast acceleration off the line is good. Overall high speed handling is good. freeway bounce and low speed bumps aren't so good yet...

My Emulator finding has been this so far:
Race Tech has much more support and info on their site now for BMWs. There are still some vague parts though. Like how much fork oil to add. They say 150mm but how does that translate to CC's?

I put 175cc of 15W oil in each leg and it seems OK.

Their springs do run a bit stiff and may not allow the proper amount of travel. They need a spacer on the top of the springs to allow for 15-20mm of preload. I may swap springs for a lighter set.
Or do what Blitz did and get custom Sonic Springs. his solution makes sense. With Race Tech springs I occasionally feel something possibly maybe fully extending in the forks... maybe.

The BMW springs do not work nor do progressive springs. I've tried and trust me... no bueno. Much too soft for this setup. i did both thick and thin fork oil.

You may want to add more holes to the valve plate. the stock set up is 2. 4 would be OK. Might help with the low speed bounce.

Don't go crazy with the emulator spring preload. keep it minimal or try lighter emulator springs.

Hope this helps.

[Mal S7]

My Emulator finding has been this so far:
Race Tech has much more support and info on their site now for BMWs. There are still some vague parts though. Like how much fork oil to add. They say 150mm but how does that translate to CC's?
........
I put 175cc of 15W oil in each leg and it seems OK.
........
You may want to add more holes to the valve plate. the stock set up is 2. 4 would be OK. Might help with the low speed bounce.

Hi jj good to hear you are getting it sorted. I am wishing you all the best with it as I am learning what I can so I too can emulate ... when I can find the time. In the meantime I am experimenting, and have just fitted Sonic Springs and now trying 3wt oil.

The amount of fork oil is not really the issue, its the level of oil in the fork tube, or rather the air space above it that is important. By "150mm" they are referring to the air space above the oil. You take your springs out and prop the front forks up til they hit the bump stops. Fill with oil til its 150mm below the top of the fork nut. This isn't generally a very practical way to do it as you have to take off the bars and fork nuts and pull the springs, that's why a volume of oil is generally specified.

175cc? Doesn't sound like nearly enough oil for ATE forks. I am out there tonight changing my fork oil, 235cc going in as per the manual. That's still less than what you need to end up with 150mm air space at full travel.

Racetech recommend drilling out all 4 holes in the valve plate - post referenced as being from Matt Wiley of Racetech found on another forum

Typically the Blue# 40 GVE spring set @ 2-4 turns is what most riders like, those looking for a really plush supple ride may prefer the Silver# 26 spring @ 3-4 turns. All Airhead riders I have worked with prefer 4 low speed bleed holes in the GVE valve plate (under colored spring). The valve plate comes with 2 holes drilled & dimples to drill out if 4 are desired (don't bother with 3, run 2 or 4 bleeds). Running 4 bleeds makes the fork more responsive to small bumps, ripples, etc. Most small (34-38mm) forks work better with 4 bleeds.

[chasbmw]

I used stock oil quantities, with BMW springs cut down to account for emulator height

[Mal S7]

BOOT!

Resurrecting this thread as I finally installed the gold valves today. I can vouch for what Blitz said.
They certainly do the job. I used the same combination of Racetech valves and Sonic Springs and 15W oil.

It's just like replacing your worn out shocks with new ones. It's not more comfortable but it is much more controlled. Hit a bump, the forks do their job, absorb the bump, then they STOP with the up-and-down, just like they should. It feels much more planted on the road, I look forward to finding some corners....