Race Tech ST1300 Kit

jnsgardner said:
Well, it's now Tuesday and the jobs done. I was at Race Tech (close to CA 91 X
I-15 interchange) at 9:30 and they were turning wrenches at 9:45. I got the "Golden Valves' and .95 springs. With 59,000 miles, they replaced the oil seals, outer fork bushings, and some copper washers. The dust wiper seals were OK. I was good to go at 12:30. Tony, the man from Oz, did the work and couldn't have been nicer. He showed me the parts, answered every question, and buttoned everything up perfectly.
I had hoped that Matt Wiley would take it for a spin, but he wasn't there and it proved to be unnecessary. The ground clearance and lean on the kickstand was same as stock. My smile really broke out on the first stretch of rough road before I got on the freeway. Running 42/42 had always made the ride a touch harsh. Not any more. Like others have said, 'Firm when you need it, plush when you want it'. I had asked for a Corvette, not a Cadillac ride and got it. The bill was softened by a 25% discount for ST-Owners Group Buy.
The other big plus was that they were just 1 1/2 hours up the road. Could I have done the work myself,... probably, but remove and replace forks for $50.... come on, knowing the job's done right buys a lot of peace of mind.

John
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John,

Did you schedule it in advance? And what's this Group Buy, I haven't seen anything about that. Finally, what was the total cost? The work I'd need should be pretty close to what you've had done, as my bike will hit 56k next week.

I'm looking at doing this soon, and if I can have it done Friday before CreSToc that'd make me a happy camper, but obviously I'd need to lay in cash and set it up before hand.
 
Has anyone actually installed the Race Tech gold valves themselves? The included instructions are not much good for a first timer. Tips? Warnings?
 
billo said:
Has anyone actually installed the Race Tech gold valves themselves? The included instructions are not much good for a first timer. Tips? Warnings?
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I found watching the DVD that comes with the package to be very helpful ...and sufficient to have me turn over the job to Race Tech! Watching the technician do the work confirmed that what the DVD showed was what is actually done.

Marshal
 
Marshal_Mercer said:
I found watching the DVD that comes with the package to be very helpful ...and sufficient to have me turn over the job to Race Tech! Watching the technician do the work confirmed that what the DVD showed was what is actually done.

Marshal
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That's nice they sent you a DVD.
 
STindy05 said:
Can someone explain to me the advantages of the valve kit? I don't know much about these things. I don't think the stock is real bad, I have never had them bottom out when braking. I am going to do a fork oil change and am looking at upgrading the springs, but why spend the $350 on the valve kit?
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This is an older thread, but it bears re-addressing that question.

I rode with a friend who has a low-mileage, stock suspension front and rear, ST on a 250 mile loop over freeways, mountains and canyons yesterday. We hit several areas that were up-hill switch-backs with many, seriously deep undulations, at the worst possible places during the turns. I felt my suspension doing what it was designed to do: track the road. My riding buddy later complained that he thought that his forks were coming apart. "Jumping all over the place....", as he further described it was what my suspension used to do in that same section. No more!

Marshal
 
Had my forks and rear shock done by Race Tech today. Tony started wrenching on my ST by 8:15 and was on my way home by 2:30. Everything was buttoned up perfectly. Thanks Tony for doing a great job!

Wow, what an immediate difference, unbelievable. Suspension was as noticeable as a BMW 330 vs an M3 (had both so I know)

Initial impressions:
smoother
tracks better
rear tire definitely planted
Breaks better
Turns into corners smoother and faster

My previous (Stock) shock preload was 2 turns out from full in, now, 2 turns in from full out! Sag set at 39 mm and seems just about right....for now.

Thanks to Rob, Marshal and Tim for responding to my inquiries prior to pulling the trigger.

Best farkle yet....my next bike will have the suspension done first...it's that good!
 
Rob,
Thanks for the updated Race Tech info.
I'm still curious to know if anyone has set up their SAG though. It seems no one on the forum has anything to say about it or just hasn't done it. If you or anyone else has, please let me know.
Thanks Again,
Keoke
 
keoke said:
Rob,
Thanks for the updated Race Tech info.
I'm still curious to know if anyone has set up their SAG though. It seems no one on the forum has anything to say about it or just hasn't done it. If you or anyone else has, please let me know.
Thanks Again,
Keoke
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Yes, my SAG was set to my weight, other than that there is no adjustment unless you take apart the forks and change the spacer.

What specifically would you like to know?
 
keoke said:
Rob,
Thanks for the updated Race Tech info.
I'm still curious to know if anyone has set up their SAG though. It seems no one on the forum has anything to say about it or just hasn't done it. If you or anyone else has, please let me know.
Thanks Again,
Keoke
Click to expand...

I measured my original fork sag at 47 or 48 mm or nearly 44% of travel. I could easily adjust the rear preload to get a range of 19 mm to 37 mm or more. I made up new spacers to get the fork sag to an acceptable 36 mm with Honda springs. I am 160-165 lbs.

Does this help you?
 
39mm is 1/3 of travel on the front. (117mm total)
41mm is 1/3 of travel on the rear. (122mm total)

(Not saying 36mm is not acceptable, just giving the specs.)
 
Stock travel is 108 mm front and 123 mm rear ref Honda service manual.
 
Matt from RaceTech said that around 45 to 47 mm was good on the rear of the ST13. They set up my shock for 19 mm. Asked Matt what they mean and he said, if I understand them correctly, from fully unloaded turn in the preload till you compress the spring 19 mm.....

I'm so confused.. Why would set the fork preload at 39mm or 1/3 of travel. In my little mind I would think you would want it right in the middle to take advantage of all the travel for rebound and compression, yes??

mitch
 
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