Fork improvements. Caps and emulators

[Fastmongrel]

I have been told that I should update my forks with Emulators (had to Google them) and spring preload adjuster caps. Apparently they will turn my forks into world championship suspension and nubile girls will flock to me every time I stop at a traffic light.

Or are they shiny stuff that will make zero difference to the handling as I potter along at the speed limit.

So tell me guys do I need the shiny things or am I better spending the money on pornography, booze and gambling.

[old_pirelli]

I did the racetech gold emulators - a vast improvement on the stock forks, but I think cbr 600 forks and brakes are a massive step up again

[The Cheese]

If you just putter along I wouldn't bother. Best save your money for other things.

[riot]

Years ago I did .85 RT springs, emulators and caps on my stock hawk and the front end difference was incredible. Vastly improved confidence and feedback from the front end. Really a great way to improve the bike without having to swap the wheel, brake and speedo.

I am/ was a racer though, so I ride on the hard side, or at least I am picky about setup.

[Captain 80s]

So tell me guys do I need the shiny things or am I better spending the money on pornography, booze and gambling.

"I spent most of my money on motorcycles, booze and women. The rest I wasted"

[69Falcon]

"I spent most of my money on motorcycles, booze and women. The rest I wasted"

[6]

It never hurts to throw some money into the forks.

Springs, emulators, definitely. Preload caps, if you don't adjust your preload often then there is no need. On the street, you won't. You will set it once and never touch it, so just using the correct preload spacer should be absolutely fine.

That said the caps are CHEAP, so it's not a huge waste of money.

For a street bike most people don't need full adjustability, so a full race setup is kind of silly, but springs and emulators are worth the couple hundred for almost anyone imo. (Unless you are 120 lbs and ride like Honda set it up for.)


Shock is also very nice. The only adjustability that most street riders need on a shock is ride height. You won't be taking 3 clicks of compression damping out for your ride home... Nor will you be experiencing shock fade.... So some.of the higher end shocks can be overkill for bikes that are not ridden hard on the track by expirianced racers.

[Fastmongrel]

I think I won't bother with upgrading the forks they tend to be a bit harsh on sharp edges like pot holes and expansion joints but in general I haven't had too many problems.

I think I will just service them and fill up with good quality fork oil.

[bk94si]

I think I won't bother with upgrading the forks they tend to be a bit harsh on sharp edges like pot holes and expansion joints but in general I haven't had too many problems.

I think I will just service them and fill up with good quality fork oil.

if your forks are harsh at all, someone must have altered them already.

[Captain 80s]

if your forks are harsh at all, someone must have altered them already.

Harsh doesn't mean Firm. The stock Hawk damper rod forks are soft (under sprung) and absolutely harsh (over damped) in the areas he mentioned, pot holes and expansion joints. Like pretty much every other Honda fork from 1982 to 1993. And then they still applied that formula to the Cartridge offerings.

[bk94si]

Harsh doesn't mean Firm. The stock Hawk damper rod forks are soft (under sprung) and absolutely harsh (over damped) in the areas he mentioned, pot holes and expansion joints. Like pretty much every other Honda fork from 1982 to 1993. And then they still applied that formula to the Cartridge offerings.

I never found them to be harsh anywhere (except when they bottomed out from being undersprung) but then I'm pretty light too. And I haven't had a stock front end for probably 20 years so maybe I just don't remember.

[6]

I never found them to be harsh anywhere (except when they bottomed out from being undersprung)

Same. But like you it's been a long time since I have ridden on any and I'm 190lb.

[Yoshihns]

If you want to ride sportier or have a hole in your wallet, then emulators or a cartridge swap are in order.

If you're just for cruising around or don't care about the bike riding perfect, then maybe just replace the fork oil if you don't remember the last time you did that.

[Fastmongrel]

Off topic but what weight fork oil do I need. Manual just says ATF or equivalent from memory that was about 5w but just wanted to check.

[Talon]

Off topic but what weight fork oil do I need. Manual just says ATF or equivalent from memory that was about 5w but just wanted to check.

Closer to 10wt if memory serves correctly.