Race Tech Gold Valve Fork Kit on I/S - Worth it?

[Marty_in_MN]

Hi All:

After riding my I/S enough, and noticing the front fork's harshness, which may be partly to blame for the tires (Dunlop D206F's) too...

I'm considering an install of either Progressive Suspension's fork springs, or a Race Tech Gold Valve kit with, or without their springs.

Has anyone tried Race Tech's products, and what is your opinion of them? Is the kit a pain to install?

I've noticed on their website that they offer kits for Valks GL 1500T, and GL1500C, which I'm assuming are for the Tourer and Custom models. However, and if this holds true, I'm wondering if they wouldn't work correctly on the heavier Interstate model.

Please weigh in.

Thanks in advance.

Marty

[Momz]

Why mess around,...just get Progressive Suspension  fork springs, Belray fork oil, new bushings and seals and just swap out those parts. That will give you the most "bang for yuor buck" and has been proven to be the most common and easiest modification/maintenence for the Valk forks yet. Almost everyone in our chapter that has done this (me too) has found that the bike rides better, handles better, and sit a tad lower initially when unloaded (making getting on and off easier).

Springs run about $70 - 75 per pair and bushings/seals about $45 -50 online. Add the cost of the fork fluid and your still well below $150 in total parts purchase. Pull the forks your self (easy) and then you can either rebuild them yourself (special tools required) or take them to a reputable dealer (about 1 hour in labor charges). Install the forks your self, and your "good to go".

[Bagger John - #3785]

Has anyone tried Race Tech's products, and what is your opinion of them? Is the kit a pain to install?

Go to the old "Tech Archives" and do a search. IIRC, several people have installed them.

[Marty_in_MN]

Momz and Bagger:

Thanks for the feedback.

I had searched the Old Tech Archives about the fork kit, but thought that I'd try a new posting to see if anyone has performed the mod after the old postings.

Progressives seem the route to go, since they have given good results to so many for the costs when compared to the the Race Tech kit. I can do the swap with the oil change, but lack those tools. I have been in contact with another member about using his to do the job, but they're loaned out at the moment.

Thanks again.

Marty

[Wildman]

Hi Marty

I have a 2000 Standard, 65k on the odo. I rebuilt the front forks 5 years ago with the Race-Tech springs, gold valves, new slider bushings, and seals. The bike rides a little higher than before. I like it higher because I can lean over farther before the pegs drag. I also have the progressive 440 HDs on the back. The bike rides and handles great. You will need a couple of special tools to do the job. I consider this set up to be state of the art for the Valk suspension.

Good luck with whatever choose to do.