Fork Maintenance on Race Tech modded forks

[dragonchef]

I'm about 25K out from my Race Tech gold valve/spring upgrade, and looking to do some maintenance prior to riding season.

On the Race Tech site they offer inner bushings and outer bushings that are $40/pair. Anyone have experience with these? It's pricey compared to about $13/$20 pair for OEM. Also...OEM says upper, middle and lower.....so which one is missing from RT?

After some on site research, this is what is needed.

4SV-23135-10-00 METAL, SLIDE 2 (Lower Bushing)
3P6-23135-00-00 METAL, SLIDE 2 (Middle Bushing)
4SV-23125-10-00 METAL, SLIDE 1 (Upper Bushing)
4SV-23115-00-00 GUIDE, COVER UPPER (Washer)
4SV-23145-01-00 OIL SEAL
4SV-23156-00-00 CLIP, OIL SEAL (Ring clip)
4SV-23144-00-00 SEAL, DUST (Dust seal)

race Tech does not offer;

4SV-23115-00-00 GUIDE, COVER UPPER (Washer)

4SV-23156-00-00 CLIP, OIL SEAL (Ring clip)



So I am assuming I will need these as well as the mysterious third bushing. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[ahchiu]

Order the parts on your list, you will also need 2 ltr of fork oil, the last 2 parts are the washer and retainer clip and can be reused but I would order them just incase they get damage on removal, Gen one only has two bushings, upper and lower. total for the parts should be around $80.00 shipped in the US may be different in Korea https://www.cyclepartswarehouse.com/catalog.asp

 

[Fred W]

You could/should talk to the guys at Race Tech about it, but my guess is that they intentionally omit the middle bushings. It has been said before that the middle one isn't really needed and may actually be responsible for adding the friction that results in the early wear of the teflon coating off those bushings.

The 1st gen bikes don't have teflon on the bushings and only have 2, upper and lower. They also do not need to be replaced nearly as often as on the second gen bikes. Maybe RT uses something more alike the 1st gen bushings that might actually work better and last longer? I do not know.

 

[dragonchef]

Thanks Fred...great minds think alike..!

 

[900gc]

My suspension tech @ GMD Computrack just did the upper and lower bushing (said the middle wasn't needed), new oil and seals and good to go.

 

[ynotride]

I had 30,000 miles on my race tech gold valves and one of the forks started to leak. I cant match the part numbers you have above but here is what my receipt says for a full service on both forks. I live close to race Tech so I had them do the service.

Labor $125.00

Item # FKOS 4802 P - FK KYB Oil Seal 48PR $39.98

Item # FKOS 4802 P - FK KYB Dust seal 48PR $39.98

Item # USF05 PT - USF-05 FK Fluid (2) $29.98

Item # FMBI 48201 P - Fork Bush Inner -48x20x1 Pair $39.98

Item # FMBO 48122 P - Fork Bush Outer -48x12x2 Pair39.98

Item # FMBO 481515 P - Fork Bush Outer -48x15x1.5 Pair 39.98

 

[ahchiu]

I had 30,000 miles on my race tech gold valves and one of the forks started to leak. I cant match the part numbers you have above but here is what my receipt says for a full service on both forks. I live close to race Tech so I had them do the service.
Labor $125.00

Item # FKOS 4802 P - FK KYB Oil Seal 48PR $39.98

Item # FKOS 4802 P - FK KYB Dust seal 48PR $39.98

Item # USF05 PT - USF-05 FK Fluid (2) $29.98

Item # FMBI 48201 P - Fork Bush Inner -48x20x1 Pair $39.98

Item # FMBO 48122 P - Fork Bush Outer -48x12x2 Pair39.98

Item # FMBO 481515 P - Fork Bush Outer -48x15x1.5 Pair 39.98

This is the cost for the parts on line for the pair. I rounded up to the $ , They really marked up the parts,retail for the parts around $90.00

Oil Seal $12.00

Dust Seal $12.00

Upper Bushing $$14.00

Middle Bushing $13.00

Lower Bushing $12.00

2 ltr oil $15.00

 

[dragonchef]

Ynotride: Thanks for this info. I contacted a tech guy at RT and he gave me different info, so I asked the question again.

The Item # FMBO 481515 P - Fork Bush Outer -48x15x1.5 Pair 39.98 - isnot listed on the web site.

Commander understood that I could save some coin by ordering OEM and I'm thinking I might end up going this direction...

Thanks to all!!

 

[Fred W]

A leaky fork seal is not always a sign that the forks will need to be rebuilt. Try cleaning the oil seal first with a seal mate or similar home-made version of the same. You may find that your fork internals will last a bit longer.

 

[ynotride]

I did try to clean the seal first but it didnt work. Now that I know how much they reamed me for I will look elsewhere to try and save a few bucks. There are only two things I am not comfortable doing myself on the bike and both are expensive = Suspension and Valve checks.

 

[MCRIDER007]

I did try to clean the seal first but it didnt work. Now that I know how much they reamed me for I will look elsewhere to try and save a few bucks. There are only two things I am not comfortable doing myself on the bike and both are expensive = Suspension and Valve checks.

If you can find someone with a hydrulic press it's possible to remove the seals without removing the bushings.

 

[Jack D]

I rebuilt my Gold Wing forks almost every year. One time I used the Race Tech bushings. At the next rebuild the RT bushings were worn just as much as the OEM were between rebuilds. I used OEMs after that and saved money.

 

[SkooterG]

I will be installing RaceTech Gold Valves and new springs on my 09 FJR next month. Yes, they are charging a lot for the (what I thought were) OEM components? Do they make their own? I contacted them and told it was 'no problem' if I obtained the OEM myself. The invoice he sent me only had two of the bushings. I am buying all three sets. It's not that much more for the third set and I'll have them if I need them.

Lucky for me, one of the Racetech techs actually lives in Show Low, AZ. He will be doing the install in his fully outfitted garage and by request, will be letting me watch and assist. I'll get to ride my second favorite twisty road in Arizona - the Salt River Canyon on the way up before mods, and on the return trip post mods to compare the difference.

Am really looking forward to it. I scrape the pegs on this POS Gen II a lot more easily than my suspension modded Gen I FJR.

 

[dragonchef]

Skoot...that would be Matt and you will have a different bike once the Mods are done. Best money I spent was on the '10 group buy on the fork gear as well as the rear shock. Matt's been working this question as well, but still no clear answers yet. Maybe I should wait to see what he finds on your feej....

 

[900gc]

I will be installing RaceTech Gold Valves and new springs on my 09 FJR next month. Yes, they are charging a lot for the (what I thought were) OEM components? Do they make their own? I contacted them and told it was 'no problem' if I obtained the OEM myself. The invoice he sent me only had two of the bushings. I am buying all three sets. It's not that much more for the third set and I'll have them if I need them.
Lucky for me, one of the Racetech techs actually lives in Show Low, AZ. He will be doing the install in his fully outfitted garage and by request, will be letting me watch and assist. I'll get to ride my second favorite twisty road in Arizona - the Salt River Canyon on the way up before mods, and on the return trip post mods to compare the difference.

Am really looking forward to it. I scrape the pegs on this POS Gen II a lot more easily than my suspension modded Gen I FJR.

I rode that road in '82 on an'81 Suzuki GS1100 on a cross country trip I took to see a buddy @ ASU. STILL remember that great section of my trip!

 

[ahchiu]

I did try to clean the seal first but it didnt work. Now that I know how much they reamed me for I will look elsewhere to try and save a few bucks. There are only two things I am not comfortable doing myself on the bike and both are expensive = Suspension and Valve checks.

I made 2 sets of fork rebuild tools, and Johnny80s and DCarver has a set in Calif, maybe you can contact them and see if they will be willing to help you with a rebuild.

 

[MCRIDER007]

I will be installing RaceTech Gold Valves and new springs on my 09 FJR next month. Yes, they are charging a lot for the (what I thought were) OEM components? Do they make their own? I contacted them and told it was 'no problem' if I obtained the OEM myself. The invoice he sent me only had two of the bushings. I am buying all three sets. It's not that much more for the third set and I'll have them if I need them.

I think the third bushing serves a useful purpose, it increases the rigidity of the lower fork leg and reduces flex between that part and the fork tube.

 

[Fred W]

I could be wrong, but I think that the lower fork legs, being a thicker fairly rigid alloy material, are not all that flexible.

If anything, the center bushing would serve to keep the thinner steel, inner fork tubes from flexing between the upper and lower bushings. Why that would be particularly desirable is the question du jour. Most of the flex will be in the tube between the triple clamps and the lower tubes.

 

[MCRIDER007]

I could be wrong, but I think that the lower fork legs, being a thicker fairly rigid alloy material, are not all that flexible.
If anything, the center bushing would serve to keep the thinner steel, inner fork tubes from flexing between the upper and lower bushings. Why that would be particularly desirable is the question du jour. Most of the flex will be in the tube between the triple clamps and the lower tubes.

Whichever part is flexing, there should be less of it when you have an extra bushing that is about 4 inches below the top bushing and the actual fork travel is only about 3 inches. A totally stock GEN2 has a firmer feel and handles better around a corner than a stock GEN1 and I don't think that is due solely to the Gen2's extended swing arm.