RPM Fork Valves - worth every penny

[AustinFJ]

As one of the guys that purchased Randy's new RPM Fork Valves for my '91, I wanted to offer my feedback and recommendation on this upgrade.  I had the cartridge emulators in previously, and they were certainly an improvement on the original damping rod forks.  Randy's new valves are an even larger improvement over the emulators!  Harshness over rough pavement is gone. And I get less dive under braking, making the bike feel more stable and controllable.  I get less fork compression when diving into tight corners as well, so the geometry changes less and the front end feels better planted.  I was even running over reflectors on high-speed sweepers to see how that felt and it was like I could tell what part of the reflector (front side or back side edge) I hit without having it upset the bike. 



Randy talks about the patented Inertial valve thingie, but I think they patented FM (F**king Magic).   

Get 'em, put 'em in, go ride, and see if you can wipe the shit-eating grin off your mug.   

Greg

[racerrad8]

As one of the guys that purchased Randy's new RPM Fork Valves for my '91, I wanted to offer my feedback and recommendation on this upgrade.  I had the cartridge emulators in previously, and they were certainly an improvement on the original damping rod forks.  Randy's new valves are an even larger improvement over the emulators!  Harshness over rough pavement is gone. And I get less dive under braking, making the bike feel more stable and controllable.  I get less fork compression when diving into tight corners as well, so the geometry changes less and the front end feels better planted.  I was even running over reflectors on high-speed sweepers to see how that felt and it was like I could tell what part of the reflector (front side or back side edge) I hit without having it upset the bike. 



Randy talks about the patented Inertial valve thingie, but I think they patented FM (F**king Magic).   

Get 'em, put 'em in, go ride, and see if you can wipe the shit-eating grin off your mug.   

Greg

Greg,

Good deal, I am glad you are happy. I was truly impressed as well, but mine was more subtle as I was doing the testing and making the small changes sometimes was hard to quantify.

Thanks for the report to the group.

Now to get the rear shock tested and into production for the complete package.

Randy - RPM

[rktmanfj]

Now to get the rear shock tested and into production for the complete package.

Randy - RPM

Where's the smiley with crossed arms and tapping foot?     

[AustinFJ]

Now to get the rear shock tested and into production for the complete package.

Randy - RPM

Where's the smiley with crossed arms and tapping foot?     

I firmly believe that good work takes time.  I would have mentioned that the new fork valves make my Hagon rear shock feel like a 2x4 but did not want to add a negative aspect to a thread praising a particular product that I think (personally) is the tits!!  I am waiting for a similar application of FM for the rear shock as well, but with apparently more patience than you! 

All good things come in time...


P.S.  Randy, I'd love to test your rear shock on these terrible, terrible Texas roads, (good test case...)  if it would help you with ..er.. ah... gathering data.

[Mike Ramos]

Fork valves from RPM...?

It was the best of springs; it was the worst of springs for it was a heavy duty progressive spring... okay enough nonsense - Prior to installing the RPM's fork valves I ran a heavy duty progressive rate spring installed (with 15 wt. oil) in the forks on my 1991 FJ and, as previously mentioned, I was not unhappy with the performance.
With the progressive springs, over bumps and pot holes I had the initial "soft" response with the desired "stiff" as the forks compressed. Straight rate springs could not match the performance without a harsh ride.

The beauty of the RPM fork valves is their ability to absorb the initial impact (soft response) and at the same time offer the stiffer response desired at higher speeds over rough and choppy surfaces. They offer the desired highway forgiveness with the necessary stiffness for spirited back road riding. It must be emphasized that this is achieved with a softer straight rate spring than found in other applications, including the RT emulators.

Through turns, when the suspension is under the vagaries and uncertainties of compression forces (not to mention of the road surface itself), the valves, because of their ability to allow the oil to be regulated by the shim stack [and not just a "blow off" valve as found in other after market components], compensate beyond all expectations and on par with more modern suspensions. Also, the fork oil is only 5wt. which aids in the quick response of the forks. It is a fact the over a series of sharp, irregular bumps, the forks actually "stutter" in response to the road surface - without transmitting the impact through the bars.

The forks do dive under hard braking though noticeably less than before; yet as you encounter bumps under hard compression, the forks continue to cycle normally, enhancing control and minimizing or eliminating fork bottoming completely.

Note: since installing the valves in my bike, I have  had the opportunity to switch immediately to another FJ with stock suspension and the difference is truly night and day.

As another member has mentioned in his comments regarding the brakes, I also have ordered the upgraded brake pads because of the increased speeds attainable with the improved suspension. I will install them this weekend with a review in a week or so.

Another improvement, which I originally felt was perhaps not needed was the Fork Brace. However, with the increased loads and demands on the forks it is another enhancement which will benefit both the stock forks and forks with the new valves. Another unexpected plus is that since I have owned this motorcycle, I have always had fork seal problems, either minor seepage or even outright leakage. Since installing the Fork Brace many miles ago, the seals have remained leak proof, lending credence to claims that it is fork tube misalignment which tends to cause seal problems.

Ride carefully,

Mike Ramos.