up front

[racerrad8]

1. your doo-hickey may well be an improvement but you still need wheels and brakes -it is just a start

          Why do you need wheels & brakes?

If you want better brakes, you have an 89, so a set of eBay blue dot calipers will bolt right up to your forks. Here is a set of those for $60.00: Front Brake Calipers LOADED blue

According to my math you are now up to $425.00...still cheaper than the busa front end that you need to do a bunch of modification, work and spend money on to make fit.

2.  are you saying the FJ fork is as stiff as a USD's?
         
          No, I am sorry if I gave you that impression. I am well aware the newer USD forks are more rigid than the 80's designed forks, that is to be expected with technology progress. But that is not what you original question was; was it? (see below)

3. I'm sure you are far better rider (hell I'm almost 70!) but a personal contest would prove nothing about the components

          Well, thank you for your compliment on my riding skills, even though you have never seen me ride, for all you really know I could be one of the worst riders for have ever seen in your life.

After riding a FJ with & without the RPM suspension components, no matter what your skill level the difference is night & day, hopefully you can come to the Renegade Rally and see for yourself.

4. testimonials are notoriously untrustworthy

         You are basing your opinion on the testimonials that USD forks are the best thing since sliced bread, aren't you because I see stock forks & wheels on your FJ. So, why are the USD testimonials anymore "trustworthy" than those from people who have spent their hard earned money on RPM suspension components which you say are "less trustworthy" the the USD owners.

as I said your product has a market, it is not the whole enchillada but some can only afford a taco.

So, again my personal invitation has been extended to you Mr. Burns. Since you are "almost 70" no personal contest will take place, but I will let you ride my wife's stock 16" wheel & stock brakes, 86 FJ1200 and if that not not up to your standards, I will let you ride my 92 Fj1200 with 17" wheels, upgrades brakes and RPM suspension. This way you can experience the difference for yourself instead of speculating and offering a uninformed opinion based on untrustworthy testimonials.

Hell, I will even make sure it has the correct springs installed based on your weight so you get the full compliment of the RPM fork valves and rear shock, that is two for one deal. What is your weight?

Sorry, I personally don't have a USD bike available, but maybe you can ride someones bike with USD forks, as there will be several in attendance. Then and only then can you form a true & honest opinion of how & what works and then you can make an educated decision and again, not base your opinion from untrustworthy testimonials.

So come on down, and test the "doo-hickey" because for might just find out it is more like the supreme burrito.

Finally, since this post started with a question asking for "opinions" and you have now been given several "opinions", including mine; you probably should come on down and see what all of the hype is about the RPM doo-hickey before basing your decision on "what other front end beats this deal on a bang for the buck basis?"

...should I buy it and if not what other front end beats this deal on a bang for the buck basis?

thank you gentlemen

Randy - RPM

[giantkiller]

Boy I didn't mean for this to happen. First off Randy has my respect 100%  He has done more than could  ever be imagined as a vendor and an enthusiast for the fj owners. Than any one else. He is honest straight forward. I a stranger came to his shop. And he treated me like a close friend. Not a customer. I don't know how he can do all the time and development that he does to make the high quality products that he sells. And still make a profit. I guarantee if he added up all the hours he puts in. And put minimum wage to it he would be in the negative. And I guarantee bang for the buck his. Valving springs and brace. Is the best you can get. And ease of install for sure. Customer Service unbelievable.

Now that being said I was in no way bashing Randy's products. USD forks are for us retarded moditis adicts. Who wants to push it a little farther.
I guarantee that unspung weight and especially reciprocating weight. Is significant. As well as braking and stiffness. Between the gsxr front end that I'm using. And any wheel and brake combo that I've seen used on an fj front suspension. Randy I just weighed a stock fj front axle 1.010 lbs and the much larger stiffer hollow front axle 1.019lbs. Millions and millions are spent everyyear in rnd to save even the smallest of weight and make it better.x the 15 years between 93 and 2008 it's probably billions. I no doubt that Randys parts make the stock suspension as good as it can possibly be.

And Im also sure that with my limited skillset. I probably wouldn't be able to feel the difference. But like I've said before. It might be the difference that I didn't even know. That kept my skin from hitting the pavement again.

I'm going to have the gsxr forks for the Turbo bike taken apart to have extensions welded onto the fork caps. I'll see if I can get the machinest /suspension guru. To take the stock fj forks appart and weigh all the unspung components of each.
I know just by picking them up the stiffer gsxr fork verses the fj fork that the gsxr forks is way lighter.l can't remember exactly but I weighed the entire front Assembly. And was surprised that the stiffer, better braking and possibly slightly (because I'm no expert) performing gsxr Assembly was only 9 + pounds lighter. But yes way more expensive. If you want the best you can get using stock easily modified front suspension. Buy Randy's products you can't go wrong. If you want to push it alittle farther, and like doing the extra work and effort. The USD forks are for you. And they look great. (I was accused of buying a new bike from a dealer. And bringing it to the Rockerbox antique and custom show. I guess other people think they look like something the manufacturers would make today)
Thank you Randy for all you do for us dumb fj owners.
And thank you for all you've done for me one of your long distance customers.
Dan

[FJmonkey]

Anyone racing an FJ?

Yep...

http://www.kerryrawson.com/fjracer2015/ngcadwell/h4324d333

Cool, we have a few.... I need to spend time checking that out. Thanks.

[Mike Ramos]

http://youtu.be/tDhvK3DpqcU   

http://youtu.be/EO7Ohvpil-k 

A "notoriously untrustworthy testimonial" and another on the R.P.M. Fork Valves (and Fork Brace).

And one more with both the front and RPM rear shock in action - fortunate I did not get airborne @ 4:20+

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=$1#errorNo longer available

Good evening,

Midget

[great white]

Anyone racing an FJ?

Yep...

http://www.kerryrawson.com/fjracer2015/ngcadwell/h4324d333

Might be the same guy:

http://www.fjracer.com/who-is-doc/4520268915

And another:

[Video]https://youtu.be/MlOjASHavXg[/video]

All racing in "vintage" classes to my knowledge. More popular across the pond it seems....

[great white]

I can't speak to the RPM fork valves, but I have a set of Racetech gold cartridge emulators in my 85 VF750F wearing 41 MM VF1000F front forks.

The difference between the damper rod forks without the emulators and with them is very noticeable.

IF the RPM's have a similar effect, they would be well worth the 365 quoted here.

Now, if a guy wants USD forks, nothing wrong with that. Go get 'em and be happy with your choice! 

But arguing the merits of one over the other on a street bike doesn't make a lot of sense. Other than liking your bike and the "cool factor", there's no real advantage of one over the other.

Weight savings is a point, but I personally don't care about a few pounds when you're talking about topping 500-600 lbs. I'd be better off (and easier) dropping 20-30 lbs of my own fat butt....

As to racing: any class the FJ is going to be competitive in is going to be "vintage". They have fairly strict rules about changes to the bikes. A fork swap to USD forks is going to be right outside of the rules.




Question for RPM: Are you emulators/valves "tuneable"? If they are, do they require removing and swapping shim stacks or are they adjustable once installed? IE: Adjustment nut or something on the fork cap, etc....

[jscgdunn]

Boy I didn't mean for this to happen. First off Randy has my respect 100%  He has done more than could  ever be imagined as a vendor and an enthusiast for the fj owners. Than any one else. He is honest straight forward. I a stranger came to his shop. And he treated me like a close friend. Not a customer. I don't know how he can do all the time and development that he does to make the high quality products that he sells. And still make a profit. I guarantee if he added up all the hours he puts in. And put minimum wage to it he would be in the negative. And I guarantee bang for the buck his. Valving springs and brace. Is the best you can get. And ease of install for sure. Customer Service unbelievable.

Now that being said I was in no way bashing Randy's products. USD forks are for us retarded moditis adicts. Who wants to push it a little farther.
I guarantee that unspung weight and especially reciprocating weight. Is significant. As well as braking and stiffness. Between the gsxr front end that I'm using. And any wheel and brake combo that I've seen used on an fj front suspension. Randy I just weighed a stock fj front axle 1.010 lbs and the much larger stiffer hollow front axle 1.019lbs. Millions and millions are spent everyyear in rnd to save even the smallest of weight and make it better.x the 15 years between 93 and 2008 it's probably billions. I no doubt that Randys parts make the stock suspension as good as it can possibly be.

And Im also sure that with my limited skillset. I probably wouldn't be able to feel the difference. But like I've said before. It might be the difference that I didn't even know. That kept my skin from hitting the pavement again.

I'm going to have the gsxr forks for the Turbo bike taken apart to have extensions welded onto the fork caps. I'll see if I can get the machinest /suspension guru. To take the stock fj forks appart and weigh all the unspung components of each.
I know just by picking them up the stiffer gsxr fork verses the fj fork that the gsxr forks is way lighter.l can't remember exactly but I weighed the entire front Assembly. And was surprised that the stiffer, better braking and possibly slightly (because I'm no expert) performing gsxr Assembly was only 9 + pounds lighter. But yes way more expensive. If you want the best you can get using stock easily modified front suspension. Buy Randy's products you can't go wrong. If you want to push it alittle farther, and like doing the extra work and effort. The USD forks are for you. And they look great. (I was accused of buying a new bike from a dealer. And bringing it to the Rockerbox antique and custom show. I guess other people think they look like something the manufacturers would make today)
Thank you Randy for all you do for us dumb fj owners.
And thank you for all you've done for me one of your long distance customers.
Dan

Plus one on all these comments....like blue spots, the preference of one over the other is personal,...different strokes for different folks.  Some people like restored cars , some like restomods, some like rat rods.  Personally, I really enjoy doing the modifications over our long winters, and I do prefer the USD looks.  I also really enjoy following along on other projects on here, and amazed on humbled at the skills put on display.  Let's make sure we do not make anyone feel uncomfortable posting their projects because they feel they might "go against the grain" of the viewpoints of our senior members.

Nuff said,

Jeff

[Pat Conlon]

......and don't forget, the USD forks gets the chicks.........

[great white]

......and don't forget, the USD forks gets the chicks.........

[FJ1100mjk]

But arguing the merits of one over the other on a street bike doesn't make a lot of sense. Other than liking your bike and the "cool factor", there's no real advantage of one over the other.

[great white]

But arguing the merits of one over the other on a street bike doesn't make a lot of sense. Other than liking your bike and the "cool factor", there's no real advantage of one over the other.

Brunette is hawt.....

[racerrad8]

Question for RPM: Are you emulators/valves "tuneable"? If they are, do they require removing and swapping shim stacks or are they adjustable once installed? IE: Adjustment nut or something on the fork cap, etc....

Short answer, yes. But since they specifically designed for the FJ and not a universal part like the other fork valves available that you have to tune to make them function properly in the FJ.

Here is a full write up explaining it all: http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=7486.0

Randy - RPM

[racerrad8]

Dan & Jeff, you guys are spot on and I applaud your efforts, as well as many others for having the full on moditius bug. Unfortunately the USD front fork conversions are not for the majority of the forum members who are not the moditus type, but do want improved performance.

I think GW said it best below:

But arguing the merits of one over the other on a street bike doesn't make a lot of sense. Other than liking your bike and the "cool factor", there's no real advantage of one over the other.

I just put it out there for Mr. Burns who asked the question on the best bang for the buck regarding front suspension. Considering the cost, labor and re-valving required for the USD to work properly, the RPM system is the best bang for the buck.

Randy - RPM

[fj1289]

...
4. testimonials are notoriously untrustworthy
...

Maybe in the strictest sense of that statement - especially in a caveat-emptor application....  

BUT, suspension is by its very nature extremely subjective.  If it was all "numbers" and "facts" then every GP racer would want the exact same suspension settings - there would be no need to tune the ride for the rider.  And there in lies the rub to me - in most cases a "lesser" suspension PROPERLY SET UP will perform much better than a "superior" suspension that's NOT set up properly.  

[giantkiller]

I did a lot of research before I decided on that 2007/8 gsxr 1000 front end. They are notorious for being oversprung (too stiff) from the factory. So I hoped they would work for the fj and me. I was correct. No respring or revalve. I actually had to soften up the settings from where they were. For correct sag etc. So if you are thinking of doing USD consider these. Also those 2years the gsxr 1000 had a hydrolic clutch. So if you get a complete front end you can use the clutch master for the fj.
Dan