Race Tech suspension - riding rough after revalve?

Preston412
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Fantasy
3/30/2025 4:57pm Edited Date/Time 3/30/2025 5:13pm
OwenJakes wrote:
If I open up the rebound does that also reduce compression damping? I forgot these circuits are connected too. I was adjusting them both at the...

If I open up the rebound does that also reduce compression damping? I forgot these circuits are connected too. I was adjusting them both at the same time so that may be part of why I got the wallowing feeling - lots of change at one time. 

Only adjust compression or rebound, don’t adjust both at the same time.  If the suspension does not feel good at base settings then something is not right internally. if you are using stock springs front and rear, what direction did you go with valving, softer or stiffer?

Don’t be afraid to start at base settings and turn compression all the way out a couple clicks at a time and go back to base setting and then do the same with rebound. Front and rear

2
mx317
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3/30/2025 5:30pm
OwenJakes wrote:
If I open up the rebound does that also reduce compression damping? I forgot these circuits are connected too. I was adjusting them both at the...

If I open up the rebound does that also reduce compression damping? I forgot these circuits are connected too. I was adjusting them both at the same time so that may be part of why I got the wallowing feeling - lots of change at one time. 

Yes opening up the rebound circuit also lessens compression damping some. 

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CBE
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3/30/2025 5:59pm
JM485 wrote:
I’m not understanding the point of this thread, you’re claiming to not want to drag Race Tech through the mud but that’s pretty much exactly what...

I’m not understanding the point of this thread, you’re claiming to not want to drag Race Tech through the mud but that’s pretty much exactly what it’s titled to do.  They gave you a setting, maybe it’s a bit off or maybe there were errors on installation, but either way both scenarios can happen and I’m sure they’ll get it sorted out with a simple phone call.  I don’t really know what you’re trying to achieve here but it’s really not fair to them, give them a chance to fix it before putting them on blast for no reason.  

OwenJakes wrote:

How many times in the thread should I praise them for killing my past setups? RT is awesome. 

I’ll even change the title for you. 

What is the float on the fork midvalve? Can you post the DVS? I just redid a friends rmz with gold valves in the fork. Float was around .28mm on his. The LSV plays a huge role in damping force. I added a crossover after two of the LSV face shims.Someone had put 3 face shims that were .15mm thick on his base valve. I replaced them with .1mm shims and pulled two of the odd size high speed shims from the base valve. Shock is horrible to work on and difficult to bleed. Pinched the compression adjuster oring twice and had to order some. If that shock isn’t bled right it will be really unpredictable and dangerous. Shock was original and had 100 psi and oil had so much air in it looked like foam..no wonder people hate how this shock performs in stock form.  With the shock all I did was swap a face shim from the compression to the rebound stack and a slightly smaller crossover on compression and one size smaller clamp shim.. I think we ended up at 360cc in fork outer chamber . They specified 385 and it was too much. Personally I think the GV is a downgrade from the showa fork pistons. There shock GV for the BFRC looks decent but I have nut tunded one with it.

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Rotaholic
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3/30/2025 6:02pm Edited Date/Time 3/30/2025 6:02pm
CBE wrote:
What is the float on the fork midvalve? Can you post the DVS? I just redid a friends rmz with gold valves in the fork. Float...

What is the float on the fork midvalve? Can you post the DVS? I just redid a friends rmz with gold valves in the fork. Float was around .28mm on his. The LSV plays a huge role in damping force. I added a crossover after two of the LSV face shims.Someone had put 3 face shims that were .15mm thick on his base valve. I replaced them with .1mm shims and pulled two of the odd size high speed shims from the base valve. Shock is horrible to work on and difficult to bleed. Pinched the compression adjuster oring twice and had to order some. If that shock isn’t bled right it will be really unpredictable and dangerous. Shock was original and had 100 psi and oil had so much air in it looked like foam..no wonder people hate how this shock performs in stock form.  With the shock all I did was swap a face shim from the compression to the rebound stack and a slightly smaller crossover on compression and one size smaller clamp shim.. I think we ended up at 360cc in fork outer chamber . They specified 385 and it was too much. Personally I think the GV is a downgrade from the showa fork pistons. There shock GV for the BFRC looks decent but I have nut tunded one with it.

Looks like he is running the 250 KYB shock

1

The Shop

Adam43
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3/30/2025 6:09pm
OwenJakes wrote:
You would run a .54 and a .49? I've never mismatched them but I know it gets done. Just apprehensive, thats all. Any negative effects?That would...

You would run a .54 and a .49? I've never mismatched them but I know it gets done. Just apprehensive, thats all. Any negative effects?

That would put me at an effective rate of 1.03kg/mm which sounds more like where I have landed in the past. My YZ is on .50 on each side. Currently The RM-Z it is 1.08. So thats like 5% softer. Will that even do anything? It would effectively be as if I went down one spring rate. Thank you! 

Adam43 wrote:
Not an issue. There are tons of designs utilizing springs in just one side. Slight rate change on one side is not a factor beyond tuning.Give...

Not an issue. There are tons of designs utilizing springs in just one side. Slight rate change on one side is not a factor beyond tuning.

Give it a go (I would drop a bit of oil too). If it's an improvement you know you're moving in the right direction. 

OwenJakes wrote:
Adam I wanted to add also that when I ride through the pits or over like some roots or rain ruts that the fork is wildly...

Adam I wanted to add also that when I ride through the pits or over like some roots or rain ruts that the fork is wildly harsh. Almost won’t move. Maybe this is spring stiffness?

No doubt a combination of things. 

IMO .54 on a Showa with 340cc of oil and beefed up valving is going to ride exactly as you describe. 

Put at least 1 stock spring in, ditch another 20cc per leg. Double check for axle binding and fork heights correct. Start w comp 7-8 click out, tune it til you get it stiff enough. 

2
OwenJakes
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3/30/2025 7:14pm
Adam43 wrote:
Not an issue. There are tons of designs utilizing springs in just one side. Slight rate change on one side is not a factor beyond tuning.Give...

Not an issue. There are tons of designs utilizing springs in just one side. Slight rate change on one side is not a factor beyond tuning.

Give it a go (I would drop a bit of oil too). If it's an improvement you know you're moving in the right direction. 

OwenJakes wrote:
Adam I wanted to add also that when I ride through the pits or over like some roots or rain ruts that the fork is wildly...

Adam I wanted to add also that when I ride through the pits or over like some roots or rain ruts that the fork is wildly harsh. Almost won’t move. Maybe this is spring stiffness?

Adam43 wrote:
No doubt a combination of things. IMO .54 on a Showa with 340cc of oil and beefed up valving is going to ride exactly as you describe. Put...

No doubt a combination of things. 

IMO .54 on a Showa with 340cc of oil and beefed up valving is going to ride exactly as you describe. 

Put at least 1 stock spring in, ditch another 20cc per leg. Double check for axle binding and fork heights correct. Start w comp 7-8 click out, tune it til you get it stiff enough. 

Wait wait - compression at only 7 or 8 out and tune from there until stiff enough? Is that what you meant?


Otherwise, great plan of action. I love it and that’s what I’m doing this week then. 

3
OwenJakes
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3/30/2025 7:28pm
JM485 wrote:
I’m not understanding the point of this thread, you’re claiming to not want to drag Race Tech through the mud but that’s pretty much exactly what...

I’m not understanding the point of this thread, you’re claiming to not want to drag Race Tech through the mud but that’s pretty much exactly what it’s titled to do.  They gave you a setting, maybe it’s a bit off or maybe there were errors on installation, but either way both scenarios can happen and I’m sure they’ll get it sorted out with a simple phone call.  I don’t really know what you’re trying to achieve here but it’s really not fair to them, give them a chance to fix it before putting them on blast for no reason.  

OwenJakes wrote:

How many times in the thread should I praise them for killing my past setups? RT is awesome. 

I’ll even change the title for you. 

CBE wrote:
What is the float on the fork midvalve? Can you post the DVS? I just redid a friends rmz with gold valves in the fork. Float...

What is the float on the fork midvalve? Can you post the DVS? I just redid a friends rmz with gold valves in the fork. Float was around .28mm on his. The LSV plays a huge role in damping force. I added a crossover after two of the LSV face shims.Someone had put 3 face shims that were .15mm thick on his base valve. I replaced them with .1mm shims and pulled two of the odd size high speed shims from the base valve. Shock is horrible to work on and difficult to bleed. Pinched the compression adjuster oring twice and had to order some. If that shock isn’t bled right it will be really unpredictable and dangerous. Shock was original and had 100 psi and oil had so much air in it looked like foam..no wonder people hate how this shock performs in stock form.  With the shock all I did was swap a face shim from the compression to the rebound stack and a slightly smaller crossover on compression and one size smaller clamp shim.. I think we ended up at 360cc in fork outer chamber . They specified 385 and it was too much. Personally I think the GV is a downgrade from the showa fork pistons. There shock GV for the BFRC looks decent but I have nut tunded one with it.

Thanks for the input. I love it. My DVS sheet is on my computer and I left it in my office earlier actually but I will just post it up tomorrow. I know my float is 0.30mm and is set right. I’ll add some pictures. I will also add that (I think) this spec had a single stage lsv which I thought was odd but went with it. It may not have been the LSV but somewhere has a single stage which stood out to me. 

I’m on the peak of the Dunning Kruger curve when it comes to this - know enough to talk but not enough to fix anything😂

Also I’m on a KYB shock. It’s harsh too but not much worse than my YZ. That’s a problem for later. IMG 0893 6IMG 0894 3.jpeg?VersionId=r6C6gYn 0orabLzSsDZOnmfBQUz1pao

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ratonmacias
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3/30/2025 8:17pm

The factory connection ics springs are 1.7

The stock ics springs are 2.0 usually.

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OwenJakes
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3/30/2025 8:29pm

The factory connection ics springs are 1.7

The stock ics springs are 2.0 usually.

Do you know what the softer springs do? As far as perceived effect. 

1
3/31/2025 12:56am

Owen, drop me an email to chris@racetech.com and we will get you with a tech to go through feedback, troubleshooting, and an updated setting as needed.

The 100% guarantee on the products and settings isn't just marketing BS and we have a ton of data on the RMZ.  Happy to help.  

I am just the marketing guy, but I deal with riders all the time and I don't hear slower rebound ever to deal with it.  You can view the rebound clicker as a "comfort" adjuster and soften it (faster) to get more comfort (sometimes coupled with going stiffer on compression to balance it).

The most common causes of this feedback is forks that are either not torqued to spec so they are pinched or binding because they aren't parallel. If if it's setting related we'll get you sorted without issue.

12
OwenJakes
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3/31/2025 6:22am
Owen, drop me an email to chris@racetech.com and we will get you with a tech to go through feedback, troubleshooting, and an updated setting as needed.The...

Owen, drop me an email to chris@racetech.com and we will get you with a tech to go through feedback, troubleshooting, and an updated setting as needed.

The 100% guarantee on the products and settings isn't just marketing BS and we have a ton of data on the RMZ.  Happy to help.  

I am just the marketing guy, but I deal with riders all the time and I don't hear slower rebound ever to deal with it.  You can view the rebound clicker as a "comfort" adjuster and soften it (faster) to get more comfort (sometimes coupled with going stiffer on compression to balance it).

The most common causes of this feedback is forks that are either not torqued to spec so they are pinched or binding because they aren't parallel. If if it's setting related we'll get you sorted without issue.

Morning dude. I’ll get in touch as soon as I’m at the computer!! 😁

4
soggy
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3/31/2025 8:01am
OwenJakes wrote:
Sorry I missed this. As usual you got the thumbs down treatment and no explanation.. I have always understood rebound to provide a little better traction...

Sorry I missed this. As usual you got the thumbs down treatment and no explanation.. I have always understood rebound to provide a little better traction and smoothness but at the expense of a more active and deflective front end. 

So if rebound slows down will I not feel more impacts in the hands (theoretically)?

If you slow the rebound down(going in on the clicker) the suspension won’t be as active. In my experience with a harsh/stiff feeling on landings can sometimes be attributed to a rebound circuit over powering the compression dampening. 
 

As the fork is compressing and getting to the bottom of its movement for that particular obstacle(ie not necessarily bottoming the fork but the bottom of the stroke for that obstacle) the rebound circuit can start trying to push the fork back up to quickly and it results in a harsh feeling in the hands. 

Sorry if that explanation sucks. Set your compression in a zone that is in the ballpark and start by turning in the rebound 2 clicks at a time. If it gets better keep going. You’ll know you’ve gone to far when it starts to pack and deflect/ head shake in breaking bumps. 

4
ratonmacias
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3/31/2025 8:10am

The factory connection ics springs are 1.7

The stock ics springs are 2.0 usually.

OwenJakes wrote:

Do you know what the softer springs do? As far as perceived effect. 

I don't but i am getting the factory connection ics springs on my yz 125.

I Will let You know next weekend.

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OwenJakes
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3/31/2025 1:39pm
JM485 wrote:
I’m not understanding the point of this thread, you’re claiming to not want to drag Race Tech through the mud but that’s pretty much exactly what...

I’m not understanding the point of this thread, you’re claiming to not want to drag Race Tech through the mud but that’s pretty much exactly what it’s titled to do.  They gave you a setting, maybe it’s a bit off or maybe there were errors on installation, but either way both scenarios can happen and I’m sure they’ll get it sorted out with a simple phone call.  I don’t really know what you’re trying to achieve here but it’s really not fair to them, give them a chance to fix it before putting them on blast for no reason.  

OwenJakes wrote:

How many times in the thread should I praise them for killing my past setups? RT is awesome. 

I’ll even change the title for you. 

CBE wrote:
What is the float on the fork midvalve? Can you post the DVS? I just redid a friends rmz with gold valves in the fork. Float...

What is the float on the fork midvalve? Can you post the DVS? I just redid a friends rmz with gold valves in the fork. Float was around .28mm on his. The LSV plays a huge role in damping force. I added a crossover after two of the LSV face shims.Someone had put 3 face shims that were .15mm thick on his base valve. I replaced them with .1mm shims and pulled two of the odd size high speed shims from the base valve. Shock is horrible to work on and difficult to bleed. Pinched the compression adjuster oring twice and had to order some. If that shock isn’t bled right it will be really unpredictable and dangerous. Shock was original and had 100 psi and oil had so much air in it looked like foam..no wonder people hate how this shock performs in stock form.  With the shock all I did was swap a face shim from the compression to the rebound stack and a slightly smaller crossover on compression and one size smaller clamp shim.. I think we ended up at 360cc in fork outer chamber . They specified 385 and it was too much. Personally I think the GV is a downgrade from the showa fork pistons. There shock GV for the BFRC looks decent but I have nut tunded one with it.

image 1427.png?VersionId=kJHZ0Ex41DDM

I am running this exact setup EXCEPT:

-18 out on compression

-16 out on rebound

-340 mL of oil (1 mL = 1cc)

 

LungButter
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3/31/2025 1:42pm

I'm curious to see what you figure out.

Not trying to be a dick but it sure seems like a classic case of telling them you are faster than you are, happens to the best of us.

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OwenJakes
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3/31/2025 2:20pm
LungButter wrote:
I'm curious to see what you figure out.Not trying to be a dick but it sure seems like a classic case of telling them you are...

I'm curious to see what you figure out.

Not trying to be a dick but it sure seems like a classic case of telling them you are faster than you are, happens to the best of us.

In my email to Chris I did present this as a possibility, sort of. I don't take offense either.

Where I live, we do not have fast tracks really. Where I was this past weekend, you never got above 3rd gear on a 450. What I am getting at is no matter how fast you are, you are only going to enter some corners so fast. If the valving is setup for 450B racing at 213 pounds but the track is tight and choppy, you're probably never going to need the amount of damping that you have. We do not have sections that are producing extremely fast shaft speeds and I worry that the opportunity to utilize the forks is not being presented.

I didnt just theorize this in my brain either. When I rode previous to this weekend, I did find one part of the track that felt amazing: a very fast, very rough corner entry after a ski jump. I could launch it into the chop and stay on the gas longer. So when the track opened up and gave me the chance to really attack, it felt good. I hope that makes sense. I hope to get it dialed in too though. Otherwise the new bike rocks. Things a total smile factory every time I kick it😉

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LOOnatic
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3/31/2025 2:46pm

I feel for you man.

Chasing a good suspension setting is so critical to having confidence in a bike.

 

From everything you have posted it sounds over damped valving  wise (for a faster shaft speed) or yer spring rate is off.

You may be surprised that a softer set up works better for you and what you ride on.

1
profmur
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3/31/2025 2:51pm

Ffs, call racetech already.

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OwenJakes
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3/31/2025 3:09pm
profmur wrote:

Ffs, call racetech already.

We're on a forum for dirtbikes discussing dirtbikes in the dirtbike-related section. I'm not begging for answers, just chatting and learning off of one another. If you don't like it, you're free to not look dude. I've already spoken with them and waiting on their response. 

Nobody is making you click on this.

6
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OwenJakes
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3/31/2025 3:13pm Edited Date/Time 3/31/2025 3:14pm

I'm Sorry if I'm interrupting one of the deegan threads or a broadcast gripe fest😂

Also, as a person who's been saved a thousand times from searching old forum threads, it's good to post and good to be detailed.

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PTshox
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3/31/2025 3:41pm

I can't stand that "leaf spring" type midvalve.... Maybe good for someone riding supercross but what % of people here are actually doing that? The older style with the small spring was more flexible as far as getting the mid valve to not be so harsh. Spring collars

PTshox
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3/31/2025 3:43pm
Midvalves on rod 1.JPG?VersionId=UtKrv8  pnU.5vMnPE
PTshox
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Mid valv comps top
PTshox
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Midvalve Hon vs suz.JPG?VersionId=RJb2OyV7Wsmj

CBE
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3/31/2025 4:23pm
OwenJakes wrote:
I am running this exact setup EXCEPT:-18 out on compression-16 out on rebound-340 mL of oil (1 mL = 1cc) 
image 1427.png?VersionId=kJHZ0Ex41DDM

I am running this exact setup EXCEPT:

-18 out on compression

-16 out on rebound

-340 mL of oil (1 mL = 1cc)

 

See the (7)34.15 face shims. That’s what is beating you up. That’s a heavy base stack. I’d pull 4 of them and the 31 to start and if the clicker still isn’t getting to where you need I’d pull another. MV looks fine. If the front doesn’t want to settle and the clicker isn’t responding I’d start pulling odd shims 23,21,19 from LSV. Have to put some filler shims at the end of the stack to fill the gap so the nut tightens. Rebound is a little heavy with 6 face shims but with .54 springs that’s expected. Good luck and I’m sure RT will get you straight they have some excellent setttings once you find what works for you.

BigBoreFan58
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3/31/2025 5:17pm

99% of the suspension sets I've seen that were sent to the big suspension shops, they came back way to stiff. 

That's been my experience anyway.

 

3
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OwenJakes
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3/31/2025 5:21pm
PTshox wrote:
I can't stand that "leaf spring" type midvalve.... Maybe good for someone riding supercross but what % of people here are actually doing that? The older...

I can't stand that "leaf spring" type midvalve.... Maybe good for someone riding supercross but what % of people here are actually doing that? The older style with the small spring was more flexible as far as getting the mid valve to not be so harsh. Spring collars

What’s crazy too is that a lot of guys go to the leaf mid in the older SSS forks as well. I have never tested them back to back. Have you?

1
3/31/2025 5:41pm

99% of the suspension sets I've seen that were sent to the big suspension shops, they came back way to stiff. 

That's been my experience anyway.

 

Mine are always soft lol

2
OwenJakes
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3/31/2025 5:43pm
OwenJakes wrote:
I am running this exact setup EXCEPT:-18 out on compression-16 out on rebound-340 mL of oil (1 mL = 1cc) 
image 1427.png?VersionId=kJHZ0Ex41DDM

I am running this exact setup EXCEPT:

-18 out on compression

-16 out on rebound

-340 mL of oil (1 mL = 1cc)

 

CBE wrote:
See the (7)34.15 face shims. That’s what is beating you up. That’s a heavy base stack. I’d pull 4 of them and the 31 to start...

See the (7)34.15 face shims. That’s what is beating you up. That’s a heavy base stack. I’d pull 4 of them and the 31 to start and if the clicker still isn’t getting to where you need I’d pull another. MV looks fine. If the front doesn’t want to settle and the clicker isn’t responding I’d start pulling odd shims 23,21,19 from LSV. Have to put some filler shims at the end of the stack to fill the gap so the nut tightens. Rebound is a little heavy with 6 face shims but with .54 springs that’s expected. Good luck and I’m sure RT will get you straight they have some excellent setttings once you find what works for you.

Just to make sure, you’re saying start by pulling out four of those heavy face shims and the .10x31mm out?

So when we modify the face shims does that reduce the slope of the entire damping curve or just move the whole curve down? If that doesn’t make sense just ignore me lol

1
JM485
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3/31/2025 7:07pm
profmur wrote:

Ffs, call racetech already.

OwenJakes wrote:
We're on a forum for dirtbikes discussing dirtbikes in the dirtbike-related section. I'm not begging for answers, just chatting and learning off of one another. If...

We're on a forum for dirtbikes discussing dirtbikes in the dirtbike-related section. I'm not begging for answers, just chatting and learning off of one another. If you don't like it, you're free to not look dude. I've already spoken with them and waiting on their response. 

Nobody is making you click on this.

The problem here is you have 15 different people telling you 15 different things, and there's not really a great way to vet who knows what they're talking about and who doesn't.  You're gonna be a lot better off just dealing directly with the company that gave you the setting and allowing them to guide you to an optimal setting based on your feedback.  The signal to noise ratio in this thread is not good and you'll end up chasing your tail a lot less if you just listen to one source of input for the time being.  If they prove to be incompetent and can't get you dialed in (which I very highly doubt would be the case given their history) then it might be time to consider other sources but for now it's only going to be detrimental to the process.

7

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