When I was at the Lone Star Track day recently I was speaking with the lead instructor about improvements to my Magna. When we got the subject of progressive springs he encouraged me to look at a different solution that he felt was better (of course more expensive too).
He suggested I look into the Race Tech Gold Valve Cartridge Emulators. Thus I began to learn the difference between damping fork rods and cartridge forks.
Here are a few reference articles:
http://motorcyclecruiser.com/tech/forkbasics/
http://www.sportrider.com/tech/146_9502_tech/
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/tech/RaceTechEmulators/
http://www.race-tech.com/SubMenu.asp?cMenu=5&c=Yes&cSubMenu=15&showPage=
The valves cost about $160 (maybe cheaper after I really look around) and installation involves a few more steps than a progressive spring job, but it gives me an excuse to use my drill press. :) So far what I've read sounds like it's a great improvement. In fact, one of the articles above involves an installation on a Vulcan 1500 and they loved it.
I was wondering if anyone else has experience or an opinion on this.
I remember there was a guy on the Delphi Magna board that had the emulators in his plans for this winter but to my knowledge he has no followed through it. They do sound pretty sweet.
I'm think I'll do it next month. So far I haven't found out which emulators to use. I've contacted the company but have not heard back yet. I may also need to get new springs, so that would add to the cost. Maybe I should just get a sportsbike instead, huh? :) I'd have to make some room in the garage.
Well I'm still investigating the emulator route. It would be really helpful the next time someone has their 3rd gen forks open if they could measure the following:
1. Outside Diameter (OD) and Inside Diameter (ID) of the damping rod itself.
2. OD, ID, and length of the stock springs.
Racetech needs these in order to determine the correct emulator for the Magna.