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Racingbros Anti Dive System

derycksan

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Jun 29, 2022
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8
Picked up the racingbros fork kit and was surprised to find the springs are really short. Has anyone else picked these up? Wondering if maybe I got a mislabeled box or something.

I have reached out to steadygarage (where I purchased from) and racingbros but it's Friday afternoon so you know how support goes.
 

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Mick In VT

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Nov 18, 2021
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47
I received mine and measured the spring at 10” (I got the 6.5 N/mm springs). The box also has 4 7/8” spacers (which I think you showed in the pics). The instructions have specifics for Suzuki Raiders and Honda Winners, but didn‘t address our CTs. I wrote to Steady Garage eight days ago for more insight on how to use the kit, but haven’t heard back. I’m guessing the spacers are used in combination with the stock spacers like the Suzuki instructions, but I wasn’t sure if the seat pipe (Showa) and piston ring are meant to stay in place. I’ll plant to post if I learn anything and hope you will too.
 

derycksan

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Joined
Jun 29, 2022
Messages
8
I received mine and measured the spring at 10” (I got the 6.5 N/mm springs). The box also has 4 7/8” spacers (which I think you showed in the pics). The instructions have specifics for Suzuki Raiders and Honda Winners, but didn‘t address our CTs. I wrote to Steady Garage eight days ago for more insight on how to use the kit, but haven’t heard back. I’m guessing the spacers are used in combination with the stock spacers like the Suzuki instructions, but I wasn’t sure if the seat pipe (Showa) and piston ring are meant to stay in place. I’ll plant to post if I learn anything and hope you will too.
My kit only had 2 spacers included. I did double up the spacers just to try if it fits (it does with some spring compression) but I'm going to be pissed if that's the "solution". I don't want to cut the already low travel even more. Haven't seen any other kits have these tiny springs.
 
Last edited:

Mick In VT

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Joined
Nov 18, 2021
Messages
47
So I heard back from Steady Garage about the RacingBros anti-dive fork kit. Apparently the 10” spring is intended to be used. In combination with the 5” spacer tube and the longer top cap, this compensates for the difference with the oem 16” spring. Apparently the stock rebound spring, pipe, and piston ring remain in the tube, and the only oem parts not used are the springs and top caps. A key component is the adjustable valve, which sits in the oil below the spring. FWIW, all the parts look very well machined. It will be a few months yet before I’m riding, so I won’t be able to report how the kit impacts the ride until then. Hoping someone in a milder climate will post a review before me.

Here’s the response from Steady Garage:

“Thanks for your patience. We were awaiting for an answer from one of the engineerings.

It has been confirmed from RacingBros that the original spacer tube would need to be reused. It would be as follows going into the fork tube first: Anti-Dive Blue Valve, Racing Bros Spring, Racing Bro Spacer Tube, Racing Bros Washer, OEM Space Tube, Racing Bros Top Cap.

Please let us know if you have any questions!

Thank you!
-Steady Garage”

Below are pictured the preload adjuster top cap and the adjustable damping valve.

A83DDA07-4A01-4D1A-BF41-D1D523E26D32.jpeg
 

m in sc

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Feb 2, 2021
Messages
2,435
Location
Rockhill, SC
well, the stock spring is wound up tight at top so i guess it wont reduce overall travel, but damn thats a sketchy ass way to do it. the emulators are nice though. you can run those under the stock springs, just fyi.
 

Mick In VT

Member
Joined
Nov 18, 2021
Messages
47
ASI125 wrote a thread on heavy fork spring options from BBR, which is another possibility. I don‘t really know about fork suspension, but read a useful article that helped - especially with understanding emulators. https://racetech.com/page/title/Emulators-How They Work
The takeaway is that emulators control compression but have no impact on rebound. How all this works in the world on a CT remains to be seen, but I’m willing to see if RacingBros setup works despite the short spring and stacked spacers. Spring comes late in Vermont, so it will be a while.
 

m in sc

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Feb 2, 2021
Messages
2,435
Location
Rockhill, SC
im not sure on theirs, but on some racetech ones ive used, one fork does compression, the other does rebound. you can look at them and depending which side the internal disc is on tells what it does.
 

Mick In VT

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Joined
Nov 18, 2021
Messages
47
m in sc, I always appreciate whenever you weigh in on any topic. Thanks for everything.

On the emulators in the RacingBros kit, both appear identical, so I’m assuming both are increasing compression and the rebound damping comes from the stock seat pipe (Showa) and seal setup. So much to learn!
 

derycksan

New member
Joined
Jun 29, 2022
Messages
8
So I heard back from Steady Garage about the RacingBros anti-dive fork kit. Apparently the 10” spring is intended to be used. In combination with the 5” spacer tube and the longer top cap, this compensates for the difference with the oem 16” spring. Apparently the stock rebound spring, pipe, and piston ring remain in the tube, and the only oem parts not used are the springs and top caps. A key component is the adjustable valve, which sits in the oil below the spring. FWIW, all the parts look very well machined. It will be a few months yet before I’m riding, so I won’t be able to report how the kit impacts the ride until then. Hoping someone in a milder climate will post a review before me.

Here’s the response from Steady Garage:

“Thanks for your patience. We were awaiting for an answer from one of the engineerings.

It has been confirmed from RacingBros that the original spacer tube would need to be reused. It would be as follows going into the fork tube first: Anti-Dive Blue Valve, Racing Bros Spring, Racing Bro Spacer Tube, Racing Bros Washer, OEM Space Tube, Racing Bros Top Cap.

Please let us know if you have any questions!

Thank you!
-Steady Garage”

Below are pictured the preload adjuster top cap and the adjustable damping valve.
I received the same reply from them Wednesday afternoon. Installed as instructed, I do measure some travel loss on which is very dissapoionting.
 

derycksan

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Joined
Jun 29, 2022
Messages
8
i'll be honest, if it was me i'd use the original springs and spacers with the emulators and 20wt fork oil.
Problem with original springs is their rate is too low. I may just get some xr70 springs and make a new spacer, keeping the drop in valve and top cap, wasn't an expensive kit.
 

derycksan

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Jun 29, 2022
Messages
8
Just updating as there is very little info on this kit.

As mentioned earlier in thread, installation was completed by compressing empty shocks and adding oil according to Honda service manual (140mm from top), then dropping in anti dive valve > racingbros spring > racingbros washer > racingbros steel spacer > stock washer > stock spacer.

I went with 15wt oil as thats what I had on hand. Probably a little firmer than needed, even though I'm 205lbs, for trails but rides very nice on roads.

I do notice a slight drop in travel, perhaps .5-.75" but its more I cannot compress further testing with just my weight and measuring fork length, rather than bottoming out.
 

derycksan

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Joined
Jun 29, 2022
Messages
8
i'll be honest, if it was me i'd use the original springs and spacers with the emulators and 20wt fork oil.
BTW, just realized your location, I'm in Waxhaw. Where have you been riding around here? Its been great on these country roads and runs into town but there is so little public dirt/gravel without hauling out to URE/Mountains or Carolina Motorsports.
 

m in sc

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Joined
Feb 2, 2021
Messages
2,435
Location
Rockhill, SC
I ride mine mostly on the road commuting, its my errand bike. Me personally, I would get a different bike for dirt riding, which i really don't do anymore, for that exact reason. No good places close by to ride.

I did just fit some knobs to it though, 50/50. I do take it with me on certain trips and might hit a fire road or something.

I am going to go trespass on the carolina panthers training center debacle construction site though, its like 1.2 miles from my house. ;)
 
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