| "The best you've ridden is the best you know."
- Paul Thede
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VINTAGE MOTOCROSS - CROSS COUNTRY - TRIALS - FLAT TRACK |
 After 20 years of Vintage Racing the first thing I do when putting a race bike together is Race Tech Suspension, it just works! -Jim Radcliff Bugeye Racing St. Louis, MO ►More Testimonials | The days of Legends and Heros. Off Road Motorcycling was better back in the day! Right? Until we ride those bikes again and realize just how poor their suspension and brakes were... From the 60s thru 80s Suspension and Brakes were not up to the demands of harsh terrain, jumps, moto-x tracks, engine power and rider performance demands. Race Tech has solutions for most models. Race Tech upgrades can bring your vintage motorcycle suspension performance up to modern standards. RT Hi-Performance Springs are extremely lightweight and the first important step to a proper setup. Gold Valve Emulator Kits for Forks are designed to offer the damping characteristics of modern cartridge forks. They provide personalized setup with easy adjust ability that provide significantly better flow, a more consistent plush feel with increased bottoming resistance. G3-S Custom Series Shocks provide a personalized setup as well as a choice of features and colors with guaranteed performance. Plus like all Race Tech products they are made in the USA! Brake Arcing service optimizes Drum Brake Performance with greatly improved stopping power, feedback and firm feel at the brake lever. Don't overlook this surprising service! Find out why Gold Valve Emulators work so well for Vintage Bikes. ►Get Details Learn all about suspension with the Race Tech Suspension Bible |
HI-PERFORMANCE SPRINGS |
 | The first step to great handling is selecting proper spring rates. With over 500 Hi-Performance Springs to choose from, Race Tech is almost guaranteed to have the spring you need. Through years of testing and manufacturing experience, Race Tech has developed a full line of Hi-Performance Springs using the finest materials and processes. RT Springs have the highest stiffness-to-mass ratio in the industry; making them extremely light weight for their particular rate. Our Fork Springs for Vintage Models are built to the same standards as modern bike springs! RT Hi-Performance Fork Spring Features:
-Extremely accurate rates
-Several different rates are offered for every application
-The tightest tolerances in the industry
-Heat-treated and Shot-peened
-Preset to eliminate sacking-out
-Extremely lightweight
-Made in the USA NOTE: Race Tech Fork Springs are Required for most Vintage Gold Valve Cartridge Emulator Installations due to Spring Length ►Find your recommended springs and spring rates ►Race Tech Forks Spring Details ►Long vs. Short Springs Explained ►RT FORK SPRING LIST with dimensions, rate and travel |
GOLD VALVE CARTRIDGE EMULATOR FORK KITS |
 | Race Tech's award winning Gold Valve Emulator Kits for Forks provide a personalized setup and adjust ability. Gold Valves Emulators improve fork oil flow dramatically reducing harshness while actually increasing bottoming resistance (as shown with data acquisition). These Kits can often be installed by individuals interested in understanding and tuning their own suspension or they can be installed by a local Race Tech Center, Dealer or of course the Race Tech's Service Department. Gold Valve Kits include Installation Instructions, Tuning Guides and alternate parts to allow a custom setup and adjust ability for rider preference and type of riding. The Ultimate Upgrade for Damping Rod Style forks from Classic and Vintage Models 1970's - 1980's OEM Forks as well as Betor, Ceriani, Marzocchi Watch Paul Thede's video that explains how Gold Valve Cartridge Emulators work! Click on the Picture or here to view: ► Gold Valve Emulator Video Benefits of Gold Valve Emulators:
-Increased tunability
-Dual stage tunability
-Personalized setup
-Reduced harshness
-Increased bottoming resistance
-Improved traction
-Consistent feel
-Technical support
-100% Guaranteed
-Made in the USA |
GOLD VALVE KITS |
 | Race Tech's award winning Gold Valve Kits for Forks and Shocks provide a personalized setup. Gold Valves have an improved flow design that dramatically reduces harshness while actually increasing bottoming resistance (as shown with data acquisition). These Kits can be installed by individuals interested in understanding and tuning their own suspension or they can be installed by a Race Tech Center or Race Tech's Service Department. The Kits include Valving Charts and Valving Shims to allow a custom setup for a specific rider and conditions. Grealty Improves the mediocre valving found in ealry Cartreige Style Forks 1980's thru 2000 for your Next Generation and Evlolution Class machines or Fork retro-fits popular for earlier model fittment Benefits of Gold Valves: |
GOLD VALVE CONVERSION for MONOSHOCKS |
 
| Most 70s & 80s OEM Vintage Monoshocks are rebuildable. Many of the late 70s thru 80s shocks had poor quality valving systems. We have figured out a way to fit the latest technology Gold Valves on most vintage shocks. You will be amazed - guaranteed! Another benefit of this process is the shock receives a full service rebuild, too often overlooked and critical to proper performance and shock like even with stock settings. Race Tech will service most OEM and aftermarket shocks. Regardless of brand, we have most rebuild parts in stock as well as spring upgrade options. Hard Anodizing is also available and desperately needed process for vintage shocks. ►Gold Valve Vintage Shock Conversions
Benefits of Monoshock Gold Valves:
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G3-S CUSTOM SERIES TWIN SHOCKS for VINTAGE |
| Race Tech's G3-S Custom Series Twin Shocks for Vintage Motorcycles are custom built to order with your choice of features. length and colors. These shocks have been praised by both recreational riders and AHRMA Racers alike in all types of conditions all over the world. Engineered to be ultra-durable and tested on the track to shave seconds off your lap times or provide comfort and confidence on the street; these shocks are state-of-the-art. Race Tech G3-S Shocks are superior to others on the market in that each and every set is custom built to order at Race Tech based on rider, motorcycle specs and type use along with your choice of features, length and colors and they are made in the USA! ►G3-S Vintage Race Shocks in Action! G3-S Custom Series Features:
-Gold Valves provide a plush feel with increased bottoming resistance
-Personalized valving setup
-Custom Hi-Performance Spring with rate selected for the rider
-Choose from IFP, Piggy Back Reservoir or Remote Reservoir
-Choice of Damping Adjustments and Ride Height Adjustment
-Billet aluminum
-Ultra Slick Suspension Fluid
-Premium Heim Bearings
-Extremely effective compression and rebound adjusters for varying track conditions
-Oversize shock shaft
-Low-friction surface treatments
-Full technical support
-Made in the USA
-100% Guaranteed! Performance GUARANTEED! ►More about G3-S Custom Shocks! ►Custom Shock Geometry Form ►Race Tech G3-S Dual Shocks Instructions |
G3-S CUSTOM SERIES MONO SHOCKS for VINTAGE |
 | Race Tech's G3-S Custom Series Shocks for Vintage Models are custom built for the rider with variety of features to choose from. Engineered to be ultra-durable and tested on the track to shave seconds off your lap times; these shocks are state-of-the-art. Perfect for riders looking for top performance or when stock shock is beyond reapair. Every G3-S Shock is custom made to order at Race Tech wtih all USA Made Parts G3-S Custom Series Features: -Gold Valves provide a plush feel with increased bottoming resistance. -Personalized valving setup -Custom Hi-Performance Spring with rate selected for the rider -Billet aluminum -Ultra Slick Suspension Fluid -Premium Heim Bearings -Extremely effective compression and rebound adjusters for varying track conditions -Oversize shock shaft -Low-friction surface treatments -Full technical support -Made in the USA -100% Guaranteed! |
REPLACEMENT FORK TUBES for VINTAGE MOTORCYCLES |
| TNK manufacturers OEM quality replacement fork tubes for Street, Road Race, Sport, Sport Touring, Touring and Vintage motorcycles. They are made from the highest quality materials and generally significantly less expensive than original equipment. Don't overlook replacing bent tubes or tubes with worn chrome, pitting, or rust. Race Tech has most TNK tubes in stock, ready to ship! TNK Replacement Tubes are a great option to expensive OEM tubes and for those models for which the OEM has discontinued the tubes! ►Click here for more info! TNK FORK TUBES FEATURE: - Highest Quality!
- Standard Hard-Chrome
- Exact OEM Specs Match
- Vintage applications (back to 1955)
- Made in Italy ►Search for Replacement TNK Fork Tubes ►Video Presentation about TNK Fork Tubes |
FORK TUBE REPAIR - RECHROME SERVICE for VINTAGE MOTORCYCLES |
►Ship Suspension to Race Tech.for Service | If replacement fork tubes for Vintage motorcycles are not available it is often possible to repair them. If damage is limited to worn chrome, rust, minor pitting and the Fork Tube is not badly bent repair is an option. This service trues the tube, grinds off the old chrome, rust and pitting then builds fork tube back up to spec with high quality industrial Hard Chrome. Please note not all tubes can be repaired. Tubes badly bent or with deep pitting care beyond this service. Thick wall tubes 30-41mm can generally be repaired. Thin wall 41mm and larger tubes typically cannot as there is not enough material to allow the repair Rust is Repairable in most cases however Tubes Bent to a Crease are Not  
Detials Contact Race Tech Serivce Department: 951-279-6655 during regular business hours PST Monday - Friday. |
HARD ANODIZING for FORK SLIDERS and SHOCK BODY |
| Fork Sliders on Vintage and Classic Models are not hard coated. In fact most do not even have fork bushings. The results are high friction, high wear and rapid oil contamination from aluminum due to the chrome fork tube working directly against the uncoated aluminium slider. Hard Anodizing is strongly recommended for Vintage and Classic Forks!  Fork Slider and Shock Body Hard Anodizing Hard Anodizing is a coating used on modern forks that can be applied to most fork sliders to reduce friction and wear. The outward appearance is a matte black look similar to black late model fork. This process is also available for shock bodies provided the shock is rebuildable. Hard Anodizing Benefits - Excellent resistance to wear
- Hardness provides reduced friction More info about Hard Anodizing
Powder Coating of Fork Sliders is also available for top grade cosmetic appearance.  Get the best of both performance and appearance by having your fork sliders both hard anodized and powder coated! |
BRAKE ARCING for DRUM BRAKES |
 | Brakes are one of the weak links of Vintage Motorcycles. Weak stopping power and spongy lever feel are common complaints of vintage drum brakes. This can be remedied with Race Tech Brake Arcing Service. With the popularity of drum brakes on vintage motorcycle builds as well as vintage race rules requiring the use of drum brakes this service is a big advantage. For the racer lap times improve, for the street rider safety improves. After all, whether you are facing turn one a little too hot or you are facing a left turning SUV, stopping power becomes everything! Add improved braking to your Race Tech Suspension to complete your vintage motorcycle upgrade! The difference between winning and losing often comes down to braking. Most drum brakes are mushy with poor stopping power. Race Tech is now offering Brake Drum Turning and Brake Shoe Arcing to improve stopping power tremendously. Race Tech Brake Arc Service is superior as we first cut the drum flat and round then arc the shoes to the exact drum diameter with the shoes mounted on the backing plate. ►More Info See what customers are saying about Brake Arcing! If you're interested or would like to schedule service please call our Service Department 951.279.6655 ►Brake Arc Service Request Form Motorcycle Classics Magazine Brake Arc Service Review 
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TECH TIP - FLOATING BRAKES |
 | Floating Rear Brake maintenance is commonly overlooked and can have a severe impact on suspension and handling. This type of rear brake was common through the '80s on both dirt and street/road race bikes. ►Read More If you're interested or would like to schedule service please call our Service Department 951.279.6655 |
RACE TECH ENGINES |
 Building a high quality engine requires a combination of state-of-the-art equipment and experienced, knowledgeable technicians. Race Tech provides quality, precision engine services using the best equipment and processes in the industry. The staff at Race Tech has over 65 years of championship-winning engine building and tuning experience formally educated by the world's most renowned engineers. We are providing these precision services for all the engine builders and tuners out there. More Info about Race Tech Engine Services |
VINTAGE SHORT TRAVEL SUSPENSION |
 G3-S equipped 1975 Honda XL125K1 on the fly in AHRMA Vintage Round 9 at Sky High MX Park in Old Appleton, MO. Thank you Race Tech! “Radical” Rich Pierce AHRMA #X34 Read the full testimonial and more... | Vintage Short Travel Short travel suspension models are very compromised and need the most help. Fork Spring upgrades are a must and Gold Valve Emulators take the harshness out of the forks while offering adjustability the rider can tune quickly and easily to suit their riding type and preferred feel. The OEM shocks on these bikes may or may not be serviceable. Even if they are better performance at a better value can be achieved with G3-S Shocks. We do offer full rebuild service along with spring upgrades and Gold Valve options for Vintage Öhlins Shocks as well as Works Performance Shocks. Contact us for details Kits for Betor, Ceriani and Marzocchi Forks are available for European models, see 'Vintage Fork' listings in Product Search Vintage models sported drum brakes that lack the stopping power these bikes need, send in your drum brakes for Brake Arc Service for dramatic improvements in stopping power! Race Tech vintage guy Matt Wiley can be found track side offering Rider Support at selected AHRMA MX & Road Race events. |
POST VINTAGE and EVOLUTION LONG TRAVEL SUSPENSION |
 "I have been racing 40 years and I relay on Race Tech for my Vintage Suspension! Competing on modern tracks with these bikes demands suspension improvements to be competitive. Thank you Matt and Race Tech!" -Fred #900 Guidi, AHRMA National Motocross Director Read the full testimonial and more... | Post Vintage and Evolution MX Late 70s through 80s models had good sized 38 and 43mm forks with decent shocks offering long travel. What they lacked was proper settings. Step 1 is to replace the overly soft fork springs with RT HI-Performance Springs. On air assist forks this eliminates the need to run air. Gold Valve Emulators smooth out harshness, improve bottoming resistance and offer easy adjustability to suit rider preference. Shocks on this generation are fully rebuildable responding exceptionally well to Gold Valves and Race Tech Spring. Many riders enjoy racing against late model bikes when fully Race Tech equipped! Many Post Vintage and Evolution models have drum brakes that lack the stopping power these bikes need. Send in your drum brakes for our Brake Arc Service for dramatic improvements in stopping power! Race Tech Sponsors AHRMA Post Vintage MX Series. Our vintage guy Matt Wiley can be found track side offering Rider Support at selected AHRMA MX and Road Race events. |
ENDURO, CROSS COUNTRY and DESERT RACING |
RT Fork and G3-S equipped Honda CL450 at Baja, podium finished in its class Race Tech Hodakas Medal at the 2012 ISDT! Read the full testimonial and more... | Vintage Cross Country and Desert Racing Race Tech has a Fork Upgrade and G3-S Shock solutions for any build. Brake Arcing is available for drum brakes and strongly recommended. No matter if you race thru the woods of Ohio or the desert of Baja you want good suspension! At Race Tech we can setup any kind of suspension customized for your riding style! Don't overlook the drum brakes lacking the stopping power these bikes need, send in your drum brakes for Brake Arcing Service for dramatic improvements in stopping power! |
HONDA XR200 |
 Jim Radcliff on RT Fork and G3-S equipped Honda XR200 Read the full testimonial and more... | XR200 Cross Country and Enduro Race Tech has a Fork Upgrade and G3-S Shock solutions for any build, any budget. Brake Arcing is available for drum brakes and strongly recommended. Honda XR200 are legal in several AHRMA classes and in other Vintage Racing Clubs. Race Tech has fork upgrades for all years, OE Shock Conversion Upgrade for early models and G3-S Shock or all years of XR200 XR200 models have weak drum brakes that lack the stopping power, send in your drum brakes for Brake Arcing Service for dramatic improvements in stopping power! |
FLAT TRACK |
 Flat Track Legend Don Castro | Flat Track Flat Track Racers start out as a BSA Gold Star, Bultaco Astro, Harley Sportster or XR, Honda XL/XR500, Yamaha TT500 or XS650, Triumph or whatever you've got. If you are using original or late model forks Race Tech has Fork Spring and Gold Valve options for you! Fork setup is custom built for you. G3-S Custom Shocks are built to your bikes specs with your choice of features. Make sure your Tracker handles as good as it looks! Vintage models sported drum brakes that lack the stopping power these bikes need, send in your drum brakes for Brake Arcing Service for dramatic improvements in stopping power! |
TRIALS |
 Debbie Evans famous Head Stand | Trials Trials riding requires special skills and a talented rider. Improve your motorcycles setup Race Tech has you chassis needs covered with Fork Upgrades, G3-S Custom Shocks These models with drum brakes that lack the stopping power they need, send in your drum brakes for Brake Arc Service for dramatic improvements in stopping power! Race Tech vintage guy Matt Wiley can be found trackside offering Rider Support at selected AHRMA MX & Road Race events. |
SPECIAL BUILDS |
 Thad Wolff's Custom BSA | Special Builds are Perhaps the Ultimate, Creating the Motorcycle You always Dreamed of! Improve Yours with Race Tech! Race Tech has you chassis needs covered with Fork Upgrades, G3-S Custom Shocks Models with drum brakes that lack the stopping power they need, send in your drum brakes for Brake Arc Service for dramatic improvements in stopping power! Race Tech vintage guy Matt Wiley can be found trackside offering Rider Support at selected AHRMA MX & Road Race events. |
HUSQVARANA PISTON RINGS |
 Husky Piston Rings | VINTAGE HUSQVARNA FORK PARTS Early Husky forks, 35 and 40mm have a common problem with the piston bands. The stock Piston Bands are usually worn out and are known to break. Since these parts are now obsolete from the factory we have produced a hi-performance replacement bands for both the 35 (FPPR HQ35) and 40mm (FPPR HQ40) forks. 35mm – FPPR HQ35 – Add to cart
40mm – FPPR HQ40 – Add to cart We also have special Emulator Adapters for both of these forks NOW available. The performance difference with Emulators is huge! ►More info about how these forks work! *Note - On 35mm fork caps we have special copper washers (HMWC 3035) that seal perfectly. The stock 35mm forks don't have anything to seal them (plumbers tape doesn't work well on straight threads). This is a really clean solution. |
MAICO 36mm EXTERNAL SPRING FORKS |
 FEGV 3601 Maico 36mm Fork Gold Valves | Early Maico 36mm Forks require a unique Gold Valve Emulator design that threads onto the damping rod. The stock piston assembly is replaced by the Emulator resulting in greatly improved damping and adjustability. FEGV 3601 Gold Valve Cartrige Emulators: Maico 36mm Forks  ► FEGV 3601 Gold Valve Kit Instructions Maico 36mm External Spring Forks |
PROJECT BIKES |
1983 Suzuki RM250
| 1983 RM250 PROJECT This was an in-house project done by one of our own Race Tech employees to show what was really required to race Vintage MX, from purchase, to restoration, and finally, racing. ►RM250 Project Update... |
1981 Yamaha YZ465
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1981 YZ465 PROJECT This project has us very excited. We now offer 2 different G3-S Shocks for this bike; Piggyback Reservoir and IFP (non-reservoir). Of course we have Emulators for the front as well. ►Get the Details... |
1975 Yamaha MX250B
| 1975 YAMAHA MX250B PROJECT Thanks to Dean Pollak we have a really good setup with Gold Valves on a 1975 MX250B! Thank you Dean for choosing Race Tech and helping us out! We can also service and install Gold Valves in most OEM shocks including almost all Yamaha Mono-Shocks. ►Check it out We have replacement reservoir hose solutions too. Give us a call.
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CUSTOMER SERVICE / CONTACT INFO |
Need Vintage Info or Tech Support? Please contact Matt at 951.279.6655 ext# 122 or email Matt Wiley | Many people think suspension setup is a mysterious black art. It's not! Need VIntage Info or Tech Support? Please contact Matthew at 951.279.6655 x122 Email Matt Wiley for Vintage Tech Support/R&D At Race Tech you have choices: - Purchase our Gold Valve Kits, High Performance Springs, and Ultra Slick Suspension Fluids and install them yourself. (If you get stuck call your Tech Support 951.279.6655.) Hey, if you're really into it, check out our Suspension Seminars.
- Send your shock and forks to Race Tech.
- Have your local Race Tech Center install them.
- Race Tech is track side at many AHRMA events to install or fine tune suspension for all riders!
Resource Links: ►Customer Service Request Form ►Brake Arc Service Request Form ►Fork Emulator Fitting Requirements for Models not Listed
►Cartridge Emulator Parts list - Excel format
►Cartridge Emulator Tuning Guide
►G3-S Dual Shocks Instructions
►Custom Shock Geometry Form
►Shock Spring Fitment
►RT DUAL SHOCK SPRING LIST with dimensions, rate and travel
►RT FORK SPRING LIST with dimensions, rate and travel Email Matthew Wiley for Vintage Tech Support/R&D RACE TECH POLICIES: At Race Tech our customers' satisfaction is vital. We put it in writing. ►Read More |