SKF seal technology reduces suspension friction Italian/US distributor and technical parts specialist InnTeck is offering dealers throughout Europe and US access to a wide range of motorcycle components and special parts from SKF.
Among new products being shown at EICMA is an SKF floating piston that replaces the standard gas to oil separator in the reservoir of selected non bladder-style OEM and aftermarket replacement shock absorbers (for example Ohlins TTX and WP 52mm shocks for KTM, Husqvarna applications).
The OEM separator is normally built with a rigid plastic or metal body that is surrounded with a thick O-ring, sealing it into the reservoir body. This type of design causes significant friction against vertical movement of the separator, making it difficult for the shock to react to small high frequency bump absorption.
The SKF floating piston is designed to replace the OEM separator without having to replace the OEM reservoir design. Made using special SKF low friction compound, it features two sealing-lips tight against the reservoir walls for "perfect seal and separation between oil and gas" - the central portion of the piston membrane is designed with a level of flexibility.
A reservoir equipped with a floating piston allows for increased reactivity of the shock in absorbing high frequency small bumps and in following the oil transfers from/to the body from/to the reservoir. The flexible centre membrane starts deforming first, anticipating the complete piston movement, thus enhancing the shock reactivity to small bump absorption.
Also seen here is an SKF glide kit for the new Showa SFF-Air TAC forks. In their original configuration (like a lot of forks) these Showa forks are vulnerable to heat build-up from friction in the internal air cartridge spring.
This kit, which includes SKF special seals and special replacement parts jointly developed with InnTeck, replaces the original cartridge rod seals and air divider piston seals in the Honda, Kawasaki and Suzuki versions of the SFF-Air-TAC.
The InnTeck kit uses replacement SKF seals that create less drag/friction, less stick/slip and improve sealing, using an SKF special compound tailored seal design to replace 2 or 3 seals with 1 cartridge seal, therefore eliminating up to two points of seal drag and wear.
The result is reduced friction and virtually eliminated stick/slip. The rider will immediately feel better small-bump absorption during braking and needs less braking effort - the drastically reduced friction also allows for improved damping, making the forks more responsive to their clicker settings.
The kit can be complemented with SKF fork seals for further reductions in friction - available for all the most common brands of fork on the market. Made from highly oil, acid and abrasion resistant special NBR compound (Nitrile butadiene rubber), SKF fork seals feature a double spring design, making them suitable for use on both air and oil spring fork cartridges, integrated sealing functions to prevent oil/air migration and a metal insert to create the ideal seal contact pattern to the shaft and housing.
Compatible with a wide range of OEM and aftermarket suspension fluids.
INNTECK
www.innteck.com
www.InnTeck-USA.com
