Motorcycle Suspension Damping check valve one way shim

Check Shims

Your motorcycle front fork piston or valve uses thin stacked valving shims and check plates to control one-way oil flow through the piston. These check washers or shims sit on the piston/valve alongside the valving shims, and without them oil would not be directed through the piston to make the shims deflect and generate damping. Piston stacks attach with a locknut, seal with rubber o-rings or a soft PTFE band, and you can buy complete shock pistons ready fitted. See our shim equivalence calculator, suspension tuning guide suspension mods for your budget and Nick's rebuild video rebuild and revalve a shock.

Control one-way oil flow in piston shim stacks

  • Direct oil through piston holes so compression and rebound shims deflect
  • Tune damping by changing shim diameters and thicknesses
  • Used on one or both sides of the piston for compression and rebound control
  • Essential for predictable fork and coilover damping response

Recommended Pairings

Consider matching check shims with precision tools and rebuild kits such as Suspension Tools for accurate stack builds.

Shop Check Shims

Browse our range of check washers and valve shims to fine tune fork and shock damping.

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Check Shims

Your motorcycle front fork piston or valve uses thin stacked valving shims and check plates to control one-way oil flow through the piston. These check washers or shims sit on the piston/valve alongside the valving shims, and without them oil would not be directed through the piston to make the shims deflect and generate damping. Piston stacks attach with a locknut, seal with rubber o-rings or a soft PTFE band, and you can buy complete shock pistons ready fitted. See our shim equivalence calculator, suspension tuning guide suspension mods for your budget and Nick's rebuild video rebuild and revalve a shock.

Control one-way oil flow in piston shim stacks

  • Direct oil through piston holes so compression and rebound shims deflect
  • Tune damping by changing shim diameters and thicknesses
  • Used on one or both sides of the piston for compression and rebound control
  • Essential for predictable fork and coilover damping response

Recommended Pairings

Consider matching check shims with precision tools and rebuild kits such as Suspension Tools for accurate stack builds.

Shop Check Shims

Browse our range of check washers and valve shims to fine tune fork and shock damping.