Wilsons Sandbox

OK list - I'm in the middle of a major overhaul on my 98 A12. I'm tearing down/cleaning/rebuilding much of the bike. Probably overkill, but it feels like good karma preparing for an Arctic Ocean run in June. OK enough background. My question is this: should I replace the shock, just replace the spring, or stay stock. Pertinent info: - 15000 miles (mostly paved) - no gonzo dirt riding - 240 pound rider - I'm guessing I'll have somewhere between 80-100 pounds of "stuff" - prefer a stiffer suspension I'm concerned about spring preload. I'm already running with preload at 5. I'd like to hear about comparisons between the Progressive suspension rear shock and just the new Larry Roesler spring on the stock shock (I doubt the stocker has bit the big one yet). I've got the Unitrak apart, and removed the swingarm, so now's the time if I'm going to do it. Mike Magier 98 KLR650 GroundHog 99 ST1100ABS Sweetness