eam@... wrote:
> Spend most of the morning reading up on springs, beacuse I am a real
> big fella and want to repalce my rear spring with something stiffer.
>
> I wore my eyes out reading White Bros. Catalog and concluded that
> book only has one Model PS 1159. There alot of things around
> concerned lowering bikes, but I want mine stiff and tall, since I am
> 6'4". Can onyone suggest what some of my options are??
>
> I think I want straight rate vs. a progressive rate, which would be
> rated at 350 to 450 lbs, since I weigh 300lbs. I wonder if the
> progressive rate would be too agressive when rapidly mashed compared
> to the straight rate, but, then again, I am not too sharp in the
> physics/dynamics department.
>
> I am sure this is an subject that has beat up, but please give some
> tips or your tried and true experience with selecting and, if
> possible, things to becareful of when changing the springs. Or, better
> yet, where can I simply go pick up a new spring in the Houston Area.
>
> One more question, which is rear spring related, what is the 650.00
> dollar "piggyback" thing-a-jig I read about on White Bros.
>
> Lastly, I am new to this KLR group and have learned untold amounts in
> the last few weeks I have been reading. (Jennifer rules!!! You go,
> biker girl!!
)
>
> Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
I've done a fair amount of investigation here.......this is what I've come
toso far......guys, feel free to correct me if your findings show different.
Basically theres two pools of shock spring origination......
Progressive Co. and Ohlins.
A) Progressive(the co.) makes the springs(and cartridges) that are
available from such co.'s as Dualstar, Works, White Bro.'s, etc. these
may have either progressively wound or straight wound springs on them
and also have any number of other features associated with the cartridge.
B)Ohlins...to my knowledge offers the same basic array.....yet they are
said(til now) to offer a greater variety of spring types.
The 'mixed bag'.....a breakdown-
Yes it is said the progressively wound spring doubles the progressive
nature of the action of the rear swingarm cantilever. Indeed these springs
will tighten up more, and faster, which is said to be too much. I've found,
yes they tighten quick, and probably too much too fast......but they still
feel pretty good....and I don't know yet whether I prefer them or the one
step better approach....which is just the straight wound spring, of the
proper
load capacity, that will have greater travel.
The ultimate setup, 'we think', would be the proper straight wound spring
on a cartridge that's been we re-shim stacked(note: either ohlins, or other)
and gold valved(non-ohlins only). [I will be making my last of this
investigation
in this month, to satisfy my own knowledge--for sure].
Here's the catch......which is only true for the larger sized
rider.......say 265+
lbs.........The progressive company(several think) have not yet hit on the
right spring rate with their selection that is currently available for the
KLR.
They have a 510(straight), and a 500-560(progressive wound) spring available,
and both of these many think are too stiff. Some are happy....but the offroad
crowd still says 'too stiff'. At this time progressive has no plans to start
a new one.
This leaves 'Ohlins'. The Ohlins shock(which really is made for the
Tengai),
with minor work.....adapts to the KLR and will hold the finely incremented
size
springs ohlins has to offer so that one may choose more exactly, the right
ride.
(Note: I just heard from one european source....that the wonderfully large
selection
of ohlin spring types 'is' narrowing.....apparently, now they're headed to
making
only the more commonly desired springs.)
Since you claim preference for a stiffer ride.....I'd say have your
cartridge
reworked to take the Progressive 510 OR, go aftermarket with any
manuf......tell
them your size, and you'll wind up with something nearly exactly the same OR,
go
Ohlins with a 6.9, 7.0, or 7.1 spring.
I'm in the middle of an Ohlins upgrade. I'm looking to put a 6.7 or 6.9
on it.
I'm going to have it re-shim stacked. This is because of my selective nature,
and because I concur with the philosophy of 'use the whole springs travel'.
My hunch is this will be the best situation. There's still a chance I
might
prefer a progressively wound spring....but I won't know 'absolutely' till
my testing is done later this month.
Happy Trails....
Slide