Wilsons Sandbox

Don't hesitate to send MMP an e-mail. They are responsive and helpful. I purchased their spring and like it a lot. I weigh about 225# with all my gear, tools etc. (Camping a bit more.) My sag settings are right on the money at preload setting # 2. I really haven't had a chance to test it off road yet. Prior to this I had purchased an E-shocks 450# spring. That sucker damm near killed me off road. Way too stiff. I was like riding a pogostick that nosedived into the sand. The MMP spring is tougher to relplace than the OEM. It's stonger and the same length. In comparison, the 450# 9" E-shocks spring was much easier. You've been warned. Matt --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Spain and Stacey" wrote:

> > Multisurface Motorcycling, which I believe is Elden's website, has

a

> rear spring for ~$75. This is much cheaper than the Progressive

shock. I

> was wondering what people think of this spring replacement and how > difficult it is to replace or have a shop do it. I assume since it

comes

> from the legendary Elden it is a great quality. > > Spain > Tri-cities, WA > > Man's mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its

original

> dimensions. > Oliver Wendell Holmes >

> I was wondering what people think of this spring replacement and how > difficult it is to replace or have a shop do it.

Just put one in last week. I weigh about 230 (w gear). Set the preload to 1 just to get a feel for it. I have about 100 miles on it so far. Here are my impressions. Installation: MMP will do it for free if you send them your original shock and spring. Do it. I looked all over Cleveland and couldn't find a shop which would handle it (and I must've talked to 20 places). Bottom line is the spring was too strong for most shop's spring compressors. I ended up sending the whole shebang BACK to MMP to have them change the spring. They were very gracious and turned it around promptly. I shoulda done that in the first place... Ride: While the original was soggy with my fat butt on it, the new one feels like a REAL motorcycle. Not harsh, but certainly not the marshmallow feel of the original. While the previous suspension sag was excessive (even w preload) the new sag is much less; which could be a problem if you need that sag to get your foot down. It's OK for me with a 34 in inseam. This one WON'T bottom unless you're jumping or doing something the KLR isn't designed for. Bottom line is that I like it. MMP are good folks with super customer service. A win-win proposition by any measure. J Duncan Cooper Cleveland

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Spain and Stacey" wrote:

> > Multisurface Motorcycling, which I believe is Elden's website, has a > rear spring for ~$75. This is much cheaper than the Progressive

shock. I

> was wondering what people think of this spring replacement and how > difficult it is to replace or have a shop do it.

--- I just bought that spring last week. Put it on yesterday and haven't had a chance to test it out yet. I also put 1 inch lowering links on at the same time. I had an F1 take-off shock that I'd bought from them on Ebay and I sent that to MMP and they installed the spring for me. Reinstalling the shock itself is fairly easy, and I was due for a new chain and swingarm lube anyway, so I swapped shocks and installed the lowering links while I had my rear suspension disassembled anyway. I've been riding my KLR at stock height for two years. I pit a Renazco seat on it which they customized for a short rider, and I still can barely flat foot my bike with a full tank of gas. I need every inch I can get, and I just switched to D606 tires, so I lost another 10mm there. I'm hoping that the 1 inch lowering links will at least get back what I lost in inseam reach with the stiffer rear and higher aspect tire. Randy

Thank you all for the info on the MMP spring. Next question how invloved is it to take the shock off and put back on? I ordered a clymer and should be here next week; does it have the directions for this? I found a local shop that will replace the spring for free if I bring in the shock. Spain -----Original Message----- From: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com [mailto:DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Duncan Cooper Sent: Saturday, April 08, 2006 4:25 PM To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Re: MMP

> I was wondering what people think of this spring replacement and how > difficult it is to replace or have a shop do it.

Just put one in last week. I weigh about 230 (w gear). Set the preload to 1 just to get a feel for it. I have about 100 miles on it so far. Here are my impressions. Installation: MMP will do it for free if you send them your original shock and spring. Do it. I looked all over Cleveland and couldn't find a shop which would handle it (and I must've talked to 20 places). Bottom line is the spring was too strong for most shop's spring compressors. I ended up sending the whole shebang BACK to MMP to have them change the spring. They were very gracious and turned it around promptly. I shoulda done that in the first place... Ride: While the original was soggy with my fat butt on it, the new one feels like a REAL motorcycle. Not harsh, but certainly not the marshmallow feel of the original. While the previous suspension sag was excessive (even w preload) the new sag is much less; which could be a problem if you need that sag to get your foot down. It's OK for me with a 34 in inseam. This one WON'T bottom unless you're jumping or doing something the KLR isn't designed for. Bottom line is that I like it. MMP are good folks with super customer service. A win-win proposition by any measure. J Duncan Cooper Cleveland Archive Quicksearch at: http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/klr650_data_search.html List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: www.dualsportnews.com List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html Member Map at: http://www.frappr.com/dsnklr650 Yahoo! Groups Links

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Spain and Stacey" wrote:

> > Next question how invloved is it to take the shock off and put back

on? I ordered a clymer and should be here next week; does it have the directions for this? --- Yes, the Clymer manual does have the the procedure (and some pics) of how to remove and reinstall the shock. It also has the procedures for removing and servicing the linkages/lever and swingarm if you want to knock that out at the same time. I just did mine last week and it wasn't difficult, as long as you have the necessary tools. You'll want a torque wrench that covers at least the 30-80 lb torque range. Randy