rear spring advice.

[Martin]

Hello to everyone. Yesterday I bought a 2006 KLR650 from a short man. He had "lowering links" installed, and had the front fork tubes slid about 3" up in the clamps. My main reason for buying this bike was the legroom, so I'd like to restore the stock ride height. I am 6'3" with a 38" inseam. I realize I'll have to buy a standard kickstand to replace the shortened one on the bike, and of course I'll return the fork tubes to their regular positions. It's returning the rear suspension to stock form that has me puzzled. The previous owner gave me a sack of parts which he said came off during the rear-lowering operation. This includes the two dogbones, which were replaced by the kit items, and two semi-circular white plastic bushings. He could not remember the purpose of the bushings, or where they went. So, can anyone point me to an illustrated disassembly procedure, perhaps one for installation of the lowering kit, that might give me a clue as to where these bushings go? Could they be preload spacers in the shock? thanks, Marty

[Dan Cronin]

I have the Top Gun 7.4 kg spring on my 07 KLR650. Elden suggested the 7.4 kg based on my weight, riding habits, etc. His team did the install for me in maybe 15 minutes time. It's an inexpensive solution that has worked very well for me. At my weight, 225, the KLR was a total piece of crap prior to this mod. When carrying a passenger it frequently bottomed violently when hitting a pothole. Off road the bike was a dog. The Top Gun rear spring, along w/ the Progressive fork springs that I installed up front, made all the difference in the world. I HIGHLY recommend this mod. On the other hand, if money is no object, there are several shock replacements available that would improve your suspension even more. mikeypepwrote: I'm looking for advice on replacing the rear spring on my A15. Here's the statistics; I ride strictly street, solo. Weight about 230 loaded up. Bike is lowered 1 1/2 inches, front and rear. I keep the spring set smack in the middle of the tension setting. Ride is great and only rarely bottoms out. Handling is fine. In a recent posting most of the riders, on and off road, brag up the Top Gun rear spring with reports of improved ride and handling. What's the consensus on this "farkle". I'm inclined to follow the "if it ain't broke, why fix it" rule and spend my $100 on gas, but I do love to farkle up my KLR!

[fasteddiecopeman]

Marty, The stock dogbones are 5" center to center. Install them, raise (lower them in the triple clamps) your forks till the top is level with the top of the triple clamp. Then visit your friendly neighborhood welder. Get him to measure how far the sidestand (when it's down, of course) is from the ground at a COMFORTABLE ANGLE OF LEAN. Then remove it, have him cut it and (various ways to do this securely - he'll know) weld in the appropriate length, then get him to weld a 1 1/2" washer to the bottom of the foot for 'flotation' in softer stuff. Rattle can it either black or silver... and you're done! Ed PS I've never seen the white plastic bushings you mentioned....