Wilsons Sandbox

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Jim Nyffeler" wrote:

> This week I was handed a rear spring that I was told was for the KLR. I was > told it was for a person in the 240 Lb range. I don't have any information > on the rate or for that matter if it really is for the KLR. > > The label on it says: Works Performance Shock Spring. 087 Spring, #20020403. > Oh, its blue in color. > > Can anyone conform that this is for a KLR and if so, what the spring rate > might be? >

No, but if it has a free length of 9" it ought to fit the stock shock. For a 240 lb. rider it probably has a rate somewhere from 500 to 600 lb/in.

Use a hydraulic press. If you don't have one find a shop that does. support it with two steel plates between the second coil up from the bottom taking care to not nick the shaft. You could position the rubber stop there. Do not take the top apart. Press from the top until you have enough clearance to remove the retainer plate from the bottom. Reverse procedure to install. Can be done by one experienced press operator but better with two people so you have four hands for safety. The spring compressor tools available will work but are undersized for the KLR spring. Or you could rig up a strut spring compressor tool to work. Walt

----- Original Message ----- From: "Rick McCauley" To: dsn_klr650@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Monday, April 20, 2009 11:30 AM Subject: [DSN_KLR650] New rear spring OK, dieting doesn't seem to work, so I purchased a Top Gun 8.0Kg spring for my KLR. Now comes the problem of changing them. Any suggestions on the best and safest way of doing it in my shop. The shock is out, and on my bench. Is there a special tool. If I saw a picture of it, I may be able to make one. Any help and or suggestions are most welcome. Rick A17

On Mon, 20 Apr 2009 08:30:39 -0700 (PDT) Rick McCauley writes:

> OK, dieting doesn't seem to work, so I purchased a Top Gun 8.0Kg > spring for my KLR. Now comes the problem of changing them. Any > suggestions on the best and safest way of doing it in my shop. The > shock is out, and on my bench. Is there a special tool. If I saw a > picture of it, I may be able to make one. Any help and or > suggestions are most welcome. > > Rick > A17

<><><><><><><><><> <><><><><><><><><> Rick, This can be a dangerous job if attempted incorrectly. When Martin Earl and I changed his spring a few years ago we went to the dealer to let them swap it. They goofed around for about 15 minutes before realizing they didn't have the proper set up. We then went to a frame straightening and suspension shop with a wall mounted spring compressor like used on struts as found on many vehicles today. Took about 3 minutes and no charge from the shop. There are a few ways to safely compress a spring and a multitude of ways compress a spring that are very dangerous. One of these days I'm gonna make a shock spring compressor too. But until I get around to that project I'll take the time to stop at a local shop and ask for help. I bet Midas would do the job for free or a five spot. Best, Jeff Saline ABC # 4412 South Dakota Airmarshal Airheads Beemer Club www.airheads.org The Beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota 75 R90/6, 03 KLR650, 79 R100RT . ____________________________________________________________ Live your dreams. Click here to find information on becoming a lawyer. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/BLSrjpTOPOJh9QIf75ema4XN8bWPhg6n7VoisK6annWhNVMx67hxjpsbIsw/

Strut spring compressors are available for lending at most chain auto parts stores. I just helped a friends son put lower springs on his rice rocket. I left a $50 deposit at O'Reilly Auto Parts and got the money back when I returned the tool. Kevin

On Mon, Apr 20, 2009 at 10:30 AM, Rick McCauley wrote: > > > OK, dieting doesn't seem to work, so I purchased a Top Gun 8.0Kg spring for > my KLR. Now comes the problem of changing them. Any suggestions on the best > and safest way of doing it in my shop. The shock is out, and on my bench. Is > there a special tool. If I saw a picture of it, I may be able to make one. > Any help and or suggestions are most welcome. > > Rick > A17 > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > -- Kevin Powers White Bear Lake, MN [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Rick McCauley wrote:

> > OK, dieting doesn't seem to work, so I purchased a Top Gun 8.0Kg spring for my KLR. Now comes the problem of changing them. Any suggestions on the best and safest way of doing it in my shop. The shock is out, and on my bench. Is there a special tool. If I saw a picture of it, I may be able to make one. Any help and or suggestions are most welcome. >

There are a lot of ways to do it, but if you want to scare the crap out of yourself or maybe lose a finger, get one of those lever-action compressors from HF, use a couple of tie-downs or some strapping tape to lash it to a saw horse, and get a buddy or two to come over and help. I have attended sessions that looked like the flag-raising at Iwo Jima, as four or five guys gathered 'round to tame this contraption. On another occasion I nearly lost a thumbnail. It's not pretty, but it is faster than anything else, if you count the time it takes to drive to a shop with a strut compressor. You can also make a tool with some exhaust flanges and some redirod, or you can use a bunch of hose clamps to compress the spring, perhaps the greatest triumph for Man, the Tool-Using Animal

Rick, I do believe in DIY but I took mine to the local Honda dealer and had them replace it for me.. $10.00 Mike H.

----- Original Message ----- From: Rick McCauley To: dsn_klr650@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, April 20, 2009 10:30 AM Subject: [DSN_KLR650] New rear spring OK, dieting doesn't seem to work, so I purchased a Top Gun 8.0Kg spring for my KLR. Now comes the problem of changing them. Any suggestions on the best and safest way of doing it in my shop. The shock is out, and on my bench. Is there a special tool. If I saw a picture of it, I may be able to make one. Any help and or suggestions are most welcome. Rick A17 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]