link to my

[Garrett Smith]

Hi Folks, I recently purchased a set of front progressives for my KLR. Todays the install day. The new springs didn't come with spacers I'm assuming I can use the current spacers. It seems straight forward, drain oil, springs out, new springs in, add oil, torque caps properly. I do have the Clymer manual but am I missing anything? Thanks in advance. Garrett --------------------------------- Share your photos with the people who matter at Yahoo! Canada Photos [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Jud Jones]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Garrett Smith wrote:

> > Hi Folks, > > I recently purchased a set of front progressives for my KLR. Todays the install day. The

new springs didn't come with spacers I'm assuming I can use the current spacers.

> > It seems straight forward, drain oil, springs out, new springs in, add oil, torque caps

properly. I do have the Clymer manual but am I missing anything?

>

The stock spacers are 5 1/2" long. The progressive springs are longer and call for 2" spacers (up to maybe 2.75" if you really feel the need for more preload).

[Greg Schmidt]

Garrett, 1)Make sure there is no air pressure on your forks before removing the oil drain screws. also have the front tire off the ground, forks fully extended. 2)Be careful with the threads on the top fork caps, and be prepared for them to jump up a little when you the threads are released from a small amount of spring pressure. It's a good idea to keep a little pressure on them while unscrewing them. 3)The fork oil should be added while the springs are out. It's a good idea to flush the forks while you're hear. i like to use about 1/2 qt of auto transmission oil to really flush them good. Then a little fork oil after to flush the trans fluid. (fork oil is expensive) 4)The forks should now be compressed to their limit. I use a floor jack to lift the front wheel to full fork compression. The springs are not installed until after the correct level is measured. The fork oil should be installed to a depth of 170 -190mm from the top of the fork tube. In inches 6.7 - 7.5 I set mine at about 6-3/4. Be prpared to use a piece of tube or something to remove fork oil. It seems to always overfill. It can be a little touchy to get the right amount of fork oil in the tubes. 5)If you use the stock spacers, they will have to be cut down. The progressive springs are considerably longer than stock. Many have used PVC pipe so to keep their old spacers in tack for the original springs. 2 1/8 is a good starting point for spacer length. 6)10wt fork oil isa good place to start for a softer ride while on road. 15wt if you do more off road stuff and are a larger rider (over 190). The spacer length and oil viscosity can be used to tune the front suspension to your preference. 7) Extend the forks all the way again, Install the springs, washer and spacer. Again be very careful not to cross-thread the tube caps. 8)The air on the forks should not have any pressure once the bike is sitting with your weight on it. This helps keep your fork seals in from having too much pressure on them. Recently, it's been discussed that air pressure can be installed on the forks up to 30psi. Personally, I would adjust the front suspension with spacers and oil instead. -Camogreg

> Hi Folks, > > I recently purchased a set of front progressives for my KLR.

Todays the install day. The new springs didn't come with spacers I'm assuming I can use the current spacers.

> > It seems straight forward, drain oil, springs out, new springs

in, add oil, torque caps properly. I do have the Clymer manual but am I missing anything?

> > Thanks in advance. > > Garrett > > > > --------------------------------- > Share your photos with the people who matter at Yahoo! Canada

Photos

> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >

[Rick]

There are a lot of good suggestions you have received. One of them was to flush the forks out. I highly recommed this too. However, to make it even easier, I took the forks off the bike. It's really not that hard, nor does it add a lot of time to the procedure. Doing so made it easier for me to install the new springs and put the forks caps back on. Rick

> Hi Folks, > > I recently purchased a set of front progressives for my KLR.

Todays the install day. The new springs didn't come with spacers I'm assuming I can use the current spacers.

> > It seems straight forward, drain oil, springs out, new springs

in, add oil, torque caps properly. I do have the Clymer manual but am I missing anything?

> > Thanks in advance. > > Garrett > > > > --------------------------------- > Share your photos with the people who matter at Yahoo! Canada

Photos

> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >

[fasteddiecopeman]

Garret, If you follow Rick's advice, be SURE to loosen the caps BEFORE you loosen the triple clamp bolts to take the forks out. Ed

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Rick" wrote: > to make it even easier, I took the forks off the bike. It's really > not that hard, nor does it add a lot of time to the procedure. > Doing so made it easier for me to install the new springs and put > the forks caps back on. > > Rick

[Dave Koelsch]

I also have a set of progressive fork springs I have yet to install , Can any one give me dimensions of the spacers so I can have them ready to install when I start my suspension project. Ive also just ordered the scoot works adjustable lowering links. I understand I have to lower the front end to match, any advise on this would be appreciated as well fasteddiecopeman wrote:

>Garret, >If you follow Rick's advice, be SURE to loosen the caps BEFORE you loosen the triple clamp >bolts to take the forks out. >Ed >--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Rick" wrote: > > to make it even easier, I took the forks off the bike. It's really > > >>not that hard, nor does it add a lot of time to the procedure. >>Doing so made it easier for me to install the new springs and put >>the forks caps back on. >> >>Rick >> >> > > > > > > > >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 > > > > > > > > > >

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Harry Seifert]

Dave, Depending on your weight and the type of riding you're planning, cut your spacers in the 2.50" to 2.75" range. Mine are at the 2.75" length for my weight (270 lbs) and the dirt roads and grassy areas I get to ride at work. Buddy Dave Koelsch wrote: I also have a set of progressive fork springs I have yet to install , Can any one give me dimensions of the spacers so I can have them ready to install when I start my suspension project. Ive also just ordered the scoot works adjustable lowering links. I understand I have to lower the front end to match, any advise on this would be appreciated as well fasteddiecopeman wrote:

>Garret, >If you follow Rick's advice, be SURE to loosen the caps BEFORE you loosen the triple clamp >bolts to take the forks out. >Ed >--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Rick" wrote: > > to make it even easier, I took the forks off the bike. It's really > > >>not that hard, nor does it add a lot of time to the procedure. >>Doing so made it easier for me to install the new springs and put >>the forks caps back on. >> >>Rick >> >> > > > > > > > >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 > > > > > > > > > >

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed] 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 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Jud Jones]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Dave Koelsch wrote:

> > I also have a set of progressive fork springs I have yet to install , > Can any one give me dimensions of the spacers so I can have them ready > to install > when I start my suspension project. > Ive also just ordered the scoot works adjustable lowering links. > I understand I have to lower the front end to match, any advise on this > would be appreciated as well >

Progressive calls for 2" spacers. Although a lot of riders go longer for more preload, I subscribe to the school of thought that says run them with little or no preload, so that the wheel will deflect easily on rocks and sharp bumps. I weigh 260, and don't find a need for more preload. If I were at all fast offroad, I might prefer more preload or some air in the forks, but with the KLR, I am more likely to be picking my way through the really gnarly bits, so a nice easy action is what I want. On faster tracks, I ride hard enough to bottom the rear with a 500-560 spring, but have never bottomed the forks.

[Dave Koelsch]

OK how about inside and outside diameter what material would I make them out of. I have access to a lathe alum., steel and brass round stock I,m thinking make 2 ea. of 1.00",2.00" , .250 ", .500 ".750 " and than I can try different combinations until I find one I like Dave HARRY SEIFERT wrote:

> Dave, > > Depending on your weight and the type of riding you're planning, cut > your spacers in the 2.50" to 2.75" range. Mine are at the 2.75" > length for my weight (270 lbs) and the dirt roads and grassy areas I > get to ride at work. > > Buddy > > */Dave Koelsch /* wrote: > > I also have a set of progressive fork springs I have yet to install , > Can any one give me dimensions of the spacers so I can have them > ready > to install > when I start my suspension project. > Ive also just ordered the scoot works adjustable lowering links. > I understand I have to lower the front end to match, any advise on > this > would be appreciated as well > > fasteddiecopeman wrote: > > >Garret, > >If you follow Rick's advice, be SURE to loosen the caps BEFORE > you loosen the triple clamp > >bolts to take the forks out. > >Ed > >--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Rick" wrote: > > > to make it even easier, I took the forks off the bike. It's > really > > > > > >>not that hard, nor does it add a lot of time to the procedure. > >>Doing so made it easier for me to install the new springs and put > >>the forks caps back on. > >> > >>Rick > >> > >> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >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 > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > 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 > > > > > > >

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Chris Shepard]

This is off-topic but I believe germain to others interest on this list. Below is a link to a friend of mines blog that depicts his ride from Miami through Alaska and then down to the tip of South America. He is currently in the Virginia area. I think that it is interesting but JMHO. Have a great day, Chris www.gpadventure.com For any of you interested in my ride and where I am!! Thanks, GP