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Progressive Springs, Band-aids, & Kleenex

  • Thread starter Thread starter Bass Man
  • Start date Start date
Sorry, not my area of expertise. Perhaps someone else can chime in?
 
Hmmm, from reading this thread got me to thinking. Since I did a fork swap, 750 to 1100E front end, I'm thinking the stock springs in the bigger forks are going to be much better then my 750 forks right?
 
Take a look at Sonic Springs while you're at it. They make straight rate springs as opposed to progressives, which I like, plus you can tailor the rate to your riding style and weight. My bike handles so much better with the sonics and hagons I put on there and the ride is comfy as well.
 
bwringer has mentioned that he likes the Sonics better as well. Of course, he rides a bit more, umm, aggressively, than the normal human being.
 
Toasty said:
Take a look at Sonic Springs while you're at it. They make straight rate springs as opposed to progressives, which I like, plus you can tailor the rate to your riding style and weight. My bike handles so much better with the sonics and hagons I put on there and the ride is comfy as well.
Click to expand...
And, if you want to contact Sonic Springs, just look up user RichDesmond on this forum, I think it's his company. :D

.
 
Thanks for all the input, folks.
Having been into modding cars for a long time, I'm leaning towards progressive springs. I've never liked how rough specific rate springs ride, and you really don't sacrifice much in the way of handling with a quality progressive spring. For the riding I will be doing, progressives just make more sense I think. I want to tighten it up, but not make it too stiff. I'm 35 now with a sketchy back and screwy hips, so I don't want to beat myself up too much. :D
 
The fork springs do sag with time. You can add spacers to stiffen it up some..
Take the old spacer out and add about an inch or so- use schedule 40 PVC pipe.
You want it even with or sticking out 1/2" with the forks fully extended- no weight
 
Mr. Sinister said:
Thanks for all the input, folks.
Having been into modding cars for a long time, I'm leaning towards progressive springs. I've never liked how rough specific rate springs ride, and you really don't sacrifice much in the way of handling with a quality progressive spring. For the riding I will be doing, progressives just make more sense I think. I want to tighten it up, but not make it too stiff. I'm 35 now with a sketchy back and screwy hips, so I don't want to beat myself up too much. :D
Click to expand...

I'm not a car guy, so I can't speak to your experience there, but on bikes it's not true that straight rate springs are necessarily rougher riding than progressively wound springs. They certainly can be, if a rate that's too stiff is chosen, but if the rate is matched to the rider (both weight and riding style) they will be more comfortable than progressively wound springs are. More here:

http://www.sonicsprings.com/catalog/straight_vs_prog_tech_article.php

It is true though that any aftermarket spring will be a huge improvement over stock. :)
 
Last edited:
Mr. Sinister said:
Thanks for all the input, folks.
Having been into modding cars for a long time, I'm leaning towards progressive springs. I've never liked how rough specific rate springs ride, and you really don't sacrifice much in the way of handling with a quality progressive spring.
Click to expand...
Just so you know, there are actually TWO springs in each fork leg. :eek:

OK, some bikes have more, but in general, there is the metal spring and AIR. Regardless of whether your metal springs are progressively wound, the air will ALWAYS be progressive. When you add the progressive rate of the metal springs and the progressive rate of air, it is possible to get some rather interesting results. :o

.
 
Soooooo, changed my fork oil today. Put 20W in it, and I gotta say, it feels great. I'll still upgrade the springs eventually, but this should work for the time being.
I also set the rear shocks on the stiffest setting, and that helped a good bit too.
 
Just remember that thicker fork oil will not prevent bottoming. It only slows down the response.

You will eventually bottom out, it will just take longer to get there. :o

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Steve said:
Just remember that thicker fork oil will not prevent bottoming. It only slows down the response.

You will eventually bottom out, it will just take longer to get there. :o

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Click to expand...


Well, I figured that may happen, so I tried to intentionally make it bottom out, unsuccessfully. I found that it must not have been fully bottoming out before, because when I compressed the forks to squeeze the old fluid out, the lower fork bracket just kissed my fender, chipping the paint. :mad:
The front end was lowered before I bought it, and the front fender sits a little higher than the stock one did.
So I'm guessing the springs are not totally dead, but they will still be getting upgraded.
 
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