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Ride height new fork springs

Rob S.

Rob S.

Forum Guru
Past Site Supporter
I just replaced the old, (probably) original progressive fork springs with RaceTech .90 springs. At the same time, I went from almost 30 psi to zero.

I would have expected the new springs to raise the bike, but I think it's sitting lower: I used to be able to put two bricks under the side stand, and while it was close to vertical, it would still lean on the stand. With two bricks now, it'll fall to the right.

I did also, at the same time replace both tires, but I wouldn't think that would make much of a difference. Damping is at 1, spring preload is lowest, but I'm not sure what they were before.

Any thoughts on this?
 
How much laden sag do you have? That is with you in full gear sitting on the bike. You want to be around 25% of the total travel for most street use. The 0.90 springs are pretty soft for the 1100E unless you are very light so you may end up a bit over 25% of travel unless you heavily preload the springs.


Mark
 
mmattockx said:
How much laden sag do you have? That is with you in full gear sitting on the bike. You want to be around 25% of the total travel for most street use. The 0.90 springs are pretty soft for the 1100E unless you are very light so you may end up a bit over 25% of travel unless you heavily preload the springs.


Mark
Click to expand...



Agreed. "Number of bricks" is totally irrelevant. Static sag (AKA "laden sag") with you on the bike, not just the bike on the kickstand, is what matters. Fine-tune spacer length to achieve the proper sag.

30psi is a hell of a lot of air pressure in forks, so they may have been extended all the way previously when on the kickstand with no rider.
 
Dumb questions but... Did the aspect ratios and section widths remain unchanged? Are they the same brand/model tires?
 
bwringer said:
Agreed. "Number of bricks" is totally irrelevant.
30psi is a hell of a lot of air pressure in forks, so they may have been extended all the way previously when on the kickstand with no rider.
Click to expand...

Number of bricks tells me something is different. 30 psi was used as a temporary band-aid to keep the forks from bottoming out until the new springs arrived.

rudeman said:
Dumb questions but... Did the aspect ratios and section widths remain unchanged? Are they the same brand/model tires?
Click to expand...

Tires are new and different, but same size.

I used to tell my students, "there's no such thing as a dumb question." Not because that's always true, but to encourage them to ask.

Thanks for your encouragement.
 
Sounds like your spacer is too short or did you even install one? When I installed my .95kg Sonic springs and cut to length spacer material supplied (with 20w fork oil zero air), my ride height was raised a tad though doesn't feel like it. Kind of agree, .90kg springs seem a bit soft. 30 psi before the new springs? Sounds like way to much air, most I've seen is 7 to about 12psi in the forks, anything more then that it blows right past the fork seal.
 
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The manual recommends 7.1 psi, and says never to use more 36. I'm running zero now psi now.
 
Rob S. said:
The manual recommends 7.1 psi, and says never to use more 36. I'm running zero now psi now.
Click to expand...
The reason you are repeatedly told to not use air is because you will have a constant balancing problem keeping air pressure the same. Instead just customize the spring for your weight and riding style and be done with the past. It was a Production crutch to span a wide range of riders with a single spring.
 
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IIRC, there's only one air inlet. I might be wrong, I'm looking at two "air joints" in the diagram now.

Update: I think the air only goes in the left side(sitting on the bike).
 
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Rob S. said:
IIRC, there's only one air inlet. I might be wrong, I'm looking at two "air joints" in the diagram now.
Click to expand...
Yes on the 82-83 1100e there is a cross over pipe to equalize pressure but that doesn't keep it from leaking. Springs take a lot longer to leak.
 
As has been said, 30psi was a lot and it reduced your sag. What is was though really doesn't matter, just set your total sag to ~35mm and all will be well. :)

Also, if the tires are a different brand and/or model they won't be exactly the same diameter even if the nominal size is the same.
 
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