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Upgrading suspension springs... HELP!!

Hotbrakes

Hotbrakes

2013-09-23 18:16:00 UTC

I am looking to purchase new fork springs as well as a rear shock spring but am having a bit of trouble. I am not sure what spring rates I need as I am 240 lbs (without gear). All I am looking to do is find the right spring rates and sag settings for street use. I would appreciate any input from you fellow duke riders as to where I can purchase some quality springs.

omky756

omky756

2013-09-25 00:37:00 UTC

racetech.com has a free calculator for suspension rates. Unfortunately the front spring rate formula they use is terribly mistaken and has been so for some time. I'm 220 and most sport bikes are properly sprung with a 1.0kg/mm. I believe stock on SD's is ~.95. Going to a linear rate 1.1 should be very close to what you need.

Lowrance

Lowrance

2013-09-25 02:16:00 UTC

^^^^^^^^
Racetech is the ticket..
I have the 1.1 rate springs and valves/shim kit
They give you all the shims you need and the charts
to set it up...Did mine last year...and now time for a
fork oil change...
You will have to turn down your inner spring guide..
Says you can use a file but easier to turn them
down with a lathe...Also comes with spring preload
spacers...The springs are longer..I believe you need
to cut down the stock spacers too..All the info sheets
you need come in the kit...Give them a call and they
will gladly help with your needs..
Fast shipping too..At least for us in the U.S.
They're located in So.Cal..

SDNerd

SDNerd

2013-09-25 06:16:00 UTC

As Hotbrakes suggested....1.1kg/mm up front.

For the rear you are going to need a 1100lb/in spring. They can be purchased from RaceTech (Eibach...red) as well as Hyperco (dark blue).

You're going to need a spring compressor to get the stock shock spring off but the aftermarket springs will go on without one.

Lowrance

Lowrance

2013-09-25 17:04:00 UTC

Post missing.

ozarkhomie

ozarkhomie

2013-09-25 18:20:00 UTC

I am about 220 standard front was fine on sdr with just the inners being reworked rear need rebound damping reworked and a 190nm spring was recommended the 180 standard spring but found it sat to low

SDNerd

SDNerd

2013-09-25 19:00:00 UTC

Post missing.

Lowrance

Lowrance

2013-09-25 21:25:00 UTC

What are the oem spring rates for the SDR? My only experience with a suspension speciality shop has been Traxxion Dynamics in Georgia, but Max doesn't work on WP products. Any recommendations for a mail to shop? I'm also a member of the big boy club.
Thanks.

SDNerd

SDNerd

2013-09-25 22:51:00 UTC

Post missing.

DribbleDuke

DribbleDuke

2013-09-25 23:52:00 UTC

There is no talking to you....amatures, you've got no idea who you are talking to or what knowledge I have of suspension.

I will say that when I say proper sag numbers I include static sag...always have.

Funny how your bike (professionally set up by Lindeman Engineering) wallows and wobbles it's way around Chuckwalla (on race spec tyres) at a pace that's a good 4-5 seconds off my pace (on street tires-Q2s) then spits you off while my bike is nice and stable without so much as a twitch. Some would put that down to difference in the riders ability but I believe you are a competent rider..I would say it's your set-up but that's just my opinion.

My bike has been revalved by a suspension shop as well (they have the tools) but I spec'd the rates and damping characteristics. Hmm.

To the OP, you can try the springs we've recommended as long as you have enough rebound damping and it may be good enough for you. If not you always have the option of revalving.

Lowrance

Lowrance

2013-09-26 02:25:00 UTC

Post missing.

dirty irving

dirty irving

2013-09-26 03:28:00 UTC

So..... what are you guys listening to?
Do guys over 250 pounds all need new suspenders?

Lowrance

Lowrance

2013-09-26 04:29:00 UTC

I'm not trying to sell anyone on RaceTech even though they did a great job on my suspension. I mentioned they carried Eibach springs. I also mentioned Hypercoil as an alternative as that is what I'm currently running on the rear of my bike. Eibach does not make a 1200lb/in spring for the SD. I mentioned both as some folks are partial to one color over another.

For the record, it did not take RaceTech three tries to get my suspension correct, it took two. The second time was to remove a little HS compression from the fork and shock compression stacks. It was a preference thing at my request and after approximately 4,000 miles use so fluids in the shock and fork needed freshining anyway. The third time I handed them my suspension was after another 7,000 miles for oil, bushing and seal replacement in both the forks and shock and to fix a small leak on one of the forks compression adjusters...again all at my request and there were no valving changes made. Also on the third service I had Tony install a set of 1.20kg/mm fork springs (up from the 1.10kg/mm springs I was running) as I was still bottoming under extreemly hard braking over braking bumps. I tried increasing LS compression and/or increasing oil level by to compensate but that made matters worse causing the front end to skip over the braking bumps. The springs I had them install completely sorted the issue.

I normally change my own seals, bushings and fluids in the fork and have done for years. The only reason I had Tony service the forks is he was servicing the shock and it saved me some time.

Looking back on this thread, I think I see why we're where we are. A couple previous posters recommended RaceTech and I think you lumped me into that group, made your comments and that's when I took offense.

Any reputable shop can get your suspension where you want it but you have to know what you want/need and what it takes to get there.
Another point that needs to be made is that springs like any other mechanical component will have tolerances. Just because the springs are stamped a certain rate does not mean they are that rate. The 1.10kg/mm springs you have could actually be quite a bitt stiffer due to manufacturiong tolerances.

Just sayin...