I pulled the forks on my '99 I thought for the first time though what's in there doesn't match what's in the manual. Specifically the spring is straight rate and ~268mm (vs 320mm). It has a 120mm spacer which visually at least is longer than stock.

I had no problem setting the sag for my weight (165lbs) and I have been riding the bike for years without issues so I presume the spring rate is right for me. My suspension guy says one should never deviate from the stock oil weight so I'm good there.

does anyone recognize this setup perhaps as a common upgrade in the early '00s? Does anyone have a favorite way of calculating spring rate?

thanks,

-morgan

 

Try googleing "modifying motorcycle fork springs". I was looking at something like that a while back and found a guy explaining how to modify stock spring to increase rate and how to calculate the rate etc. A popular modification is to install straight rate springs for more consistent fork action. I've never heard of sticking with stock fork oil weight. Check out RaceTech's site and compare their recommendations to what is stock.

 

Most aftermarket springs are straight rate. There was a time when stock springs were progressive but it was also a time when suspension was considered a black art, for the most part it still is.

I once considered modifying springs, but decided it's not worth the risk to save a few bucks. Springs are about $125 a pair. It could cost a life if modified springs were to fail. I think the chance of it happening is slim, but why ride with that mental weight?

 

With aftermarket straight rate springs available for the bikes that I have, I would not modify the stock springs. But if I was building something that aftermarket springs were not available I would modify the stock springs. But what I meant in the above post was here is a place that shows you how to measure your spring rate, thats all. Not the modifying part of it.

 

Ok