Fork springs

T

twocycle

Member

Feb 21, 2002

78

0

• May 27, 2003

• #1

Has anyone tried putting the .33 fork springs from a 1988 KDX into
an 89-94 KDX? I got this tip from justkdx under the Fredette section. Also will a quart of fork oil be enough for an oil change?

Thanks

 

G

G. Gearloose

Pigment of ur imagination

Jul 24, 2000

709

0

• May 27, 2003

• #2

Not I
Yes

I don't think 15 year old .33's will be all that much better than .31's from a '91 or there abouts, might not be much value unless you weigh 140# or so.

You could call Jeff for some .35 'take offs' from '95-up bikes, thats what I did and the difference was remarkable, and good enough for my spodely pace.

 

T

twocycle

Member

Feb 21, 2002

78

0

• May 27, 2003

• Thread starter
• #3

Thanks Gearloose. I weigh around 155. I was using the recommendations from Fredette site. The .33 springs would be new. I had thought about .35's
but I did not see any at Fredettes. I do not want to make the bike to harsh for the woods.

 

J

John Harris

Member

Apr 15, 2002

552

0

• May 27, 2003

• #4

I have .35 from 2001 KDX 200 that I replaced and will be glad to sell you. Interested? Email jtharrislv@aol.com.

Speaking of fork springs--I put XR springs in mine like CC and others suggested and it made a new Motorcycle! A shade tree mechanic told my riding buddy he could get the same result by increasing the preload (longer spacers) in the stock forks. I know this is not right, but some techie please explain so I can convince my buddy.

 

G

G. Gearloose

Pigment of ur imagination

Jul 24, 2000

709

0

• May 27, 2003

• #5

Increasing preload raises ride height, until you comprimise downward travel, then your front wheel is spending less time on the ground and the forks are banging against the lower stops.
More preload doesn't increase the spring rate, (within the usable range of free sag) so it still feels soggy.
The primary mission for preload is to set proper unlaiden sag. The rate determines how much further it sags with you on it, as well as deflection under load.

I don't think .35 would be too harsh for you twocycle.

 

Last edited: May 28, 2003

T

twocycle

Member

Feb 21, 2002

78

0

• May 27, 2003

• Thread starter
• #6

Thanks for the replies. I ordered the .35's from Fredette earlier. Can't
wait to try them.

 

J

JasonWho

Member

Apr 10, 2002

2,109

0

• May 27, 2003

• #7

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Last edited: Sep 18, 2004

C

canyncarvr

~SPONSOR~

Oct 14, 1999

4,005

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• May 27, 2003

• #8

re: 'A shade tree mechanic told my riding buddy he could get the same result by increasing the preload (longer spacers) in the stock forks..'

That's a shade tree mech that's been in the sun too long!

Guy 1 (showing off his recently re-cammed 2.4l mustang 4cyl. powerhouse): 'This runs pretty good!'

Guy 2 (a shade tree mechanic on the days there is shade): 'Yanno, you could turn that into a hemi if you ran two plug wires to each cylinder!'


More directly put, anyone who thinks adding preload is the same as proper installation of the proper spring is a moron.

Gearloose already posted the intelligent response..I just thought I'd gripe some...

 

J

John Harris

Member

Apr 15, 2002

552

0

• May 28, 2003

• #9

I'm not a moron, I put in the correct springs with the correct preload and came out a winner!

In answer to someone's question, the 2001 KDX200 stock springs I took out are 18.5 inches long (which is stock length). I still have them available if anyone wants: email jtharrislv@aol.com

 

C

canyncarvr

~SPONSOR~

Oct 14, 1999

4,005

0

• May 28, 2003

• #10

I think jason is after the length of your xr springs.....

Winning is good...........;)