spring rates ??How can you tell what it is??

[Dead eng start]

Ive got a spring from a bike. I had the susp. done a few years ago
How can i find out what the spring rate is? like if it is a 5.4 or what ever. I think I said that right. Can you measure them to tell? Or do they have to be compressed to tell what it is?
The spring wasnt on very long so i dont think it would have been wore down any. If they can be wore down? So if a person is able to measure it. Please let me know

thanks Dead

 

[KXKen]

As far as I know you can't tell from looking at them (maybe somebody else knows differently). Do you have a suspension guy near you? If you do you he probably has something to measure the spring rate with.

 

[Jaybird]

If it were a stock spring, perhaps the manual for that model bike will tell you.

 

[Dead eng start]

Thanks,its not a stock spring though. I have had it for a few years. Just not sure what the rate is. I need a big one for a fat guy.