| Author | Message | ||
     Livnlo |
i am a big guy  and need to figure out something ive called all i could think of, to no results. I am usint the stock spring noww wich worked fine for 15000 miles but is now a bit soft. I was thinking of using the race kit one but i have a o412r andd the front springs are of no use. any suggestions | ||
| Livnlo |
oh and im just figuring out how to post pics thats y | ||
| Nutsnbolt |
Yes, the race kit spring is beefier, but you are going to need to have your shock revalved, with the new spring. Know what I mean. I'm a big guy, too. 6'3" 250 lbs. So, I know what you mean. Trackside Engineering. That's all I got to say about that. Look em up. He'll take care of ya. Mark | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
No worries, Dan. Let me see if I understand everything. You are riding a 2004 XB 12. You are a larger size Buelligan. Not that there is anything the matter with that. I am too.  I might help to know how large. Don't mean to pry, but this is a numbers game, am I right? Assuming you are in the 250 lb. in gear range, you might benefit from the following: Front: 1. Stiffer front springs. 2. rebuilt and revalved front shocks Rear: 1. Buell competition spring 2. New or rebuilt and revalved shock. Trackside Engineering did this work for me, and it came out well. They were able to fit a heavier front fork spring even though Buell no longer supplies one for the 2004 forks. If you add a stiffer spring to the rear, you really need to stiffen up the front spring too, other wise the bike won't balance properly. I think that other suspension specialists, such as Traxxion might be able to do the same. This should cost in the $450-500 range, and you should be good to go. The next step up would be to replace the rear shock and get it fitted with a spring specifically selected for your weight. Talking about a grand here. Now you can select your ride height and preload separately. The next step up for the front would be new shock internals. Also in the one grand range. Unless you are racing, I would recommend the first alternatives. Just my .02ยข (Message edited by gentleman_jon on January 28, 2007) | ||
| Nutsnbolt |
john, do you still have that shock? I don't need it, but Livnlo might. Livnlo- John knows what he's talking about. I had this same question not too long ago and he gave me some great info. Yeah, if you're not going to race, go with the springs and shock thing, from Buell. I didn't know the thing about the front springs for the 2004. Trackside Engineering... he's got decent prices. Great prices if you ask me, and he does a lot of buell specific tuning. Mark | ||
| Livnlo |
all right girls care about there weight i care about my wallet i am 320 sans gear and i ride hard live in the north east so spring roads can be a little ruff not planning on racing although i may do a track day r two this summer. any other questions OH ya i'm a scorpio and like long walks off short piers  | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
Hey Dan, I am a Scorpio myself. Excellent sign for the aggressive rider. General Patton was a Scorpion, too. Anyway, at 320 lb you would certainly benefit from stronger springs, no doubt about it. I wouldn't be surprised if your rear shock is worn out at 15K miles either. With the stock set up, it is very likely that your bike is riding nose high, and when you get a rear spring strong enough to level the bike out, the front will be overly compressed. Nose high makes the bike slow to fall into a turn, and it will take a lot of effort to complete the turn. I definitely would get in touch with Ed Kwaterski at Trackside Engineering. Here is his web address: http://www.gostar-racing.com/club/motorcycle_suspe nsion_set-up.htm Frankly, I don't know if there is a spring available for the stock Buell shock that is really up to the job. The Buells are very sensitive to suspension set up, and that is very much dependent on the riders weight. Since you are about a hundred pounds over the max listed weight on the Buell you will really benefit from a custom set up. Here is an excellent article on suspension that explains the whole deal in a clear a way as I have ever seen. http://www.gostar-racing.com/club/motorcycle_suspe nsion_set-up.htm | ||
| Gearhead |
Livnlo, Here's an easier way to get in touch with Ed. Ed Kwaterski tracksideengineering.com (414) 453-6720 he just fixed me up with dialed in suspension for my XB12R, right at $500.00 | ||
| Sweatmark |
Livnlo- If it helps, I'm with you in the Biggie-size Bueller department, 270 + gear. Had a local race suspension shop rebuild my 41mm ('03&'04) forks with appropriate 0.95 kg/mm springs and custom valving. Haven't installed the forks yet (purchased 2nd set of 43mm forks still on bike). Strike a deal? Info - the shop that did the work: http://www.gpsuspension.com/ spring rate reference: http://www.traxxion.com/technical.springrate.shtml | ||
| Livnlo |
sweatmark would def be interested can you shoot my any specs on the new front setup? | ||
| Firebolteric_ma |
There you go sully! That is the ticket to getting your knee down for MBIV! If you don't take them let me know and I may if they would work on a 225lb. guy. I was thinking of having this done when I take the forks apart next week for servicing... | ||
| Ducxl |
Livnlo,if you're near Massachusetts,and my friend Eric above,try "GMD Computrack" in Bellingham Massachusetts.He can do what you need,and minutes from Eric too. | ||
| Firebolteric_ma |
That is where I was thinking of going if things don't work out. Man I NEED to get the bike in the house this week. MORE parts have arrived from Al!  Lots-o-Parts need to be installed before MBIV. I have been rearanging my entire down stairs so I can roll the bike into a nice warm spot..... The wifey fears I will ruin the nice WHITE carpet.....I knew that carpet was the wrong color for a garage.....um...errr..I mean finished basement.  | ||
| Livnlo |
thats alright eric i happen to own a carpet company. sales and installs, so if you mess it up bad we can make the wife happy again  | ||
| Sweatmark |
Livlo- The forks I had GP Suspension "tune" were my '03 bike's original 41mm Showas. GP has its own special valving & needle internals. They set up my forks based on my weight and intended use. On second thought, I'd recommend that you get your original forks tuned to your liking. As others have recommended above, getting a suspension "custom tune" from a suspension expert near you is best way to go... best bang for the buck, get exactly whatcha need, and save on shipping costs to & fro. FWIW - I bought an aftermarket shock that came with a custom spring (spring rate selected for weight and riding style) as part of the package. The suspension experts mentioned above probably all have similar deals. | ||
| Damnut |
I just realized i ride with a bunch of FAT BASTARDS!!!!!!  for the love of god man..... put down the ho-ho's......... | ||
| Firebolteric_ma |
This should be my next mod.....loose the extra ass I carry w/ me and the bike will run faster.....AND IT IS A FREE MOD!!!!  Why didn't I think of this earlier?  I love this place for all the free advise...  |
