| Author | Message | ||
     Ceejay |
I'm a ~240lb rider who put the pro series fork springs in and love them, but since I got the springs by themselves at a cheap price I'm not able to put the rear spring on, as I don't have it. I was wondering if anyone else has one, and thus would be able to give thier opinions on it. Also if anyone has one and would be willing to part with it for a cheap price I'd be interested. I'm assuming having someone put it together may be expensive, thus the reason I was hoping to get some opinions on the race kit before I just go out and buy a whole kit. Thanks, ceejay | ||
| Watrousmark |
What year bike or at least what year shock? I have a rear spring for an 06 XB. PM me if it will fit. | ||
| Bad_karma |
Corey Do yourself a favor and get springs for your weight. Get the preload and a re-valve will be the best upgrade to your bike. Joe | ||
| Ceejay |
Watrous-PM sent. Bad-true. But given that I got the front springs for cheap it was an easy change-less than 50 bucks to respring/new oil in the front. While it's not perfect, it'll definitely work until I decide to spend/have more money. | ||
| Bad_karma |
Sounds like you have a plan. Good luck and leave feedback for others to consider. Joe | ||
| Ceejay |
I always have a plan-sometimes figuring out who the pilot is has become the problem  Certainly will | ||
| Reepicheep |
In the words of Gary Burbank... "If Momma ain't happy, ain't NOBODY happy". Keep that in mind, and both the plan and the pilot part generally become obvious Did you do the front end fork oil change yourself? I have two bikes that need it done, and I need somebody to talk me into doing it myself. | ||
| Gowindward |
Do it Reep! The service manual is a pretty good guide and once into the job the service manual even becomes more clear. It will be like "I see said the blind man" If you decided to freshen up everything on the forks the parts for a complete overhaul...seals, bushings, oil rings etc is about $50. Plus a few tools, but a man can never have to many tools.  Do it! | ||
| Reepicheep |
Is it like the engine rotation? It looks worse then it really is? What are the needed tools, and what are the "nice to have" tools? Sorry for the thread hijack Corey! | ||
| Gowindward |
Right, it's not bad. Check out tools from Race Tech or Traxxion. You'll need a spring compressor and an oil level gauge to do the oil change. To do an overhaul you also need a seal driver. I use a spare triple clamp as a fork tube holder/ wrench to hold the tube to get the top caps off. They could probably be broken loose while still on the bike and avoid needing a "holder". Take a look here http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/384 2/249047.html?1188735029 http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/384 2/198486.html?1178644836 | ||
| Ceejay |
Reep-like wind said, it's not too bad. I didn't/don't have any manuals, but it went pretty smooth. If your just changing springs you could probably leave each fork in the bike, but when draining oil, unless you got a really stout vacuum you'll need to take them out of the triple clamps. I put my bike in the rear stand, used a floor jack for the front, took the wheel off and went from there. took about 3 hrs. off and on-as my two youngest want to help, thus I usually end up playing with them more than they help me in playing with my bike. Here's a compression tool. Left two small "dents" in the hole but works very well.  I did all the "work" in bike other than draining the oil of course, thus you don't need a fork holder unless you really want to buy one. I used some welding filler rod with a wadded up kleenex wrapped around the bottom as a oil level indicator-works well but add oil slowly! Else you may need to remove the fork, drain, and start over. I've seperated the lowers from uppers before but I haven't gotten to putting them back together as I haven't needed to do it(the M2) yet. but it looks like some PVC pipe with work just fine as a driver. I seem to remember getting the tinker toy driver tip from you, so I'm guessing that part of the fun is finding a new use for an old tool/toy/home appliance/utensil(that's the way it is for me anyway.) After putting the new heavier springs in, heavier oil, and readjusting my settings, I was amazed at the difference it made in feel. I'm still monkeying with settings, to find out the best setting for me and my speed, but it has definitely helped, even though it may make my wallet lighter as I'd really like to start messing with the rear shock as the new front set-up has made me feel just how harsh the rear spring can be. Which I've been told that if I get a real high quality rear shock my front end will start to feel lacking and thus starting a viscous/expensive/fun circle. Hope that helps. Let me know if you need/want any more info... | ||
| Ceejay |
Put the rear pro kit spring on last night. Very easy to do. Rented (its free) a spring compressor from auto zone and it took about an hour total removing the shock replacing the spring and installing it back on the bike. went very smooth. Haven't had much riding on it yet, but the bike seems to be much better. very balanced now, as I used to get a good feel from the front with harshness from the rear. I still need to go through all my settings but for the price of admission changing the springs front and back has been a very rewarding experience. Bike has greater feedback/feel, overall ride quality is improved, and plus it has given me an overall awareness of what is going on with the suspension. I'll update some more once I get the settings dialed in, which may require a track day for tuning purposes-yeah that's it tuning purposes | ||
| Ceejay |
Forgot to mention-thanks Mark! | ||
| Sweatmark |
Corey- Glad to hear that the fork springs are working for you. Had to check my PayPal to confirm I sold 'em to you. If anyone starts spouting about putting yet another (stiffer) spring set in the forks, keep in mind that the harder you go, the tougher it seems to be to find right balance of damping and riding comfort on regular roads. I went with 0.95 springs in my forks plus custom damping... the ride on a smooth track is great, but I get whacked all the time as square/high-frequency bump forces are transmitted up to the handlebar when riding the street. Frankly, I wish I'd kept the XB Pro forks springs for my street fork set! | ||
| Sweatmark |
For reference re: fork spring rates: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/327 77/290002.html?1183836717#POST922681 The suspension shop took it upon themselves to use 0.95s instead of the 0.90 Pro kit 43mm springs I supplied them as upgrade for OE springs at 0.85; this was for my extra forks intended for street use. Really wish they'd NOT gone ahead with the beefier springs, even if I'm currently at Grade-A steer weight of 250. The ride's just too harsh when roads get crappy. | ||
| Ceejay |
sweat-yeah that be me. I'm still trying to find the best settings, but putting the front springs in made a nice difference, so much so that the rear spring needed to change too. I've lost a bit of weight since I started messing with this stuff-I think I got the front springs off of you in winter, and I've dropped about 30 lbs since then. The wieght loss(I'm about 210 now) coupled with the spring change has really made the bike more fun. since I've put the rear spring on, the bike doesn't seem to squat as much during hard acceleration, thus finding those second and third gear rises in the road have created lots of fun-those that think powerwheelies on a 9r can't happen need to get a bit more creative. You mark guys are good folks! thanks again! | ||
| Ceejay |
I think I've got everything tuned in to where I like it. The rear is still a bit slow on the rebound for which I'll change tonight, but if your a little bit heavier guy or ride more spirited(or both) I'm of the opinion that installing the Buell pro series is well worth the 100 bucks in springs, oil, and a six pack | ||
| Sweatmark |
Glad thoes springs worked out for ya! My 0.95 springs are great in the forks, considering my riding weight of 2much (haven't lost nearly as much as your 30lbs. - congrats!), but the custom damping is too harsh for anything but smoothest roads or track. When that's worked out the ride should be good. I'm just thankful that the good folks at Buell went with quality suspension components, including support for additional tweaks e.g. ProKit springs and aftermarket support of the Showas. |
