Straight rate springs vs. Progressive rate

[Gisser]

... I guess it'd be to remove some of the slack in the springs before they start to compress?

Yeah, but if you think about it, that preload only comes into play when the forks are topped out--like when you wheelie.    I think they recommend 11/16" worth of preload to ensure that the full range of the stroke is useful.  Normallly, the weight of the bike overcomes the preload before you even sit on it.   Get the Progressives!  

[Alphamazing]

I think if I got springs I wouldn't go with progressive. I do more sport oriented riding than commuting and would probably fare better with straight ratio springs.

[juno]

And emulators....

Luckily I live near ft lauderdale and there is a racetech shop there.

[scratch]

Progressives are not bad, even for spirited riding, ask Pablo.

But, depending on how much you weigh, that would determine wheather or not you need new springs. And, if not new springs, how much preload you will need with the stock springs. For instance, I am 125lbs, and have recently switched back to the stock springs from the Progressives, and have added three 1/8th" thick washers (3/8ths" total; one washer is a nylon washer that is supposed to help smooth out the twisting of the spring as it compresses, from ACE Hardware; the others are from Orchard Supply) in each leg to obtain 1 and 3/4ths inches of sag (for riding in rain). It appears that 1/8th" of preload affects 1/16th of an inch of sag.

More here: http://gstwins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=202282#202282

[Alphamazing]

Okay scratch, that's perfect, as I weigh 130ish. The washers you have, are they 1/8" thick? One is made of nylon, what are the other two made of?

[scratch]

Not sure. They're shiney yellowish, so I'm guessing brass. I know I didn't want stainless, because I didn't want them to rust inside my tubes. I'll try to find out tonight and I'll get ya the diameter, too. Also, the dimentions of the nylon washers.

Yep, 1/8" thick (edited previos post).

[scratch]

Hardened washers from Orchard Supply (unknown metal); part no. 9326380, 9/16" (inside diameter of the hole); about 1 1/4" outside dia. Qty 6/bag. The plastic washers have a 3/8" hole and are about the same outside diameter.

[sprint_9]

Spacers and 15 wt oil is probably the best perforamce to money ratio you can get on the GS forks, I did it to mine and it was suprisingly very good.

[scratch]

I went to 5w Spectro (should'ave bought BelRay, cheaper witha more consistent viscosity; also, because I'ma lighweight); smoothed out the bumps, but if the bumps don't bother you and you want to minimize the dive, go with the 15w. Or, stay with the 10w.