Sonic Springs

[galahs]

Cheers mate, but I have already saved and printed your guide weeks ago   

I'm actually thinking I'll leave the softer spings in for this journey as I am familiar with how the bike handles atm, and having to learn the new handling prowess I'm sure the springs will provide should be left to shorter rides closer to home on familiar roads.

[galahs]

My 0.85  springs are in!

and New SAE10 fork oil


Was dark by the time I finished (should have started earlier  ) so I've only gone for a short stint so far.

the first thing I noticed is it doesn't bottom out on the bottom of my driveway anymore when I go alittle too quick

As for handling, there's an iprovement but I have to go for abit longer ride to comment further.

Plus I took photos of my install, might right up yet another spring guide 

[dweh54]

Just put in my .9kg sonic springs replacement with 10wt oil this past weekend.  Followed Alpha's write up, very good and detailed instructions.  The ride was excellent, went about 50 miles on them, the bike doesn't sage when I sit on it and no bottoming out issues either.  Bumps are absorbed better too.  Started at 9 am and done by 1, including a trip to the hardware store, the brake caliper bolts on my 94 were an 8mm allen bolt.

[galahs]

I did mine and the oil the lazy mans way! Took about an hour tops.


I can't write my review tonight about how much of an improvement they are as it rained so didn't get to ride it.

I found the hardest part was screwing on the top shock cap due to the spring load. Just couldn't get the right hand side (thread was slightly damaged at the factory I assume) thread to bite hard enough to hold the cap so I could take the ring spanner of it and re-tighten it another half turn. 

How much spring pre-load did you give it?

[dweh54]

I'm not sure because I never measured it.  I used Sonic Springs method of preload where you extend the fork, put everything in, mark of even with the top of the fork on the spacer then cut off .625 of the length of the fork cap.  I never recorded any of the measurements.  Sorry

[galahs]

Ok, now that the rain stopped and I got over my cold I finally got to do a decent ride to test out my new

0.85kg/mm springs matched with SAE10 fork oil. (I weigh 75kg)

Well, the initial softness of the springs whilst testing the compression by bouncing the in the driveway had me alittle concerned. I was thinking I had gone too soft.

But once I got out on the road I soon threw that idea out.



- No longer did the bike dip violently when I hit the anchors (brakes).

- the bike was easier to turn in at slow and fast speeds

- the suspension never bottomed out even on a speed hup that at half the speed would bottom out on the stock springs.

- was able to take a corner 20km/h faster than I ever dared to before as the front end no longer washed out mid corner.

- bump rebound settles much faster, increasing high speed stability.


The ride was alittle rougher than the stock springs on some back roads, but was not bone jarring uncomfortable.


So, I went 5kg/mm than what was recommended for my weight and I am glad I did. I wouldn't want the bike any softer, yet any firmer and long touring rides would be uncomfortable too.


But if I was looking at a pure 'performance" or "track setup" I think I'd go a 0.95 and 100kg/mm front respectively.



This mod was really easy (I did the lazy mans spring and fluid removal) and I highly recommend it to everyone!

[genEricStL]

Old post , but excellent one nonetheless .... ordering my Sonics right now ... thanks for the info fellas 

[GeeP]

Gah!  Old! 

The spacer material Sonic provides is gray plastic electrical conduit.  Not in my forks!  I made some out of 6061-T6 aircraft tubing.  Let me know if you want some aluminum spacers and I'll make a set up before Sunday for $20.

[MikeNW]

After my recent painful crash with my Concours, partly due to its terrible mushy, pogo stick, stock suspension, and toothpick-sized forks, I bought Sonic 1.1 and a fork brace.

The Sonics are a revelation.  No more dip and bounce.  They feel too stiff around town, but are perfect on the highway. 
The fork brace is worth the $$$ too.  The Concours is a porky pig and was prone to weaving in truck turbulence.  NO MORE!!!  Steady as a rock.  Sonic 1.1 are necessary due to its porky weight (560 lbs).  GS will probably use lighter springs.  You would not think the forks flex THAT much, but the fork brace made the bike steady.  Big improvement.  I was a doubter.

In summary, buy new springs, fork brace, and one grade heavier fork oil.  You will get a new bike for about $200.  Cheap. 

By the way, nuttin' wrong with PVC.  It has plenty of compressive strength.  I stuffed a PVC 3/4 inch pipe cap in my Shadow forks.  RIdes like it ought to.  Most bikes need additional pre load. 

[genEricStL]

Gah!  Old! 

The spacer material Sonic provides is gray plastic electrical conduit.  Not in my forks!  I made some out of 6061-T6 aircraft tubing.  Let me know if you want some aluminum spacers and I'll make a set up before Sunday for $20.

Go for it ... I was just thinking of taking a sawzall to the stockers , maybe a tubing cutter depending on what they're made of , but either way i'd have a ridge and/or burrs to contend with . How long are they ? Will they fit on my net on the pillion ?

btw - i'm gonna call Atkins and make sure he knows of the change in ride days ... he never responded in the "meet and greet"

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

I ordered my Sonic Springs on a Saturday, they Shipped on Tuesday, and I had them by Thursday. I also got emails from Sonic Springs every day updating me as to the status of my order (Ordered, billed, shipped, etc). Great service from those guys, and I HIGHLY recommend them.. AND they're cheaper than racetechs!

[The Buddha]

Gah!  Old! 

The spacer material Sonic provides is gray plastic electrical conduit.  Not in my forks!  I made some out of 6061-T6 aircraft tubing.  Let me know if you want some aluminum spacers and I'll make a set up before Sunday for $20.

I guess 6061 is better than the crapola steel suzuki puts in ... but I dont like metal in there, it can rub up and chew up the cap or the walls ... I guess I am being over kill ... but the schedule 80 pipe (AKA grey conduit pipe) is plenty good. As is the thinner sch 40. IMHO.
Cool.
Srinath.