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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: darb85 on April 07, 2008, 12:50:07 PM

Title: Fork Spring Spacers
Post by: darb85 on April 07, 2008, 12:50:07 PM
Ok so I have Kat Front end that im replacings the springs out of, Im wondering on the spacers,  Do i cut them shorter than the orginal ones that were in there or the same length?  The new springs are 2 coils longer than the original ones.

Im assuming slightly shorter.. but who knows.
Title: Re: Fork Spring Spacers
Post by: ben2go on April 07, 2008, 06:22:24 PM
You need to set the sag at 3/4 inch or 20mm.If you bought springs they should have come with PVC spacer material.Sag is how much the forks compress when the weight of the bike is on both wheels.you can use simple tie wraps on the tubes to tell what the sag is.You want the ties tight enough they won't slide down the forks but not tight enough they leave marks in the dust seals.Once you have the ties on, set the bike on the ground, don't set it down hard.Then lift the front back up.Measure the distance between the tie and the dust seal.That's your sag.To set it just subtract or add what you need to get 3/4 inch or 20mm.
Title: Re: Fork Spring Spacers
Post by: darb85 on April 07, 2008, 11:13:22 PM
run that bye me again?  im missing something....

pics maybe?
Title: Re: Fork Spring Spacers
Post by: zrx2000 on April 08, 2008, 01:07:25 PM
The total length of the new spring+spacer should be the same total length of the old spring+spacer to achieve the same amount of preload.  Shorter total length = less preload and longer = more preload.  More preload = less sag when you sit on the bike.
Title: Re: Fork Spring Spacers
Post by: ben2go on April 08, 2008, 01:13:19 PM
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/howto/122_0508_motorcycle_suspension_setup/index.html

http://www.sportrider.com/tech/146_9508_tech/index.html

http://www.roadracinghelp.com/TechArticle/April/basic_spring_and_sag_setup.htm

This should help.
Title: Re: Fork Spring Spacers
Post by: darb85 on April 08, 2008, 01:15:06 PM
perfect thanks!