Fork Springs

[scottieh]

I did the same thing last summer for my 86 XT600 USA model. It did not compress as far and held the bike up better. The problem I had was when in Colorado last September on really rough terrain the back end would pogo since the dampening was not improved. I was pitched off about 3 times and crashed, no damage to me or bike but I learned the hard way that a heavier duty spring REQUIRES more dampening. If you have an adjustable dampening shock, no problem. The XT is not adjustable so I feel it was a waste of money. YMMV. I plan to get a complete shock assy that is adjustable.

Does anyone have suggestions, I've heard about Wilbers but do not know which model I should get or where. In the mean time I am going to install the old shock and spring, I used a spare newer one to put the new HyperPro spring on.

i too am experiencing a tough time with the stiffer rear spring. My trouble is that i keep breaking the damping rod or the preload adjuster. So far I've straight up broken one rod, and on the second shock the preload adjuster just broke yesterday. Im afraid the whole rod will break now. My theory is that the rebound of the stiffer spring is too much for the assembly to handle and it tears the whole thing apart with every quick rebound. A better damper is required. YSS makes a shock to match the dimensions of the 43F xt series which i am carefully eyeing as the price is about $500 plus shipping and takes about a month to ship. Dont know if it will accept the hyperpro spring.

[xtzrick]

I've heard about getting the old shock rebuilt but do not know who can do this, can anyone point me in the right direction? I am the USA.

Racetech rebuild them, THIS is a list of their distributers some of which will have their own shock dyno.

Or google "shock rebuild"

Rick

[steveloomis]

I have followed up on the Wilbers shock. I contacted Ted Porter at www.wilbersamerica.com, sent him my bike info, weight and most important my phone number. He called me back the same day. If you go to the website you can see a video of Ted. Anyway, we discussed my Hyperpro spring and he was very familiar with it and said the main problem is the progressive wind of the spring. The soft part is usually too soft and the harder part is usually too hard not to mention it over powers the stock dampener.

Ted gave me the prices of the Wilbers shocks. One (model 641) has a reservoir and has compression and rebound dampening with separate controls, the non reservoir model 640 adjusts both compression and dampening with one control. His prices are better than eBay by far. His company has the necessary equipment to check the performance of the shock. A $15000.00 machine.

He offered a less expensive YSS shock which is similar to the Wilbers 640 and is an emulsion shock without the reservoir. It can be built with the correct non progressive spring for the XT600 for about 500 bucks. I am considering the YSS shock. The wilbers is of course the BEST option but a 619 to 849 is pretty steep in price.

Below is an excerpt of Teds return email:

As we discussed the Wilbers choices will be home runs, especially if you decide to go with their 3 way "641" model which will give you rebound, high/low speed compression adjust and threaded preload adjust. It normally sells for $879.00, but due to the strength of the dollar these days we have dropped the price to $849.00. I could offer free shipping on this.

The Wilbers 640 model is no slouch, as I mentioned I have a customer with an R100GS BMW who rides very aggressively off road with this shock and really likes it. I'm sure there are others too, but he comes to mind since we rebuilt his shock recently. This shock sells for $619.00 and has rebound/compression on one knob, and threaded preload adjust.

The YSS product is similar to the Wilbers 640 and is a great value. We sell quite a few of these shocks due to their price point and they are impressive considering the lower cost. Designed by a former Dutch engineer from WP named Harri Essens in Holland, they are a robust shock with a 16mm shaft and 50mm cylinder (Wilbers is very durable with a 14mm shaft and 46 mm body) which means a high oil capacity for good thermal stability and a very stout shaft. This shock has the same features as the 640 Wilbers plus length adjuster and sells for $499.00.

Wilbers has a 5 year warranty, YSS has a two year warranty.

Email Ted for more info, he is very easy to talk to and quite informative. He did say that he will be gone next week to a BMW meet in Montana but would answer email.

I will post if and when I go this route and which shock I got, leaning to the less expensive YSS due to the age of the bike, can't make a modern bike out of it but can improve it.

Steve

[scottieh]

Great info, thanks Steve. Makes me think that I'll be turning that expensive hyperpro spring into a pogo stick soon. Maybe somebody out there wants a stock shock with a too loose or too tight spring in one.

[steveloomis]

Just to follow up, I have just gotten my XT out after sitting for over 2 years. I have just cleaned the carbs and going over everything else along with a new battery. I did order and receive the Wilbers 641 fully adjustable shock and new Matching front fork springs for my weight. I have not installed them yet but am excited to get them fitted and adjusted. I'll report here when installed.

[kevingrahambutler]

It all makes interesting reading, I suppose if that's how you want to go with your xt, the hole point with having a 1985 xt is the rawness of the thing, I do ride modern bikes but I'm alway drawn back to my xt cos I like it just the way it is,

[BS1948]

I am a great believer in 'if it's the way you enjoy it, why mess with it!' but I must admit my 2003 4PT dropped like a stone at the front when the brakes were touched. I don't suppose my 15 and a half stone(dressed) helped!

So, today I have fitted a pair of Wirth springs and used 15W fork oil. Just been out for a test ride and it is an amazing difference. It feels a lot more solid and eases down in a much more relaxed fashion when the brakes are applied. Also feels much better steering into roundabouts. Well pleased,

Took about 3 hours being careful.