Fork Springs

[scottieh]

I just wanted to report that the new spring feels amazing! Every bump is absorbed and the ride feels smoother. However I've noticed something I wanted to ask about. An unexpected consequence of a stiffer spring is that the rear wheel rests lower than before which gives the bike more clearance. But because the wheel is lower it causes the chain the roll over the chain rollers more frequently. I can actually hear the rollers spinning quickly every time I cruise to a stop as the chain has tension down on the roller. I don't think this is correct. It seems like this could cause unnecessary wear to the rollers and stretch the chain prematurely. Here's a photo. What do you think? With me on the bike the rubbing is reduced only a little

[Mezo]

With my 16 stone of mostly fat & water it would sit just right.

Mezo.

[xtrider]

That chain looks way too tight , that will keep the pressure off the roller. It should get tighter as the suspension squats, aka, with you on it.




.

[Eric66]

XTrider is right Scottie,with you sitting on the bike you should have about 1"-1,1/2" of play in the chain. With the chain that tight as you go over a bump it will actually stop the suspension from compressing which in turns puts a lot of force on the counter shaft. The way the rear geometry is the chain gets tighter as the suspension compresses so you need to let it have some more slack.
Regards Eric

[scottieh]

XTrider is right Scottie,with you sitting on the bike you should have about 1"-1,1/2" of play in the chain. With the chain that tight as you go over a bump it will actually stop the suspension from compressing which in turns puts a lot of force on the counter shaft. The way the rear geometry is the chain gets tighter as the suspension compresses so you need to let it have some more slack.
Regards Eric

The chain has about an inch of free play with me on the bike. Could stand to loosen it one notch

When I put the new chain and sprockets on and set the tension, the chain guide things that tell you how tight your chain needs to be turned out to require the setting of 6 and a notch. For being a brand new chain that seemed like a lot. I measured and cut my new chain to match the old chain length, but it seems like it's a little too long. How long is a link related to those chain guides and can I take a chance and cut another link out so I can have my tension guides set to 1 or 2?

[bosley1980]

I bought a Hyperpro rear shock based on the recommendations of the other forum members who have swapped out their stock spring for a stiffer spring. Today was the day I made the swap and the process was an adventure.

First here's the beast inside and then unleashed from its cage



And then here's the replacement spring from Hyperpro.



I called the New Jersey company EPM Performance Imports (+1 732-786-9777) and ordered the 1988 XT600Z spring, which as has been mentioned in past posts, will fit perfectly into the 43F shock. It cost about $160 total. The part number was SP-YA06 SSB 010. The rating for the progressive spring was between 100N/m - 170 N/m

Here they are side by side




It took a bit of ingenuity to compress the new spring onto the shock but I remembered an old story from Mezo wherein he used zip ties to hold the spring down so he could screw on the nut. Here's how we did it with the help of a small spring compressor




And the result!



I'll be reinstalling it later today or tomorrow and we shall see how well it holds up to extra weight.

Good choice ...
Satisfaction?

[@nders]

Hi, does anyonw have experiance with these springs (front)?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/121392980535?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT


Regards.

[steveloomis]

I bought a Hyperpro rear shock based on the recommendations of the other forum members who have swapped out their stock spring for a stiffer spring. Today was the day I made the swap and the process was an adventure.

First here's the beast inside and then unleashed from its cage



And then here's the replacement spring from Hyperpro.



I called the New Jersey company EPM Performance Imports (+1 732-786-9777) and ordered the 1988 XT600Z spring, which as has been mentioned in past posts, will fit perfectly into the 43F shock. It cost about $160 total. The part number was SP-YA06 SSB 010. The rating for the progressive spring was between 100N/m - 170 N/m

Here they are side by side





It took a bit of ingenuity to compress the new spring onto the shock but I remembered an old story from Mezo wherein he used zip ties to hold the spring down so he could screw on the nut. Here's how we did it with the help of a small spring compressor




And the result!



I'll be reinstalling it later today or tomorrow and we shall see how well it holds up to extra weight.

Good choice ...
Satisfaction?

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.

[xtzrick]

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.

It is possible to get your old shock re-built and re-valved for your new spring.

Rick

[steveloomis]

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.