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Buell Forum » Knowledge Vault (tech, parts, apparel, & accessories topics) » Chassis » Suspension - Forks, Isolators, Shocks, and Swingarm » Archive through September 07, 2008 » Stiffer springs for a Uly « Previous Next »

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Desmo900
Posted on Saturday, June 30, 2007 - 10:55 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Howdy, I've been doing some faster riding now that im over 2000 miles and looks like I'll need some stiffer springs front and rear for my 07 Ulysses.
Anyone know who carrys replacement springs?
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Littlefield
Posted on Sunday, July 01, 2007 - 12:03 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Ed at www.tracksideengineering.com can help.
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Blake
Posted on Monday, July 02, 2007 - 01:01 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

What leads you to conclude that you need stiffer springs?

Have you tried increasing the damping settings, especially the compression damping settings? You can also add a bit more oil to the forks to increase spring rate.
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Desmo900
Posted on Monday, July 02, 2007 - 05:47 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Installing stiffer springs is a normal deal for me.. I'm 6-4 and 320 lb. and ride pretty fast.. Brake dive and bottoming out the rear on wheelies and G-outs are a big problem.
Right now compression and rebound are at 1/2 turn out from max. Preload is at 2 lines showing. Increasing the oil level will not increase spring rate, but will help keep it from bottoming out.
I need to increase spring rate at the beginning of the stroke with Straight gauge springs... 1.2 kg will to nicely but i could make 1.0 springs stiffer by grinding 1/2 a wrap off one end.

But I need to find some fork springs the right length. If the bike was a FireBolt it would be no worrys, but I think the Uly has much longer springs.

Anyone Know for sure if the Uly has longer springs ??
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Blake
Posted on Tuesday, July 03, 2007 - 01:56 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

"Increasing the oil level will not increase spring rate, but will help keep it from bottoming out."

Clarification: Increasing the oil level will not increase the stiffness of the spring itself, but it will increase the overall spring rate of the forks. The air inside the forks acts in concert with the spring to provide the overall spring rate.

With your weight , I agree that you could make good use of some stiffer springs.
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Blake
Posted on Tuesday, July 03, 2007 - 01:59 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

BTW, I believe that the springs in the '07 model Ulysses are stiffer overall than those for the '06 models.
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Monkey
Posted on Thursday, September 06, 2007 - 07:14 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Any one know if the 07 uly springs will fit an 06? thx
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Alchemy
Posted on Friday, September 07, 2007 - 08:32 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I think the 07s are progressive. I thought I just posted this but I must have messed up somehow. The 07 will fit in the 06.
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Longdog_cymru
Posted on Friday, June 20, 2008 - 01:31 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

"Have you tried increasing the damping settings, especially the compression damping settings? You can also add a bit more oil to the forks to increase spring rate."

Sorry Blake, adding oil to your forks will not increase the spring rate.
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Gotj
Posted on Friday, June 20, 2008 - 07:53 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Longdog,

Please read all of the posts in the thread and then revise your comment as appropriate.
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Bad_karma
Posted on Saturday, June 21, 2008 - 12:19 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

ULY
You need a spring that is closer to your weight. Check out RaceTech, also American Sport Bike sales springs. I would also consider a gold valve upgrade or something of this type. These suspensions where not made for we who weigh more that 300 pounds. In addition these parts are sufficient for production but it is one of the places manufactures save money.
Good luck
Joe
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Petebueller
Posted on Saturday, June 21, 2008 - 12:21 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I'd be interested to know how progressive the '07 Uly springs are if anyone has checked them out.

I'd heard that the Firebolt had progressive springs, but when I swapped them out for Hyperpros they weren't.

The Hyperpro progressive springs work well in my Firebolt. You can get them for Ulys, they are a longer spring in answer to your question Desmo900.
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Petebueller
Posted on Saturday, June 21, 2008 - 07:53 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

They are quoted as variable triple rate springs so that answers my question.

The XT are also given as as triple rate springs, but the rates and not just the lengths are different.
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Longdog_cymru
Posted on Thursday, June 26, 2008 - 01:32 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Gojt,

I make no apologies for stating that adding oil does not increase the spring rate. It is a separate issue altogether. The spring rate is set during manufacture, you want a higher spring rate? Buy and fit a higher rated spring.
The air inside a fork leg does provide a small amount of "spring effect" but it does not and can not affect the mechanical rate of the spring. Add too much oil and you will get hydraulic lock in the front forks, then try braking for that bumpy corner!
We are able to set the pre-load which is effectively the ride height adjustment for the motorcycle, or static sag. This is done according to the weight of the rider + passenger + luggage carried. Once done, that should be it as long as the load doesn't vary.
I have cut 'n pasted a brief explanation of the effect of increasing or decreasing the oil level. Although the article refers to cartridge type internal, it pretty much applies to any modern front fork.
I have also added a few suspension set-up website addresses for those who are interested enough to read them.

Front fork oil level

First see manual. The modern front fork of cartridge type is very sensitive for oil Level changes, because of the small air volume Air inside the front fork works as a spring. The different level of oil effects the spring ratio from the middle of the stroke and has a very strong effect at the end of the stroke.

When the oil level is raised: The air spring in the later half stage of travel is stronger, and thus the front forks harder.

When the oil level is lowered: The air spring in the later half stage of travel is lessened, and thus the front forks are softer. The oil level works most effectively at the end of the fork travel.

This has nothing to do with the mechanical pre-load adjustment of the fork springs.

http://www.moto-racing.co.uk/Guides/motorcycleSusp ensionSetup.htm

http://www.sportrider.com/tech/146_0402_susp/index .html

http://www.sportrider.com/tech/146_0402_susp/index .html

http://www.motorcycle.co.uk/articles/suspension/ba sic_suspension_setup.html
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Gotj
Posted on Thursday, June 26, 2008 - 04:54 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Longdog,

All I was getting at was that you apparently had not read Blake's clarification (copied below since you apparently STILL have not read the whole thread) that already acknowledged the fact. Does your "Sorry Blake" still apply?

Blake wrote above well before your post:

"Increasing the oil level will not increase spring rate, but will help keep it from bottoming out."

Clarification: Increasing the oil level will not increase the stiffness of the spring itself, but it will increase the overall spring rate of the forks. The air inside the forks acts in concert with the spring to provide the overall spring rate.
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Longdog_cymru
Posted on Friday, June 27, 2008 - 04:01 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Gojt,

Firstly, I read the thread before posting initially.
Secondly, I am not having a pop at anyone here, and I am sorry if that's the way you appear to have taken it.
There is a wealth of information and experience on this site and I have immense respect for the majority of contributors. However, I am simply pointing out that while the air volume in the fork can affect the spring ratio, it does not affect the spring rate, (i.e. the mechanical qualities built into the spring at manufacture). There is a difference between these terms and I make no apologies for pointing this out.
Maybe there is a slightly different meaning in terminology on each side of the Atlantic, the potayto/potato, tomayto/tomato syndrome?

I will apologise if I appear pedantic, but I felt it important to clarify the differences here. I am sure that's what Blake meant in his posting. No offence intended to anyone.}
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Number67
Posted on Sunday, August 10, 2008 - 12:42 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Well, seeing as nobody touched my post in the "quick post" section, I get the hint that my question is better posted here under the correct category.
Most of you are vastly more knowledgeable than me, so I'm humbly seeking a little guidance here.
Questions:
Would it be possible to match the ground clearance and stiffer suspension of the Uly XT by changing out the springs and rear shock on a 2007 or 2006 Uly X? Would it even be that complicated, or is there enough room in the pre-load, damping & rebound of the stock set to bring it pretty close? i know i could also get the corbin seat to lower the seat hight about 1.5" to help the cause.

Reason: Sold my X1, selling my Harley, would like to go with a Uly & a track bike, maybe even the 1125. Uly X soft suspension doesn't quite work for my riding style, but the XT is great for my 5'11" 170 pounds.
If i get the new XT, there goes all the ca$h.. no track bike, no 1125.
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