| Author | Message | ||
     Aj2010 |
I am wondering if anyone out there has replaced the rear spring with something lighter? I have not ridden the bike on the track and likely never will. I find even with the compression damping backed all the way off and the preload on its lowest setting the ride is still harsh and not much travel is being used. Even with a passenger it only occasionally bottoms out (again on the softest setting) I weigh about 185 without gear. I have done the google search but not finding much. Anyone know of some aftermarket springs that offer a softer, smoother ride? Any help would be appreciated and thanks in advance  | ||
| Ratsmc |
I've found the ride to be a bit harsh as well. I went a little softer than the recommended settings for my weight and am slowly adjusting to softer. So far, the ride and more important, the handling have improved with each step. I think I am almost to the right spot and just need a little rebound damping and the harshness I am getting now seems to be following a bump rather than the initial hit. But I don't think the suspension will ever be "plush", at least not without handling like crap. | ||
| Jdugger |
I think I have a 550 spring on mine... | ||
| Dcmortalcoil |
I've been looking for a 475 to 500 spring for Erik Buell Racing shock. Haven't found any that would fit. I currently have 550, it hardly budges. I only weight 130lbs w/o gear. So imagine that. Even with the spring removed, it takes great force to move the piston. I need to put my entire weight on it to push it in, even at the lowest settings. In comparison, I can push in the OEM Shock piston with one hand. | ||
| Dirty_john |
Adjusting the shock preload does not effect the spring rate, I too am looking for a slightly lower rate spring for the OEM shock | ||
| Jdugger |
> I've been looking for a 475 to 500 spring Hyperco can wind one for you. Or, take the shock into a decent suspension shop and tell them what you want. Getting custom wound springs is done all the time. As for the valving, again, I'd take it to a suspension shop and have it serviced. | ||
| Aj2010 |
Did Buell not have lighter or heavier springs available as options? | ||
| Froggy |
No, Buell only had the one spring for the 1125. Unfortunately, you will have to go to the aftermarket and get it adjusted/replaced, or just deal with it. I am lighter than you and have a similar issue, but after having a Buell racer play with my suspension settings it is much better. | ||
| Nuts4mc |
Race-Tech lists the 1125r they show a 9 Kg/mm as stock and offer a 8.5kg as a lighter option - there are some adapters that need to be purchased to make their spring fit... http://www.racetech.com/ 9kg/mm = 504lbs/in ( stock) 8.5kg/mm = 476lbs/in( lighter option) for ref: 1kg/mm = 56lbs/in | ||
| Dcmortalcoil |
I looked into RaceTech's springs. The dimensions are bit different. 58.2mm inner diameter vs 56mm stock (one end, and 54mm opposite end). I think that's the reason why adapters are needed. Anyone try their spring? I was concerned with the fit. I tried RaceTech springs before on RC51 and had fit issues. | ||
| Aj2010 |
I have not done any spring interchanges on any bike yet. But I am thinking that a 6% lighter spring will not make the same kind of difference that adding a passenger does. (9Kg/mm vs. 8.5Kg/mm. For those who have some experience with this please let me know what your opinion is. I am trying to get this right the first time rather then ending up with a collection of springs that cost more then a performance shock would have. Thanks | ||
| Rogue_biker |
I weigh 230 without gear. I set the suspenion to my weight, by the book, and even then I too find the suspension to be harsher than what I want. I still have my Firebolt and an '07 VFR800 and both of these bikes have suspensions that are noticeably less harsh. The VFR feels plush to me now after riding the 1125R. The Firebolt feels perfect. So I know it's not my weight! My goal is to bring the 1125R to the same feel as my Firebolt and I'm hoping I can do that simply by turning down the compression and rebound damping. I think I'm fine with the spring rate. There is still a bit of bounciness when I hit certain sections of road that has be hobby-horsing and it really annoys. | ||
| Dirty_john |
I had a Manxton rear shock on my Firebolt and ended up getting hold of a spring with 10% less rate, I too feel that the standard 1125R spring is a little high in spring rate, next winter I will remove the standard spring, measure its free length and rate and get hold of a 10% lower rate spring as a test. | ||
| Nuts4mc |
Race tech "lighter spring" ( 8.5Kg or 450lb/in) P/N (1) SRSP5818085 (spring) P/N (2) SPSC5855 (Spring Collar 58x55mm) P/N (1) SPSC5852 (Spring Collar 55x52mm) one 58x55mm collar is for bottom of the spring (clevis end) one 55x52mm collar is "nested" inside the second 58x55mm collar for the top of the spring (on the ramped preload adjuster) my spring came with (1) 58x55mm collar you must purchase another 58x55 collar and (1) 55z52mm collar to make the spring fit. It's raining again out here ( left coast)...might get to try it next week - The shock moves when the bike is pivoted against the kick stand..looks like a good start.  | ||
| Aj2010 |
Nuts4mc, very much looking forward to hearing how much of an improvement this change gives you. Let me know if you would have liked to go lighter yet. I have not bought my spring yet, but will be soon. |
