rear spring and weight questions. WP shock

[DaveW_42]

Few quick questions for y'all. I've been slowly modding my std k8 to be my wet bike and have recently installed a WP 4014 rear shock. (similar to this one:http://www.moto-racing.co.uk/item--WP-Suspension-Road-Track-Shock-Kawasaki-ZX9R-ZX10R--ZX9QQS10+WP+4014+Shock.html)

Firstly, I have to say it installed absolutely brilliantly - no mucking about with new bolts or anything, just reused the old ones. Only mod was cutting down the battery box.
The shock feels great and is a massive improvement over stock, but the spring is a little soft for me. (I bought it off a bemsee guy who was 11st!) Normal road conditions it's fine but when I really push it I can feel it getting close to bottoming out. The cable tie round the shaft is about 3-4mm from the stop.

Bit of advice needed really as I've never mucked about this much...
The spring has 75-175 printed on the side. I assume 75 is the weight in Nwt/Kg or something and 175 is the length of the spring in mm. I think a 85 weight (standard on Ohlins shocks) would more suitable but I simply can't find the diamater of the spring which Faulkners or other people seem to need. I've checked all sorts of docs but nothing. Is the only solution take it off again and measure it?
Also - I've never refit a spring to a rear shock. Any special tools or anything needed and is it a difficult process? Somehting I could do in the shed or would it need specialist attention?

Cheers guys,
Dave

[DaveW_42]

UPDATE:
Just got off the phone to WP (now FTR as they closed last year apparently). FYI it's a 53mm internal diameter. They no longer manufacture springs either but I know faulkners will make pretty much anything for you.
53mm is not an off the shelf item so it's a custom made job. Basically I just need to double and triple check all the measurements, thickness of wire, length of spring, number of turns, how much it needs to compress, weight in Newtons etc. etc. and they'll build it for you.
A one off should cost about £70.

Has anyone ever fitted a new spring before?

[Berlin]

Be careful what you are told about WP! There seems to be a lot of mis-information in the UK about them "Closing down" and not making this or that anymore". I heard this is bad blood and circulated by the old distributor. I was told this recently when trying to buy a new spring for mine.

WP are still going strong and owned by KTM and AFAIK still make everything. I'd contact them directly.


C

[yorkie_chris]

Has anyone ever fitted a new spring before?
53mm... about 2 1/8ths. 2 1/4 is standard size, all hypercoils stuff like penske should fit fine.

If you are fussed about 1/8" of wobble you can make new collars.


Generally wind off all your preload and spring comes off. If hydraulic preload then pin to stop collars moving can be in the way and you need spring compressor.


All you care about is ID, free length and rate. Thickness of wire number of turns etc. is for spring maker to figure out.

[DaveW_42]

great stuff - cheers both of you. I'll try and get in touch with them tomorrow. I heard they'd setup shop in Austria near the KTM factory or something. Will let you know how I get on.

YC, would the 1/8" make any difference at all bearing in mind I would like to use it on track? From memory, I don't think the spring is right up on the edge of the collar anyway. If I can use an off the peg spring, it'd save me about £40.
Just checking std stuff - 2inches is about 51mm, 2 1/4 inches is about 58mm. I'm sure I'd have more than 2mm of play between the spring and the shock components.

Also, only going up 10N would I need to think about revalving or should it be OK as stock?

[yorkie_chris]

Measure the OD of the collar and see if a 2" one will fit once you have spring off. Faulkners are really good, next day delivery.

Whether you need to revalve it depends on where you are on adjustment already. You might get away with it, either way I would not think it would end up too far out.

[DaveW_42]

I've got it setup at standard at the mo so will hopefully still ahve plenty of adjustment left.
Cheers guys

[DaveW_42]

Hmmm... There certainly does seem to be something going on - specific to UK importers.
Here's a list of importers for WP products. None of which are in the UK or Ireland annoyingly. Seems I'll have to brush up on my French!

http://www.wpsuspension.biz/company/importeur.php

[DaveW_42]

Update again.
Thought I'd try and find a proper part first rather than have something made up or try and squeeze a different diameter spring on. You CAN still buy everything for these shocks, just no longer in the UK.
I got a german friend of mine from work to phone this place:

WP Suspension Germany
Waldkraiburger Str. 14
D-93073 Neutraubling
Phone: +49 (0) 9401 5212-25

All I've got to do is send through an email and paypal invoice to a very nice chap called Karl and job done! It's not as cheap as a std size spring in the UK but it's no where near as much as having one made up. Postage is only 10 euros too.