Softly Softly - Spring rates

Originally Posted by alpinestarhero

ok, tell us all

I am glad you asked!!

Put the forks in at full length, so I assume that would raise the front by 31mm, perhaps a bit less as I am not sure if there is a differing length of the internals ?

Anyway ..

Braking as hard as I could from speed .. and bearing in mind I currently have a Pilot Road on the front (I know - I know ), coupled with the fact it was a cold road/ambient temp a little damp in places too, I also have well worn pads, and the geometry differences, I couldn't get the bike to fully stand on its nose, but I broke a hard as I could/dare with that tyre and the conditions .. the back wheel would have been very light at this point ... so I'd say 95% on the front ...

On inspection, there is 38mm of travel left between the bottom of the bottom yoke and the top of the rubber dust seal on the forks ..

So I intend to drop the front 20mm and try again tomorrow ..

One thing can tell you - the springs are NOT .45kg/mm

Originally Posted by Blue_SV650S

There is 38mm of travel left between the bottom of the bottom yoke and the top of the rubber dust seal on the forks ..

Am i right in thinking these would never touch regardless? Ie spring fully compressed is longer than stanchion?

Originally Posted by injury_ian

Am i right in thinking these would never touch regardless? Ie spring fully compressed is longer than stanchion?

I don't know how far the forks can compress in total before becoming totally coilbound, but I am assuming it'd hit the bottom yoke first ...

Oh, forgot to report, I dropped the forks 25mm. I have consequently had the bike 'on its nose' and I still have ~18mm to play with, so look like I can get the full 31mm back if I wanted

Feck knows where the 0.45 came from

[Sid Squid]

Originally Posted by Blue_SV650S

I don't know how far the forks can compress in total before becoming totally coilbound, but I am assuming it'd hit the bottom yoke first ...

The fork won't ever become coilbound, the tubes will hit the oil-lock pieces first.

.45 is very low, as you say this could be the initial rate, and you're right, that info alone is pretty meaningless.

EDIT: Forgot to say: I think you'll be fine putting the forks at the same height as the originals, the Bandit forks have the same, (from memory anyhoo), internals, (in the important areas at least), as the SV does, as such I'd expect them to have the same travel, the Bandit's just higher up.

[TSM]

What is the recomended spring rate for the SV then.

The stock is ment to be .709kg/mm or so, the GSXR K2 600 forks ive got are ment to be .780kg/mm, feals ok and quite stiff, duno about the rear spring rates, i think i may have gone a bit ott with a 650 spring.

[yorkie_chris]

Anyone know what stock rate is in the SRAD gixxer forks?

I'm around 11.5 stone plus gear, close to correct?

Originally Posted by TSM

What is the recomended spring rate for the SV then.

The stock is ment to be .709kg/mm or so, the GSXR K2 600 forks ive got are ment to be .780kg/mm, feals ok and quite stiff, duno about the rear spring rates, i think i may have gone a bit ott with a 650 spring.

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

Anyone know what stock rate is in the SRAD gixxer forks?

I'm around 11.5 stone plus gear, close to correct?

Take a look 4 yaselns

http://www.racetech.com/evalving/menu/searchstreet.asp

[TSM]

Seems its like 0.745 kg/mm for me 70kg, thats for the street riding option, for racing its 0.810 kg/mm, so ime halfway between the two, which is ok i think, the ride does not feal harsh.

Originally Posted by TSM

Seems its like 0.745 kg/mm for me 70kg, thats for the street riding option, for racing its 0.810 kg/mm, so ime halfway between the two, which is ok i think, the ride does not feal harsh.

I got .80 springs in my trackbike and I think they are too stiff!!

I am ~85kg nekked.