Which fork springs do I have?

I picked up sv on Friday and the front forks don't feel as soft as I remember. Is there any way of finding out what spring is fitted when I take them out. It will be pretty obvious if the they are progressive springs but I'm wondering if the just heavier weight spring or the fork oil has only been changed.

The guy I brought the bike has only owned for a year and wasn't sure if they had be done.

Thanks

I looked on the Race tech site, they say the '99-'02 springs are .706 kg/mm and the '03-09 springs are .712 kg/mm. They don't list anything newer...
Anyway, you could sit some known weight on the springs while they were still in the forks and measure the deflection, then do some simple calculation to tell you the spring rate you have.

[jambo]

Springs from companies such as Ohlins & Racetech have the spring rate etched into one end of the spring or the other. Some companies do not feel the need to do this which is a pain.

All progressives are of a range of rates, so it becomes less relevant.

Jambo

Awesome news, I was hoping it would be etched on to the spring. Now I have brought the bike I'm just trying to keep the cost down trying to it into a road legal track bike.

[yorkie_chris]

stock ones look progressive too

Thanks for the help.

I'm getting a little confused now though. I weight 76 kg so went on race tech website to work out the correct spring rate and it came out with 0.91kg front which is way out from the standard front but it says 7.63kg for the rear which is more les stock.

I see most recommend zx10r 2007 shock which seems over sprung for me. Am I correct in this or do I have the wrong end on the stick? Also according the shock swap chart it would mean the gsxr600 2004 would be best option for me.

Originally Posted by chris SVK3

Thanks for the help.

I'm getting a little confused now though. I weight 76 kg so went on race tech website to work out the correct spring rate and it came out with 0.91kg front which is way out from the standard front but it says 7.63kg for the rear which is more les stock.

I see most recommend zx10r 2007 shock which seems over sprung for me. Am I correct in this or do I have the wrong end on the stick? Also according the shock swap chart it would mean the gsxr600 2004 would be best option for me.

I weigh the same as you and ran Ktech .85 linear springs up front with a 06/07 zx10r rear shock. (Also had debrix emulators, I'd recommend these to btw)

I found it a million times better than standard. The gsxr 600 K6 shock may be slightly more suited to your weight but for the hassle of cutting the battery tray I personally wouldn't bother when you consider the zx shock bolts on with no chopping at all.

The zx shock is only slightly firmer but you will have no trouble getting the rider sag/preload set for your weight, then it's just a case of adjusting comp/rebound to suit you.

Just taken your advice did. Zx10r shock 2006 just ordered. Thanks

As I said, it'll be a million times better than stock. There's a good step by step guide for fitting this shock floating around. I'll link it for you when I'm on a PC (on iPhone at the moment).

IMHO you'd be best doing the front springs & oil (if required) at the same time as the rear shock. If you do the rear on its own it'll highlight the rubbish standard front end even more (if indeed it is still standard)

Here you go link

It's the first few pages that are important. The rest is useful if you've got the time to read it as there are various suggestions regarding comp/rebound settings for different weights etc. Only use these as a guide though, as the final set up will be determind by you and how it feels personally.