FS: ex500 fork springs $40 + shipping

AlanDog · April 26th, 2012, 11:23 PM

0.585 kg/mm straight rate springs (stock on pregen is 0.44, newgen is about 0.67). Actually not sure they fit a newgen...

I paid $75 for these from Ron Ayers, put less than 2k miles on them, and after many rounds of tuning the fork oil level and preload spacers, have decided they are too soft for me.

I would recommend these to someone, say 150 lbs or less. I weigh 185, btw. I plan to go to sonic springs to get more stiffness.

Ship from Woodland, calif, 95695

They can be upgraded without removing the forks from the bike, and I know all the tricks now, would be happy to provide tech support.

GeorgeRYoung · April 27th, 2012, 06:45 AM

Are you aware that if you cut the spring 10% shorter, the spring is 10% stiffer.

So a 0.585 spring would become a 0.65 kg/mm.

You'd need a spacer to replace the discarded length, PVC pipe works.

You also need to avoid cutting the spring so short that it binds.

But it's free!

dubojr1 · April 27th, 2012, 06:49 AM

hmmm... how is cutting the spring gonna stiffing it?

AlanDog · April 27th, 2012, 07:47 AM

you also have to flatten the end.... too much machining for me. Most likely I would screw it up. And a shorter spring has less travel, the 250 is already travel-challenged, it seems to me....

GeorgeRYoung · April 27th, 2012, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dubojr1

hmmm... how is cutting the spring gonna stiffing it?

If you have a 1 Kg/mm spring, when you put 1Kg weight on it, it compresses 1 mm. The top half of the spring compresses 1/2mm and the bottom half compresses 1/2mm.

If you chop the spring in half, if you put on 1 Kg of weight, it will compress 1/2 mm, i.e. it's now a 2 Kg/mm spring.

GeorgeRYoung · April 27th, 2012, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlanDog

you also have to flatten the end.... too much machining for me. Most likely I would screw it up. And a shorter spring has less travel, the 250 is already travel-challenged, it seems to me....

After cutting, I was able to bend and flatten the end with the heat from a propane torch. I doesn't have to be pretty because you stick a washer between the top of the spring and the new plastic spacer.

The 250 fork travel is limited to about 5" by the distance inside the slider that the fork tube can move up and down, not by spring bind. As long as you don't remove so many coils that the spring cannot compress 5", the fork travel would not change.

dubojr1 · April 27th, 2012, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeorgeRYoung

If you have a 1 Kg/mm spring, when you put 1Kg weight on it, it compresses 1 mm. The top half of the spring compresses 1/2mm and the bottom half compresses 1/2mm.

If you chop the spring in half, if you put on 1 Kg of weight, it will compress 1/2 mm, i.e. it's now a 2 Kg/mm spring.

Oh ok... That makes sense.

AlanDog · May 29th, 2012, 02:51 PM

I think I will keep these springs after my ride yesterday. They are definitely an upgrade from stock, which were dangerously soft in corners, and with all the rough roads I don't want to go too stiff (the front end is so light...). Also, I may sell the bike, and I think these springs will suit a wider range of riders.

April 26th, 2012, 11:23 PM	#1
AlanDog ninjette.org guru Name: Alan Location: Woodland, California (Sacramento area) Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2019 Ninja 400, 2009 KLX250-SF, 2014 Zero S Posts: 269	FS: ex500 fork springs $40 + shipping 0.585 kg/mm straight rate springs (stock on pregen is 0.44, newgen is about 0.67). Actually not sure they fit a newgen... I paid $75 for these from Ron Ayers, put less than 2k miles on them, and after many rounds of tuning the fork oil level and preload spacers, have decided they are too soft for me. I would recommend these to someone, say 150 lbs or less. I weigh 185, btw. I plan to go to sonic springs to get more stiffness. Ship from Woodland, calif, 95695 They can be upgraded without removing the forks from the bike, and I know all the tricks now, would be happy to provide tech support. Last futzed with by AlanDog; April 26th, 2012 at 11:26 PM. Reason: add detail

April 27th, 2012, 06:45 AM	#2
GeorgeRYoung ninjette.org member Name: George Location: Ottawa, Canada Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): EX250, C10 Concours Posts: 109	shorter springs are stiffer springs Are you aware that if you cut the spring 10% shorter, the spring is 10% stiffer. So a 0.585 spring would become a 0.65 kg/mm. You'd need a spacer to replace the discarded length, PVC pipe works. You also need to avoid cutting the spring so short that it binds. But it's free!

April 27th, 2012, 06:49 AM	#3
dubojr1 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jason Location: Jacksonville, Florida Join Date: May 2010 Motorcycle(s): 09 Ninja 250R SE, 07 Honda CRF230F, 06 Honda CRF150F Posts: A lot.	hmmm... how is cutting the spring gonna stiffing it? __________________________________________________ 09 250R SE: Paying it forward one post at a time! Don't forget to add yourself to our Member Map

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April 27th, 2012, 07:47 AM	#4
AlanDog ninjette.org guru Name: Alan Location: Woodland, California (Sacramento area) Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2019 Ninja 400, 2009 KLX250-SF, 2014 Zero S Posts: 269	you also have to flatten the end.... too much machining for me. Most likely I would screw it up. And a shorter spring has less travel, the 250 is already travel-challenged, it seems to me....

May 29th, 2012, 02:51 PM	#8
AlanDog ninjette.org guru Name: Alan Location: Woodland, California (Sacramento area) Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2019 Ninja 400, 2009 KLX250-SF, 2014 Zero S Posts: 269	I think I will keep these springs after my ride yesterday. They are definitely an upgrade from stock, which were dangerously soft in corners, and with all the rough roads I don't want to go too stiff (the front end is so light...). Also, I may sell the bike, and I think these springs will suit a wider range of riders.