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#41 |
The Corner Whisperer
Name: Chris (aka Reactor)
Location: Northern KY
Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much.
MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13
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Goal: Shake A Million Hands | Look through the corners | Track Day Prep | Closest track? | The Mid-Ohio School |
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#42 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Kerry
Location: Ventura, CA
Join Date: Jan 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja650 Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Apr '18, Apr '17, Apr '16
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#43 |
Track Clown
Name: Chris
Location: Kingman, AZ
Join Date: May 2012 Motorcycle(s): '08 250R, 21 MV F3 800, Kawasaki 400 build Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Sep '15
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Since you are in Canada and riding season is over, spend some money on books. First recommendation is Total Control.
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#44 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Russ
Location: California
Join Date: Mar 2015 Motorcycle(s): '12 EX250JC Posts: 25
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JacRyann and ninjabraap have by far the most valuable input here.
From my experience, the bike in stock form was able to outperform both my physical and mental capabilities for over a year. This means the bike was able to maneuver faster than my body was capable of steering, with my arms, and mind. It wasn't until I intentionally sought out the limits of the bike (by the laws of physics) knowingly and willfully crashing it in a closed course, that I realized what the 250R can do. Most specifically, u-turns >30mph, and almost nose bleed handling on extremely tight mountain roads. At the end of the day, the only question to answer is "Am I willing to risk death attempting to find the limit of this machine?" Do note this is while in "stock form". The pics are in my photo albums and can be viewed by all ninjette.org members. I hope to save your life OP with this sentence : Take the "journey" slowly and savor every day of it. Finally, to exemplifly the mentality of upgrades, I will tell you the first upgrade I purchased was a 150 width rear tire. The concept was to eliminate the fear of rolling off the edge of the tire, as the 250R cannot mechanically/physically ride on the absolute edge of a 150 tire (youre on the fairings by then). Then it was rearsets to teach myself to lean that bike no matter what (to steer out of danger). You upgrade to teach yourself. Up to 90mph the bike WILL do more than you can tell it to. And at that speed, mistakes are...unforgiving Live to ride again another day ![]() |
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#45 |
ninjette.org member
Name: James
Location: Canada
Join Date: Oct 2017 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250 Posts: 69
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If i mess up on the road and get honked at, it helps me to be more aware for the rest of the drive/ride. I do the same so they'll pay more attention. Generally cursing is done within my car or helmet and rarely does the window need to be rolled down or helmet shield raised while I slowly roll up on the side of them for more personal advices on what they should do with themsevles..
After dealing with terrible customer services at cell phone providers here for years, I've discovered therapeutic use of yelling and cursing.. sorry for the late replies! didn't get notifications for these for some reason |
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#46 |
ninjette.org member
Name: James
Location: Canada
Join Date: Oct 2017 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250 Posts: 69
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#47 |
Nooblet
Name: Akima
Location: England
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Ninja 250R FI Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 5
MOTM - Oct '13
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The best upgrade I did to my Ninja 250R was putting a set of Diablo Rosso II tyres on it. The bike felt stuck to the road after doing that. Those particular tyres don't seem to last too long though.
I'm actually using Michelin Pilot Street Radial tyres now. These last much longer than the Diablo's, but they don't feel as sticky/grippy. They're definitely more confidence inspiring than the stock tyres though. Oh! Another thing I did which made a noticeable difference was upgrading to All Balls tapered roller steering bearings for the headset. Someone on this forum is in love with them and when I eventually needed my bearings replaced I could hear this guy in my head. I caved in and gave them a try. The steering did feel much better after doing so. If I had to choose between fancy tyres and the bearings I'd definitely choose the fancy tyres. If you're new to riding, make sure you get full protective gear before improving your bike. ATGATT and all that.
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#48 |
"a legend in my own mind"
Name: maverick9611
Location: Augusta,Georgia
Join Date: May 2017 Motorcycle(s): 2015 moto guzzi norge(brownie),2020 aprilia dorsoduro, Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Feb '18
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if ya wanna get froggy with exhaust and save some cash. check out the el cheapo exhaust threads.
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#49 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: James
Location: Canada
Join Date: Oct 2017 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250 Posts: 69
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Quote:
Will keep the bearings in mind. I checked the website and cost isn't too much.. might as well get em changed I guess. THanks! |
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#50 |
ninjette.org member
Name: James
Location: Canada
Join Date: Oct 2017 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250 Posts: 69
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#51 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: James
Location: Canada
Join Date: Oct 2017 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250 Posts: 69
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Quote:
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#52 | |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Bill
Location: Port Huron, Michigan
Join Date: Mar 2017 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Kawasaki 250 Ninja, 1982 Honda Ascot FT500 Posts: A lot.
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Quote:
Bill
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Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results each time. |
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#53 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: James
Location: Canada
Join Date: Oct 2017 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250 Posts: 69
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Quote:
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#54 | |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Bill
Location: Port Huron, Michigan
Join Date: Mar 2017 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Kawasaki 250 Ninja, 1982 Honda Ascot FT500 Posts: A lot.
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Quote:
Bill
__________________________________________________
Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results each time. |
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#55 | |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Bill
Location: Port Huron, Michigan
Join Date: Mar 2017 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Kawasaki 250 Ninja, 1982 Honda Ascot FT500 Posts: A lot.
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Quote:
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__________________________________________________
Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results each time. |
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#56 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Kerry
Location: Ventura, CA
Join Date: Jan 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja650 Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Apr '18, Apr '17, Apr '16
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#57 |
ninjette.org member
Name: James
Location: Canada
Join Date: Oct 2017 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250 Posts: 69
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been awhile since I posted anything...
anyone else buy mods to work on over the winter and just let it sit? it's tooooo cold to be doing anything up in Canada. R6 throttle tube has arrived so I been thinking about doing some work but I only got to unwrapping the bike cover and drooled a bit before heading back inside home. |
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#58 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: AKA JacRyann
Location: Mesa, AZ
Join Date: Dec 2011 Motorcycle(s): CB125T CBR250R-MC19 CBR250RR-MC22 NSR350R-MC21 VF500F CBR600RR SFV650 VFR750F R1M ST1300PA Valkyrie-F6C Posts: A lot.
MOTY - 2018, MOTM - Nov '17
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No heated garage or barn?
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#59 | |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Bill
Location: Port Huron, Michigan
Join Date: Mar 2017 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Kawasaki 250 Ninja, 1982 Honda Ascot FT500 Posts: A lot.
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Quote:
Bill
__________________________________________________
Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results each time. |
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#60 |
ninjette.org member
Name: James
Location: Canada
Join Date: Oct 2017 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250 Posts: 69
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#61 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: James
Location: Canada
Join Date: Oct 2017 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250 Posts: 69
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Quote:
I got stuck doing family duty.. |
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#62 | |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Bill
Location: Port Huron, Michigan
Join Date: Mar 2017 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Kawasaki 250 Ninja, 1982 Honda Ascot FT500 Posts: A lot.
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Quote:
Bill
__________________________________________________
Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results each time. |
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#63 |
"a legend in my own mind"
Name: maverick9611
Location: Augusta,Georgia
Join Date: May 2017 Motorcycle(s): 2015 moto guzzi norge(brownie),2020 aprilia dorsoduro, Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Feb '18
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#64 |
ninjette.org member
Name: James
Location: Canada
Join Date: Oct 2017 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250 Posts: 69
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Vinyl wrapped the free rear seat cowl I got from a friend.. but wrong colour (blue).
finally got around to wrapping it and I never want to do this again.. it's a mess but it will do for now I guess |
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#65 |
ninjette.org member
Name: James
Location: Canada
Join Date: Oct 2017 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250 Posts: 69
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update
weather isn't great but finally warm enough to get some work done on the bike.
Thought I'd start with the easiest and possibly the most anticipated upgrade (for me anyway) R6 throttle tube upgrade! tube is not from Yamaha but Motion Pro brand.. bought for 12 bucks at local shop. Only mod needed was to cut the end cap off. Helps to have motorcycle DIY shop near my place. ![]() Cables remounted and forgot about the hole on the bar.. but remembered after trying to fit the case back on and wondering why it's not closing/fitting properly.. How it looked last night. Had to ride to local motorcycle shop to buy a new grip like this in rain.. haha. Couldn't get the stock grip off the old tube.. figured I might as well get something new. Most difficult part of the whole upgrade was getting the bar ends off. Thanks Red locktite.. good thing the shop had a heat gun. Also for anyone else thinking about doing this upgrade, I'd say it's totally worth it. Not having to break my wrist trying to open up throttle is great. I got a new grip on now but forgot to take pix.. I'll include later with more updates. ** local shop told me to use hair spray to get the new grip on the tube.. it may sound silly but that did the trick.. easy slip on with bit of force |
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#66 |
ninjette.org member
Name: James
Location: Canada
Join Date: Oct 2017 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250 Posts: 69
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El cheapo installed
Upgrade process has been slow but it's happening!
stock can about to be ripped out of the bike As some members have mentioned in other el cheapo exhaust posts.. there is bit of gap in between and this lady who is restoring her sick 70s Ducati helped me with the installation (she pretty much installed herself for me.. ha). Using cut beer can as a shim ![]() We ended up cutting a bigger piece of beer can so it extends beyond the tip of the pipe fitment check with the spring. Those springs were PITA to install worked out alrite skipped out on 'Akropovic' sticker... There is bit of leakage between the exhaust and the metal thing it comes with but nothing leaking at the part where we beer can shimmed. No biggie I guess.. if it gets worse, I'll just get it welded or something. Sounds much better and kept the noise baffle thing in there. Next up is rejetting with dyno stage 2 kit and 40 pilot jets. |
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#67 |
ninjette.org member
Name: James
Location: Canada
Join Date: Oct 2017 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250 Posts: 69
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forgot to mention..
may require heat shield installation soon.. |
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#68 |
Certifiable nontundrum
Name: Harper
Location: NC Milkshake stand
Join Date: Mar 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2013 SE NINJA 300 Posts: Too much.
MOTM - Sep '13, Sep '16
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Looks good. That's a use for a beer can I haven't seen
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#69 |
ninjette.org member
Name: James
Location: Canada
Join Date: Oct 2017 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250 Posts: 69
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#70 | |
Certifiable nontundrum
Name: Harper
Location: NC Milkshake stand
Join Date: Mar 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2013 SE NINJA 300 Posts: Too much.
MOTM - Sep '13, Sep '16
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Quote:
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#71 |
"a legend in my own mind"
Name: maverick9611
Location: Augusta,Georgia
Join Date: May 2017 Motorcycle(s): 2015 moto guzzi norge(brownie),2020 aprilia dorsoduro, Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Feb '18
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most excellent
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"trying not to get old" ![]() |
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#72 |
EX500 full of EX250 parts
Name: Bill
Location: Grand Rapids-ish, MI
Join Date: Jul 2012 Motorcycle(s): '18 Ninja 400 • '09 Ninja 500R (selling) • '98 VFR800 (project) • '85 Vulcan VN700 (sold) Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 1
MOTM - Aug '15
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If you're a bigger rider, upgraded front springs may help a lot. This thread has a chart for quick reference of what spring rate you should be looking for with various weights. Based on RaceTech's calculators, the front springs are only good for <100lb, while the rear is optimal for ~210lb. If one end is good for your weight, the other end probably isn't.
The EX500 has even softer fork springs, but I consider them the single best mod (out of $2000+ that I've spent) I've done on the bike. If they're too soft, they won't be able to absorb bumps well, and they'll be squishy when you're pushing it hard. Getting springs of the right rate will make it perform better and be more comfortable at the same time.
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![]() *** Unregistered, I'm not your mom and I'm not paying for your parts, so do whatever you want with your own bike. *** |
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#73 |
"a legend in my own mind"
Name: maverick9611
Location: Augusta,Georgia
Join Date: May 2017 Motorcycle(s): 2015 moto guzzi norge(brownie),2020 aprilia dorsoduro, Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Feb '18
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exploited ninja just upgraded to race techs
here ya go. set for 200 lb. ebay way easier on purchase/shipping
i used 20 weight fork oil ![]() stock on left ![]() ![]()
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#74 |
ninjette.org member
Name: James
Location: Canada
Join Date: Oct 2017 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250 Posts: 69
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guys.. I appreciate the infos on front shocks/springs.. and I do have them on my list of to-do for the bike but I've reached the max budget for this year for bike mods and gears. (Bought some more riding gears for safety)
Married with a child that needs to be in daycare in Ontario, Canada is hard on my wallet. Around 1300 per month for daycare... and we just voted for a guy who ran on bringing back 1dollar beer as his political campaign over the other party that offered free daycare. Also, recommended that I do both front and rear to match the stiffness? on the bright side.. my goal for the second year of riding is to drag knee.. and I've recently touched knee on the ground ![]() Hopefully I'll have some bike mods to update with you guys over the weekend! dynojet stage 2 kit has been sitting on my shelf for too long. |
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#75 |
"a legend in my own mind"
Name: maverick9611
Location: Augusta,Georgia
Join Date: May 2017 Motorcycle(s): 2015 moto guzzi norge(brownie),2020 aprilia dorsoduro, Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Feb '18
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check out my el cheapo threads if your on a budget. good luck and looking forward to your mods
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#76 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: AKA JacRyann
Location: Mesa, AZ
Join Date: Dec 2011 Motorcycle(s): CB125T CBR250R-MC19 CBR250RR-MC22 NSR350R-MC21 VF500F CBR600RR SFV650 VFR750F R1M ST1300PA Valkyrie-F6C Posts: A lot.
MOTY - 2018, MOTM - Nov '17
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The rear suspension on new-gen is much improved over last generation due to some changes:
1. shock with stiffer spring and damping along with preload-adjustment 2. revised leverage-ratios with knuckle!!! This alone probably accounts for 80% of improvements. New knuckle moves shock more for same amount of wheel-travel. This increases leverage shock has on swingarm and same shock would have stronger "push" on swingarm. When I upgraded my pre-gen to new-gen rear-suspension with entire swingarm assembly, for giggles, I re-installed original pre-gen shock. Wow, it actually worked better!!! ![]() For fork-springs, other brands like Progressive or Bitubo can be had for less on eBay. No-cost option is to cut off 4" of spring and replace with PVC spacer. Back in '80s, when aftermarket products wasn't as abundant, this was pretty standard procedure. Last futzed with by DannoXYZ; July 13th, 2018 at 09:00 PM. |
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#77 |
ninjette.org member
Name: James
Location: Canada
Join Date: Oct 2017 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250 Posts: 69
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#78 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: James
Location: Canada
Join Date: Oct 2017 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250 Posts: 69
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Quote:
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#79 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: AKA JacRyann
Location: Mesa, AZ
Join Date: Dec 2011 Motorcycle(s): CB125T CBR250R-MC19 CBR250RR-MC22 NSR350R-MC21 VF500F CBR600RR SFV650 VFR750F R1M ST1300PA Valkyrie-F6C Posts: A lot.
MOTY - 2018, MOTM - Nov '17
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Yes, it does work because spring-stiffness is based upon number of coils. The more coils you have, the softer the spring (because each coil defects same amount given any load).. By removing some coils, you stiffen the spring. Usually removing 100mm is good amount on these bikes. Then adjust pre-load by using 105mm or 110mm PVC spacer.
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#80 |
EX500 full of EX250 parts
Name: Bill
Location: Grand Rapids-ish, MI
Join Date: Jul 2012 Motorcycle(s): '18 Ninja 400 • '09 Ninja 500R (selling) • '98 VFR800 (project) • '85 Vulcan VN700 (sold) Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 1
MOTM - Aug '15
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You can actually calculate how much to cut off the spring to give a desired rate.
new spring length * new spring rate = original spring length * original spring rate If the stock spring is 450mm long (that's just an example - don't actually use that number) and 0.65kg/mm, that gives you a total value of 292.5 for the stock spring. If you want it to be 0.75kg/mm, you just divide by that and get a new length of 390mm. For 0.85kg/mm, you'd end up with 344.1mm. If you want to get really precise and go for 0.7945kg/mm, cut it down to 368.16mm. The only downsides to cutting springs are that it's a permanent mod, and if you're really heavy, you may not be able to shorten it enough without interfering with operation of the spring (obviously you can only cut off so much length before it doesn't work in the fork). You'll need spacers to make up for the removed length of spring. The "extra" length of spacer in the fork tube (in either stock or modified form) is what creates preload. That's probably not the correct setting from the factory, and it will necessarily change when you change the spring rate. You'll probably have to tweak the length of your spacer to get the correct preload/sag setting. ProTip: It's easier to trim off a little than it is to add a little back - start longer and shorten it. If you have the preload properly set on the stock spring, you can compare the total length of the spring & spacer to the total length of the fork's spring chamber to figure out how much force it's applying on the spring. You can then use that to adjust your spacer length to give the same force on the new spring's rate.
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![]() *** Unregistered, I'm not your mom and I'm not paying for your parts, so do whatever you want with your own bike. *** |
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Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
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Upgrade the 250 or get new bike | dk58 | General Motorcycling Discussion | 53 | March 18th, 2012 12:49 PM |
Noob drops bike :( | Ash | !%@*#$%!)@#&!%@ I crashed! | 41 | June 22nd, 2010 12:18 AM |
Bike Upgrade, what would you get? | Apex | General Motorcycling Discussion | 100 | May 21st, 2009 08:18 PM |
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