Anyone know anything about Progressive fork springs?

Alright...The VF will be going into the dealer in may to get its fork seals changed out since they have completely let go and started leaking. It means im probably gonna wind up not riding again till june but given its a safety issue more then anything else i can deal with that. Now the thing is im debating adding new progressive springs to the forks at the same time. Now my question is is it worth the cost to get them and will there be much benifit over stock?

 

I am sure that Progressive springs will help your front end ride higher in the travel which is generally a good thing, but it will also marginally increase your rake and trail wich will make your machine turn slower than it did previously. You will want to increase the rear ride height either by increasing the spring pre-load or installing a new slightly longer shock to get the bike balanced and turning quick.
JMO

 

I do not like the Progressive springs on the older VF's. They are basically the worst of both worlds. The best option is a straight rate spring. RaceTech and Sonic Springs (as well as others) offer straight rate springs. What I normally do is cut the stock ones down as that increases the rate. You have to accompany this with a longer spacer as well. The calculations are a little tricky for this so it's for everyone.

If there is anything I can do to help get your forks rebuilt sooner let me know. I hate to see someone out of commission like that.

 

One thing that would help a lot would be finding a source for some better springs for my VF.

 

See my post above - Race Tech and Sonic Springs both offer springs for the VF series. Both companies have a quality product too.

www.race-tech.com
www.sonicsprings.com

 

Neither site has a specific listing for the VF750..Race tech has the VF500 and thats it...Sonic doesnt even list either VF.

 

You'll find that's typical for the older VF's, you to call/e-mail them to check on availability.

 

Get 'em, youll love them

 

I prefer straight-rate over progressive as well. Progressively wound springs have some advantages on off-road bikes with lots of suspension travel, but can be really tricky to get tuned right on a street bike. And if you do not have progressive springs on the rear suspension, the bike will lose some of its' "balance", for lack of a better term.

I think the hardest part of modifying and tuning suspension is getting both ends to act the same. If they don't, it is no fun at all.

And Rich at Sonic Springs is great to work with. He can give you some great input.

 

Race-Tech's number is 951-279-6655.

They are located in California.

BZ

 

I put progressive springs on my VFR 750 but I also did Race tec gold valves at the same time so I have no head to head but I can tell you the valves were the best thing I ever did to the bike. The valves are "progressive" or dynamic if you will as well so I think the higher spring rate at the end of the stroke works well with the valve to help prevent bottoming out. Also helped alot under hard breaking but I attribute that to the fact the gold valves by pass the old anti dive knob. The valves are fully adjustable to its alot easier to tune (compared to changing fork oil). The bike no longer fishes or wobbles side to side under high speed turning when it hits bumps. You can still feel the back of the bike bucking though. I need to figure out an upgrade back there, its much harder to get the back working well since the shock stroke is so much shorther than the front. but hey, the back of the bike goes where the front goes for the most part :biggrin:

 

I swapped to Progressive springs when I went through my front end. I like the firmer ride.

 

Give a call to Rich at Sonic Springs, he's a great guy and very helpful. I got a set of springs from him not too long ago, for my VF750F. The springs are straight 1.0 and they are the same as used in the Kawasaki Concours, Rich'll fill you in on that. He's also the cheapest you'll find @ $80 for the pair.

 

now knowing they are the same as whats on the concours that makes it a bit easier to locate parts knowing a possible interchange. Im thinking the next round of upgrades will be sonic springs and emulators along with tapered roller bearings on the steering stem.

 

there really progressive

 

uh, what is?

 

Like this?



:wink: :biggrin:

 

Exactly like that....Now that just has me wanting to do the 1KR front end again...

 

Better off with a 1994 CBR600F2 front end.

 

Thought there was a lot more work involved with installing a CBR front end?