front spring upgrade help

78cobra · Post by **78cobra** » Fri Feb 27, 2015 3:39 am

Hi, I'm in the middle of rebuilding... more like semi restore-modding my 94 fzr1000. I just ordered a zx12r rear shock and some 4 possition jack up links. I need to do my front fork seals and figured with the rear end mod I needs springs and help deciding

Has anyone ever put progressive springs like hyperpro or used race tech?

If this helps, My bike is a summer daily driver. I hit the corners quite often and scrape the toe, so quite agressive when I do. I also do a decent amount of highway rides, which usually include high speed runs. I do ride two up often enough, enough that my rear suspension is actually dialed in for 2 up corners. I weight about 135 lb.

Stig · Post by **Stig** » Wed Mar 04, 2015 5:54 pm

I opted for Ohlins springs. They werent as expensive as you might think...around £95 a few years back. Deinitely made a possitive difference in the front

coops · Post by **coops** » Thu Mar 05, 2015 2:37 am

Don't use All Balls fork seals.
Don't use All Balls anything.

Stig · Post by **Stig** » Thu Mar 05, 2015 4:13 am

coops wrote:Don't use All Balls fork seals.
Don't use All Balls anything.

I had no complaints about their bearing and bush sets I bought for the KX125 but would agree about aftermarket fork seals. Always go for genuine Yam, they'll pay for themselves by outlasting other brands

78cobra · Post by **78cobra** » Thu Mar 05, 2015 5:59 am

Ya, I was originally going to use aftermarket seals. Then after a couple of reviews I figured for the extra 20 bucks factory is worth it.

Stigma do you remember the spring rating of the springs and what oil you ran. Could you give me details on feel feed back and cornering characteristics?

At the absolute least to the front end I'm debating on 10w or 15w fork oil. Definitely not 15w if I upgrade the springs. 95 euro, isn't bad that's about the cheapest I found for hyper pro, with oil. I think about 70 euro for race tech. And my motorcycle rebuild funds are running low.

Stig · Post by **Stig** » Thu Mar 05, 2015 10:39 am

I'm no factory rider for sure but the front definitely soaked up the bumps alot smoother, held its line well too. I run 10W oil which is equivilent to factory spec for my 90 model (116mm/535cc)

greasemeup · Post by **greasemeup** » Mon Mar 09, 2015 4:56 am

Best advice I could give would be watch Dave Moss videos until you have a clear idea of what to expect from your bike then work out a plan from there.

Dave recommends linear springs front & rear.

On damping rod forks use heavier oil weight to slow rebound.

What type of forks do you have?

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78cobra · Post by **78cobra** » Tue Mar 10, 2015 1:10 pm

We're can i find the video, i have been reading up & doing research. Is it a learn motorcycle suspension geometry type vid. Because I do know what I can extract out of my bike. Being a lighter guy I really have to muscle it around. So I want to help that out. And the rear and front the past two seasons have been very dodgy around corners. Just getting warn out ,badly.

Stig, any specs on the ohlins springs kg/mm, I can't seem to find squat, and they don't seem available in the US. I have found a us company very good price. They offer .85 to 1.10..... but looking at the free downloaded repair manual (1989) not 94. It states factory is 1.6 kg/mm pg 32. That seems high knowing my bike and compared to other simular bikes.

78cobra · Post by **78cobra** » Tue Mar 10, 2015 4:22 pm

Found it.

greasemeup · Post by **greasemeup** » Wed Mar 11, 2015 5:24 pm

According to Racetech web site & spring weight calculator for 94 FZR1000 with 65kg rider & gear weight -
Standard spring rate is .779kg/mm
Suggested rate is .89kg/mm
With a difference of .1 it seems your springs are bang on if that's your weight. Start looking elsewhere for issues.

What type of forks does your bike have, cartridge or damping rod?

If you are muscling your bike around, why? Are the tires too fat, not enough pressure, steering bearings serviced, oil changed, forks set too high in clamps, rear dragging because you havens done your static sag setup properly?

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78cobra · Post by **78cobra** » Fri Mar 13, 2015 1:34 am

I know what my problem is, worn out springs with one leaky fork and the other either dry or good with 51k mile worn out fork oil thus less way less oil viscosity the stock rating.

That video was very use full! I think getting springs rated for my weight and riding style if budget allows and proper tuning will be best. Then 1 or two suspension books learn them. Measure my bike as per book, and tune on from there.

By that stock spring rating of race tech i would not be bang on. Buying .90kg/mm would be almost bang on for street. By their calculator. I did find it were it was, i just been over worked fixing friends cars the past week.

I guess I was asking because I'm so use to owning such messes of cars that I have to learn to drive for how much a pos the veh is. When I bring them back to 'better than stock' I like knowing were other people are at so I can help use that in my calculation, of were I'm going to start.... thanks guys.

greasemeup · Post by **greasemeup** » Sat Mar 14, 2015 4:40 am

Keep us informed of your changes / experiences to complete the picture and close out this thread, best for future readers to read a thread that's got an outcome not just a problem.

pictures as well please

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78cobra · Post by **78cobra** » Sun Mar 15, 2015 9:51 am

That I will do. I can't stand when you find a thread online and it's so interesting or you know it's going to answer that question you have and bamb..... nothing.

78cobra · Post by **78cobra** » Sat Apr 25, 2015 5:40 pm

So front spring upgrade will be delayed probably a few month. due to the fact my other bike's engine is totally shot & it has to be running this year, preferably with a turbo. I will update this when any suspension work is done front or rear. Other than that my other suspension parts have arrived, rear jack up kit from ProJection. So all the rear suspension parts are here. Jack up kit, and zx10r rear shock.

What I thought was odd was the fact that they sent that candy with the part. Not sure if I'm going to try it or not. And i wish they would have sent some decals with the part.

willandrip · Post by **willandrip** » Sun Apr 26, 2015 1:14 am

Kayla probably sent the sweets to cheer you up after she heard you found your bike had stood outside for a year.

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