KX Riders
Maintenance & Technical => KX500 Original => Topic started by: WOUpf59 on May 10, 2014, 02:21:32 PM
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Just bought a 1999 500 it is in really great shape and is a low hour bike. Suspension on it is stock as can be, I am a bigger guy, about 270lbs without riding gear. I am trying to figure out what spring rates I should buy for both the forks and shock. I have done the spring rate calculator on Race Tech's website and they recommend that I get 0.578 kg/mm for the forks and 6.73 kg/mm for the shock. I have heard that Race Tech is notorious for their suggestions being more on the stiffer side. I ride predominantly in the desert and I am a B class rider. I was wondering if anyone of similar size and speed has re-sprung their KX and what rates they used. I would hate to spend the $250 and have it be way to stiff for me.
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I'm 220 lb without gear and ride with those same springs that race tech recommends for you.
I'm not a mx champion so I don't fully compress my suspension too often.
I'm very satisfied with those spring rates,
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Thanks. I think I will probably just end up going with those springs. Having trouble finding much information on other possible spring rates.
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Yep.
It's like a big secret.... Ssssshhhhhhhh... Don't tell anyone what they need :-D
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scroll down to just above where you see "Honda", and read the **NOTE**
http://www.factoryconnection.com/sag/
more good info...
http://www.factoryconnection.com/bike-setup/trouble-shooting/
I've been using these guys since the mid 90s, and have never yet been disappointed by any of their work or advice...knock on wood.
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I'm 220 lb without gear and ride with those same springs that race tech recommends for you.
I'm not a mx champion so I don't fully compress my suspension too often.
I'm very satisfied with those spring rates,
sandblaster, where did you get your springs from? Looking at Race tech's website they do not list that they have fork springs or shock springs of that rate. The highest they list for the forks is .48 and 6,4 for the shock. I've convinced myself that I am going to buy the 0.57 fork springs and 6.7 shock spring per their spring calculator just having trouble finding somewhere that sells them both. Factory connection sells that shock spring but not the fork springs.
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I went with the highest spring they had for the shocks and the forks.
For you, I would call race tech and ask them
951-279-6655
If you find some that will work for you, write down what they are and I'll see what kind of a price I can get them for.
Also, check ebay... You can score some ridiculous deals if you know what you are looking for.
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I appreciate all the help. I was able to track down some springs from Darrel at Suspension by Design. He had fork springs all the way up to 0.54 kg/mm and shock springs as heavy as 7.4 kg/mm. He was the only provider that I could find that had fork springs stiffer than 0.48 kg/mm
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I appreciate all the help. I was able to track down some springs from Darrel at Suspension by Design. He had fork springs all the way up to 0.54 kg/mm and shock springs as heavy as 7.4 kg/mm. He was the only provider that I could find that had fork springs stiffer than 0.48 kg/mm
Can you get me the contact information for Suspension by Design? I am also looking for stiffer springs.....
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You can reach Darrel at 503-201-5698
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Ok.... Thanks!!!!
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Would you be interested in selling the stock spring? I think my bike has a harder than stock spring in it.
How do you tell what u got? The coils in mine are 12 mm dia
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I got 5.2 springs for the forks and 7.2 for the shock, love the setup
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WOUpf59,,, I was close to your weight a few weeks back,,, 265, and I purchased the racetech .48 springs, and they are SPOT ON! I have a 1997, the forks are STIFF in a good way. I lost 10 pounds in the past few weeks, because of the .48 (now at 255)!!! I had my rear shock spring replaced by Dave at STM suspension, and it is right on. My rear shock spring is for a 250 pound rider.
The suspension is now very good, and I am planning on loosing another 10 pounds ;) I am 6"5, and now have to work on the size 14's and the shifter.
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On your shifter, get a Hammerhead for a KX450f and order the one that is 20mm longer then stock.
It works good for my size 12's.
(http://www.oem-cycle.com/forum/download/file.php?id=1882)
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This is exactly what I need, thanks for the link
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Finally got a chance to go out and ride with the springs and i loved the setup. Definitely think that i got lucky with this setup.
I think I am going to keep the stock spring just in the off chance I choose to sell it at some point.
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Sorry, not to hijack this thread, but this question may be appropriate given the title.
Do stock shocks seem to have to have the preload adjuster really tight or far down? The reason I ask is because the KX500 that I bought a few months ago has Eibach springs in it that are spec'd for a 240 pound rider. I even called the shop that put them in for the guy, and they remembered he was a larger fellow. :-D I weight 190 without gear, but for me to get 4 inches of race sag the preload adjuster for the shock is about 85% of the way down. I have less shock to work with.
It just seems odd that I have a spring that is for a heavier rider, but I have to have the preload adjuster really tight for it to get the right amount of sag.
My engine getting rebuilt, and once the engine is back in I'll check the static sag to see where it is. Once I check the static sag I'll know for sure, but I can't imagine that I'd need a spring stiffer than a 5.8kg/mm spring, which is for riders 220lb+ on most sites that I've researched.
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Sorry, not to hijack this thread, but this question may be appropriate given the title.
Do stock shocks seem to have to have the preload adjuster really tight or far down? The reason I ask is because the KX500 that I bought a few months ago has Eibach springs in it that are spec'd for a 240 pound rider. I even called the shop that put them in for the guy, and they remembered he was a larger fellow. :-D I weight 190 without gear, but for me to get 4 inches of race sag the preload adjuster for the shock is about 85% of the way down. I have less shock to work with.
It just seems odd that I have a spring that is for a heavier rider, but I have to have the preload adjuster really tight for it to get the right amount of sag.
My engine getting rebuilt, and once the engine is back in I'll check the static sag to see where it is. Once I check the static sag I'll know for sure, but I can't imagine that I'd need a spring stiffer than a 5.8kg/mm spring, which is for riders 220lb+ on most sites that I've researched.
have you taken the suspension/linkage completely apart and gone through it entirely, checking for anything that could be worn, binding, dry, or bent?....or all of the above?.
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If I remember correctly turning the preload adj don does not effect the spring rate....Try finding springs for a 350 pound guy with out gear that is a pain in the ass :-D.
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have you taken the suspension/linkage completely apart and gone through it entirely, checking for anything that could be worn, binding, dry, or bent?....or all of the above?.
Funny, I just did that yesterday. :-D It all seemed to move ok, and if anything, 'seems' like it is too soft. Yet, the spring rate is for a 240 pound guy and I'm 190 without gear. ??? It could also be normal. The adjuster ring is down about 2/3 of the way toward the bottom.
It seemed fine when I rode it though, so I think I'll wait until I get my engine back from Tom Morgan and get the bike back together and check the static sag to compare it against the race sag. Until then, I'm just guessing.
I'm also going to drop my shock off at RG3 suspension here locally to have the fluid changed and the nitrogen recharged. Not sure if that will help or not, but I think the last time it was done was by a previous owner in 2012, so it's due anyway.
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I'm also going to drop my shock off at RG3 suspension here locally to have the fluid changed and the nitrogen recharged. Not sure if that will help or not, but I think the last time it was done was by a previous owner in 2012, so it's due anyway.
that should make a big difference....I have my suspension serviced twice a year....and some of my buddies that race weekly, service theirs as many as 8 times a year.
and every time I have it serviced, I do notice the difference.
matter of fact, I just had all the Race Tech gold valves/hardware pulled out of my 500 forks and had Factory Connection completely rebuild em a week ago....what a difference!
I never had any complaints with the Race Tech set up...but it's much more plush/smoother now.
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that should make a big difference....I have my suspension serviced twice a year....and some of my buddies that race weekly, service theirs as many as 8 times a year.
and every time I have it serviced, I do notice the difference.
matter of fact, I just had all the Race Tech gold valves/hardware pulled out of my 500 forks and had Factory Connection completely rebuild em a week ago....what a difference!
I never had any complaints with the Race Tech set up...but it's much more plush/smoother now.
Great to hear. I just dropped the shock off at RG3, so I asked them about it. They are gong to pull them apart and see what is in there and let me know. They will do the oil and nitrogen, and any seals that need to be replaced. I'm hoping it doesn't have desert valving, as I've always trail ridden with motocross valving since I raced when I wan't an older fart. lol The guy did say that the valving could cause it to sit down farther than it should, unless the spring itself is not right. It's only a 2 year old spring though, so doubt if it is mismarked. :?
I'd rather have it set up for mx so that I can hit the tracks when I want, and then trail or desert ride with the mx setup. I've never had a problem with that, but then again I'm not a competitive single track or desert rider. I just cruise around and take it easy.
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that's good...keep us posted.
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Foxx do you no what factory connection did to your forks , softer shim stack or some other type of piston ,what did they do with the gold valves ?
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Foxx do you no what factory connection did to your forks , softer shim stack or some other type of piston ,what did they do with the gold valves ?
no I don't know, I could find out with a phone call...
I've been using them guys for soooo long, they know exactly how I like it setup, just from my feedback I give them...he did ask me if I wanted the Race Tech stuff back, but it would just sit on a shelf in my shop for the next several years until I finally decided I would never use it again, and just throw em' out anyways....so I'm sure he either sold them, or tossed em out.
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I have a spare 500 ,still with the stock piston etc, like to know what brand stuff they used in your forks . Did they do anything with the mid valve etc? I do suspension as a part time job and hobby so any info would be great, thanks Foxx.
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have you taken the suspension/linkage completely apart and gone through it entirely, checking for anything that could be worn, binding, dry, or bent?....or all of the above?.
Funny, I just did that yesterday. :-D It all seemed to move ok, and if anything, 'seems' like it is too soft. Yet, the spring rate is for a 240 pound guy and I'm 190 without gear. ??? It could also be normal. The adjuster ring is down about 2/3 of the way toward the bottom.
It seemed fine when I rode it though, so I think I'll wait until I get my engine back from Tom Morgan and get the bike back together and check the static sag to compare it against the race sag. Until then, I'm just guessing.
I'm also going to drop my shock off at RG3 suspension here locally to have the fluid changed and the nitrogen recharged. Not sure if that will help or not, but I think the last time it was done was by a previous owner in 2012, so it's due anyway.
So, I think I have my answer as to why the shock spring (a shop put springs in for the last owner, who weighed 240 pounds) needed so much preload for me at 190 pounds. I dropped it off at RG3 last week, and they just called me this morning. They said the bladder was so compressed that when they took it apart that the shock sprayed the guy and sprayed half the shop. Doh! He also said there was hardly any nitrogen in the shock.
I asked him if this could explain why I needed to have the preload adjusted so far down, and he felt that it could. I asked what would cause that, and he basically said that the last time it was serviced (not by Pro Circuit) that they probably didn't put it back together right. He said I probably had very little rebound, so it should feel much better when I get it back.
I didn't get a chance to push it much, since it was just the start of my third short track session when the engine grenaded. :cry:
So, if others see something like this happening to them, I'd recommend getting the shock serviced by a reputable shop. Probably obvious, but just thought I'd mention it if this comes up during a search in the future.