Progressive springs

[willandrip]

As I have upgraded rear end on 3EN2 No.1 it seems pointless not to upgrade front.
Now I know people will want to inundate me with alternative replacement front fork options but has anyone tried Wirth progressive springs from Germany?.. Hagon dont list springs for 41 mm forks only 1wg and SP so may use them on my SP later but at present trying to get the first one out of the way (flippin work has intervened just when I didn't want it ,so progress is very slow).
Many recommend progressives on small lightweights yet others do not rate them..
I do notice the difference on the 1000r's between stock and Hagon but have no experience of Wirth.

[Evilchicken0]

To me a spring's a spring - you might even find these two companies don't manufacture their componants.

[willandrip]

Quite true Boris,but I have had leaf springs from different makers,some good and some bent as I let the jack down.Not the same application I know!!
It was more a question on progressives really as I dont think there is any real alternative except by keep hacking a spring that fits tube shorter and shorter after test rides until you get something to work.Thats a lot of work if someone has already used aftermarket and can recommend something .Surely on here people have replaced springs that are 25 years old and were soft to start with or it woud be like the Magic Roundabout on a meet and rideout !!!!!!

[Hogdigerdy Dog]

i wouldn't bother with progressive springs, there just a generic spring for a particular bike and don't take into account the riders weight or style,

i use maxton springs and spacers, made to my immense bulk and their spot on (after some fetteling )
if your forks are non adjustable then all you got to play with is preload by way of shortening the spacers, and as maxton are pretty much race orientated you can bet their recommendations will be on the stiff side, leaving a bit of play for road use, or just ask em to put 10mm on the spacers and you got plenty to play with.

http://www.maxtonsuspension.co.uk/

this is a bit old now and for the 3tj1/4dx but gives you an idea of what they can do just depends on your budget, springs and spacers were £120 for mt tj

http://www.mediafire.com/view/?d5vf4xsmjucr6m6

[Evilchicken0]

^^^ as above really - you can also use a different weight oil to change the damping (but it sounds like a bit of an arse).

Of course you could find a Foxeye forks spindle and wheel to bolt into your clamps, the discs and calipers should fit too.

[willandrip]

i wouldn't bother with progressive springs, there just a generic spring for a particular bike and don't take into account the riders weight or style,

i use maxton springs and spacers, made to my immense bulk and their spot on (after some fetteling )
if your forks are non adjustable then all you got to play with is preload by way of shortening the spacers, and as maxton are pretty much race orientated you can bet their recommendations will be on the stiff side, leaving a bit of play for road use, or just ask em to put 10mm on the spacers and you got plenty to play with.

http://www.maxtonsuspension.co.uk/

Cheers for link,I had tried to forget about those lot; When I worked for an international team in the late seventies on 2 stroke Yamahas I got an unexpected bill for nearly £500 on what should have been a warranty item (cracked s/a and monoshock mount fitted to an 0w29) and had a confirmation letter from them to that effect. Once the work had been done they tried to invoice for repairs.I vowed then to never use them again.Probably different management now,but an old dog has a long memory.(sorry to digress but a spring that needs fettling after being made to a spec is overpriced. Might as well just start chopping generic springs and packing with spacers till it suits which is a long drawn out process,got the tee-shirt,and was something I was trying to avoid. True progressives for a stated model should be able to supply a smooth ride over undulations yet be resistant to dive under heavy braking or deacceleration whilst maintaining road wheel contact without "chatter"). As you state without preload individual settings can only adjusted via spacer tube.It takes a very good rider/suspension technician combination to achieve the ideal and I'm unfortunately neither.

[cagiva996]

im intrigued now,you worked for an international race team with tz750,i need to know more,who did you work for and who rode the bike bill.ferry brouwers got an ow29 in the classic yamaha race team,i saw it at donington at a crmc round a month or two ago.tz750s awsome bike.saw steve baker on his at mallory last year too,still fast as f%ck for an old fella!.go on spill the beans

[CRM]

I live 5 mins walk from them, and for the record its still ron williams that owns it, run by his son now.
moved premesis though, 200 yards away in a much better building.

[willandrip]

Hamiltons, the engine was originally a straight head 700 when it came but upgraded to angled 750 very soon after and went into a Windle slidey after destroying the original intended chassis (Fiddamen),the 0w29 lay about for a bit till further engine parts became available but I cannot remember who campaigned it.(think it was Micky Burns)2x D.N.F. @ I.O.M.
I have had my hands on some ,what was very exotic kit in its day but its just like being the old bloke down the pub who once had a Goldie now.There was always a lot of top race gear lying round in those days along with top riders and remembering who was who, was very daunting for a 17 year old boy at the time. I will ask around next time I'm out as I'm sure some of the other blokes have kept photos from back then.Truthfully; in parts, it is a time I tried to forget as it seemed every decent bloke you met got crippled or killed.Circuit safety,rider protection and medical advances have transformed road racing in the past few years.Also I will add; circuit owners have become much greedier.

[Hogdigerdy Dog]

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