Preload?

Questions and comments about converting to beefier forks..
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Indawoods
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Preload?

Post by Indawoods »

I checked suspensionnetwork and it says that the preload on my springs stock is 8mm.
Does anyone know how to adjust this?
Not that I am wanting too but rather IF I wanted to I could. I did not see any adjustment for this.....
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Post by Indawoods »

Can't be done I guess.....

There is no washer, spacer or anything to adjust. Just is what it is! Feels fine though..... no worries! :wink:
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Post by KDXGarage »

For MORE preload, you can install a thicker washer, more washers, a spacer or a longer spring.

For LESS preload, you can cut the springs down, or use a shorter spring or spring/spacer combination.

Maybe the spring length is part of the design of the complete system. Perhaps fewer parts = fewer problems.
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Post by canyncarvr »

Mine DID have a washer installed..and the RaceTech springs I got had a bag-o-washers for the same purpose (adding preload).

But...the preload with no washers was a bit more than I wanted anyway, so I took the existing washers out.

It does seem odd to me that the KX fork...being a hifalutin' setup compared to the KDX fork..does not have the 'adjustability' in the way of preload that the lowly KDX fork does have.

It's a good thing to not worry about stuff you can't do much (if anything) about. :wink:

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Post by KDXer »

This basically just verifies what Jason has said but also gives another spring option. This info is from my tuner.

Quote:

You can increase preload by installing spring spacers within the forks. Given that your forks utilise full length springs you can only reduce preload by having shorter ones installed. The Yamaha springs from the same year are 10 mms shorter.
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Post by canyncarvr »

Aha! THAT is interesting. So, considering that such a thing as a .38 spring of the correct diameter is available from Yamaha, I could add a few washers to get to what I want...about 3mm preload?

Looking at spring specs from a place like...RaceTech...they list the spring type and such, but that doesn't include the length of the spring.

Cool!

So...a Yamaha spring of the same 'type' as listed by RaceTech will be 10mm shorter than the CR springs I have now? That's a bit presumptive, ain't it?

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Post by KDXGarage »

canyncarvr, if you look under fork products, fork springs, it will list the length of the Race Tech brand spring.

Measure twice, cut once.

What springs do you currently have and what is the current preload?
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Post by canyncarvr »

RaceTech 414738s.

I wrote the preload down at home..someplace. 8mm or so as I recall.

Thanks for the info. I'd looked at their spring rate search page, but not the listing of their different products.

Maybe a 414638 is in my future! Heck, that and maybe one spacer would work pretty good!



Thanks, Jason! And thanks KayDee for getting me to look into it the first place!

..should'a done it sometime before now...

**edit**

Yup! RonAyers has springs for an '02 YZ250 (4146 series) for $36/ea!

I wonder if those are hotwound or not..................

A couple of them and a spacer or two would be right up my alley!!!

That and some $24/qt hot-rod fork fluid!!!

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Post by KDXGarage »

Thanks for the information.

I doubt that springs or high quality oil is what will fix what you currently don't like about your forks. In my humble opinion, and all that.
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Post by canyncarvr »

I don't either. But it would be more 'right' than what I have now.

I like 'right'.

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Post by KDXGarage »

OK, then make it MORE right by shuffling those shims. :mrgreen:

Take 'em all out and see how far in you can crank the adjuster. :mrgreen:
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Post by canyncarvr »

IwillIwillIwillIwill.

Take them all out? Now that would be a hotrod set of forks...oil getting squished through a hole in the base valve, regulated by a tapered screw! I'm sure an aired out landing wouldn't even come close to hydraulic lock on those liddle biddy holes! :wink:

I think I'll get that done right now!!! :roll:

Well, not really... I will take out a shim or two, though. I'm pondering the 10mm shorter spring/neat-o fluid idea....

When I find out that Mr. Fredette wants a whole lotta$$ for an oem cylinder, I may not 'update' my NEW suspension just yet...............

oh oh...I just jacked myseff.......... :wink:

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Post by skipro3 »

canyncarvr wrote:
IwillIwillIwillIwill.



oh oh...I just jacked myseff.......... :wink:
:shock:
Jerry

I'd rather be a smartass like carvr, than a dumbass like.... well, you fill in the blank!
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