125-200cc Dwight was Right! Wr-125-144 Suspension

[john01]

Thank you . I'm gonna give that a try with the rear and re-measure. When you say "my preload should be about 8mm" where do I take that measurement from the lock ring to the top where the threads stop? Thanks.

 

[johnnyboy]

MX bikes need more preload so they can bounce higher over jumps. Offroad bikes need plusher suspension so not to bounce off roots and rocks. How do you know what springs Antoine and Juha use ? Works bikes are also just that Works bikes. They could have altered suspension linkages. I also don't know what they weigh.

I didnt mean any offence Dwight its just that I tried a harder spring (5.8) and hated it, just never seemed to settle in turns very well and was real scetchy on chop exiting them as well even to the extent that in a fast 6th gear flatish corner it stepped out (more like let go) and planted me in a big and painfull heap lol and at my age thats not very funny
Will add that the spring did seem well harder than a 5.8
Antoines and Juhas bike were tested over here and some specs listed, one of them is fitted with a different linkage but cant find the artical to see what one is was ! if I can find it I will post it up as it was very interesting reading
Keep up the good work

 

[MattR]

Go read my post about setting suspension.
http://www.cafehusky.com/threads/vinduros-suspension-setup-recommendations.17836/#post-155652
You can set any suspension regardless of travel as long as you figure out your percentages. On the rear you want 11% of available travel in static sag and 34% in rider sag. You still want less than 10mm in preload on the shock spring. If you can't figure this , let me know and I will do it for you and post it here.

For the 2008 CR/WR125 with Rear Travel = 320mm:
I will target 35mm static sag (11%), 109mm rider sag (34%).

Thanks!

 

[john01]

So Matt what do you weigh and what springs are you gonna try?

 

[Vinduro]

I didnt mean any offence Dwight its just that I tried a harder spring (5.8) and hated it, just never seemed to settle in turns very well and was real scetchy on chop exiting them as well even to the extent that in a fast 6th gear flatish corner it stepped out (more like let go) and planted me in a big and painfull heap lol and at my age thats not very funny
Will add that the spring did seem well harder than a 5.8
Antoines and Juhas bike were tested over here and some specs listed, one of them is fitted with a different linkage but cant find the artical to see what one is was ! if I can find it I will post it up as it was very interesting reading
Keep up the good work

If you put on a "HARDER" spring then make sure you have backed off your preload and reset your rider sag. Also you should also have to increase your rebound on the shock about 1 click per .2kg of spring change. (Approx). Back way off on your compression. Especially your high speed. I am all the way off or nearly so on my high speed. Back off your low speed till you are bottoming softly then go back in a click or so.

 

[Vinduro]

Thank you . I'm gonna give that a try with the rear and re-measure. When you say "my preload should be about 8mm" where do I take that measurement from the lock ring to the top where the threads stop? Thanks.

No, I mean free spring length verses compressed spring length. Back off preload till the spring flops then measure fee length. Then recheck spring length when you get your static sag and rider sag set. When your sags are correct, you will have 8mm or less on the preload.

 

[john01]

Got it, thanks. I was sure thinking I needed to go much heavier than the stock springs in the front as well as the rear.

 

[MattR]

So Matt what do you weigh and what springs are you gonna try?

I weigh about 170lbs without gear. I won't be able to check sags until i get back next week from our family trip. I'm guessing that I will need to go down one size in front and up one size in rear.

 

[john01]

Ok thanks.

 

[CelticDude]

Just got back home from riding the Sawmill National Enduro. Not saying it was tough but I lost five pounds today! Anyway the new springs worked awesome and my bike is most excellent!

 

[Vinduro]

Sawmill National Enduro ??? The National Enduro was in Tennessee this weekend ?

 

[CelticDude]

OK. It's the Sawmill (National Format) Enduro!

 

[MattR]

Front suspension static sag should be 14% ( available travel in mm X .14 = static sag in mm)​

Front suspension rider sag should be 25% (X .25 = Rider sag)​

Rear suspension static sag should be 11% of available travel (X .11 = static sag)​

Rear suspension rider sag should be 34% of available travel (X .34 = rider sag)​

Dwight,

I need guidance on my next springs. My bike is a 2008 CR125 with stock springs. My weight is 173 lbs with street clothes and 185-191 lbs with riding gear and tool pouch.

I measured my sags and here is what I got:
Front (4.2 stock, 300mm travel):
Static = 44mm 34mm
Rider = 56mm 55mm

Rear (5.0 stock, 320mm travel):
Static = 33mm 26mm
Rider = 114mm 108mm

I had my helper measure a bunch of times and noticed Rider sag could vary quit a bit depending upon sitting position. I took the best averages. What spring rates should I try next?

 

[Vinduro]

.40kg fork springs. Maybe .38 but try the .40kg to start. I would decrease your current rear rider sag to 108 or 109mm and remeasure front sag.
On rear you are looking for 108-109mm with 35mm static. I would try 5.4 or 5.6kg to start. You are not as far off as I was.
I always measure my sags sitting on bike in the "Saddle" of the seat with my feet bearly tipping the ground just behind the pegs. Be sure to bleed forks before measuring. Sit in same spot every time so you can compare measures and changes. Sit in a slightly attack position. Not extreme but slightly bent elbows.

 

[MattR]

I would decrease your current rear rider sag to 108 or 109mm and remeasure front sag...

Dwight,
I adjusted my rear rider sag to ~108mm. I also used your suggestions to get more consistent measurements. It definitely helped and I had less variation this time. I edited my post above with the new results. What do you think about these results in regards to recommended spring rates?

I appreciate your help.
Thanks,
Matt

 

[Vinduro]

rear 5.4 or 5.6. If in doubt go to the heavier. Don't ride with shock springs till you get the correct sag numbers. Most shops will exchange if you don't ride with them.
Front. Still thinking you may want .38. If in doubt go with the .40. I use .40 and I weigh 185lbs . I get 40mm static and a perfect 75mm rider.

 

[MattR]

Thanks for the quick reply. I will start with the 5.6 rear and 0.40 front.

 

[CelticDude]

Hey Dwight, what did you end up for your front and rear rebound and compression clicker setings?

 

[Vinduro]

Not sure. I believe about +1 from stock on rebound front forks. Adjusted fork compression till bottoming out lightly then in 2 clicks.
Rear I am in 5 clicks from stock on rebound and high speed is in 1 from full out and low speed is in 3 clicks. Start compression from full out. In one click on rebound from stock for every increase of .2kg on rear shock. I am up from 5.0 to a 6.0 so I am in 5 clicks. Maybe 6 since oil change.

 

[MattR]

Rear 5.4 or 5.6.
Front. Still thinking you may want .38. If in doubt go with the .40

Hi Dwight,

Last night, I mounted up my new springs that I got from Hall's. The fronts are 0.40 kg (new) and rear is 5.4 kg (lightly used). After checking my sag settings, the front did not change too much which I found strange. There is a lot of stiction up front so perhaps this is the reason. The rear appears close to the your targets.

Here are my new sag settings (with full tank of gas + riding gear):
Front (0.40 kg, 300mm travel):
Static = 39mm (13%)
Rider = 58mm (19%)

Rear (5.4 kg, 320mm travel):
Static = 39mm (12%)
Rider = 109mm (34%)

Do you think I need 0.38kg on front or would a shorter preload spacer be acceptable?
Will the front rate decrease during some usage and perhaps fall into acceptable range?
What do you think about the rear?

P.S., the rear shock is a pain to get out. I had to remove the back half of my bike (subframe, airbox, and silencer) to gain access. Is this typical?
Do you have any tricks for getting the rear shock out in an easier fashion?

Thanks,
Matt

EDIT (5/24/2012): I re-checked sag settings tonight with full tank of gas and re-centered front axle and torqued lower triple clamp to 15 ft-lbs.