Spring Question

[turbo100]

Hello all.
I have a Te250-08 and my weight is about 100Kg (~220Lbs).

I also have three backend springs that I am having a problem to identify them:

Black original - too weak I assume
Yellow Öhlin 06310-15/62 L148
Blue RaceTech 232605 622852

Is any of above usable for my weight?
Where can I get the data for above springs and suggestion to what I might need?

 

[lankydoug]

I weigh 210 and don't ride motocross just woods and mostly tight single track so I like mine a bit on the soft side and I'm really happy with a 5.6 shock spring on both the Ohlins on my GasGas and the Sachs on my Husky WR250. Since you are a little heavier and your bike is a little heavier I would think the minimum for you would be a 5.8 and if you're a 90' triple landing AA motocrosser a 6.0 or even a 6.2 might be the way to go. It's all about getting the SAG to fall in place.

The black original should have the # on the bottom of the spring where it meets the retainer. (spring must be removed to see it)
I looked my ohlins spring up on the Ohlins website. (I think, it's been a while)
No idea on the RaceTech I'd call them.

 

[turbo100]

Hi,
I do mostly sunday riding on tight rocky tracks - no jumps for me!
Then - i suppose the 15/62 Ohlin would be too stiff for me..

 

[lankydoug]

Hi,
I do mostly sunday riding on tight rocky tracks - no jumps for me!
Then - i suppose the 15/62 Ohlin would be too stiff for me..

If you ride similar to the way I do, and it sounds like you do, I would recommend a 5.8. My factory spring was a 5.4 and just going one step to a 5.6 made a big difference on handling. A 6.2 is two steps stiffer than what I would recommend. There is others on this forum that know more than me maybe they will chime in with a suggestion.

 

[DG Harv Serv]

Best to fit the spring to the bike and set the rider sag (normally about 100-110mm), then check the static sag (you are looking for about 25-30mm).

If you have less than 20mm static sag Spring is too soft / more than 35mm spring to hard .

This is a good "rule of thumb" .

 

[lankydoug]

Best to fit the spring to the bike and set the rider sag (normally about 100-110mm), then check the static sag (you are looking for about 25-30mm).

If you have less than 20mm static sag Spring is too soft / more than 35mm spring to hard .

This is a good "rule of thumb" .

My WR250 came out in the middle of the recommended sag specs with 10mm preload that's why I figured turbo100 would need a 5.8 since rider and bike are just a little heavier.

 

[turbo100]

Hello - I made some measurements now..


Vinduro's setup recomendation:
My fork travle 300mm (11.8 inch)
My shock travle 296mm (11.65 inch)
Static front sag 14% 300 = 42mm
Rider front sag 25% 300 = 75mm
Static back sag 11% 296 = 32,5mm
Rider back sag 34% 296 = 100,6mm

My measurements:
Front1 (Wheels off ground) 599
Front2 Static sag 562 37mm (42)
Front3 Rider sag 540 59mm (75)

Rear1 (Wheels off ground) 719
Rear2 Static sag 681 38mm (32.5)
Rear3 Rider sag 581 138mm (100.6)

Comments on those springs, anyone?

 

[lankydoug]

How much preload is in the rear spring? The front looks a hare stiff but I would not change it until you got the rear right because if you bring the rear up it will transfer more to the front.

Which springs did you get these numbers with?

 

[HUSKYnXJnWI]

I would adjust the preload on your rear to 100-105mm- then check your static sag of your rear see how close it is to 32-35mm. THEN I'd check your fork sags again. Right now it "looks" like you could get away with increasing rear preload and decreasing front preload- but you won't know for sure till you make the adjustments and measure again.

 

[turbo100]

Hello,
The spring mounted is a RaceTech 232605 622852 (im 220..)
- that I surfed and found RT SHK SPR 63.4x60.6x270 5.2kg (5.4 is original I understand..)
So the mounted RaceTech is weaker than original..

I also have a Ohlin spring - 06310-15/62 L148 - as I understand is a 62N/mm => 6.32Kg

Q for you: how do I measure preload on the rear spring?

 

[lankydoug]

Hello,
The spring mounted is a RaceTech 232605 622852 (im 220..)
- that I surfed and found RT SHK SPR 63.4x60.6x270 5.2kg (5.4 is original I understand..)
So the mounted RaceTech is weaker than original..

I also have a Ohlin spring - 06310-15/62 L148 - as I understand is a 62N/mm => 6.32Kg

Q for you: how do I measure preload on the rear spring?

Spring preload is the difference in mm of the spring on the shock with zero tension on it compared to after you tighten the spanner nut to achieve the proper rider and static sag. Usually if you have the correct spring it will require a preload of about 10mm. With the shock off the bike I set the preload at 10mm and then adjust it a little either way to get the sag numbers within spec. If you can't get the sag numbers to come in correctly you have the wrong spring.

 

[turbo100]

Ok,
I think i get it..
Does a picuter like this really say anything??

 

[lankydoug]

Ok,
I think i get it..
Does a picuter like this really say anything??

No, there are shorter and longer springs. You would have to take that measurement (pictured 22mm) and then back off the two adjuster nuts until there is zero tension on the spring and then take another measurement. The difference would be the preload. Aftermarket springs and Ohlins springs that interchange with Sachs springs are typically different in length but if it falls within the area of adjustability of the shock it makes no difference.

 

[turbo100]

Hi & many thanks for the help.

back off the two adjuster nuts until there is zero tension on the spring and then take another measurement

I suppose this is done with the bike lifted up - the wheels above ground, right?

 

[lankydoug]

Hi & many thanks for the help.
I suppose this is done with the bike lifted up - the wheels above ground, right?

Right. I set mine at 10mm with shock off the bike so I don't have to adjust it a long way either way once the shock is on the bike. (too hard to get to)

 

[turbo100]

Can I change spring myself?

 

[lankydoug]

Can I change spring myself?

Yes. With the shock off once you loosen the preload spanner nuts all the way the spring will be loose and you can remove the retainer from the bottom end of the shock and the spring will slide off.

I had a spring that was just long enough to prevent me from removing/installing the retainer so I got a pair of the really cheap tie downs (the ratchet kind without the hooks) and made a single wrap around the 2nd coil of the top and bottom of the spring (one on each side) and ratcheted them down to compress the spring. Most of the time you don't need a spring compressing tool at all.

 

[turbo100]

Hello,
Thanks for all the input - I really appreciate it!
I brought my fork to service at my local dirtbike dealer today.
When they are done I will increase preload to 100mm rider sag and check the static as you suggested.
I understand that messing with the fork is not worth while before rear sag is OK.
Thanks for all input!