Suspension Questions

Hey gang,

I'm looking to upgrade suspenders on my 1200 this spring.

I need some information on spring-rates.  Pretend I know nothing about springs or suspensions.

The shock and forks need to be able to handle 500lbs riders and load, and 260lbs when riding solo and fast.

Looking to do a re-valve up front with springs and a penske in back.

Anyone have spring-rate calculations that they can recommend?

Thanks in advance.

These were written pre 1200, so not directly applicable, but insightful reading. 

http://www.vfrdiscus...rate-calulator/

http://www.vfrdiscus...ransformed-wow/

http://www.vfrdiscus...ith-suspension/

Jamie is the definitive resource for suspension questions and can fix you up with the right setup.

http://www.daugherty...om/vfr1200.html

Jamie has my VFR forks now....he did my Valkyrie forks last summer and they are right on .....perfect

What kind of box did you use to ship your forks out?

Sent from my SM-N910T3 using Tapatalk

Linear springs either way, forget progressive.

^^ That's what Jamie fit to mine when he re-worked them.  Big improvement.  IMO best bang for the buck mod. 

These were written pre 1200, so not directly applicable, but insightful reading. 

http://www.vfrdiscus...rate-calulator/

http://www.vfrdiscus...ransformed-wow/

http://www.vfrdiscus...ith-suspension/

Jamie is the definitive resource for suspension questions and can fix you up with the right setup.

http://www.daugherty...om/vfr1200.html

Thanks Cogswell.  I'll give it a read.

Jon

i bubble wrapped the forks and shipped them in a standard cardboard box from the UPS store....no problems....plenty of bubble wrap !!!!

i actually reused the same box from the Valkyrie forks for the VFR....they should be back from Jamie soon....he's busy this time of year !!!

Is this good enough?
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Yes box em up and ship.

I wrapped mine like that, then put them in a rifle case, then put the rifle case in a box, and insured them for $1,000.............I don't trust the monkey's they have at the shipping facilities.

Remember the old American Tourister Luggage commercials with the gorilla?

the Valkyrie forks came back fine, i was able to reuse the box.....i had thought of using a gun case or shipping tube but the box was fine

Is this good enough?
[image: 08cf93693ebd197873d632166d773567.jpg]

Should be good.  Mine had less going and coming back from Jamie.  All was fine. 

that looks fine ....stuff more bubble around the forks until the box is full and makes a solid package

Ask Jamie to use your packaging for return ship, or pay him for better packaging. I sent mine heavily wrapped and protected. Jamie used his more affordable packaging for return. Forks arrived with the caliper mounts protruding from the box..slightly scuffed. That said, his work on my forks and OEM Shock transformed the bike's handling, very pleased. And all for less than $700US for a bolt on upgrade.

Got my forks back today and all I can say is wow definitely worth $350
[image: uploadfromtaptalk1459426458252.jpg] [image: uploadfromtaptalk1459426475436.jpg]

Sent from my SM-N910T3 using Tapatalk

I went with Ohlins for the rear.  After talks with the USA Ohlins service rep, I decided on the Ohlins -79 spring (that's 1085lb/in)--that's one step stiffer than stock.  I'm 185lb.

The sag is 10mm at only two clicks out (from softest), which is pretty much the minimum sag recommended (especially for a shaftie).  So either stock (1028) or 1085lb that I got would either be fine for my weight. 

Traxxion gave me 1.15 spring rate for the front with both rebound and compression adjustment.

Bubble wrapped in a rifle case is the way to go!    Front forks in the case, and the ECU on top.

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