Front suspension questions.

[brassmonkey001]

I have a set of Wilbers springs I bought on ebay.de some months back. I think I'll chuck them in while I've got the front end down but having pulled the spring out of the left strut it is about 6" shorter than the Wilbers spring. It's about the same length as the OE spring and the spacer together so I assume you ditch the spacer or are they the wrong springs?

Also, is there any difference between left and right springs being as the struts do different jobs?

It's a 1988 Paralever R80GS. Are the springs/fork the same as the later PD model or is there a differemce?

 

[VAL. H.]

I have a set of Wilbers springs I bought on ebay.de some months back. I think I'll chuck them in while I've got the front end down but having pulled the spring out of the left strut it is about 6" shorter than the Wilbers spring. It's about the same length as the OE spring and the spacer together so I assume you ditch the spacer or are they the wrong springs?

Also, is there any difference between left and right springs being as the struts do different jobs?

It's a 1988 Paralever R80GS. Are the springs/fork the same as the later PD model or is there a differemce?

Hmm! now there's a conundrem.

I think I read somewhere that you ditch the spacers 'though this does sound a bit odd'. It might be worth putting a very short spacer in, unless the spring matches the top cap.

Try it anyway, ride it up the road and see what you think

Don't forget the Gentlemens weekend is this weekend will you


Val.

 

[Beemerboff]

Every set of springs I have seen have been the same each side.

I have seen other aftermarket springs which are similar, that is, as long as the combined OEM spring and spacer,so I wouldnt worry about that.

I have fitted the HPN cartridge inserts, which work perfectly.They give around 15 mm less sag with a 14 stone rider in place so I"d be aiming for around there too.

The damping is adjustable on the fly with the HPN inserts ,and I like them with a bit more damping, probably 50% more rebound, and about 25 % more compression, so thicker fork oil is also called for in your stock fork. I read somewhere someones recommendations, so the information is out there somewhere, either on this site or Adventure riders.I have seen 12 1/2 wt in rebound and 10 in the compression side mentioned, but there is more from someone who has done a bit more fine tuning - a few turns on the HPN adjusters makes a big difference off road.

 

[Redboots]

I assume you ditch the spacer...

Also, is there any difference between left and right springs being as the struts do different jobs?

Correct and nope

John

 

[brassmonkey001]

Correct and nope

John

Cool.
What weight oil is recommended? I was going to make up the Howard Millichope mix but maybe I don't need to?
I've got a litre of 15 and a litre of 20.

 

[Redboots]

Cool.
What weight oil is recommended? I was going to make up the Howard Millichope mix but maybe I don't need to?
I've got a litre of 15 and a litre of 20.

Personally I don/t subscribe to mixing. I currently have 15w in but I think a 10w would be more suited. That's with progressive springs.

With 15w think its a little harsh on bridge gaskets and the like.

Depends what YOU like though

John

 

[Kenny]

Agreed...10w is max for this ..ahem..dated suspension

 

[John Armstrong]

Agreed...10w is max for this ..ahem..dated suspension

OP has a paralever, not your pogo sticks mascarading as suspension

I have 10 wt in mine btw, seems to be ok most of the time