Looking to upgrade the fork springs.
Now I know there has been a lot of coverage on this topic, but I still don't know which to get.

I've now spoken and read up about a lot of different types and makes, and received so much conflicting info that I decided that you guys must know the best.

Afterall, I'm sure the guys and gals on here have tested and used the majority of available products on the market so far.

So Please help.

So now after reading and getting every ones replies to this, I've gone against everything that came up here!

I know ----------

Ordered Wilbers Progressive Springs 2 day, only USD123.00 and USD48.00 for shipping.

Had a look at the flow charts of both the Wilbers and Hyper Pro springs, and I have to say I can't see a difference, besides the name on the packaging. I wonder if Wilbers isn't supplied by HyperPro? Well will get these in about 10 days...

Can't wait to see the difference in handeling.

Will also drop the fron with 1" as suggested by HyperPro, with 5W Putoline Fully Synthetic Fork Oil.

Now if I could only learn to actually ride the Bird, that'll really help...





LOL

I used Eibach 1Kg springs with 37mm sag. Also have Suspension Tech rebound and compression valves with a custom shim stack, and 2.5 weight oil. It was worth the trouble to have it done but the labour (and expertise) was a little pricey. I'd do it myself next time. Difference is very noticable. A lot of the roads are the quality of goat tracks down here. I also have the 5mm longer Wilbers shock on the back from the group buy.
The suspension mods are the best money I have spent on any bike.
The bike is much better on heavy braking, cornering (with Pilot Powers :D ) and rough roads, but it is still plush on longer trips.
Get the front done, It's worth it.

By the way, the springs make the most difference. The valves help but lighter oil is cheaper alternative that is nearly as effective.

Race Tech 1.1 springs
+ Gold Valves
+ 2.5W oil
+ 6MM shimmed rear

=

Night and day difference in handling 8) Cheap, IMO, and I did it myself :lol:

I'm running Ohlins 1.05's from Jaws.

Hyperpro. It's the only fully progressive spring, giving you comfort when touring, and better rideability when speeding.......
We did a group buy in Holland after testing a few set-ups of several Blackbirds with different shock/spring manufacturers.
Over 30 riders did a testrun on several bikes. Everybody who did testruns bought the Hyperpro! They were that much better.....
Only the guys who never tried Hyperpro bought Öhlins, Technoflex or WP. The other brands you never see here in Holland

RaceTech.

What about Progressive???

They make fork springs for just about everything out there.

Where did you find 1.1 springs? The Race Tech website only shows as high as 1.0, and, uh, ahem, I would be best-suited to the 1.1s.

BTW, the springs from Jaws are about 100mm longer than the stockers with correspondingly shorter spacers.

I thought I had the wrong springs at first, but John confirmed that they were Ohlins and designed by a 'Bird owner in Europe who is involved with a racing suspension company. This guy rides a 'Bird of his own and uses this set-up with 10 wt. fork oil.

http://www.casporttouring.com/store/mercha...ry_Code=rcetech

I called them and they have a lot more applications than listed on line........ Got my springs and valves from dem :wink:

Googled for Hyperpro and found a American website. Only listed through 99 xx. Are there differences? I have asked for tech support, but it is a holiday. Do they make different sizes for us ++ riders?

Edit, just released this question, and my mail updated. Doug Cameron the hyperpro distributor left this phone number. 888-963-1212 Says he rides a XX.

http://www.hyperprousa.com is the USA site, I am going to be getting the springs from them myself, and possible a rear shock.

Have had Hyperpro springs in my 2001 for 17,000 miles and am still pleased. I use 5W fork oil rather than the recommended 2.5W because the ride is better for me.

I have the HyperPros in my FJR... seem to be pretty good springs....

Helvet is becoming a dealer in January, you might want to hold out till then.

Sure he might have a better deal for us.

Wow. What a shock.

Hey, I take offence to that remark! :lol:
I was a fan of Hyperpro long before I had the idea to start my own shop and include them......
I've already sold over 60 sets to BB-riders without being a dealer, and without making any money with it..... So why not try and make a living with my hobby? The big business for me will still be my regular job (Sales Accountant for Safety-gear), and it will be supplemented by selling my tires in Holland..... (Michelin, Bridgestone, Pirelli, Dunlop and Metzeler).

ROTFL!

Reminds me of Alphabird and Dan Kyle! :D

OK :?: :?:

I just checked out Hyperpro's USA site.

Do they only sell one weight of fork springs? I am 280 lbs.

$175 delivered for fork springs, is there anywhere selling Hyperpro for less?

I'll be doing my steeringhead bearings and fork oil (for the first time :oops: ) over the winter and might as well drop in some good fork springs.

So now it's becoming more confusing....

Received a couple of emails back from various people in the racing industry, and manufacturers worldwide....

The majority of replies that came back was not to use any progressive spring on a XX, but rather use 10% stiffer springs with an air gap of
125mm and 10W oil.

I suppose this forum can't all be wrong now can they....

So now why have I not yet seen anyone mentioning much about the wilbers setup?

Cost for Wilbers Progressive springs are USD 123.00 excluding shipping and handeling.

Requested a flow chart from both Wilbers and Hyper Pro, and after looking at this I'm wondering if it's not the same spring, with a different name on the box.... Same digits right through to the top on the paper....

hmmmmm..... Maybe I'll go for the Wilbers, they are cheaper...

That's the info I got from Jaws. I also mentioned earlier that my springs are 1.05 kg/mm. I weigh about 245# with gear and they work well for me. Richard Cranium rode my bike a couple of weeks ago. Ask him how he liked it.

Are we going to have to wait until spring to place an order?

I was hoping Helvet would answer my questions about hyperpro but he hasn't chimmed in yet.

Hey Helvet, how much will it cost to ship 1, 2 or 4 tires to Utah? :stickpoke: :P

Hi guys, sorry for the delay.......
As you might be able to understand I was busy. Setting up shop is a lot of work.

I'll try and answer your questions about suspension and tires.

1. I just checked out Hyperpro's USA site.
Do they only sell one weight of fork springs? I am 280 lbs.
$175 delivered for fork springs, is there anywhere selling Hyperpro for less?
Hyperpro only sells 1 type of spring for every bike. The theory is that because it has a fully progressive spring (and not a 2-step progressive spring like most others) you will automatically come to the right preload needed. You will only need to change righthight. But that will not be much, since the spring becomes stiff very fast.
I know the prices in the USA were very low, but $ 175 for a set is cheaper than the price I can buy them for. So I can't compete with them in the USA. The list price here is € 230,-- ($ 290,--)

2. Received a couple of emails back from various people in the racing industry, and manufacturers worldwide....
The majority of replies that came back was not to use any progressive spring on a XX, but rather use 10% stiffer springs with an air gap of
125mm and 10W oil.
Other manufacturers will downsize the performance of Hyperpro because they can't offer anything like this. The spring design is pattented!
In racing conditions a non-progressive spring is better, because you can predict almost exactly how it will behave. On the road however, the surface varies a lot more. Potholes will become very uncomfortable with a stiff lineair spring, and a weak spring will bottom out.....
The 10W oil is really to thick. It will slow the shock too much. Depending on the manufacturer you should use 5 or 7.5W oil.

3. Requested a flow chart from both Wilbers and Hyper Pro, and after looking at this I'm wondering if it's not the same spring, with a different name on the box.... Same digits right through to the top on the paper....
I really can't get into details here, but if I tell you that Wilbers was the distributor for Hyperpro in Germany, you can make up your own mind. However, the Wilbers set-up in the group-buy was with a 2-stage progressive spring, and not the fully progressive Hyperrpo springs.
I know for a fact that Hyperpro has seen the postings and remarks made by the Wilbers-guys about Hyperpro, and have reconsidered the position of Wilbers. I don't know how this ended, or what Wilbers is selling now....

4. Are we going to have to wait until spring to place an order?
No. I will be taking orders in 32 days. The webshop might not be open, but I will sell by email.....

5. Hey Helvet, how much will it cost to ship 1, 2 or 4 tires to Utah?
Sorry, but way too much (from Europe, where I am based). The prices in the USA are very low. My pricing (and I am really the cheapest in Holland) is about the same level as yours. This makes me 30% cheaper as most competitors, and 50% (or more) cheaper than the official dealers.

Thanks for all the info, I thought that the Wilbers and HyperPro springs were the same thing, Maybe i'm just lucky to have come accross this.

Helvet will you be carrying other stuff for the XX, i.e. frameplugs, etc?
Seeing how blackbirdspares.co.uk closed down?

Man, that sucks. I guess I was lucky to get a European switch housing from them before they went away. I really like the way it allows me to start the bike without having to fire the HID.

Yes and no.....
All Blackbird specail parts have been in the merchandise shop of our Blackbird Owners Club Holland (I am the president and I do all the merchandise). We have been selling these parts for almost 2 years now, and were much cheaper than others (no need for big profits).
You can buy from us, I will not put them in my shop....
I can't give you a link right now because the site is dead......