Ok, we have 11 people who voted "yes" for the 900RR springs. This brings the cost to under $100 each. Now the question...do we go with the 16.8 stock rate? Racetech recommends a lighter spring, 16.5, but not taking into account luggage, passenger, etc. The heaviest RT spring, what I'm running right now, is 16.0 and it is way too light. What say ye?

The order is paid up front, at the time we order. Delivery was around two weeks I think, then I can ship them out. Paypal will be the easiest for cash. I'll just have to figure out shipping weight and cost. Is anybody who wants them outside the US? Or is there anyone who can't receive UPS for any reason?

I voted 16.8 cause thats the highest you list...wouldn't mind if there was a 17.0 option :)

Inside US.

16.8 for sure!

Let's see if I'm following this right.
In order for this to work on my bike I need a RR shock?
How will this improve my bike ride and or handling?

Forrest

Fully adjustable shock and easy-to-adjust preload. Stock shot has only rebound adjustment and the preload is nearly impossible to adjust.

Swampy...

What's the spring weight on the stock shock?

Is it any of them or are there specifc years I'd need to look for?

Heeey... :evil: where's D) Hookers :?: :?:

There are details on part numbers and years in the "modifications" section of the main site.

I voted for the middle ground, because I'm still unsure of what I really want. The stock spring rate is fine when I'm loaded down, but seems a bit stiff when riding solo even without much preload. The 16.5 seems like a good compromise. I'll settle for whatever wins the most votes, though.

Ok, we had 11 "yes" votes before, but only 5 in this thread? If you've changed your mind and no longer want one, please say so.

Also...anybody got a stock 900RR spring off the shock that they could measure?

SwampNut-

I'm in for a 16.8, haven't had my name in the hat before though.

thx

What kind of measurement are you looking for?
I have a stock spring that is off of the shock at the moment.

Spring free length and inside diameter. Needs to be quite accurate. This is the stock 900 spring, right?

It is the stock spring. I got the shock and spring from RodeRash last week. WE can ask him just to make sure but I am 100% positive it is the 900 RR stocker, it is red and the part number on the shock is MWO-003.

How accurate are we talking?
I have some dial calipers that could probably do the inside diameter but they are definitely not big enough for the length.

I'd be willing to send it wherever it needs to go to get measured though.

A dial caliper for diameter and length within a couple MM should be just fine. Measure both ends for diameter, just to be sure it's not off or warped.

I can do the diameter, but NOT the length since the calipers are only good for about 6".

Yah got a ruler, right...? Easiest way to measure that is to put the spring on a flat surface, and put something flat on top, then measure between those two.

Actually, I do not have a "ruler" since there is not a King in this country.
If I look around I might have a "rule" to measure the length with....

:razz:


PS - Granted ruler also means rule but not as its first meaning in the dictionary.
I'll get back to you on the diameter and length this evening.

I still have a RaceTech 16.0 spring for a 900 shock. I think the spring dimensions are listed on the box. (free length and diameter) I can post them Tues. AM if anyone is interested.

RodeRash that would be cool!

The one you sent me was the stock 900 one right?!
Just checking.


Swampnut:

I was at home over lunch and started to measure that spring, one end is larger
thatn the other end, inside diameter wise, and not by just a little either. Does this
seem right to you?

Then I got sidetracked and couldn't finish up the measurements.
More info to follow......

Yes, I sent you the stock 900 spring. I'm pretty sure the dimensions for the RaceTech spring were listed on the box. I'll get them, and post tomorrow AM.

Here's something new to think about. The stock 900 RR spring probably has the correct spring rate to match up with that trick TSR linkage that Alpha just installed on his bike.

I checked the label on the box of my RaceTech 16.0 spring.
The spring is a different diameter on one end. It looks like the last full coil shrinks down. Here is what is listed on the label.
56mm X 57mm X200mm
The first two measurements are ID measurements. I ran a tape measure across the inside of the spring and found that the ID of the small end is more like 52-53mm.

Thanks for the info!

I spaced and forgot to measure mine last night, I'll post the
measurements this evening as a comparison.

Here are the measurements from the stock 900RR spring


165mm Long

50.65 mm (Inside Diameter one end)
57.13mm (Inside Diameter other end)

My problem was also on the current stock spring the preload was too much for single rider, 170#, so I am wondering if the the CBR900 adjustments will allow me to reduce the preload to comfortable level for one up, I find two up to be just fine.

Also do you know if you can get access for the C-wrench to make on-board preload adjustments with the 900 shock installed on the bird.

Thanks
TC

Yes, there's plenty of space to adjust it while installed; that's one of the benefits. There is a pretty wide adjustment range, so I think you should be able to get what you want.

Okay I bought my shock, I was hanging out for a nice one, hope it works as well as it looks
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...item=2433355272

Count me in and based on my experience of similar style shock on CBR600 with my beefy bro on the back even at max setting it bottomed out. So I'll go for heaviest spring too, but I'm still a little anxious that I may not be able to get preload unloaded enough to stop the back battering ram effect :cry: I had on stock bird spring before I wound off preload. (preload had been increased by original owner).

But nothing to lose I'm sure the resell wil cover my investment, so let me know when where to send the cash, count me in............

if this helps great if not , i tried!!

i have a cbr900 shock , with a maxton spring which has a rating of 16.5.

i weigh 165lbs roughly and the preload is set to click number 3, with no luggage, suits me fine. Think the spring cost me about £56.

downside is in is in purple!!.

all the best

Would you care to share your source for those springs?

Do they make a 16.8, or 17.0?

of course try here

http://www.esling.btinternet.co.uk/maxton/

i called them told them i needed an uprated spring for a fireblade 1995 model and they asked a few weight questions etc.

I told them i wanted a 16.5 rate spring , she called me back and said their expert agreed on the rate and they could make the spring.

I think they can make any spring rate you want, but am not sure sure , best to call them.

all the best

Are using this on a XX? I will be in UK in a few weeks maybe I should get one for that money? I could always spray it black......


TC

Price??

92 dollars maybe I could bring back a load, well maybe 10 springs would cover the interested parties here and allow for individual selection.
I wrote to Maxton and asked them about a deal what they could offer, and if they would cater to individual spring rates as part of that deal, I forgot to ask if they did other colours than purple. I have a corbin seat with purple trim nice rde but hate that trim.

yes has been on the xx for about 6-8 weeks, 2000miles, no problems.

I'm not particular about the color, but want a 16.8 or 17.0 spring, as I've encountered a lot of bottoming out as of late.

Have to keep the compression dialed up to compensate, which makes for a harsh ride............ :sad:

Northman can you educate me on spring rates, if the spring is stiffer doesnt that make for equally harsh ride, similar to effect increasing compression?
I suppose with increased compression you have reduced travel distance on the shock, equally stiff spring with lot of travel will be more comfortable than a compressed spring resulting in similar stiffness but with little travel,
It that the situation? :idea:

A stiffer spring will be less prone to bottoming, and therefore you can use a little less damping to control the spring's compression.

With a weak spring, you need to over compensate with compression to avoid bottoming.

Over small, sharp bumps, the 16.0 spring works fine, but bottoms on heavier bumps, and hard turns, etc. when dialed right. This is where I need more spring. As it is now, with the compression dialed up, it isn't nearly as prone to bottoming on the heavier stuff, but definitely rides harsher on the smaller stuff.

The damping should control the spring, not compensate for an improper rate.

I emailed again and asked about one guy buying them within the UK no questions asked about US buddies bouncing on there springs trying to get them sued over here, we'll see.........

The rest of the world fears US litigation, my Mum worked for a company making hi -tech kids wheel chairs in the UK, they could control them with eye movement or tongue depending on how impaired they were. The chairs were built by disabled people, ( a real heartbreak story, prepare)
US health companies wanted chairs for kids in US, so they agreed on a deal, it got too busy work was delayed by the disabled people they could not keep up, so one day US lawyers shut them down froze assets and they were out of business no more chairs, no more disable folks jobs just fat lawyers and sad kids!

Did they give you any response on custom rates, or rates available that would fall in to the category we're looking for?

I sen email and left phone messages no response as of yet I'll keep you posted.

TC

Okay here's the news

Maxton can make the springs to whatever spring rate you want if they are not in stock production time is 1 week, they cost 55 pounds plus 17.5% VAT ( there maybe possibility of return on that although I dont have permanent US status, just non resident alien, so harder to prove, also usually have ot carry this stuff on plane if you want VAT refund at Customs to be processed.)
Total cost then including VAT (TAX) $100-

They said be-aware the spring is generic dimensions but customs spring rates, so there is a spacer for Honda shocks to allow seating of spring and correct length which is not present on original honda springs.

They sounded like good guys and helpful and if purchased in the UK would, have no worries making the sale to us.

As far as getting them back to US, what is the weight of one of these springs ? There will be a limit to my luggage weight.

Okay open for discussion, as no saving on Swapnuts springs, and not custom dimensions either, and would be easier to get them here. UK advantage is custom spring rates.

Hope this doesnt throw a spanner in the works as we were getting close to a resolution.

FYI on the weight of a spring. I just shipped a RaceTech 16.0 spring for a 900 shock. Shipping weight was 3.6 pounds. So, expect a stronger spring to weigh a little more, but probably not more than 4 pounds.

I am for getting it done here if the spring is not the correct length.

Yeah, ditto what Hokie said.

This process may turn out to be a pain in the ass for you, and a possible customs nightmare to get a spring that doesn't sound like it's that great.

I'm for buying it in the US, also.


Thanks for the offer, and the information, though. :grin:

Ok I just bought a shock on ebay and now want to be in on the spring purchase ... My vote is for the heaviest one ...where do I send the check :grin:

Is this going to happen soon?


:cool:

Hi all,
Well, I'm new (both to the board and this thread) but I would like to get in on the deal if possible.

When it comes to the 900RR shock I have a question; when looking on eBay I have found a couple of shocks and the writeup by Carlos calls for a shock from a '93 - '95 model 900RR. Some of the shocks say that they fit all 900RRs from '93 to '99. Is that true or is there some change made to the shock in '95 that will make it unsuitable for our use? Also, some of the shocks have the top of the reservoir mounted to the hose and some have the hose mounted to the resevoir on the side via a 90 degree bend. Will it make a difference which one is used when it come to installing the shock?

Thanks,

The proper shock has the reservoir mounted to a house, and use the Showa part #'s to be sure. Some of the sellers are advertising 929 shocks as 900 shocks, etc. I've also seen 600 shocks advertised as such.

93-95 900RR's were the only ones with the same dimensions as our shocks. The newer ones are shorter, and the 929/954 shocks have the reservoir mounted piggyback to the shock, which would pose a fitment problem.

I'm ready for my spring, are we all ready to put in the order, or should we wait another month for a few more guys to buy in?

Can we have a show of hands of guys definitely purchasing a spring? I'll go first.


I'm in, definitely. :grin:

So let me get this right; both of these two shocks would work?





Thanks,

Dosx

Hey thats my actual shock in the bottom picture- its a MWO-003 for certain
I agree lots of those ebay adds say they will fit all years but the later shocks are about an inch shorter, 11 5/8 eye to eye instead of 12 5/8.

the one in the top picture says 96 on the tag

I asked the sellers to read the part numbers before bidding or offering them side deals, some of them the stickers are gone so measured the length.

I'm in for a spring here, and now if its going to be later I'll pick up a lighter spring in Uk 16.5 and have it a back up in case the 16.8 is too hard.

TC