Valve springs in forks thread

**Eddieb** · 1st December 2009, 11:20

Where is that thread about using Valve springs in the forks? I want to have a read and can't find it now.

Ta.

**Waihou Thumper** · 1st December 2009, 11:39

Originally Posted by Eddieb

Where is that thread about using Valve springs in the forks? I want to have a read and can't find it now.

Ta.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...+valve+springs

**Eddieb** · 1st December 2009, 12:48

Nope, not that one.

I thought it was Nordie doing bodgy back yard upgrades using Mitsubishi valve springs in place of the spacer each each forkleg. I've done heaps of searches but no luck.

There's a reference to it in this this comment: http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...2&postcount=80
I've been right through Nordie's thread cause I thought it was there but either I'm blind or it's somewhere else hiding.

Come on Nordie, I know you have a separate monitor open on KB all day.

**Oscar** · 1st December 2009, 15:24

Jeez, this takes me back.
The hot wheeze for yer XR200A was to put Ford Escort 1600 interior valve springs in the forks...

**JATZ** · 1st December 2009, 17:28

Try the KLR thread, they're cheap bastards....

**Eddieb** · 1st December 2009, 19:51

Thats where the link i posted up above goes.

Basically I want to know what effect it's supposed to have and what the opinions were of those who have done it on bigger bikes.

**NordieBoy** · 1st December 2009, 20:50

Originally Posted by Eddieb

Basically I want to know what effect it's supposed to have and what the opinions were of those who have done it on bigger bikes.

Preloads the forks a bit more but has a little give as opposed to solid spacers.

**Oscar** · 1st December 2009, 20:56

I always wondered what happened in the Ford Factory in England.
Somewhere in Dagenham:

"...ere, Bert - ow come those Kiwi's use so any interior valve springs?"

"...just interior ones?"

?

**Woodman** · 1st December 2009, 21:02

It was in the klr thread,(somewhere) I put the valve springs off my benelli in Hmine then padmei put some Diamante springs in his. He fell off twice and I thought it improved mine a lot. Took mine out when fitted the intimaterors, but am now gonna put them back in as well as i want to stiffen the front up more.
My theory is that they are only actually a spacer when fully compressed and the rest of the time they are a spring, but to be honest you could put an earwig in klr forks and it would be an improvement over stock.

**Eddieb** · 1st December 2009, 22:04

Originally Posted by Woodman

It was in the klr thread,(somewhere) I put the valve springs off my benelli in Hmine then padmei put some Diamante springs in his. He fell off twice and I thought it improved mine a lot. Took mine out when fitted the intimaterors, but am now gonna put them back in as well as i want to stiffen the front up more.
My theory is that they are only actually a spacer when fully compressed and the rest of the time they are a spring, but to be honest you could put an earwig in klr forks and it would be an improvement over stock.

Cheers, I suspect the earwig would be an improvement in my GS forks as well so I might see if I can find someone with some springs lying around.

**Padmei** · 2nd December 2009, 18:06

I originally put some V3000 springs on top of the originals & seemed to give the front end a bit better feel.

I just replaced the cutdown spacers with the original spacers in the forks on top of the uselessnators to compress the existing springs. I'm waiting for it to stop raining to see if it makes any difference.

**NordieBoy** · 2nd December 2009, 19:56

Measure the diameter of the uselessnators or I'll do it one day when you're out.

**Padmei** · 3rd December 2009, 07:36

I measured them the other nite & they seemed the same diameter as the inside of the sleeve. The skirt slides tightly to the sleeve so I think they're the correct size. After riding last nite I can guarantee that they're not working. I'm wondering if there is a difference between different 5w oils (being a KLR owner I bought the cheapest kind)

**warewolf** · 3rd December 2009, 08:05

Originally Posted by Padmei

I'm wondering if there is a difference between different 5w oils

Yes, and it can be huge, as in change more than 5W vs another flavour. The SAE W standard is for engines, not suspension. Although not in common retail use, the more correct rating for suspension fluid is Centistokes.

Quite some discussion on this very point over in the Suspension forum. There was even a chart converting many common oils to centistokes, made for very interesting reading (it's in this post).

Or in the words of Dr Robert:

Originally Posted by Robert Taylor

5 weight etc is an SAE ( motor oil ) rating and frankly is very misleading. For example 5 weight Silkolene has the same flow rate through a fixed size orifice at the same temperature as 10 weight Maxima. Centistroke rating at 40 degrees C is the only true flow rate indicator, the very first prerequisite for at least matching of suspension fluids. Sadly most suppliers of suspension oil do not include that on the bottle label and jolly well should.....

**NordieBoy** · 3rd December 2009, 08:31

Originally Posted by Padmei

I measured them the other nite & they seemed the same diameter as the inside of the sleeve. The skirt slides tightly to the sleeve so I think they're the correct size. After riding last nite I can guarantee that they're not working. I'm wondering if there is a difference between different 5w oils (being a KLR owner I bought the cheapest kind)

Could be the oil.
Would probably have the same effect you're getting if there was 2.5W (or a light 5W) in there...