Heavy Fork Spring Option

[ASI125]

I have been extensively searching for front forks spring and so far have only found YSS and Ohlins. I have heard mixed reviews on the YSS and based on the numbers I think they are still too soft and would bottom out all the time. I ordered a set of Ohlins 4 months ago, with multiple promised ship dates, only to have that date continually bumped out. I really wanted the Ohlins since they included a 6.0 N/mm set. I finally gave up and canceled the order. I pulled out my exiting springs to measure them and started looking for options with similar dimensions that are listed for other bikes. I finally decided on BBR 650-HXR-7005. I Order them on Amazon for $89. Figured worst case, free Amazon returns! They are the same diameter and about 1/2" longer. Perfect to get a little extra preload. And 6.4 N/mm. Initially, I was planning on just making a new spacer from PVC to get proper preload, but these were a perfect drop-in with all the factory spacers/washer/caps. Only took 5 min to do the swap. I kept the same oil in there, only 200 miles on the bike. Later I may swap out for thicker oil. But for today it was an initial test fit, and the results are great.

 

[m in sc]

this is good to know. I have a yss fork kit, i quite like it though.

 

[ChiefPockets]

Very cool! I was thinking of getting the chimera caps to add preload, but a slightly stiffer spring rate is VERY attractive.

Chimera Front Fork Caps w/ Preload for Honda CT125 Trail 125

Chimera Fork Fork Preload Caps for Honda Trail 125 CT 125 will make the front suspension stiffer, Reduce front suspension nose dive while braking, reduce suspension bottoming out, reduce weight, Gain additional ground clearance, good for heavier riders!

www.steadygarage.com

 

[Migolito]

I just replaced the OEM Fork oil with 15w Motul. To my surprise the left had maybe 2" of oil in it!! No leaks, just shit QQ. So, I set the oil level @ 5.5" from the top. Stock springs and I'm 210+ gear(sometime plus 60 luggage).

 

[m in sc]

yeah mine wasnt even either. not -that- bad but no where near equal to each other.

 

[Samg7]

Any update on the BBR 650-HXR-7005 springs?

 

[ASI125]

Any update on the BBR 650-HXR-7005 springs?

Yes, I did the Colorado BDR this past August (about 1200 mi total with the trip back to my truck) and they were great. They would still bottom out occasionally, but it was under hard bumps. I road this thing pretty hard. Overall very happy with them. I also swapped out the rear shock for Progressives 512-1009B. They are for a Honda Fourtrax front I believe. They were a little too stiff, so I swapped out the springs for a 03-1367B. Never bottomed out, maybe had a 1/4" to spare. That was loaded with camping gear and hard riding, jumping, etc...

 

[Samg7]

@ASI125 Thanks for that info!
A trip like that is a solid endorsement!

What gearing are you running? I think I’m on 14-42 which is OK for the Rockies but not quite low enough.

 

[ASI125]

Fo

@ASI125 Thanks for that info!
A trip like that is a solid endorsement!

What gearing are you running? I think I’m on 14-42 which is OK for the Rockies but not quite low enough.

For that trip I started with 14/45, and swapped the front to a 13 on the first mountain pass. Still had to walk it 2 or 3 times in a couple of spots.

 

[SneakyDingo]

**scribbling notes** thanks @Samg7

 

[bhab]

Yes, I did the Colorado BDR this past AugustView attachment 4705 (about 1200 mi total with the trip back to my truck) and they were great. They would still bottom out occasionally, but it was under hard bumps. I road this thing pretty hard. Overall very happy with them. I also swapped out the rear shock for Progressives 512-1009B. They are for a Honda Fourtrax front I believe. They were a little too stiff, so I swapped out the springs for a 03-1367B. Never bottomed out, maybe had a 1/4" to spare. That was loaded with camping gear and hard riding, jumping, etc...

It looks like those shocks have a bit more travel than stock. Any clearance issues with the back tire when the suspension is compressed? Also, what size tire are you running in the back? I swapped my springs based on your recommendation and they've been a huge improvement. Thanks!

 

[Nspadoni]

I found on one of these forums a fella suggested xr100 30 percent heavier springs. 40$ on Amazon they dropped in without the spacer tubes and I love them but I’m 320lbs.

 

[bhab]

I found on one of these forums a fella suggested xr100 30 percent heavier springs. 40$ on Amazon they dropped in without the spacer tubes and I love them but I’m 320lbs.

Are you sure they are XR100 springs? The specs from BBR show that those are about 5" longer than the XR-70 springs mentioned above. Those springs are already a bit longer than the stock Trail springs.

 

[Nspadoni]

Are you sure they are XR100 springs? The specs from BBR show that those are about 5" longer than the XR-70 springs mentioned above. Those springs are already a bit longer than the stock Trail springs.

They come up perfectly even with the caps with no spacer and with me on it I gained about an inch of ride height and it feels about right

 

[Nspadoni]

They come up perfectly even with the caps with no spacer and with me on it I gained about an inch of ride height and it feels about right

 

[Shoot870p]

still not sure about the overall length of the needed springs. Can someone give me a bit more info on the length? The 5 inch difference seems a bit much.

 

[Samg7]

I know about a guy that runs Xr100 springs on his trail. Pretty sure they’re the BBR ones as well.

 

[Natekidd222]

I used the Yss fork springs and cut about 1” off of my stock springs and added it to the yss spring.

 

[SneakyDingo]

I bought these springs and installed them earlier today. I was originally running the stock springs with the Chimera caps. I switched to the stock caps and the heavy springs. The length difference between the two (stock springs + chimera vs. stock caps + heavy duty spring) was around 5mm longer on the heavy springs, and the bike sat a little higher on the front but otherwise was great. I think if you're a pretty fat rider, or carrying a decent amount of weight up front it's a pretty viable option, but making a preload insert out of PVC piping is a lot cheaper and will work for most people.

 

[RustyRodder]

For these springs, do you just replace the springs, or everything in the forks since they are longer?