K11 Owners Group

jay k. · Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2013 9:32 am Post subject: Fork Upgrade

What's the right way to go with replacement springs in my fork?

grant93 · Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2013 5:08 pm Post subject:

Gidday

I'm no mechanic but I completed that job once on my old 81 R100rs and found it rather simple for a novice.

If you have a manual just read and follow, take you time, gather the right tools first and allow the right time to complete it on one go.

I have small containers lined up that I put the removed nuts and bolts in running order as to what came off the bike first, then just following that in reserve to re-install.

Have a camera handy and take heaps of pix as you go.

Just jump in boots n all, you'll be surprised at what you achieve.

best of luck Oh and one thing is to have a very good small torque wrench, best tool ever.

Another good resource is Youtube and a bloke on there called "Chris Harris" who runs a small independent bike shop called Afordable Beemer Service.
Just search via those to names and he has many detailed walk thru vids of such procedures and I know there is a suspension one and he loves K1100's... Extremely helpful info on his site.
_________________
Cheers Grant

1994 K1100RS
1981 R100RS
1978 R100RS
1928 Chevrolet tourer

www.montythe1928chevrolet.blogspot.com.au

drikko · Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2013 5:21 pm Post subject:

To replace springs, bike on centre stand, jack the front of the bike up, or alternatively do one at a time, move anything in the way of the fork top caps, remove these (or one), take spring(s) out, follow spring manufacturers instructions on spacers, which way around, etc, put new spring in replace top caps. put stuff back in the way of top caps if there was any, open beer. BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO CROSS THREAD THE TOP CAPS! It can be difficult as you have to push against the spring and turn them at the same time. It is easier if you have one person pushing and one person turning.

It's not difficult. If you haven't replaced the fork oil in the last year or so do so, there's oodles of threads here on how to do that.

Cheers

D
_________________
K1100RS '97
Laverda RGS 1000 '84
Jim Young Trailer Sailer 5.7M WB

DISCLAIMER:- Anything I say may have been when I was drunk so please don't take it personally.

'Bigamy is having one wife/husband too many. Monogamy is the same.'
Oscar Wilde

jay k. · Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2013 5:25 pm Post subject:

Sorry, I wasn't clear. My bad.
I'm looking for recommendations on manufacturers from folks who have used them; Wilbers, Progressive Springs, WP, Race-Tek, Hyper-Shock, etc.

drikko · Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2013 5:32 pm Post subject:

Ah, OK. The Laverda guys over here have been buying all the K11 front ends to put on the Jotas as they go on very nicely and are an excellent upgrade from the old 38mm Marzocchis or Cerianis. I've had to fend spanner weilding fanatics off from my K11 several times. They always fit the Racetech Gold emulators and I think Racetech springs. I'm heading over to the modifier of these later today so will ask what springs they use, however the Racetech Gold emulators do make a significant improvement.

Will get back to you on what springs they use, although there's many other members here with good reports on any of those other brands.
_________________
K1100RS '97
Laverda RGS 1000 '84
Jim Young Trailer Sailer 5.7M WB

DISCLAIMER:- Anything I say may have been when I was drunk so please don't take it personally.

'Bigamy is having one wife/husband too many. Monogamy is the same.'
Oscar Wilde

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2013 5:48 pm Post subject:

I went through these guys- they know their stuff

http://www.epmperf.com/
_________________
John & Cathy

'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
IBA Several-SS1k, BBG, 50CC NYC to S.F.

Bob T · Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2013 6:01 pm Post subject:

I went with straight wound springs from SonicSprings.com

Seem good...better than stock.
_________________
Bob T.
'96 K1100RS
'95 K1100RS - Totaled
'01 Triumph TT600
'83 Suzuki GS1100E

jay k. · Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2013 6:06 pm Post subject:

Jim · Posted: Tue Jun 18, 2013 10:08 pm Post subject: fork springs

Jay - you want linear - not progressive wound.
_________________
Jim
1997 K1100LTSE 94,000 - still has gremlins!
1995 R100RT Classic 16,650 crashed - repaired!
1992 K75RTP 46,000

"We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed."

jay k. · Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2013 8:20 am Post subject:

Bob T · Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2013 8:46 am Post subject:

jay k. · Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2013 3:15 pm Post subject:

Thanks to all for the information.
I'm going with a set of race-tech linear springs sized appropriately for my weight. Also a Hyperpro rear shock.
I'll let you know how it all works out.

Jim · Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2013 11:01 pm Post subject:

Jay - when my fork springs went south, I was going to get WP. I contacted Jim at Lindemann Engineering in California - Lindemann was noted for setting up bike suspensions - mostly race bikes, apparently.

I called Jim, spoke with him for awhile, and he determined that linear was a much better way to go on the K bikes than progressive wound - less dive - among other things. I can't remember the entire conversation, and was not aware at the time that Jim had severe health issues.

I tend to trust experts - and I have to say, I've been very happy with the springs Jim sold me. Although they are not WP - I think they are Race Tech, I've been quite happy with them.

More info here: http://www.largiader.com/tech/k11forks/

The parts in the pic are from my bike - the stock spring is shown - not the new one.
_________________
Jim
1997 K1100LTSE 94,000 - still has gremlins!
1995 R100RT Classic 16,650 crashed - repaired!
1992 K75RTP 46,000

"We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed."