SuzukiSavage.com - beefier suspension

gcsdls

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beefier suspension
05/01/12 at 11:48:42

Hi all,

I appreciate all the help I've gotten here...just reading your experiences has helped me tremendously.

I have decided that most (all?) of the jolting and jostling I was feeling, and believing it to be an engine that was out of balance...or worse...is actually an overloaded suspension. I was watching the front forks as I drove down the slightly less than smooth road that has been rocking me around, and I find that if the forks aren't bottoming, they're coming mighty close to it. Ditto the back end. So I took a chance and ordered some Progressive parts for both ends. 12" 412's for the back end (412-4038C)...and some front end springs that I don't know if anyone has tried or not. They're part # 11-1112, and they look to be a perfect fit, without any spacer (or very close), in the stock fork tubes. The spring rate is quite a bit higher than stock, and I'm a little concerned they may be too stiff, but if they are, I'll only be out $58.00. Small price to pay for experience...and we'll all know the results.

Anyway, just thought I'd share my attempt with you all.

By the way, I'm over 300# (not saying how much over), so my solo is probably as much or more than most of your 2-up.

george

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verslagen1 YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline Where there's a will, I want to be in it. Posts: 28886 L.A. California Gender:	Re: beefier suspension Reply #1 - 05/01/12 at 21:43:02 4038's have a 210/250 spring rate I have 4022's with a 115/155 spring rate, for my 230 bulk, these are perfect. So I'm guessing half your wt should be in between the high and the low. those might be a bit stiff for you.
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gcsdls Junior Member Offline Midlife...about time! Posts: 69 Arkansas Gender:	Re: beefier suspension Reply #2 - 05/02/12 at 06:09:48 Actually, I made a goof on the part #. I ordered 4238s with the 125/170 spring rate. And I don't know yet how that'll do.... This is all going to be a bit of trial and error. But I love this bike!
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Serowbot YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline OK.... so what's the speed of dark? Posts: 28660 Tucson Az Gender:	Re: beefier suspension Reply #3 - 05/02/12 at 09:11:09 Note... with 12"'s on the rear.. watch for clearance at the front end of the belt... I had to trim just a little off the belt guard, and change one side case bolt fron a hex head to a round head, to avoid rubbing against the belt... It's no big deal, and easy to do...
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gcsdls Junior Member Offline Midlife...about time! Posts: 69 Arkansas Gender:	Re: beefier suspension Reply #4 - 05/02/12 at 09:21:35 Thanks for the tip! Forgive a noobie question...but which guard is this? Is this on the bottom side of the belt? thanks!
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Serowbot YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline OK.... so what's the speed of dark? Posts: 28660 Tucson Az Gender:	Re: beefier suspension Reply #5 - 05/02/12 at 09:30:44 It's the big one on top... I took mine off completely now,.. but this trim will clear... ...
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Savage_Rob Serious Thumper Alliance Member Offline Mechanically Inclined Amateur Posts: 6972 Texas (Dallas area) Gender:	Re: beefier suspension Reply #6 - 05/02/12 at 09:40:24 Yeah, I took mine off too.
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gcsdls

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Re: beefier suspension
Reply #7 - 05/02/12 at 09:52:56

Do you guys know what the fully-compressed center-to-center length is on the stock shock?

The Intruder shock replacement from Progressive is 8.99" compressed. Not knowing the compressed length of the stocker, I went with this as a minimum when I looked for replacements.

Serowbot, before you trimmed your guard, was it touching the belt when you weren't sitting on it, or when you were? Just curious....

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Serowbot YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline OK.... so what's the speed of dark? Posts: 28660 Tucson Az Gender:	Re: beefier suspension Reply #8 - 05/02/12 at 10:02:22 Can't remember,... but either way, it'll scrub on compression or rebound... My shocks are 12" Intruder 800's... surprisingly soft... too soft for a heavyweight. I'm 140lbs.. I used a bench grinder to trim.
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gcsdls

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Re: beefier suspension
Reply #9 - 05/11/12 at 08:59:39

Okay, turns out the shocks I ordered were backordered...and nobody told me. I finally wondered and asked...and have changed the shocks to the stock length shocks for the S50, with beefier springs. So they'll be 12.5" full extension, 8.99" full compression.

By the way, I measured the stock shocks on the S40, and they are right at 9" full compression, so these should give me more height and stronger spring rate without worrying if the shock will let the rear end drop more than stock. Yes, I'll have to modify the belt guard, and swap out that bolt (and maybe other considerations), but I think we'll be in business when I get these on.

They get here next Wednesday...can hardly wait!

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bill67 Serious Thumper Offline old tired Posts: 8517 genoa city wisconsin Gender:	Re: beefier suspension Reply #10 - 05/11/12 at 11:46:31 If the compressed length is the same you want have any more travel.
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gcsdls Junior Member Offline Midlife...about time! Posts: 69 Arkansas Gender:	Re: beefier suspension Reply #11 - 05/11/12 at 11:49:52 The compressed length means I won't have any interference of parts. The extended length gives me the more travel.
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WD Serious Thumper 2005 No Login Offline Professional "scooter trash". Posts: 5207 Rosemark TN Gender:	Re: beefier suspension Reply #12 - 05/12/12 at 08:33:04 I roll with Intruder 800 shocks on mine. When I weighed 260 I had no rubbing or interference issues. I have the top belt guard, threw the lower away years ago.
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