Hey all, I have an '08 Monster 695. The front suspension is weak on this bike, so I'm looking for a more affordable way to improve it than a fork swap. This led me to Race Tech fork springs. However, Race Tech has nothing listed for the 695.
I looked up the OEM part number for the fork springs (which is 347.2.004.1A) This part number fits other types of monsters like the: 620 from '04-'06, the '02 750IE, the '04 800, '03 800S, the '07 S2R 800, and the S2R standard & Dark from '05-'06.
Race tech sells fork spring kits for these other models (part #FRSP S3827)
My question is, if the OEM part is the same, and race tech sells fork springs for those other monster models, it stands to reason that race tech springs for any of those other monsters will fit, right?
Simple answer is yes, and better springs would help.
I'd recommend that you buy a straight rate spring if the spring listed for those models is a variable rate.
I believe it is not a variable rate spring. the springs are 0.90 KG/MM
Quote from: LeMonstre on May 19, 2015, 12:13:53 PM
I believe it is not a variable rate spring. the springs are 0.90 KG/MM
Good.
How much do you weigh with your gear?
You also should take the opportunity to help damping a little with a heavier than standard Shell 7.5 fork oil. The very weak rebound is made even more bouncy by a better spring, so you'll need whatever can be achieved within a modest budget.
Quote from: ducpainter on May 19, 2015, 12:35:05 PM
Good.
How much do you weigh with your gear?
I weigh 200 without. Not sure how much with it
Quote from: LeMonstre on May 19, 2015, 02:46:30 PM
I weigh 200 without. Not sure how much with it
You might even be able to use a .95 spring.
I came up with a different number for .90 springs using the spring calculator.
.90 is apparently the only one they have for Monsters so its kind of irrelevant
Quote from: LeMonstre on May 19, 2015, 04:40:01 PM
.90 is apparently the only one they have for Monsters so its kind of irrelevant
I believe there are a bunch of springs available for the Marzocchi forks on your bike.
Use the spring calculator link in yellow at the top of the page.
If you know all the answers...
why do you come here asking questions?
I would be shocked if you have straight rate springs if the forks still have the OEM springs. Then again, your bike might be unique.
Quote from: ducpainter on May 19, 2015, 05:09:27 PM
I believe there are a bunch of springs available for the Marzocchi forks on your bike.
Use the spring calculator link in yellow at the top of the page.
If you know all the answers...
why do you come here asking questions?
The spring calculator recommends a 0.85. Shouldn't I go with the closest spring rate to their recommendation?
Gonna chip in, their calculations are for riders without gear . . . If not mistaken, that is THEIR recommendation, you can go one up or one down if you want . . .
Personally in my M620, I've got 0.9 springs with 10W oil . . . my weight, 190 no gear . . . their recommendation, 0.85
Quote from: LeMonstre on May 20, 2015, 04:51:21 PM
The spring calculator recommends a 0.85. Shouldn't I go with the closest spring rate to their recommendation?
FWIW...I weigh about 180 without gear and run a .085 racetech spring. The gold valves have been fitted with a custom stack.
From experience...a spring that is one rate too heavy is easier to live with than one that is one rate too light.
If I were you I would not go lighter than a .09.
Another thing about Racetech recommendations is they are somewhat based on their valving recommendations which are based on smooth racetracks.
The world isn't that smooth here.
YMMV
I think I'll go with the .90 If it ends up being too soft, that'll encourage me to lose some weight [laugh]
There are other suspension shops too. I've been dealing with Traxxion Dynamics and been pleased. They were even cool enough to sell me a single spring to do a 1/2 step tweak for my track bikes forks.
I'm 180 and just did a racetech spring upgrade for my 1100 evo. Our bikes weigh the same and i bought a .90 spring. I will tell you now that at .90, my preload adjustment is at the top of its range (almost completely backed out). For me, a.85 would have been the optimal choice so i could have the preload adjustment at the middle of the adjustment range.
do not go any higher than .90. even at your weight youll be at the top of the .90 preload. If you go .95 you will regret it
One more thing. Make sure they include some aluminum preload spacer tube. They didnt for me and i was forced to wait few days more for them to ship it.
Their springs are smaller than the stock.
search for my post for some additional info.
Quote from: EEL on May 21, 2015, 05:54:20 AM
I'm 180 and just did a racetech spring upgrade for my 1100 evo. Our bikes weigh the same and i bought a .90 spring. I will tell you now that at .90, my preload adjustment is at the top of its range (almost completely backed out). For me, a.85 would have been the optimal choice so i could have the preload adjustment at the middle of the adjustment range.
do not go any higher than .90. even at your weight youll be at the top of the .90 preload. If you go .95 you will regret it
Optimal preload for a spring is approx 15mm. Not necessarily the middle of the adjuster range.
Quote from: ducpainter on May 21, 2015, 06:05:06 AM
Optimal preload for a spring is approx 15mm. Not necessarily the middle of the adjuster range.
Thats the first time I've heard that. I would like to know more about this 15mm and how you physically measure it. Most springs in a fork are preloaded to some degree when they are installed in the fork (even with the adjuster backed out. So how do you calculate this 15mm?
Thanks
Quote from: EEL on May 21, 2015, 10:28:46 AM
Thats the first time I've heard that. I would like to know more about this 15mm and how you physically measure it. Most springs in a fork are preloaded to some degree when they are installed in the fork (even with the adjuster backed out. So how do you calculate this 15mm?
Thanks
That's true if you use spacers that are too long. If you tune the spacers to be exactly the right length to give 0 preload when the adjusters are backed out then you simply screw the adjuster in 15mm. That would have the retainer just snug enough to stay in place but not really compress the spring.
On non adjustable forks you tune the spacer to give the 15mm.
If sag is not correct at 15 mm you don't have the optimal spring. At that point you can add or remove preload to correct sag, or change springs.
The 15mm number is +/- 5mm.
That's the way it was explained to me by someone that's been doing it close to 20 years.
Thats a useful baseline on assembly before you install the forks. Great rule of thumb.
Is it the same for the shock spring preload?
Quote from: koko64 on May 21, 2015, 11:35:34 AM
Thats a useful baseline on assembly before you install the forks. Great rule of thumb.
Is it the same for the shock spring preload?
Yup...and very easy to measure on the shock. :P
That jives with ohlins..My DU-737 shock recommends a preload of 12mm as a base setting.
Thank you for that nifty tidbit of knowledge.
I'm just going to go with the .90