What progressive suspension springs for my 85 250R

[pantera1975]

Should I just order the Progressive suspension springs listed for my 85 250r forks or is there another spring anyone has used that was better? Thanks

[mennis1971]

I just used 15wt in mine instead of switching springs. It still has a nice feel to it, but firmed it up some. I hate mushy forks.

[pantera1975]

I tried 15 wt oil on rail bed trails and dirt with rocks it was to stiff for me I could feel everything thru the bars so I stick with 5 or 10 wt

[mennis1971]

Ride faster then. JK I kinda felt this was gonna happen. Try them(the springs). Yeah it's stiffer(15wt) but it worked great for my application(dunes to rutted and rocky trails). A lot of suspension is finding what works for you, which is why racers test so much. Also I'm sure your riding area is still different from mine(along with our preferences too) even though we both have rocks and ruts. It's hard to setup some forks(especially these old school forks) to soak up stuff while going both slow and fast, along with all the different terrains you find along the way. IMO it sounds like the prog springs may be a very good option for you. Try them is the only thing else I know to suggest and please be sure to share your thoughts on how well they work if you do please.
Have a good day.
Dennis

[pantera1975]

Its weird I have 2 ATC's 85 and 86 250R 3 years ago they where both stock and had the same tires on them same everything and my 85 is more tippier. I even put the 86 original springs in the 85 and its still tippy Im stumped on that the only thing that I found that might make a difference is one of the 85 lower fork tubes must be bent because when I work the fork in and out with no spring it drags. Even when I push the 85 I can tell the front axle bolt doesn't  stay parallel with the ground. Mabey I should look for some different forks.

[yaegerb]

I haven't tried the race tech rebuild yet, but I have been tempted to try.  I have replaced the OEM springs in both my flat track 200x and 1985 250R with Progressive mfg. progressive springs and IMO, for the money it is a night and day difference.  Two thumbs up from me.  Also, I only use Bel Ray 20wt in my forks.

[christph]

Yeah, Progressive springs are the way to go, especially if you are heavier and/or are a fast rider.  I get them for all of my machines.

[mx250r91]

I'm running the progressive springs and the race tech gold valve emulators FEGV 3801 and the forks work great! These allow you to tune the compression damping of the fork separate from the rebound (stock, oil viscosity affects both). I think now I'm running about 12.5 wt oil, 375cc.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GV0S2S/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[pantera1975]

I'm running the progressive springs and the race tech gold valve emulators FEGV 3801 and the forks work great! These allow you to tune the compression damping of the fork separate from the rebound (stock, oil viscosity affects both). I think now I'm running about 12.5 wt oil, 375cc.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GV0S2S/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Cool set up do you have any pics of the install?

[yaegerb]

I'm running the progressive springs and the race tech gold valve emulators FEGV 3801 and the forks work great! These allow you to tune the compression damping of the fork separate from the rebound (stock, oil viscosity affects both). I think now I'm running about 12.5 wt oil, 375cc.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GV0S2S/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I checked out that link.  So are you using those on an ATC 250R?  If so, do you have any idea what years that product will fit?  Doesn't say it will fit the ATC in the description, but amazon sucks with description sometimes.  I would be interested in picking a set up to make my front suspension that much better!

[christph]

I have the gold valve fork emulator on my 86 Tecate.  As far as I know there is no direct way to reference the one that will work with your ride, unless someone bought them and still has the part number (I have it for the Tecate).  Go to the Race Tech website and look for their downloads; they have one that provides all the dimensions of their emulators.  Then, you need to get the top diameter of your damper rod (the inner pipe that bolts to the bottom of the fork) and match to the appropriate diameter valve emulator.  The emulator should be a millimeter or two smaller than the top of the damper rod. It sits on top.  You also need to get the appropriate depth, too, because the emulator fits partially inside the top of the damper rod (the portion that is larger than the bottom portion).  If you give them a call they can help you.

[mx250r91]

I checked out that link.  So are you using those on an ATC 250R?  If so, do you have any idea what years that product will fit?  Doesn't say it will fit the ATC in the description, but amazon sucks with description sometimes.  I would be interested in picking a set up to make my front suspension that much better!

They are universal fit for 38-39mm damping rod forks. The install is pretty easy you remove the damping rods and drill out the compression hole to 5/16" i believe and two additional below it, debur and reinstall. The emulator sits on top of the damping rod and then the spring sits on top and holds it down. You adjust the compression damping by removing the emulator and adjusting the preload on the valve spring. Rebound damping is controlled by oil viscosity. Here is some more info:

http://www.racetech.com/page/title/Emulators-How%20They%20Work

http://www.racetech.com/page/title/Emulator%20Tuning%20Guide

http://racetech.com/html_files/EMULATOR_FITTING.html

[pantera1975]

Another word for dampening rod would be piston or pipe seat? What # is the part you drill out in the OEM Honda parts look up #15? There is 2 hole in the rod according to the picture. So that little valve sits on top of the rod and fits inside the spring. Do you use the stock oil level too? This is pretty cool

[mx250r91]

Another word for dampening rod would be piston or pipe seat? What # is the part you drill out in the OEM Honda parts look up #15? There is 2 hole in the rod according to the picture. So that little valve sits on top of the rod and fits inside the spring. Do you use the stock oil level too? This is pretty cool

Yes that is the right part. The microfiche doesn't show it accurately but there are two sets of holes up by the oil ring that control rebound, you leave those alone. Then there is a through hole on the bottom that controls compression. You drill that one out along with two more through holes to basically bypass the compression damping portion of the rod which allows the emulator to work its magic. I'm using a little less oil than stock, the emulator and progessive springs both displace more volume so less is needed. According to the tuning instruction oil level controls the last 30% of stroke, basically the forks bottoming resistance. You adjust it to where it suits your riding conditions. I believe I ended up with 375cc of 12.5 wt (half 15wt/half 10wt) Belray synthetic oil for woods racing. Here is a picture I found on the net, not of a 250R damping rod but pretty close showing the compression holes drilled out:

[pantera1975]

OK cool thread. These are ATC 250R forks in the picture correct?