Aftermarket fork springs

[KiwiBiker]

Can anyone recommend a brand of replacement front fork springs for the GK76a? I had a look on the race tech site but couldn't see a listing for my bike. Possibly other model bike's are the same size? I'm reluctant to fit standard springs as I want something firm. It's a track bike.
Cheers, Al.

[Variablevalves suck]

get on the rgv forum.
forks are near identical , 400 will have heavier springs etc BUT they use the 400 stuff on the race bikes so plenty of info over there.
Look on liteteck site for rgv fork length and compare, if the same fork springs will be same length, if not you should be able to space them anyway.

\the tuning shop do rvg springs so may be able to give you info if you email them.

[Nobbsie]

Hey Kiwi
what did you end up doing?
Have you seen these?
http://www.wilbers-shop.de/index.php?cl ... 22bc8c2acc
Anyone used these?

[stripes1976]

Hagon do some progressive springs and I believe you can also get fixed rate.

[KiwiBiker]

Hey Kiwi
what did you end up doing?
Have you seen these?
http://www.wilbers-shop.de/index.php?cl ... 22bc8c2acc
Anyone used these?

Hey thanks for the link mate, I haven't been on for a while obviously. That's a good web site, easy to use. It looks like they have the cheaper Promoto's and the Wilbers but there's no info on spring rates. I get the impression they are the same rate as the OEM springs which is fair enough as that's probably where the main market is.

I hadnt done anything but the racing season starts next month so I will probably get on the case once I do my first race and I get pissed with the soggy front end.

[KiwiBiker]

Hagon do some progressive springs and I believe you can also get fixed rate.

Cheers for the link stripes, I had a look but again no spring rate info so I would assume same as OEM. But I can e-mail them.
Race tech seems to be the only site that offers alternative spring rates to the OEM ones but frustratingly they dont list the GSXR400 (aarrggghhh!!!) so this where my limited knowledge of compatible forks lets me down. They have the GSXR600 listed as having the Showa 41U's and I'm trying to find out if this is what our GK76a's have?? Can anyone help.
If this is the case then they have about four alternative spring rates available for the 600 and I have worked out the spring rate I require using their fantastic spring rate calculator that takes into account rider weight, bike weight and intended use.

[Variablevalves suck]

Don't know how confident you are with an angle grinder but you could try re rateing your old Spring.
Plenty of reading on the rgv forum under heading,

Increased Spring rate-done cheaply

Sorry phone playing up and won't copy/paste.

Basically if if you remove coils from your spring the rate increases
Remember you'd need spacers.

[KiwiBiker]

So... in the end I forked (see what I did there? ) out the coin and bought the race tech springs with a rate of .80kg/mm.
They were 9mm shorter than the OEM ones but they come with washers so you can add them to make up the difference.
For those who need to know the OEM springs are 270mm long with an OD of 36mm. The race tech ones are 261 mm long with an OD of 35.5mm.
The difference was noticeable immediately. It doesn't pitch backwards and forwards when you roll on and off the throttle the same nor dive excessively under front braking. Once up to speed it was soaking up rough roads like it never had before. Very stable and confidence inspiring.
To be fair I have probably got it set up perfect for fast road riding, you wouldn't want it any softer for track riding.
I probably could have gone to .85 or even .90kg/mm spring rate quite easily as it is a dedicated track bike, striped down and unregistered. (yes ,I road test it ). I used the race tech spring rate calculator to come up with the rate I ordered.
Its handling a lot better at the track but still not 100% happy so in the off season (june - september) I will get the rear shock over-hauled by a local guru that a lot of the guys in my club use.
Starting to realise that motor sport = $$$