Progressive springs

[Wraith]

Wasn't Hamiltons down in Chester-le Street not far from the market?

Owned by Ray and famous for their HamYam road bikes aswell.

[willandrip]

Aye,that was their second shop,first was further into town,some one told me its a carpark now;havent been to Cl.le.St. in 25 years!!. It is actually Rae or he signed cheques like that anyhow.Bought that bike at Daytona 200 in 75 after seeing them romp home to win (Cecetto & Baker ??? might have been Ago) simply for engine alone.2 engines were what was wanted but had to buy complete machine + spare engine + spares kit to get what was required. (see now how bike itself was not really important in the deal -that may be also be why it wasnt used at all the first season for contractual reasons)He said he was more concerned about how much time the haggling of a privateer getting a "works" bike was taking rather than the cost.Some sponsor to say that! Alas the days of the likes of Rae and "Mal" Carter are long gone.If anyone looks forward to receiving their parts delivery and opening the package then you can relate to me opening up a wooden packing crate with a one of these in it.It came with a batch of 250's-350's and one XS 650 and we were instructed to open it last till after shop closed.I think I was there till about 12 oclock at night and senior men were still there .

[Evilchicken0]

I think of the classic racers those bikes were the most iconic - they looked right. I think I remember seeing some america / europe racing on the telly as a kid with them ... but it's a bit hazy.
My dad was a trials ride so I remember going on trials rather than racing.

[willandrip]

Might have it have been the Trans-Atlantic Trophy Boris ?
There was allsorts in there.
A75's,Ti50/160's,TR750's,850 Commandos,CB 750R's, you name it .
The OW series were years ahead of the opposition and very easy to ride if ported correctly,tamer than a lot of tackle today.But if you went for absolute horsepower and ported wildly then they could be virtually unrideable.
The "Ginger Boy" aka Roberts senior would tell you that, after once,and only once putting the OW31 with wild porting into his flat-tracker.Won hands own but he was barely able to hang on and would not do it twice.He did however do a parade lap on it about 10 years ago.
When they first were introduced Ago stated how easy they were to ride. Vibration at high rpm was main problem= cracks in frame,s/a and mostly expansion boxes.Thats how we tried Maxton s/a which rattled to bits in no time.
Hamiltons tried RG 500s engines with Mac but found powerband was of little use on a outfit. An easier fit for size and weight though and pipes could be better routed. Never mind,must get on:my NRC casings have just arrived from USA.

[willandrip]

i think you got hold of the wrong end of the stick chap
as i said maxton are race orientated so their recommended setup will be a bit harsh for the road
you won't need to cut the springs, they'll be the right tension for your weight,
i was talking about the spacers, which is easy, no strip down, just off with the top nuts (one at a time) out with the spacers, then trim and refit, until it feels right,
maxton recommended (off the top of my head) 218mm, so i started at 220mm and ended up at about 215mm spacer length,[/quote]

Did you read the bit about not using maxtons ????
Are you saying a spring maker is going to custom forge a pair of springs to each individual customers specification?
Hardly feasable economically.
Are you also stating you could feel the difference in 3mm
(average size of road gritting surface material is 5mm and track surface is composed of 2.5mm aggregate ;by way of comparison)
of preload from recommended spec.?(thats 2.2%)
Thank you for your instruction on how to adjust a spring spacer,I have a little knowledge of how to set suspension preload and sag.
The actual original question was "Has anyone recent experience of Wirth progressive springs ?" and the answer appears to be no-one has.

No need to alter this post significantly as its factual,edited by author who is not a "chap" but actually one of the "Chaps", !!!!

[Evilchicken0]

Easy now ....

Sometimes when somebody replies on these forums they don't know the poster's experience so they pitch it with as much information as they can. If I don't know somebody I usually take the "safe" route and can be a bit conservative or starchy. The same might true here, the answer you got isn't wrong but it may not be quite what you wanted. I know one person who used Hyperpro progressive springs in adjustable suspension and it was difficult to setup. Equally I know somebody else who used them in non adjustable forks and liked it.

Bottom line is whatever you choose, the forks will benefit from being rebuilt with fresh oil, seals and springs.

[willandrip]

Boris,seals both dust and oil replaced, stanchions polished and tested for straightness with Mic on v blocks.Verniered for wear.
New nylon bushing seals on valving,both old springs measured against nearest spec available but found to be less than ideal. Awaiting Wirth progressives arrival from manufacturer. 525 cc /90 mm air gap anticipated after spring volume comparison (obviously need springs to compare!!)Will initially test with 10 wt Motul but prepared to try 15 wt.
(Thats down to valving not springs as many seem to think)
Now busy sourcing adjustable preload upgrade top nuts.

The thing on most forums seems to be getting participants to actually READ the post they answer !!!.
I joined this site to gain knowledge secondhand (cheat) on a bike that was a grey import 23 years ago.
To recipricate I try to answer the specific question with what little knowledge I have with usually a little humour as way of repayment for info I have gleaned.
Should probably gone to Ian Bell's workshops with landrover full of beer-they campaigned 2 at TT and Manx for a few years and did well.
Biggest problem is interchangability of parts (what fits/what doesnt) but since getting MadSI's original parts list and having had bike to bits these little 400s are a piece of piss to refurb/upgrade.
Paint job next week and its finished ( 32 Baker Canada '75 ) Taken about 5 x 10 hr shifts in garage and about £1400 in parts + paint £100 / graffix £100 so total =2K. Worth it financially? No,certainly not,never will be, but to do the intended job,ie retire the TZ from road use,will save about 1K per annum on engine rebuilds.(3hrs use is a £600 bill.)
Next up is either other 3EN2 or Marks TK-You choose=you will be the one answering the questions!!!!
Pmed you about that false intake cover postage but see youve been busy.!!! Its about the last bit needed.

[Evilchicken0]

opps yes that and the fuel tank shroud need to go out. I did put it in a padded envelope !!!

2TK next I reckon, a lot of it's similar to the 3EN2 ... the 3en2's downpipes are actucually marked 2tk

[willandrip]

Aye,I noticed that when they went to blasters. Yes thats the same blasters who cannot do ceramic coatings!!
"Why Oh Why must I be an oasis in a desert of winkers" =another of my old sayings!!!!.
Best send price required by pm if you want paying.
Also same to the very good man who sent the tank filler ring who I have pmed twice to try to pay him but has not replied> Wish the bloody bank was like that!!!!

[Hogdigerdy Dog]

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