Wilbur's Springs

I have scored a set of new Wilbur's springs for my GSF1250 (cheap so worth a risk). Anyone have experience with them? Is it worth doing the springs alone, or will emulators with springs make the biggest difference?

Do you know what the spring rate is? Ideally you need about 1.0 kg/mm. Emulators do not apply here as they are used on damping rod forks to 'emulate' a cartridge fork's ability to separate high and low speed damping functions. You already have cartridge forks so what will be required is modification of compression and rebound valves to suit the spring rate. Wilburs make good dampers so no doubt their springs are also of high standard.

Dekenai wrote:Do you know what the spring rate is? Ideally you need about 1.0 kg/mm. Emulators do not apply here as they are used on damping rod forks to 'emulate' a cartridge fork's ability to separate high and low speed damping functions. You already have cartridge forks so what will be required is modification of compression and rebound valves to suit the spring rate. Wilburs make good dampers so no doubt their springs are also of high standard.

Not sure. They are part number 600-349-00 and I am advised are rated at 90-110Nm

My guess would be that they are actually 9.0 - 11.0 N,(not Nm which is a measure of torque not force), so thats around 1.0 Kg force (there are 9.8 Newtons in a kilogram of force). You can go ahead and fit them but you will have too much compression and too little rebound damping unless you re-valve. I'd suggest you give it a try with 5wt oil, it is, at least a move in right direction.

Dekenai wrote:My guess would be that they are actually 9.0 - 11.0 N,(not Nm which is a measure of torque not force), so thats around 1.0 Kg force (there are 9.8 Newtons in a kilogram of force). You can go ahead and fit them but you will have too much compression and too little rebound damping unless you re-valve. I'd suggest you give it a try with 5wt oil, it is, at least a move in right direction.

Thanks. I got them for very little, so haven't been worried about fitting them. I'd rather go with a known full setup

Hi, I googled that part number and I can tell you that they are progressive springs and that number is for the 2006 1200 Bandit.

This pdf gives the details including oil weight and air chamber.

http://www.revsracing.co.uk/images/wilbers/springs.pdf

This one seems to be the legend.
http://www.wilbers.de/download/mud_042009_.pdf

you need to get the springs and valves done. the Camster rode my bike on the weekend and seems to be convinced of the merits of new suspension [and his bike is even dirtier than it was last time - disgraceful!]

From memory (an increasingly dodgy faculty) the K6 1200 uses the same forks as the 1250, so the springs will be compatible, the rate is correct and the mild progression is probably a good thing, being German I don’t have any doubts about their quality and I would be happy to use them. Would suggest getting Racetech compression and rebound valves set up for 1 kg/mm. Top this off with a Holeshot fork brace and you have a known good setup.

Thanks all, the guys at ASR say the springs are fine for my 1250 for riders over 85 kg. I may see what suspension specialists I have locally to see what support there is. Not delved into modern forks before, although have replaced for seals on older bikes.