suspension help

[icecoldcoasty]

I have been doing some reading and even though i think i read at a 5th grade level now still having a hard time finding what im looking for. I would like to upgrade the suspension on my 03 xb9s. i have found a few upgrades through the all mighty google. BUT not what im looking for. I am by no means a susp guru but i don understand how it all works. So ill start off the the symptoms I have 11000 miles on my bike and im assuming its original fork oil in the forks ( may be my whole problem there). I have noticed that the ride quality of the bike while cruising is great and while cornering is great and feels very planted but what i have noticed that i dont like is how much dive i get while braking. even using the engine brake i notice the nose of the ol girl diving down. without compromising ride quality and cornering im not sure how to tackle the task. another thing to note in for my settings is i am around 200 lbs and 6 ft tall. i have the suspe set to factory settings for my size and it has worked great untill recently noticing the front end dive. So that being siad all you susp gurus what is your advice for me. I am not opposed to prog springs but not sure were to locate them at. i have found some and not at a bad price but they are all in europe or for every other buell but the 03 xb9s. thanks in advance

 

[go cytocis]

I'd start with adjusting up the compression a bit, then perhaps a heavier fork oil (if you need to replace it any way). If you still don't have the result you're looking for, progressive springs will definitely give you a more compliant front end with less dive.

 

[squidbuellie]

Adjust the spring rate... That's the 7/8 bolt on the top of the forks.

 

[icecoldcoasty]

squid what exactly am i doing when adjusting the spring rate. i understand what compression dampening preload and recoil are but what exactly adjust on the spring rate?

 

[go cytocis]

what exactly am i doing when adjusting the spring rate

You'll actually be adjusting the pre-load (something also worth trying), rather than the rate, which is constant for any given relaxed spring.