Fishin' Weights For Sale

[MountainMan]

I just replaced the stock rear shocks on Ol' Blue with a spiffy-looking, shiny blue set of Hagon Nitros courtesy of Wayne Trpp's group buy a couple of months ago. Apparently there was both a supply problem for the model I ordered as well as a hiccup in shipping. They finally arrived yesterday due to Wayne's diligence in tracking them down more than once.

I now have the stock shocks available for use in making a pair of lamps for the end tables or as fishing weights. They're too light to be a boat anchor. I suppose they could be used as a diving board suspension for very small swimmers. I will let them go for the price of shipping plus $10 just to make them worth something.

Now that the rears are done, I understand Wayne has a new-fangled front spring setup that's supposed to be an improvement over the Progressive (or similar) basic replacement kit. Does anyone have any experience with Wayne's front suspension stuff?

 

[GPMAZ]

Aren't those Hagons nice? From what I got from talking to Wayne is that he uses Progressive springs but has made a spacer that can be cut to size to make the whole set up tuneable. I'm no suspension expert but it sounded interesting to me. Also, a very inexpensive mod from what Wayne was saying.

 

[MountainMan]

I went and took a nap this afternoon instead of putting Ol' Blue out for a run. The shocks are the 340 mm version, so they're about an inch taller than stock. I'm leaving the spring adjustment set at the top and the damper adjustment in the middle. We'll see how much bounce this ol' fat boy gets with those settings.

Probably this evening I'll get the shameless ol' hussy out for a run after I finish smoking a bunch of pork cushions. I built a smoker out of a metal garbage can that works like a charm. I call it the garba-cue.

 

[atomsplitter]

You'll want to dial that preload up about 5 or 6 turns to start. I have mine set about 50% of the threads for normal solo riding. Not to worry, each turn past 50% adds a LOT more preload. The ride is plush for my (nearly) 295 pounds lard butt daily commute. ENJOY!!

 

[GPMAZ]

Were the springs sized for your weight and whether or not you ride solo? If so you may not need to increase the preload much unless you load the bike beyond what they were sized for. I ordered mine for my 185 lb. weight and solo riding and find the initial setting to be just fine.

 

[barbagris]

From what I got from talking to Wayne is that he uses Progressive springs but has made a spacer that can be cut to size to make the whole set up tuneable. I'm no suspension expert but it sounded interesting to me. Also, a very inexpensive mod from what Wayne was saying.

Mmmm - More info required. Spacers are a doddle to machine up. I'd still prefer air springing up front though.

 

[MountainMan]

Were the springs sized for your weight and whether or not you ride solo? If so you may not need to increase the preload much unless you load the bike beyond what they were sized for. I ordered mine for my 185 lb. weight and solo riding and find the initial setting to be just fine.

I orderd the Fat Guy springs which are rated for 35 kg/196 lb each side (392 lbs total). I also have the length at 340 mm (13.4 inches) to get a little more travel capacity. I figured they would not only cover me riding solo where the stockers couldn't (even on setting "5"). Hell, with this setup I could even date fat chicks!

Last evening, I took Ol' Blue up in the canyon on a two-laner that was pretty rough. The road report is that my spine didn't receive the kind of sharp shocks I have come to know and love with the stockers. I could actually feel them working as shock absorbers for a change. I could also fell the bike was quite a bit more solid in the corners. It didn't feel like it wanted to jump out from under me.

I think I'll leave the settings where they are for the time being and make sure they are worn in for a thousand miles, or so, before I break out the adjustment wrench.

Hey, I still have those fishin' weights for sale. Hurry before someone else gets 'em.

 

[barbagris]

I also have the length at 340 mm (13.4 inches) to get a little more travel capacity.

GR - What matters is the "sag" when you're sat on it. Shaft drive bikes DO NOT work well if you force them to odd angles twixt gearbox and diff. It's why some of the "adventure" style bikes with lots of travel have two UJ's. Not to mention that the pictures I've seen of the R3's shaft suggest it's a very simple hookes joint. As long as most of the time you're close to having the rear swing near stock angle - you'll be OK. And ime - Extra length does NOT always mean extra travel. it just means the eyelets are on a longer bit of steel.

My Fournales are also overlength. 325mm - but ime Airshocks have to be a bit longer to get the sag correct without being soft.

 

[MountainMan]

Airshocks are nice. I've had them on my old Aspencade and the Kawa Voyager 1300.

If I'm bottoming out the stockers on setting "5," my guess is that the sag with my fat butt astride Ol' Blue will get to "proper" as far as the shaft angle is concerned. Regardless of my speculations, I'll check it by having my neighbor take a look. She's a strange combination of engineer and math teacher (practical and analyzing) and horse person (total lack of reality when it comes to priorities). I'll try and coax the analyst out of her.

Thanks for the tip, Chris. It's too bad one can't check the fit out before ordering the ****ed things. Kinda shootin' from the hip with a couple of shaky suggestions from others.

Experience is the best educator. It has to be because it's the most expensive.