Hey Fellow riders, well, here is the story. Last summer I took a long ride from Las Vegas to Key West to DC to the Ark Rally and home. In those travels, I stopped by to see Jaxon and he said I was waaaayyy overweighted for the stock spring. I mailed some stuff home ;-) and continued the ride, but picked up a "friend" in Tampa for the Key West adventure. The bike bottomed out (there is a better story here, but that's for the next rally). Talking to most of you at the rally, I decided to up the OEM spring. The dealership here ordered a 1,200 pound (my decision) spring and collars from a company in LA. The springs were the exact same size. I had the stronger spring put on and now I can barely touch my toes. It's so uncomfortable that I'm almost afraid to ride my baby. I am 5'10" tall with a 30 inch inseam and bought the bike used with a lowering links kit already installed. The bike does settle a little when I put my 170 pounds on it, and I'm sure it will do better when I load it down for the AK trip next summer, but I ride it mostly with the Jesse's empty. I guess I could put sand bags in the boxes but there has to be a smarter way.
Now I turn to my S-10 brain-trust out there. Can they cut the spring shorter (the bike is about 1 1/2 to 2 inches higher now)? Should I go to an Olin system? or will I have the same problem? I have too much invested to go to the 2014 ES, nor do I know if that solves the heavy weight problem when I'm all loaded for a big trip? Everything else on the bike is in great working order. . . now IF I could just touch the ground ;-)
Any ideas on how to adjust the height of the bike with this spring would be my first option ($$$). . . And If you all suggest I go to a different shock system, then reading the different threads, I would lean towards an Olin system, unless you gents and ladies suggest better. . . Thanks early for you sage wisdom . . . Luke
Now I turn to my S-10 brain-trust out there. Can they cut the spring shorter (the bike is about 1 1/2 to 2 inches higher now)? Should I go to an Olin system? or will I have the same problem? I have too much invested to go to the 2014 ES, nor do I know if that solves the heavy weight problem when I'm all loaded for a big trip? Everything else on the bike is in great working order. . . now IF I could just touch the ground ;-)
Any ideas on how to adjust the height of the bike with this spring would be my first option ($$$). . . And If you all suggest I go to a different shock system, then reading the different threads, I would lean towards an Olin system, unless you gents and ladies suggest better. . . Thanks early for you sage wisdom . . . Luke