K11 Owners Group

Bob T · Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2011 10:32 am Post subject: Current fork spring options

Can anyone recommend fork springs from what's currently available?
Looking to rebuild the forks on my '95 K11RS in January.

OK...did my searching, but not a lot of recent info.

What I've learned on the web...which may or may not be true.

Progressive suspension, (which I have in my other bike), doesn't list my K
White Brothers springs do not appear to be available anymore.
The RAM springs are not ready for production yet.
Sonic Springs doesn't list them, but they told me they have them for the K, (same as Concours). Straight wound, recommended by some of my Suzuki friends.
Race tech are available.
And Wilbers Progressives are available.

Prices range from $80-120, so that is not a factor.
I ride fairly hard in the twisties, sometimes two up...

Any thoughts?
_________________
Bob T.
'96 K1100RS
'95 K1100RS - Totaled
'01 Triumph TT600
'83 Suzuki GS1100E

roadscum · Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2011 11:11 am Post subject:

Check your PM's. I've got a new set of Hyperpro's available.

Regards, Paul
_________________
"I don't believe in the after life, although I am bringing a change of underwear." - Woody Allen
'94 K11RS
'08 F800S
'08 MG 1200 Sport
'09 Triumph Scrambler

Flying Duck · Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2011 1:31 pm Post subject:

You missed one:
http://www.worksperformance.com/html/street.html
_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

Bob T · Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2011 1:47 pm Post subject:

Manhattan Rider · Big Brick Rider Joined: 09 Nov 2009 Posts: 69

I changed my springs to Hyperpro about a year ago. It made an incredible handling difference compared to the old springs with about 120,000 miles on them.
_________________
Ken Krumm
Manhattan, Kansas
2014 BMW R1200GSA
1996 BMW K1100LT
1996 BMW R1100RT
2004 BMW R1150GS
BMW 500,000 Mile Award
2004 Ducati ST3
1974 Norton 850 Commando Roadster
1969 BSA 441 Victor Special

RJTrucker · Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 10:35 am Post subject: EPM Performance imports

EPM has Springs as well as Shocks for the K11. He is also giving a 10% discount to all members of the K11OG. He has been reffered to here as the old german guy from NJ. Yes he is German but he might not be to happy with the old part. When it comes to BMW suspensions he really knows his stuff. I have been using one of his YSS shocks on my K11LT for a few years now and love it. Remember to tell him you are with the K11OG and tell them Ron sent you. I could use the brownie points.
_________________
Ron
1993 K11LT
1985 K100RS with over 100K on it
1985 K100RS Luftmiester Turbo Work in progress (any help is appreciated)
1974 R90/6

RJTrucker · Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 10:38 am Post subject: EPM

EPM does carry HyperPro as well as YSS.
http://www.epmperf.com/
Check out the web page but be sure to give them a call if you have any questions.
_________________
Ron
1993 K11LT
1985 K100RS with over 100K on it
1985 K100RS Luftmiester Turbo Work in progress (any help is appreciated)
1974 R90/6

Bob T · Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 10:48 am Post subject:

OK...I ordered a set of springs from Sonic springs.

I wanted to try a set of linear springs as opposed to progressives.
I could have gone with Race Tech, which are also linear, but Sonic was recommended to me by a friend due to their outstanding customer service.

So...we shall see. I'll post up a report when I get them in and the weather lets me out.

Thanks everyone for the help.
_________________
Bob T.
'96 K1100RS
'95 K1100RS - Totaled
'01 Triumph TT600
'83 Suzuki GS1100E

Flying Duck · Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 12:13 pm Post subject:

Personally haven't tried it but another option for beefing up your forks might be heavier fork oil - like 15.
_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

Bob T · Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 12:21 pm Post subject:

Jim · Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 12:35 pm Post subject:

Bob, you might want to replace the bushings, too - if you have any miles on the bike.

When I needed to replace the front springs, I turned to Jim Lindemann of http://www.le-suspension.com/ Jim is highly regarded for his suspension work in mc racing.

Jim recommended linear, rather than progressive springs. If you get the right springs, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

One thing to note - unless the springs you order are the same exact internal diameter as the original springs, they will not fit over the locator stub on the damper rod. I had to take the damper rods to a machine shop and have them turned. Here's Anton's write up: http://www.largiader.com/tech/k11forks/
_________________
Jim
1997 K1100LTSE 94,000 - still has gremlins!
1995 R100RT Classic 16,650 crashed - repaired!
1992 K75RTP 46,000

"We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed."

Bob T · Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 12:42 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the advice, Jim.

The bike has 28K on it...but for the cost of the bushings, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to replace them.

In my communication with Rich at Sonic, he assured me the springs will fit, but we shall see. (And I will save your links just in case).
We did pick a spring rate suitable to my weight and riding style, so that should be good.
_________________
Bob T.
'96 K1100RS
'95 K1100RS - Totaled
'01 Triumph TT600
'83 Suzuki GS1100E

Jim · Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 6:56 pm Post subject:

Yeah - at 28,000 I doubt you need bushings, but if you have it apart, you might as well change them - then they should be good for 50 or 60,000. Otherwise you'll be going back in there in another 20 or 30,000 to change the bushings.

I think you'll be really pleased with the linear springs.

If you haven't done anything with the rear shock, you'll probably want to think about doing something to upgrade that. Stock shocks are good for about 40,000. As soon as you upgrade the front or the rear, you'll likely notice the other end is lacking.
_________________
Jim
1997 K1100LTSE 94,000 - still has gremlins!
1995 R100RT Classic 16,650 crashed - repaired!
1992 K75RTP 46,000

"We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed."

Stoked Steve · Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 9:28 pm Post subject:

So Bob, what's the cost on those?

I'd like to get new springs as well to compliment my RAM shock. At 54k on the odo, I'm sure I need them.
_________________
Steve
Virginia Beach, VA
93 K1100RS Mystic Red SOLD
12 Suzuki DL650A VStrom

Jim · Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 9:44 pm Post subject:

Steve - not answering for Bob. The springs I got from Lindemann (I was looking to get WP) are Tours N Twisties - about $95.00 or so.
_________________
Jim
1997 K1100LTSE 94,000 - still has gremlins!
1995 R100RT Classic 16,650 crashed - repaired!
1992 K75RTP 46,000

"We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed."

Bob T · Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 1:45 pm Post subject:

Bob T · Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2011 3:43 pm Post subject:

Bob T · Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 11:02 am Post subject:

Just a quick update...the springs are in, but I am not happy with the static sag....I think I need to take them back apart and take another 1/4" off the spacer.
Plus, I still have other work to do on the bike before a test ride...
And better weather would be good... Very Happy

Jim · Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 10:30 pm Post subject:

The difference in the diameter for the springs I got was only 1mm - not much to take off the locator flange.
_________________
Jim
1997 K1100LTSE 94,000 - still has gremlins!
1995 R100RT Classic 16,650 crashed - repaired!
1992 K75RTP 46,000

"We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed."

Beachcomber · Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2011 6:33 am Post subject:

Been away for a while - health issues. Mercifully resolved [ 'ish ] now.

OK the RAM springs. While I've benn out of action the road testing has continued on the RAM progressive springs and now we're back on the case.

To answer Duck's earlier question - they're Chrome Vanadium [ best valve spring quality ] and then shot peened and upgraded 10%.

I've had the pre-production samples back in my possesion now since Christmas, but not been well enough to do anthing about it!.

Like I said, back on the case now - just awaiting final costings on packaging, etc. then I'll post up the results.
_________________
Beachcomber '93 K1100RS / '93 K1100LT and several K100's