Cool thanks. I talked to Dan today, and he said he's sending me a little shorter spring because of my Intimidators, still a 1.0kg though. I didn't ask the length, but he said if I'm not happy with it, send it back for a longer one. Once it arrives, I'll post up details in case other 49mm guys want to go the single rate route with Ricor Intimidators.

Now I'm off to find a nice set of pre-load adjusters.

 

http://www.thespeedmerchant.bigcarte...-black-anodize

 

Is the lenght of the OEM spring the same for a 49mm fork than a 41mm fork?

 

All my parts arrived on Friday, so I jumped on the swap after dinner last night. I also posted my experience in fabrik8r's thread in the touring section on Ricor Intiminators, which has grown well beyond baggers but want to update all the dyna guys too.

As I mentioned before, Dan at Traxxion recommended a 1.0kg spring for my weight and riding style. I think it might be a bit stiff since I only weigh 160, but he says it's what I need with the Ricors and San Diego freeways.

Recipe for my mod: Traxxion single rate spring for 49mm forks (44x365x1.0kg), Amsoil #5 Shock Therapy, and RSD Preload Adjusters - [Ricor Intiminators already installed].

I decided to change to the #5 Shock Therapy after reading fabik8r's thread and advice from Brian at Ricor. He said since the 49mm forks actually move less oil than earlier versions, that the lighter oil was necessary to realize the full benefit of the Intiminators.

I took the easy way out and used a marine oil pump to suck the oil from the top of the forks rather than remove the wheel, front end, and invert them to drain.

I first cut the spacers to 1.5" above the top of the fork tube to match the previous height with the stock spring installed. There was no way to get the new RSD adjusters on with that much material and the new (much stiffer) spring. I cut another inch off and was able to get the RSDs on. It still wasn't easy, and after re-reading fabrik8r's thread, I may cut the spacer down a little more since I have almost 2 inches of adjustment with the RSDs.

I matched the oil level by measuring from the top of the tube down to what was in there when I started (with the springs removed). After I was done, I compared the level to what the service manual calls for. I should have 5.8" between the oil and top of the tube with the forks compressed. I measured it at 5.75" so I'm calling it good.

Road test planned for today after I finish my honey-do list. I'll check back in with results.

Thanks again to Ryderbiker for helping me figure out the springs. Even though he's moved on from his Dyna, I think keeping his thread updated is good for those that come along later.

Here are pics of the pump I used (which was awesome BTW) and the RSDs installed. It was dark when I finished, so I'll get some better pics today during my road test.

 

Thanks for the detailed update on the install. I'll be checking back for the post ride update!

 

Where did you get tht pump and how much was it? I have a 12volt one that doesn't work very well. Keep the post coming as ryderbiker never did finish dialing in the dyna.
I'm interested in how much better the ricors are with the 5w oil and the new spring

 

It's an oil extractor made by Hydro-Turf. for around $50. It works like one of the pesticide sprayers from Home Depot, but in reverse. You pump it 15-20 times to build the vacuum and then let it go. No electricity needed.

The road test went very well. I tried to find some crappy roads to really get a feel for it, but think I'll have to wait until my commute in tomorrow for the real test. There's a stretch of freeway that is god-awful that I want to try.

Overall, it's much better than before. Dan said the 1.0kg spring would be more "plush" than what I was used to and he was right. Definitely a smoother ride, but I've got some more playing to do with the preload adjusters.

More to follow.

 

Do me a favor and keep track of how much you end up cutting off the spacer and how much you add with the preload adjusters. I may be able to use your results and not have to buy the preload adjusters. I'll keep following your post until you get them dialed in fully.

 

Will do...I actually replaced the spacers last night with some beefier 1.25" PVC since the metal spacers got a little chewed up from my sawing. I cut the new spacers flush with the top of the fork tube (on the lift, front wheel in the air).

I put 2 full turns on the adjusters and stress-tested it by lane-splitting on the freeway this morning. There were lots of breaks in traffic that allowed me to get some extended high speed cruising in as well. I hit the worst part of the freeway (the 5/805 split) above 80, and the control was much improved. The ride is still firm, but much less feedback/bounciness through the bars. It felt much more like my old sportbike front end, which I like. I felt no affect at all from any rain grooves or seams in pavement. Hitting a row of lane reflectors while splitting lanes was barely noticeable. I knew I was running over them, and could feel a slight bump through the bars, but the front wheel wasn't jumping them like before.

I think I could soften the ride even more by cutting another 1/2" off the spacer, but I really liked the feel of everything this morning. I'm gonna leave it as is for a week before I touch anything else so any affect from other changes will be more noticeable.

One thing for sure...I feel my rear suspension much more than I did before. The preload and dampening is adjustable on my Hagons, so I think I'm going to play with them a little to get them closer to the feel of the front...maybe add a little more rebound and see if the small bumps smooth out in the seat. I hope I'm not heading towards another upgrade for the rear.

I'll measure the exact length of the spacers tonight when I get home, and figure out how much travel 2 full turns on the adjusters is, then post it here so you have a good starting point.

BTW...the guy who "bought" my Windvest backed out, so if you still want those clamps, email me. I'll send them to you for the price of shipping.

 

[quote] =SquidHead;11821975 I hit the worst part of the freeway (the 5/805 split) above 80, and the control was much improved. [quote]


That expansion joint heading southbound through the uphill sweeper is the primary reason I upgraded my suspension...lol Works trackers, Works triple rate springs and cartridges, Speed Merchant preload adjusters and a GPR stabilizer have given the bike a whole new dimension.

Great progress on your build Squid I have enjoyed following it!