XJ forks – front suspension improvements

The biggest front suspension improvement you can make that i know of asides from getting a set of forks from a UK 82 Xj750 that has the preload 5 click adjustment, instead of the air value system that are 83 XJ750 have, and they also had the antidive system that we never got in North America are the Progressive Rate Fork Springs. Here is a some up of what Progressive fork springs do from there site.

The ‘Original’ Progressive Rate Fork Springs soak up the small road bumps yet are firm enough to absorb the larger ones. The progressively wound design gives you the best of both worlds. When you install these fork springs you’ll be amazed at the improvement you’ll feel in the handling and ride of your motorcycle.

The rates of these progressively wound springs have been carefully designed to fit each model. Spring rates have been chosen to reduce front end “dive” under braking yet still provide excellent ride comfort. In addition, we warranty our fork springs for life!

Progressive Rate Fork Springs have many advantages over straight rate springs. A straight rate spring only offers linear resistance to compression and is a compromise. For example, if you have a 20lb. straight rate spring it will take 20lbs. of force to compress the spring one inch. Then it will take 20 more lbs. of force to compress it the next inch, and so on, until the end of the travel.

A Progressive Rate Spring has the advantage of a rising rate resistance to compression. For example, a 15lb. to 25lb. Progressive Rate Spring will take 15lbs. to compress it the first inch, then 17lbs. the next inch, and so on, until the end of the travel; it will take an additional 25lbs. to compress it the last inch. The benefit of this is that the spring can be soft enough at the start of the travel to offer a “plush” ride yet be firm enough at the end of the travel to soak up the big bumps.

http://www.progressivesuspension.com/springs.html

I found a web site that sells progressive fork springs for 50 bucks for a set of two. This is the best price I have seen. They also sell K&N air filter for are bikes for $31 I think the part number for the air filter is YA1650 but not 100% Here is the link http://www.mawonline.com/progress.htm http://www.mawonline.com/default.htm Sorry I don’t know the part number for the progressive fork spring

 

This link will take you to an application search...

http://progressivesuspension.com/appmakeselect.asp

 

I am thinking about getting a set of progressive springs myself. I mainly work on 3 wheelers (atv's) and alot of people switch over to progression springs for there 3 wheelers and say they make a big difference. Another option would be to use a spacer on the top of the spring, again the 3 wheeler guys seems to run about a 1 in pvc spacer but I dont know what we would need for our bikes.