Good place to get springs from?

[12Bravo]

I am looking to re-spring the rear end since I have the bike running ok'ish. Need to do some jetting work, but want to start setting it up suspension for my big butt.

Where is a good place to order heavy springs for the Ohlin shocks?

As far as the fronts go, I think I have the 50mm front. I can't find anywhere on them to ID make or model that they are. But I am sure I need a re-spring in them also.

Thanks

 

[Rod Overstreet]

I am looking to re-spring the rear end since I have the bike running ok'ish. Need to do some jetting work, but want to start setting it up suspension for my big butt.

Where is a good place to order heavy springs for the Ohlin shocks?

As far as the fronts go, I think I have the 50mm front. I can't find anywhere on them to ID make or model that they are. But I am sure I need a re-spring in them also.

Thanks

Richard at House of Horsepower or Les at LT Racing.

 

[slocalspode]

I am looking to re-spring the rear end since I have the bike running ok'ish. Need to do some jetting work, but want to start setting it up suspension for my big butt.

Where is a good place to order heavy springs for the Ohlin shocks?

As far as the fronts go, I think I have the 50mm front. I can't find anywhere on them to ID make or model that they are. But I am sure I need a re-spring in them also.

Thanks

50mm Marzocchi Magnum forks on a '99 200? Hmmm. Does your bike
have a 6 speed gear box, or a 4 speed? The early MC GasGas bikes used
the 4 speed trans and that might be the reason your bike is so snappy.
It might be the MX model as opposed to the EC and XC enduro models.
If Jim Cook is still lurking around here, he can add info to the differences
between the MC and EC/XC models. There might be a CDI difference too.
My '98 GG250 started life as an MC. Someone removed the counter balancer and added the 6 speed trans before I bought it. I have the 50mm
forks but a friends '99 EC250 has the 45mm forks. I ended up having the
counter balancer reinstalled and it runs so much better.
Best of luck on your new toy.
Cheers, JJ

 

[12Bravo]

50mm Marzocchi Magnum forks on a '99 200? Hmmm. Does your bike
have a 6 speed gear box, or a 4 speed? The early MC GasGas bikes used
the 4 speed trans and that might be the reason your bike is so snappy.
It might be the MX model as opposed to the EC and XC enduro models.
If Jim Cook is still lurking around here, he can add info to the differences
between the MC and EC/XC models. There might be a CDI difference too.
My '98 GG250 started life as an MC. Someone removed the counter balancer and added the 6 speed trans before I bought it. I have the 50mm
forks but a friends '99 EC250 has the 45mm forks. I ended up having the
counter balancer reinstalled and it runs so much better.
Best of luck on your new toy.
Cheers, JJ

I have 6 gears, have not be able to ride anywhere long enough to get out of 3rd gear. But I just shifted it sitting still, I have 6 gears.

How can I tell if it is counter balanced?

 

[slocalspode]

I have 6 gears, have not be able to ride anywhere long enough to get out of 3rd gear. But I just shifted it sitting still, I have 6 gears.

How can I tell if it is counter balanced?

I think you will have to take off the right hand side engine / clutch cover off.


It is attached to the larger gear behind the clutch basket and that plastic
gear in the above picture. I took this picture to show that timing marks
were not aligned properly when I got my motor back from the shop that
installed the balancer.

Another view:


You might also be able to see that balancer from the left hand side of the
engine cover. To the upper right of the stator.



You should know if the balancer is installed if your bike idles smoother
than any other 2-stroke you've ridden. It is almost freeky how it runs.
Cheers, JJ

 

[12Bravo]

I think you will have to take off the right hand side engine / clutch cover off.


It is attached to the larger gear behind the clutch basket and that plastic
gear in the above picture. I took this picture to show that timing marks
were not aligned properly when I got my motor back from the shop that
installed the balancer.

Another view:


You might also be able to see that balancer from the left hand side of the
engine cover. To the upper right of the stator.



You should know if the balancer is installed if your bike idles smoother
than any other 2-stroke you've ridden. It is almost freeky how it runs.
Cheers, JJ

Nice information, I will have to look when I take the motor apart at some point in time. I don't have any gaskets and would hate to take the covers off and rip a gasket, then what....lol

As far as riding another 2 stroke, I have not done that in over 15 years! To much beer since then, memory is good, just short!

 

[RBrider]

I am looking to re-spring the rear end since I have the bike running ok'ish. Need to do some jetting work, but want to start setting it up suspension for my big butt.

Where is a good place to order heavy springs for the Ohlin shocks?

As far as the fronts go, I think I have the 50mm front. I can't find anywhere on them to ID make or model that they are. But I am sure I need a re-spring in them also.

Thanks

Ohlins USA is located down the road (I 26) from you in Hendersonville NC.
They'll sell you a spring and install it on your shock, too. They can probably tell you which spring you need as well.

I had them do a BMW shock spring for me a yr or so ago. The service manager was an old dirt bike guy & very knowledgable.

I'll bet they can fix you right up. But first, I'd try setting the sag, with you on the bike, at about 4 in, or 100 mm. It might be fine (or, OK) for you at this stage of your dirt bike experience.

RB

 

[slocalspode]

The left side engine cover does not seal oil. It should be possible to remove it
without ripping the gasket....?
In the bottom picture, this is from my 2001 EC300. It DOES NOT have a balancer.
Sorry, I don't have a picture of the EC250 from this side. I took this when I was
changing the stator from the 2K2 to a 2K3.

Back to springs. Do you know what spring rate you need? Also do you know what
is presently installed? You might have some luck asking the folks here if they have
and old one they would sell you.... or trade?
Cheers, JJ

 

[12Bravo]

The left side engine cover does not seal oil. It should be possible to remove it
without ripping the gasket....?
In the bottom picture, this is from my 2001 EC300. It DOES NOT have a balancer.
Sorry, I don't have a picture of the EC250 from this side. I took this when I was
changing the stator from the 2K2 to a 2K3.

Back to springs. Do you know what spring rate you need? Also do you know what
is presently installed? You might have some luck asking the folks here if they have
and old one they would sell you.... or trade?
Cheers, JJ

Without saying just how fat I am, I need a HEAVY spring....lol The one on the bike, will not adjust to the proper sag for me, I tried. I would be pre-loading way to much. Right now I don't ride fast, but will in the future before I buy a newer bike, so I would like to set this up as close to right as I can.

When I looked online, and I am learning this also as I go. I need a spring rate in the area of 7.5-9 or so....So yea, I'm a big guy...haha

Looking at the front forks, was reading something in the 48 range is needed.

I really need to have a shop do it, but can't afford the big money they charge to spring and valve and damper and what ever else they do, learning still...

 

[slocalspode]

Without saying just how fat I am, I need a HEAVY spring....lol The one on the bike, will not adjust to the proper sag for me, I tried. I would be pre-loading way to much. Right now I don't ride fast, but will in the future before I buy a newer bike, so I would like to set this up as close to right as I can.

When I looked online, and I am learning this also as I go. I need a spring rate in the area of 7.5-9 or so....So yea, I'm a big guy...haha

Looking at the front forks, was reading something in the 48 range is needed.

I really need to have a shop do it, but can't afford the big money they charge to spring and valve and damper and what ever else they do, learning still...

Yikes! 7.5-7.9! I think the heaviest spring I've heard of for the Ohlins rear
shock was 5.6kg - 5.9kg
I am ~210-215lbs with gear on. #30 more with water and tools in a camelback. I believe I am running a 5.4kg on my '02 300 and 5.2 on the
'98 EC250SM....? Maybe the other way around..
There has to be folks on here with more / better info than I.

 

[memphis2857]

I am 250 with gear and run a 6.0 on my 2011. Stock was 5.2

Up front I am running some of Richard Wilsons progressive springs which are amazing. They are a .45-.50. Stock was .42

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[12Bravo]

Yikes! 7.5-7.9! I think the heaviest spring I've heard of for the Ohlins rear
shock was 5.6kg - 5.9kg
I am ~210-215lbs with gear on. #30 more with water and tools in a camelback. I believe I am running a 5.4kg on my '02 300 and 5.2 on the
'98 EC250SM....? Maybe the other way around..
There has to be folks on here with more / better info than I.

Yikes is right, I'm fat...haha

 

[memphis2857]

Running those kind of spring rates is going to overcome the valving in the shock and forks and will more than likely make for a pretty crappy ride. I would think you will have to do a revalve to make those springs work properly


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[CACTUSREID]

i'm running a .47 spring in my forks and a 5.6 on my rear shock on my 11 ec 300. i'm 195 lbs before gear and tool belt and camel back. my bike rides like a high speed couch! strong when you need it, and soft and compliant in the tough stuff. yes i have had my forks revalved , but that is mostly to cure the deflection and choppy-ness of the stock undersized base valves of the 45 zoke forks. my ohlins rear shock is still stock and works very well. Do not be afraid of "stronger" springs as they will hold you up farther in the suspensions available travel than a "softer/ weaker" spring will do. imagine you have 12 inches of travel and you have soft/ weak springs in there. your 200 lbs and you jump on your bike with stock springs, and you have just pushed it down into the travel about 6 inches, you will only have 6 inches left of travel when you are actually riding or racing. now go up in spring strength to something that matches your weight,and when you jump on your bike you will only compress the suspension 1 or 2 inches. so now you have 11 or almost 12 inches of available travel, and you can adjust your clickers or valving to utilize what you now have. big /stronger springs are not stiffer or harsher, if fact just the opposite, try it you will probably really like it. if not when you hear me on your tail when we are 4 hr's into a good ride, pull over as i'm coming through with lots of stamina still left, as my bike has not shit kicked me like yours has done to you.

 

[12Bravo]

i'm running a .47 spring in my forks and a 5.6 on my rear shock on my 11 ec 300. i'm 195 lbs before gear and tool belt and camel back. my bike rides like a high speed couch! strong when you need it, and soft and compliant in the tough stuff. yes i have had my forks revalved , but that is mostly to cure the deflection and choppy-ness of the stock undersized base valves of the 45 zoke forks. my ohlins rear shock is still stock and works very well. Do not be afraid of "stronger" springs as they will hold you up farther in the suspensions available travel than a "softer/ weaker" spring will do. imagine you have 12 inches of travel and you have soft/ weak springs in there. your 200 lbs and you jump on your bike with stock springs, and you have just pushed it down into the travel about 6 inches, you will only have 6 inches left of travel when you are actually riding or racing. now go up in spring strength to something that matches your weight,and when you jump on your bike you will only compress the suspension 1 or 2 inches. so now you have 11 or almost 12 inches of available travel, and you can adjust your clickers or valving to utilize what you now have. big /stronger springs are not stiffer or harsher, if fact just the opposite, try it you will probably really like it. if not when you hear me on your tail when we are 4 hr's into a good ride, pull over as i'm coming through with lots of stamina still left, as my bike has not shit kicked me like yours has done to you.

I'll look into that, but one issue is I'm NOT 200lbs. With all my gear I am closer to 290-300lbs.

This spring is soft, but I am new so I am not sure what it should feel like. I have just read that bikes should be set to the rider.

 

[12Bravo]

After riding with new guys today. Found a local place to do suspension, the whole nine yards for around $600!

He is highly recommended from the MX and Enduro communities. So this might be in my future soon!