New fork springs for the KZ1100A-2

I'm looking into replacing the original (34 year old) fork springs, and wonder if there is anything to be concerned about (or tricks) while putting them in, and what experience I should expect to enjoy. The timing would be good, since I want to change out the fork oil before riding season starts. Any thoughts on recommended oil and weight to use?
:whistle: Spring thinking:

If you want to go with straight rate spring try Soncis www.sonicsprings.com/catalog/ .Don't have them on my classic Suzuki's,yet.Did make the front of my 06 SV650 WAY better.

I've used Bel Ray 15W Fork Oil since my bike was new and it has always worked great. I replace it every 2 years. Be sure to measure the fork oil level correctly using the specs in the manual. You measure it from the top of the fork tube down to the top of the fork oil level (like the oil dipstick in a car engine) using a rod or wooden dowel. The manual will give the correct distance and whether or not the springs should be in place during measurement. The front end must be elevated off the ground and the forks fully extended while measuring, and it's good to go back and check again after putting some miles on the bike in case any air pockets were in the fork cylinders. One really nice thing about Bel Ray fork oil is that they offer a bunch of different weights from 2.5 - 30w (see link), and they can be mixed if you wish to fine tune the forks for a specific stiffness. Straight 15w works fine for me, and I've never had a seal leak. Ed

www.belray.com/bel-ray-high-performance-fork-oil

I'm debating changing the springs, but I don't know what to expect. Will spring length be the same as OEM, and will I still need to pressurize the forks with air? There seem to be differing opinions regarding that.
We will have a lot of pot-holes to endure here this Spring, and I'm thinking new springs will help.
I will likely go with the 15 wt. Bell Ray fork oil suggested.

Thanks guys.

The Sonics will not be the same length as OEM but will come with clear instructions on how to cut the included PVC pipe to make a spacer.No air will be needed for a good ride.When the time comes with my 82 750GPz I'm going to get a set for it. Probably do my 78 GS1000 to.

GKBO wrote: The Sonics will not be the same length as OEM but will come with clear instructions on how to cut the included PVC pipe to make a spacer.No air will be needed for a good ride.When the time comes with my 82 750GPz I'm going to get a set for it. Probably do my 78 GS1000 to.

I looked, but wasn't able to find these available for my KZ1100.
Wound up ordering the Progressive 11-1110 shown as the correct set for the bike. However, I thought they would be sized to simply drop-in without need for spacers. I guess I was wrong about that, after a little more research.
They are due to arrive in a couple days, and hopefully by the weekend I'll be playing with them. :kiss:

daveo wrote: I looked, but wasn't able to find these available for my KZ1100.
Wound up ordering the Progressive 11-1110 shown as the correct set for the bike.

You could also look into Race Tech: racetech.com/page/id/56

I don't have any personal experience with them, but they offer a lot of cool stuff. It looks like they offer fork springs in a range of spring rates as well.

I used to live in MT and the roads are not really nice up that way either. I replaced mine with a set of progressives and loved them. I too used 15W Bellray oil. If I remember correctly we took stock spacers out for the uprade. Who ever you buy them from will tell you how to space them for your model if it is needed. My 77 KZ1000a1 did not have air so I have no comment there. The ride was very nice on the new springs and oil. They eliminated brake diving on the front end. The hardest part for me was making a tool to take the for tubes apart. Other than that very simple on my bike. If its the same part number as my bike, I would be happy to sell you my springs. I bent my forks and upgraded to USD forks. The springs have maybe 1500 miles on them.

kaw-a-holic wrote: I used to live in MT and the roads are not really nice up that way either. I replaced mine with a set of progressives and loved them. I too used 15W Bellray oil. If I remember correctly we took stock spacers out for the uprade. Who ever you buy them from will tell you how to space them for your model if it is needed. My 77 KZ1000a1 did not have air so I have no comment there. The ride was very nice on the new springs and oil. They eliminated brake diving on the front end. The hardest part for me was making a tool to take the for tubes apart. Other than that very simple on my bike. If its the same part number as my bike, I would be happy to sell you my springs. I bent my forks and upgraded to USD forks. The springs have maybe 1500 miles on them.

That is a great offer, and I'd seriously consider it had I not already ordered a set. Thanks!
Spring is near!!!