Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C10, aka Kawasaki Concours - The Original => The Bike - C10 => Topic started by: Schneiderman on November 27, 2011, 08:14:19 AM
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It's time to do some front end work on my concours. It's got somewhere around 70,000 miles on it. I want to add new springs, new fluid, new seals, and new steering head bearings. I might also get cartridge emulators.
I am about 150lbs, often have 20-40lbs of stuff in the bags or strapped to the bike, and occasionally have a passenger. Actually, I hope to be doing a lot more two-up riding next year. The bike is currently used mostly for commuting, primarily on the highway, but with a lot of riding on bad city roads as well. Twisty joyriding is limited and relatively casual. So I am looking for a versatile setup that will provide the best comfort and bump absorption while being stable on the highway.
So what do you think? Progressive or straight weight? If straight weight, what spring rate? Does one work better with emulators than the other?
As of now I still have the tired stock rear shock, but once I'm done with the front end I want to upgrade the shock as well, probably with a C14 shock, or maybe from a ZZR1200. Input is appreciated.
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Don't waste time or money on the progressives, get the Sonic 1.1's and you will thank yourself over and over. Go with 15 wt. fork oil and do not overfill.
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The 2001 is happy with its emulators, 1.0 kg/mm springs, 15W oil and ZZR1200 shock.
http://web.ncf.ca/ag136/forkUpgrade.htm (http://web.ncf.ca/ag136/forkUpgrade.htm)
http://web.ncf.ca/ag136/shock.htm (http://web.ncf.ca/ag136/shock.htm)
Based on good advice from this board, get the emulators with the little blue springs, rather than the yellow.
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I went Sonic and love em. I think a 1.0 would be better for your weight than the 1.1, but if you prefer stiffer....have at it.
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I only recommended the 1.1's due to you stating that you carried 20-40lbs of extra stuff, and was thinking of doing more two up riding.
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I went Sonic and love em. I think a 1.0 would be better for your weight than the 1.1
+1 for the Sonic springs in the 1.0. I weigh 150 and replaced my fork oil with a 50/50 blend of 10w and 15w Motul fork oil. Works great!!! :thumbs:
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I think I will go with the 1.0 sonic springs with 15 weight oil and emulators. Thanks guys.
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I know my experience won't help you, but just in case a fatter rider like myself reads this thread. I weigh in at about 300 and replaced my stock springs with Sonic 1.2 and 10wt(all I could find on the shelves and wanted it done the next day). I like a stiff ride and the 1.2s and 10wt is plenty stiff enough for me with my big 300 pound body. It really helped with the brake dive. There really is none at all anymore.
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Based on good advice from this board, get the emulators with the little blue springs, rather than the yellow.
What is the source for these? I only see one type at racetech and I don't know what color the springs are.