Updating suspension for a 1976 R90/6

[topoutat76]

I am the original owner of my R90/6. I've had it in storage for a long while - it has only 9600 miles. Had the carbs rebuilt - it runs fine. Put on Metzeler 33 in the front, and Metzeler 99 on the back. They stick really good. It is best at speeds between 50 and 65. Above that, I feel the ride is too bouncy.

I weigh 155 lbs. and basically cruise to work. The fork oil has been changed, but otherwise, it is the same front springs and rear shocks as in 1976. The rear shocks are not leaking. So my mechanic thinks they are still good, but dated. Is there anything out there that would make the ride more responsive ?

Thanks.

[kbasa]

A set of Koni shocks (now sold as Ikon, geddit?) will work wonders. You're suffering from the usual BMW suspension malady: oversprung and underdamped.

dave

[topoutat76]

Thanks. I'll get on this weekend. Any ideasaabout the front fork springs?

[kbasa]

I forget what I had in mine. I think I had some 1" spacers, but that may have been my Kbike....

[jgr451]

New Progressive fork springs.After so many years of sitting,yours will have a real sag to them.
I put Progressive rear shocks on my old R75/5 and it did wonders;cheaper than Konis/Ikons too,I think.

[topoutat76]

Great help. I am so glad I just joined BMW MOA. Thanks so much one and all. Now, I just need time to get it done.

Thanks.

[Braddog]

I put the IKON (formerly KONI) on my R100RS. It made a wonderful difference. I got mine from Bob's BMW, and paid around $289 for the set. I believe the price has gone up some, though.

You can also go with Progressive springs for the front, they go for around $50 for a set, or you could experiment with spacers, which a friend of mine said was better than actually replacing the springs.

Good Luck, I'd strongly suggest the suspension update, it will make a huge difference in the handling and ride of your R90.

[topoutat76]

Shud get it next week, and then I'll get the Progressive front springs. I think that combo will work wonders.

Thanks again.

[splinelube]

Just changed my rear suspension from Progressive Suspension units of about 8 yrs. old to new Progressive Suspension units. Series 412 ,from Dennis Kirk and cost was $250 incl. S & H. Found the privc increase this year for Ikons to be unfair as Bob's now has , according to Ikon importer, exclusive right to sell the BMW motorcycle series. Voila, lower cost to him and higher cost to us.

[BubbaZanetti]

i just got some new works shocks and installed them last weekend, the bike rides like a new machine (esp considering the 20 yr old "spring holders" i had on there before) not bad price either and they build them to your specifications

[28796]

A nice alternative to the Progressive frt fork springs are the factory HD springs. These list for about $16 each & seem to soak up the small stuff much better then the Progressives.

[splinelube]

Thanks for the tip. Have never had anyone recommend the factory units and never knew about H D units.

[28796]

Most everyone I know that used to run the Progressive fork springs has switched over to the factory HD springs. The Progressive springs are too stiff initially & don't work well on the bumpy roads around New England. Try the HD with no preload spacer first & add a little if necessary.

[Bigrider]

Heh, I like that Idea of using HD springs. Is there a particular set or would any HD springs work?


Dave Hoover
76 R90/6
84 R80RT
84 R100RS

[Cosmoline52]

Hey Dave, I think they're talking about BMW Heavy Duty stock springs. I think you're thinking Milwaukee? ;)

Many years ago I found out like most that my stock springs were pretty sacked after a couple of years. The (Luftmeister?) anti-bottoming spring kit helped some. I switched to BMW H/D springs and to tell you the truth I don't remember how well they worked, since I soon after went to the Progressives and that's what's still in there. Even with no spacers they were a pain to compress into the tubes, but combined with the S&W Freons in back the bike sat high and stayed there. Gone was any of the traditional BMW smoothly controlled ride but hello ground clearance at full tilt! No more ground off valve covers, brake pedal, or muffler clamps, or that wonderful feeling you get when the front tire drifts left when the right valve cover makes contact... the buckboard ride was a minor compromise.

Point is it's been 20 years since we rode like that and I want to get my bike back on the road with more sensible suspension and I like the ideas in this thread. Anybody know anything about BMW's H/D rear shock?

As far as Bob's cornering the market on Beemer Ikons and then jacking up the $$, I'm all for free enterprise but not monopolies. If they're gonna do that maybe they ought to up the warranty to Koni's Lifetime arrangement. Makes me want to stay with Capital Cycle, they've been great to me for over two decades.

[28796]

Bob's price for the Ikons had gone up along with everyone elses including Eurotech, the importer, before Bob cut his exclusive deal. The current pricing is a result of our soft dollar & much higher shipping costs.

The HD fork springs I referred to are BMW parts. These were stock in the Rt & probably the RS models too. Be sure & order the right ones for your year/model BMW.

[Bigrider]

:snore
Caught me sleeping. I was thinking Milwaukee. Must have been the $16 price that caught me off guard. Never saw much frm BMW that cheep. Come to think of it not much out of Milwaukee is cheep either.

[topoutat76]

World of difference. Progressive front fork springs and Ikons in the rear. Much less vibration, supple, yet responsive. I could also see now that my main carburetor jets were a bit lean, causing a bit of lunging which I mistook for bad shocks. Had that readjusted also. Now I might have to change my log in to topoutat90.

Thanks again one and all.