new fork springs

[rtbuzz]

I remember someone saying something about stock heavy duty fork springs-that they were relitively inexpensive and did not change the balance of the bike(making it too soft or hard). I have an 83 R80RT with 50,000 miles. I put progressive springs on my 1980 850 Suzuki and they helped tremendously in riding the twisties, but heard they would change the balance on the R80. The only symptom I have in regards to the handleing on the bike comes with some slight buffeting at about 70mph. Its occasional rather than chronic, so some other factors may come into play, but i was wondering if new front springs might remedy my problem

[lkchris]

In the Airhead models prior to 1980, the RS came with stiffer springs than the rest. They were easily installed in the other models. It's the '017" spring.

From 1981 on, all models got the same spring, and there is no BMW "heavy duty" spring.

[Jeff]

:thumb try using pvc pipe as a spacer, just get the correct size and start at maybe 1/2 " also remember you can also try different weights fork oil to tune your front forks to your liking.

[manicmechanic]

When I had my '84 R100RTI replaced the springs with progressives, the rear shocks with Works, and put on a fork brace. I was amazed by how much better the bike handled. The PVC spacers are probably the most economical option, just remember to do one side at at time. It's a pain trying to compress one side with the other side flat. And you don't have to take the forks out of the bike, just (carefully) remove the cap, put the spacer on top of the spring, then replace the cap.

[flash412]

... I was wondering if new front springs might remedy my problemBefore you start with springs and/or spacers, change to 10 wt fork oil. For most folks, that makes all the difference in the world.

[sgborgstrom]

It makes sense that BMW set the bikes up with components that work well together. The day I put a set of progressive springs in my first airhead the rear suspension-previously deemed "OK"- suddenly became the weakest link. Putting a set of "Konis" on the back end transformed the handling immeasurably for the better.

"Buffeting" can come from many things, what type of aftermarket luggage are you using? My old "S" would start to wag it's tail above 70 with a Givi tail trunk on board. Had a set of bridgestone "spitfires" that got squirrely on wet roads at about the same speed.

Steve