Suspension advice.
 

I've had my 2kf for about 15 years now. Its a bit tatty here and there but its complete and original and starts and runs like a new one. This year I am finally going to something with it other than ride to work. So a plan is hatched to ride to spain to visit my friend there, and enter, in a very casual non competitive way, a 2 day off road navigation challenge.
I've always felt that the suspension, particularly the forks, are a weak point on this bike, so I'm thinking of an upgrade. My question is this - are the progressive fork springs, sold by Hagon, a worthwhile investment? I'm thinking new shock - mine is original, nearly 30 years old and probably a bit tired - and progressive fork springs might be enough to update the ride to an acceptable level. Or is there something else I should consider?

With an older bike it comes down to how much you willing to invest? :innocent:

For casual road riding/ADV Touring, progressive springs would be OK ... but you need to get ones with a higher (firmer) spring rate than your standard ones. Keep in mind, SPRINGS DO NOT WEAR OUT. But internal damping valves in your fork and shock DO. They'll need to be renewed, rebuilt.

I prefer "Straight rate" fork springs. You may find springs cheap or free that would help your bike. Perhaps go "about" 15% to 20% stiffer over standard spring rate.

If doing heavy off road then straight rate springs are better, IMO. You can probably find better springs at a breakers. Blast off rust, good to go. Hard part is knowing the spring rate. Spring length also important. A stiffer spring will likely be SHORTER than standard. This is normal. Check XT owners boards with help sourcing springs. Used springs are FINE ... if they are correct rate.

In addition to springs I would rebuild the damping in your forks. I believe your bike has old school damping rod forks. A fork specialist can rebuild the damper rods, install new valves, re-do shim stacks, clean and add fresh fork oil. BIG HELP. No idea what this costs in UK, but about a one hour job ... plus parts.

Shocks are all about money. You could have your original shock rebuilt ... same as forks: add heavier spring, all new rubber bits internally, new parts, fresh oil, fresh nitrogen charge. ... or if you have the budget, buy a nice new shock.

Try to match spring rates best you can with front forks. Important to have a "balance" between front and rear, then get it all set up for your weight and load. Will be night and day better from before. bier

I'd go for a rebuildkit for the forks with new bushings, and ofcourse fresh oil, and new springs. I like my wilbers progressive ones.

I would also replace the shock, again, wilbers have shocks in just about every price and performance range.

Thats what I didon my 2003 xt600e.

Play around
 

You could play around with heavier weight oil and try adding a 20 or 30mm spacer for a bit of preload. Minimal cost, few quid in the beer fund for an engineer to machine the spacers.....worth a punt?

I have wilbers progressive springs in the front and they do the job.

On my XT600E I have a Hyperpro Progressive spring on the rear and just heavier oil in the front, it all worked well enough off road in the Balkans

Wayne