TOPIC:

Just wondering what "Progressive" springs-rates people went with to replace their worn out stock shocks?
I have a 79 KZ1000ST and my Kawi shop manual says my stock shocks have 100mm or 4 inches travel.
According to Z1 Enterprise & Progressive Spec sheet that would mean I would go with the 
12 Series Shocks 12- 1203B set that is 13.5 length eye to eye. So choosing shock = easy.
                 Free Length  -  Free Length  - Compressed - Compressed  - Travel* -    Travel*   
Order#          -Inches-         -Millimeters  -   Length In.   -  Length MM.  -  Inches  -  Millimeters - Mounts 
12-1200B       12.00               305                   9.10                231               2.90             74              E/E
12-1201B       12.50               318                   9.10                231               3.40             86              E/E
12-1202B       13.00               330                   9.20                234               3.80             97              E/E
12-1203B       13.50               343                   9.45                240               4.05           103              E/E

What I can't figure out though is what spring (spring rate) would match up closest with stock springs.
I have spent waaaayy too many hours searching this forum and others and the world wide web and haven't found what I am looking for yet.
I am around 185-190lbs and 95% no passenger or gear on bike.  So not wanting super stiff springs for heavy load or anything too soft either.
I know how sag works and I know the springs rates are first number = weight to get 1" compression, and 2nd number is weight to go deeper.
Not 100% sure though if that 2nd number is added to the first or stand alone? What I mean by that is say the spring rate is 90/130 then 90lbs compresses 
shock 1 inch.  Does the 2nd number (130) mean 130lbs alone to compress deeper, or is it 130lbs ON TOP of 90lbs to go compress deeper , like 90+130= 220lbs ??
Since I don't know the orig stock spring rate and I am not 100% how to cross ref my own weight to these spring rate choices I am just guessing now, which sucks.
So hoping someone out there may have been through this and could comment on what spring rate they went with, and if it was too stiff, too soft or just right. I know that it might not 
equal a perfect match for me as we may have diff body weight and diff preferences for how soft or stiff we like but at least it would be a bit of a benchmark for me to go by?
Where I live getting parts is a long and expensive process so I have to do my research with a microscope before I order anything as getting it wrong will be a long expensive delay.
So any tips be pure gold.  And whatever I go with I can report back this summer with how my choice worked for the next guy trying to figure out ideal spring rate without having a box of
springs to swap and test like me. Wouldn't that be sweet and make things easy!! ha ha

Here is the list of 12 series Springs that work with 13.5 inch shock and I have to choose from..ugh.
Love to hear your votes/choices. Cheers, Steve

Progressive Rate Springs For 12/412 Series Street Shocks
Order No.     Rate lbs/in  Rate kg/mm  Length-In   Length-mm  I.D.- Inch*** I.D.- mm***        Notes (Fits)
03-1318B/C    140/200      2.50/3.57       9.75             248            1.85                 47             12.50”, 13.00”, 13.50” & 14.25”
03-1364B/C    140/190      2.50/3.39      10.2              259            1.85                 47             12.50”, 13.00”, 13.50” & 14.25”
03-1365B/C    120/170      2.14/3.04       9.87             251            1.85                 47             12.50”, 13.00”, 13.50” & 14.25”
03-1367B/C      90/130      1.61/2.32       9.37             238            1.85                 47             12.50”, 13.00”, 13.50” & 14.25”
03-1368B/C    105/150      1.88/2.68       9.37             238            1.85                 47             12.50”, 13.00”, 13.50” & 14.25” 
03-1394B/C      75/120      1.34/2.14       9.75             248            1.85                 47             12.50”, 13.00”, 13.50” & 14.25”

This article has an explanation of "progressive" spring rates

sportsterpedia.com/doku.php/techtalk:ref:raw01

mac0239 wrote:

12 Series Shocks
                 Free Length  -  Free Length  - Compressed - Compressed  - Travel* -    Travel*   
Order#          -Inches-         -Millimeters  -   Length In.   -  Length MM.  -  Inches  -  Millimeters - Mounts 
12-1200B       12.00               305                   9.10                231               2.90             74              E/E
12-1201B       12.50               318                   9.10                231               3.40             86              E/E
12-1202B       13.00               330                   9.20                234               3.80             97              E/E
12-1203B       13.50               343                   9.45                240               4.05           103              E/E

Progressive Rate Springs For 12/412 Series Street Shocks
Order No.     Rate lbs/in  Rate kg/mm  Length-In   Length-mm  I.D.- Inch*** I.D.- mm***        Notes (Fits)
03-1318B/C    140/200      2.50/3.57       9.75             248            1.85                 47             12.50”, 13.00”, 13.50” & 14.25”
03-1364B/C    140/190      2.50/3.39      10.2              259            1.85                 47             12.50”, 13.00”, 13.50” & 14.25”
03-1365B/C    120/170      2.14/3.04       9.87             251            1.85                 47             12.50”, 13.00”, 13.50” & 14.25”
03-1367B/C      90/130      1.61/2.32       9.37             238            1.85                 47             12.50”, 13.00”, 13.50” & 14.25”
03-1368B/C    105/150      1.88/2.68       9.37             238            1.85                 47             12.50”, 13.00”, 13.50” & 14.25” 
03-1394B/C      75/120      1.34/2.14       9.75             248            1.85                 47             12.50”, 13.00”, 13.50” & 14.25”


 

My KZ1100A2 has had Progressive 12-1201B shocks with 03-1368C springs since 2014. 
Got the lower profile I wanted with that shock.  IMO it provides adequate support for 210+ lbs. of me, plus my lady and a loaded Tourmaster bag when riding over smooth pavement.



P.S. I shop ebay for a great value!

Right on! Thanks to both of you. That article from Wookie58 was pretty informative and I hadn't read it before. And daveo if 105/150 is working well for you and I am lighter I am thinking the 90/130 might be a good rate for me possibly, I def can rule out anything stiffer than what you are using and that def narrows my search for "ideal". Helps me a ton.
cheers,
Steve

We just put a set of series 12 shocks on the 77' KZ 1000LTD, the stock shocks were way too strong for me. We have a set on the 82' CB 900F and they worked out great. Both sets have the 90/130 springs.

Well isn't that kind of puzzling eh? Same springs and only feels right on the Honda. I mean I totally get they are different bikes and can't compare an apple to an orange but 90/130 is the 2nd softest spring you could go with. The spec chart says there is a 75/120 but you would think 90/130 would be kinda soft? Then again not sure how much you weigh or how plush the stock springs were on the LTDs but must have been fairly soft? I wish Kawi had put their spring rate in their specs so we could cross ref. They had to know as the Kawi manual has the specs for travel and size.  Maybe they keep that info with their "paint codes" locked in a cave somewhere?   Anyways appreciate getting your perspective with what you went with, can I ask what you weigh? Might be a factor I can use in narrowing down my choice as I am 185-190 other than around Christmas when I don't want to know what I am.
cheers, Steve

mac0239 wrote:

Well isn't that kind of puzzling eh? Same springs and only feels right on the Honda. I mean I totally get they are different bikes and can't compare an apple to an orange but 90/130 is the 2nd softest spring you could go with. The spec chart says there is a 75/120 but you would think 90/130 would be kinda soft? Then again not sure how much you weigh or how plush the stock springs were on the LTDs but must have been fairly soft? I wish Kawi had put their spring rate in their specs so we could cross ref. They had to know as the Kawi manual has the specs for travel and size.  Maybe they keep that info with their "paint codes" locked in a cave somewhere?   Anyways appreciate getting your perspective with what you went with, can I ask what you weigh? Might be a factor I can use in narrowing down my choice as I am 185-190 other than around Christmas when I don't want to know what I am.
cheers, Steve

The stock LTD shocks were too stiff even with the preload backed off all the way, not the new series 12 shocks. 
I only weigh 125lbs but my friend is more like 250lbs and with the series 12 shocks set at the 3rd preload setting either one can ride it comfortably.
You'll be happy with the 90/130 springs on the series 12 shocks.
 

Right on, That explains things better. And yeah I am thinking more I will be darn close to just go with the 90/130 springs and can tweak the preload if I load some extra weight on.
Thanks for that reply man.  cheers, S

Steve, I have a spare set of black 90/130 Progressive shock springs.
Email address is in my profile.

Hey daveo, might not be worth it with the weight/stupid shipping cost and me up in here in arctic circle of Canada so our corrupt govt will prob hold it at customs or try and charge me. North Korea is starting to look smarter than this place and that is scary. But was going to PM you anyways and when I click on your profile I don't see any email address? I checked mine and it shows but when I check yours there isn't any?

mac0239 wrote:

Hey daveo, might not be worth it with the weight/stupid shipping cost and me up in here in arctic circle of Canada so our corrupt govt will prob hold it at customs or try and charge me. North Korea is starting to look smarter than this place and that is scary. But was going to PM you anyways and when I click on your profile I don't see any email address? I checked mine and it shows but when I check yours there isn't any?

Hey Steve Spanish customs take some beating in the "bandit" stakes. I put a value of £30 on the customs declaration for the lock set I sent Cartal and they still charged him €32 on delivery (VAT +customs charge + state administration charge) 

mac0239 wrote:

Hey daveo, might not be worth it with the weight/stupid shipping cost and me up in here in arctic circle of Canada so our corrupt govt will prob hold it at customs or try and charge me. North Korea is starting to look smarter than this place and that is scary. But was going to PM you anyways and when I click on your profile I don't see any email address? I checked mine and it shows but when I check yours there isn't any?
 

Oh brother.  So much for that idea...



Can't see your email either...