[Anonymous]

Is using PVC a good idea? Why not a piece of pipe? I seem to remember someone saying that they used a nut.

yes pvc is fine in fact i think its racetech that uses it in there respring anf revalve kits as and preload spacer

my racetech 0.9 kg/mm springs came with a seamless aluminum tube. i haven't cut it yet, thought i would try the stock spacers and it worked, have about 25-30 mm of preload. i HIGHLY recommended upgrade.

ok then its progressive that has the pvc tube then i knew it was one or the other been a while since ive done forks on a kat

[BarMatt80]

yeah i wish it was some time from doing forks on a kat. i have done it twice now since owning the bike for a year. but first time i put the dang things in upside down.

[md86]

Rebuilding my forks right now (kinda) . On the advice of a very wise moto-mech (thanks again , Dave ) , I bought 2' of PVC to replace my spacers with , which would firm up the forks a bit . Cut 2 lengths about 8.5" each , which is JUST a bit longer than the stock spacers , which are a HAIR under 8" . I'm told that 9" would be the "fat-boy" setting , so .... It seems a little goes a long way here . It might be a few days before I get it all back together again and am able to test it out , but I figure with new oil and seals , and new spacer .... it'll be a SHAME my front tire is toast !

[md86]

After my LITTLE test run (like 5 miles) .....
First thing I noticed , there is NO brake-dive . NONE . Kinda cool . Second , the front end feels REALLY tight . Like any little movement is transmitted to the ground . Not quite sure what to think of that yet , since I'm used to the sloppy front end . Gonna take some getting used to , for sure . And rolling the throttle out of turns REALLY makes the bike stand back up again . Before , it would take quite a bit of throttle to get tha effect . But this is all I've managed to learn after a short test ride . We'll see how it goes on a longer one soon ....

[Black_peter]

Is using PVC a good idea? Why not a piece of pipe? I seem to remember someone saying that they used a nut.

That was me.. I used a Pecan..
Actually I used a stainless steel nut..
I was leary of using plastic for a few reasons.
1. The effect of the oil on the PVC
2. Strength
3. I was worried about chips, shavings etc.
4. It was handy
5. It is demensionally sound! That is
it is square and even. Cutting PVC will mean making sure the
ends are square and smooth. Cutting on a lathe would be best.

PVC is a generic term, what Progressive uses may be a plastic
but not the same composition as Home Depot carries.
I know people have used PVC. It's an old trick but given the
choice I'll use metal..

[KAT600]

I did the $1.00 mod today. Actually only cost me 60 cents. I cut two spacers from 1 1/4 in. outer diameter PVC. I cut mine 8 3/4 inches long. I went for a 10 mile ride. What a difference. The bike is much more stable in curves. Has a much better ride, no dive when braking or letting off the throttle. I couldn't believe the difference in the curves. I was faster and the bike was just so much more responsive. Definately worth the small cost and effort. I cut mine with my compound miter saw, so I know the ends are square. I then sanded them with emery cloth to make sure, and washed and dried them to make sure there were no PVC shavings.

[Cptn_Katana]

what are the dimensions for the diameter and thickness of the pvc pipe?
thanks

[The CyberPoet]

I went the other way and installed the Ohlins fork springs... Unlike you guys, I'm not giving up any spring-length distance for a hard landing if I should get unlucky, but the priviledge is costly by comparison

Cheers,
=-= The CyberPoet

[BarMatt80]

I went the other way and installed the Ohlins fork springs... Unlike you guys, I'm not giving up any spring-length distance for a hard landing if I should get unlucky, but the priviledge is costly by comparison

Cheers,
=-= The CyberPoet

True....I went with the racetech springs that match my weight. well actually they say i needed 0.98 and i went with 0.9....didn't want to stiff. I wonder what and how the difference between the ohlins and racetech compare...i think comparable in price.

[md86]

what are the dimensions for the diameter and thickness of the pvc pipe?
thanks

Don't remember , but I just did mine a month or 2 ago . Might have posted the details . Of course , you can always pull one of the stock spacers and compare THAT with what's at the hardware store . Make sure the OD isn't any bigger than your stock spacer .

[brooder]

what are the dimensions for the diameter and thickness of the pvc pipe?
thanks

If you read the post directly above yours, it states the OD of the pipe and the length that was used. One person has said 8.5 in and another used 8.75.

[md86]

No ,the OD wasn't stated , just the length . But it was lie 1 1/4" or something . Best if you take a spacer with you to compare , really .

[brooder]

I did the $1.00 mod today. Actually only cost me 60 cents. I cut two spacers from 1 1/4 in. outer diameter PVC. I cut mine 8 3/4 inches long. I went for a 10 mile ride. What a difference. The bike is much more stable in curves. Has a much better ride, no dive when braking or letting off the throttle. I couldn't believe the difference in the curves. I was faster and the bike was just so much more responsive. Definately worth the small cost and effort. I cut mine with my compound miter saw, so I know the ends are square. I then sanded them with emery cloth to make sure, and washed and dried them to make sure there were no PVC shavings.

Not bashing you, MD. Just pointing out that it was there.

[Court93kat]

However, your post is also confusing by stating LENGTHS of the spacer specificly, and not giving the diameter or pointing to it.

If you read the post directly above yours, it states the OD of the pipe and the length that was used. One person has said 8.5 in and another used 8.75.

And for those that don't know.. The difference in the lengths (8.5 vs 8.75) is to compensate for rider weight. If you are below 200 lbs, 8.5 should be good for you. If you are over 200, 8.75 should be better for you.

[Cptn_Katana]

sorry, i posted that while i was waiting for my bike to warm up before school. my bad. thanks for the information though.