Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

Hi all,
I have fitted a ZX636 shock & Ohlins fork springs to my 2004 Z1000 and it rides... Well... Weird.
I took it to my suspension specialist (krooz Tune) & he reckons the rear spring is too stiff.
What I'm wanting to know is whether the spring rate on the stock Z1000 shock is lower than the 636's?
I'd ideally like to simply swap the spring to save me buying a new spring.

Cheers!

Daz.

No, the 1000 has a stiffer spring as stock than the 636... however, that said if the industry std on springs like these (OEM) is ± 5%, then it is possible in theory for the lighter one (636) to actually be stiffer than the Zed's, if by some chance they both swung the wrong way... doubtful...

Thanks for the professional advice, Zeno.
I read your column in Rapid Bikes, every issue!

What would you reccomend in my circumstances?
I have Ohlins 0.95kg fork springs, heavier fork oil & a stock ZX636 rear shock (that is a little too bouncy).
Cheers.
Daz.

I can get a bit busy and pre-occupied; so apologies for not getting on here too often!

Is it a grey coloured 636, or gold 636 shock? Grey ones do have a fault or two - in either case, it will still need to go up a bit with the spring rate - I find that I use the same spring rate in Penskes as in Öhlin's with this model as a starting point - 10.5 keez or 600lbs - then vary a little depending on the rider's weight - there are however perhaps some other parameters being over-looked here - what is the different fluid management between the 636 and the Zed stock units - the initial pressure build up is a bit different - once the right spring is on the shock, and the sags set, it is not unlikely that the Zed will feel unbalanced at the front due to the front feeling more inclined to move than the rear... Hope that helps...

It is the grey coloured shock with black spring.
If I go to the bother of fixing it, it looks like I'll have to get a new spring...