Hyperpro springs installed over stock shocks

[kellenbenz]

My project for today was to install the stock low mileage shocks that I bought online and resprung with Hyperpro springs. The new springs are rising rate springs that are beefier than the stock springs.

My stock shocks had 76k miles on them and were sagged beyond limits. I was dragging way more than the normal centerstand drag when riding 2 up.

The pictures give you an idea of the difference in the springs.

I now have a nice firm ride. We gave it the 2 up test this evening and had no dragging problems. I only have the preload dialed half way now also.

The springs were $239 for the pair.


Ron

[fpmlt]

How difficult was the install? Any special tools required? And do you think it was worth the money? What about the front, anything availible there?
thanks,
Frank

[ironbuttwannabe]

Great idea. I think that might be my route when I feel the need for new shocks.
Did you have HyperPro do the spring swap? Was the $239 including the labor to switch the springs?

[kellenbenz]

I didn't have the tools to compress the springs, so I got a local shop to do that part for me...cost $65 labor.

Other than that is was a typical shock install. I got all the good info from this site and the whole process took me about 7 hours.

This included the front shock.It is the smaller of the shocks in the pictures.

Ron

[kellenbenz]

Update:

After 300 miles of trying to drag the centerstand and not succeeding, I know that I made the right move. The more I ride this configuration, the more I love it.

I certainly am not an expert on suspension technology, but I do think this feels right for me. If you are looking for a cushier ride, it isn't for you. The ride is firm but not harsh.

I actually feel that the front shock was in worse shape than the rear. When I went to remove it, I was able to compress the spring with little effort....not so with the HyperPro spring.

I hope this helps anyone considering going this route.

Ron

[coug66]

I ordered two springs today, I love the bike but after having Bitubo's on my GS1150R I new these bikes could be much better with fresh shocks.

I love this bike , my only complaint is the soft weak suspension that causes my bike to scrape the center stand for very normal G cornering.

I am looking forward to doing the shocks very soon.

What did you do with your stock shocks? Would you be interested in paying it forward? I would only need to borrow them for a short period while I have my 32K mile shocks upgraded.

Ian

[coug66]

The shocks are off and at the suspension shop, they said they would have them done today over the phone but yesterday when I took them in they said they will be done this week. :(

I will take the extra time to check the valves and do an oil change.

I had an oil drip coming from the cam chain cover. I was able to torque down the cover and stop it.

I am looking forward to having the bike all done and want to thank you for being the test pilot on this.

The hardest thing is removing the plastic and keeping the parts together in the garage till the springs are done by my local dealer.

The more I work on BMW's the more impressed I am with their build quality. This really is an amazing machine.


Ian

[coug66]

The front shock was easy and the dirt bike suspension shop had no problems with the replacement. The back spring was another story. I then took the rear shock to a Harley repair shop and they struggled with it and failed. Then I went to a machine shop and they said they couldn't do it. But they did say that I should try the car tire and wheel shop across the way. They had a large wall mounted spring compressor, that secured the spring in three spots on top and bottom. Then with a boat steering sized wheel they turned the screws to squeeze the spring together.


How you get the spring off is from the (bottom) U bracket side. compress the spring so the U Bracket protrudes far enough to expose the nut ( nut attached to the shaft)to secure the nut with a wrench. Put a wrench on the nut and spin off the U bracket on the bottom.

I buttoned everything up last night and will take it on a test drive today.

The ride is firmer and it appears I won't need as much preload. No increase in height just feels a little firmer.

Ian

[coug66]

My observations from the recent test rides; The bike feels like it has a sport suspension. It is just as comfortable on the highways but on twisty turns and around town driving it feels more firm and planted.

I used to scrape the center stand on most aggressive turns. Now I can't seem to do it intensionally.

I like not scraping my center stand. It used to cause spectators to turn to see what that scraping sounds was. Sparks would fly and now just firm planted turns with no scraping.

I like the change and would do it again.

Ian