O/k I'm currently looking at preparing the XTR for the next BIG ride ... Darwin to Broome via the Gibb River Road then across the Tanami Desert Track to Alice Springs and back home to Melbourne

I've got a weeping fork seal and plan to get the forks serviced at the same time as well as upgrading the springs to Wilbers Linear units

Because of the general price gouging by Yamaha Australia I'm planning to put together a "service kit" ex the UK ... damn you Yamaha now if you would only sell the 660 range in the States life could be a lot easier

Now I understand that I will need replacement oil and dust seals ... but what's the likelyhood I would have to (or would it generally be recommended to) replace the fork bushings while I have the forks apart

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Regards
Pete

expat Kiwi - now living in Melbourne - now riding a XT660R and a XT1200Z

O/k no specific recommendation on bushings from anyone. Given the price of Yamaha spares here in Oz I'll probably just add a set of fork bushings in my "care" parcel being ordered ex the UK

But Wilbers springs can (apparently) be ordered wound either as Progressive or Linear ... OEM stock is of course progressive.

Again any thoughts or recommendations ?

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Regards
Pete

expat Kiwi - now living in Melbourne - now riding a XT660R and a XT1200Z

I don't like progressive springs... They make it harder to get the sags right..
But will give a plusher ride over small chatter bumps...
I have found 20 weight oil works the best in the XT forks..
With 5 or 10 weight you have very little to no damping..

With you and yer gear on the bike should settle "sag" 75mm on it's suspension.. 1/3 of it's travel..

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Harley Davidson..
The easyest way to turn gasoline into noise with out the side efect of horse power...

OEM shock is linear, it is the linkage that is progressive.

Progressive springs make less sense on the front, but at the back they can be worthwhile (which is why the rear linkage is progressive in the first place), as they increase the rear end's progressiveness (is that a word!?) Particularly useful if you are often switching/changing the load on the rear suspension, say from solo to solo+pillion, or solo to solo+luggage. However, if you only ride "one style" then a linear is probably better suited, setup for exactly that type of riding/load.

They are more difficult to setup the sag though as Pete says, but they are more adaptable so less messing about with preload is required for changing loads.

I can vouch for Yacugar/Hyperpro shocks - had one for a couple of years now and I'm very pleased with it. The Wilbers is a good unit too.

As for the bushes in the forks, I'd say if they aren't worn and there's no play, then leave 'em alone. Regular fork oil changes are the saviour of bushes; if you remove all the metal particles that wear off bushes regularly, then over time you'll stop them causing further fork internal wear.

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Many thanks guys - I really appreciate the responses.

The comments have been a real help.

__________________
Regards
Pete

expat Kiwi - now living in Melbourne - now riding a XT660R and a XT1200Z