using rear shock spring on front forks..CL350...anyone else try this?

[T Rush]

[sorry if I posted this in the wrong forum section.. didn't see one that included "Suspension: Forks, Springs and Shocks...hows the ride?" or whatever]


so I got a new pair of rear coil over shocks that are alittle bigger and stiffer than stock...and I wanted to also take some of the 'mushiness' out of the front as well to try and somewhat match the tighter rear

...I wondered if the stock rear progressively wound springs might be firmer, as they seemed to have pretty close to the same dimensions tho heavier gauge windings
after disassembling a rear shock I found that it would fit on the front fork tube and into the mounting at the top of the shock tower ... and just compressing the spring(setting it on the floor and pushing down with my hand) along side the stock front spring I 'felt' it still close enough to the original spring rate while notably having a firmer and progressive resistance
...seemed to be the improvement I'm after

here is an image before I did the other side to compare

the 1971 Honda CL350 I'm working with has only started to go back together, as it was pretty much a badly weathered derelict when I gave $200 for it...so I wont be able to see how it rides with the transplanted springs for some time yet...but was wondering:

anyone else try this?
...I cant of been the first to think of this

even if you haven't tried it...
what might be some concerns or problems of doing this?

...and last...
what are any other options for stiffer front springs for more aggressive sport riding(street or track)

 

[hillsy]

There is such a thing as too stiff when it comes to suspension. All the little bumps won't get absorbed by the front end and I'd say it would be pretty uncomfortable to ride after a while being so stiffly sprung.


But, suck it and see as they say. I'm only guessing and I could be wrong.

 

[Big R]

If I'm not mistaken, somebody else tried this fairly recently........I think it boiled down to "take the inner springs out of the forks, or just get early 350 forks that already have external springs". Might want to search around for the thread.

 

[T Rush]

thanks for the replies and input

There is such a thing as too stiff when it comes to suspension....

yeah, I do know that feeling...when I first got my 1992 GSXR-750(last of the oil cooled) that 'super sport' ride along with the crouched/tuck lean forward riding position seemed really harsh...but that bike has a very adjustable suspension, so softening it, and relearning how to relax arms and grab the bike with my knees to support my body helped me keep my fillings in my teeth

"... or just get early 350 forks that already have external springs"...

yup, this is on a early CL350(1971) with those external springs stock


...using the rear shock coil over springs does/did make me think about the whole 'not wanting to go over-board way too stiff' as this will be made into a 'cafe racer' style of of bike with the bent forward riding position on the low bars...but with the 'testing' I did (tho very rudimentary) I feel that hopefully the bike wont skip and jar over the smallest bumps and remain somewhat compliant ...however, proof will have to wait for the putting


I'll add this tho:
when I reassembled the forks, on the second one I decided that the spring should go the other way around
anyone have an option on what looks ~or even what might work~ better?
...on one fork I have the tight progressive coils at the top, and the other fork I have them at the bottom
(oh, and I would have taken the black plastic sleeve off the fork tubes, but they hide some rust burns)

 

[Mars_Terraform]

i like the coil on the left. The black and chrome compliment nicely while the right looks cramped.

 

[m511y]

I don't know how safe this is, but it sure does look good. Have you done any more trial and error to see if this is a good set up? I like the more progresive part of the spring at the bottom.

I wouldn't mond trying this, but I have a 73 CB350 with the internal springs and would be afraid that this would be over kill.

Also, does the spring get in the way of the lower for seal?

 

[apex_seeking]

Raising the dead! Faux pa?


What was the final result? I'm looking at solutions for shite external springs and I hadn't thought of this. If the OP is still alive after trying this out, I'd love to know what the results were.

 

[xb33bsa]

IT WILL BE WAY TOO STIFF fail