possible minton conversion

FLEA

XS650 Guru
Messages
1,033
Reaction score
826
Points
113
Location
nth qld australia
have a set of 35mm forks on one of the bikes , no seal leaks etc , have read somewhere that the minton conversion does not work well with progresive springs , why dont they work well and what happens ..dont know what the po did but he had done some strange things with the bike , found the front end felt strange , correct oil level , changed the oil and came good , within about 500kls started to feel strange again , 2000kls wants to go wide on right handers .. ie back to what it was before the oil change ,,,, any thing else should look for
 
I don’t understand why Minton mods won’t work with progressive springs. It’s nothing but a larger orifice in the damper rods. The stock springs are progressive. I believe the Minton mods allow the forks to move faster.

Progressive wound springs won’t work with cartridge emulators. Is that what you’re considering?
 
I don’t understand why Minton mods won’t work with progressive springs. It’s nothing but a larger orifice in the damper rods. The stock springs are progressive. I believe the Minton mods allow the forks to move faster.

Progressive wound springs won’t work with cartridge emulators. Is that what you’re considering?
thats why asking ,, its been a few yrs since i read it on here but 99.9% they were saying not compatible with the progresive springs , a few others agreed with the poster .. stuck in the brain for the same reason , could think why it would nt work .. but only 1 suggestion so what about the emulators could that cause the prob
 
Cartridge emulators were developed long after Joe Minton's time. Cartridge emulator valves enable the forks to respond to different sizes and profiles of bumps by varying compression damping. The valves "read" the action of the forks and respond to it. When dual rate springs are used, a false signal is sent to the valves. For cartridge emulators to work well,three things are needed: straight rate springs, decent rear shocks, and careful sag adjustment.
 
Cartridge emulators were developed long after Joe Minton's time. Cartridge emulator valves enable the forks to respond to different sizes and profiles of bumps by varying compression damping. The valves "read" the action of the forks and respond to it. When dual rate springs are used, a false signal is sent to the valves. For cartridge emulators to work well,three things are needed: straight rate springs, decent rear shocks, and careful sag adjustment.
And a suitable spring rate for the forks. Racetech has a spring rate calculator, which is based on a stock bike+ actual rider weight. For a lightened bike, I guess reducing the rider weight with that amount should work fine. Just keep any unsprung weight reduction out of this equation, as unsprung weight does not load the suspension.
 
have a set of 35mm forks on one of the bikes , no seal leaks etc , have read somewhere that the minton conversion does not work well with progresive springs , why dont they work well and what happens ..dont know what the po did but he had done some strange things with the bike , found the front end felt strange , correct oil level , changed the oil and came good , within about 500kls started to feel strange again , 2000kls wants to go wide on right handers .. ie back to what it was before the oil change ,,,, any thing else should look for
Front tire wear, tire pressure, steering head bearings, binding forks, wheel bearings, perished handlebar mount rubbers. Wheels not tracking straight? Chain adjusters not adjusted equally? Ride in a straight line thorugh a puddle of water and on to dry pavement, and look at your track.
 
And a suitable spring rate for the forks. Racetech has a spring rate calculator, which is based on a stock bike+ actual rider weight. For a lightened bike, I guess reducing the rider weight with that amount should work fine. Just keep any unsprung weight reduction out of this equation, as unsprung weight does not load the suspension.
I used Traxxion Dynamics in Georgia to provide my custom straight rate springs. They asked the questions. I provided the answers. Price was reasonable and my laden sag was spot on! If you're going that route, I recommend them without hesitation. The XS650 is a good ride all stock, IMHO. I like a higher oil level in the forks is all.
Please excuse the tangent.
 
What Arctic sez!
As to your handling, when searching out issues do NOT rule out the rear of the bike. ie swing arm bushings, wheel bearings, both wheels I'll add engine mount bolts tight, frame checked for cracks, steering bearings issues, tire pressures (slow leak) etc. brake calipers, pads, wear, sticking caliper sliders. (really)
Story on myself; had a Honda CB1100F, increasingly bad "front end" problems. Issue was finally traced to bad REAR wheel bearings.
 
Amen, Brother Gary. Suspension issues have a way of showing up in the front because that's where the hinge is.
 
Yes, even rear shocks that are too stiff can effect the front end, making you think the problem is there.
 
thanks , memory can play tricks over the yrs , emuators and progressive springs now rings a bell and sounds right , s/arm bushing done , has s/arm brace , rear wheel bearings done . new tyre front and back 3000 kls ago , f/wheel bearings and steering head bearings seem ok with taped steering head bearings ,newish rear shocks suitible for my weight , tyre pressures ok , starting to wonder if he put emulators in forks looks like will have to pull the forks down and go looking , what find strange is came good with fork oil change then progressively got bad again in a short time ... will be swapping these over with the r6 conversion but these will be replacing on another bike , will report back when pull the forks down but might be awhile as will be doing the r6 (just a matter of doing the work now) swap first ... thanks for all your ideas
 
Back
Top