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From: Craig on 15 Oct 2007 10:18
So I've got this ratty old XR600R. For a large percentage of my
riding, it really works well and I have to admit that I like it more
than I should. It's Achilles' heel is the suspension, primarily in the
rocks. It's just completely unpredictable and downright scary when I
start trying to push it.

I have no idea of the maintenance history - it could very well have
never had any attention. It did get fork seals at some point by the
previous owner and there's no telling what he used for fork oil, or
how much.

The obvious starting point would be to take the forks apart, replace
what's bad and fill with the proper weight/amount of oil. Question:
Are these damper rod or cartridge forks? I think XRs didn't get
cartridge forks 'til '91, but I could be wrong. I happen to have a
1989 kx125 that I'd be happy to cannabalize for parts. It has 43mm
cartridge forks (the XR is 43mm as well), so they'd be a simple fit to
the XR triples. Of course, the valving and springs are likely to be
way off, but it would seem that they'd be a better starting point.
Yes? No? Maybe?

For the shock, I'm a bit worried. Seems like I've heard that XR shocks
have an issue with shock body wear. If it's worn out, is there much of
anything that can be done, or am I shopping for a replacement? Are
there even aftermarket replacements available for my dinosaur?

And the big question is, at what point does it not make sense from a $
$ standpoint? There's some extra value in this particular bike since
it's already dual-sported and tagged in my name, but there are some
very good deals on used dirt bikes these days.

Any thoughts appreciated.

Thanks,
Craig

From: XR650L_Dave on 15 Oct 2007 10:50
On Oct 15, 10:18 am, Craig <googlegroupm...(a)yahoo.com> wrote:
> So I've got this ratty old XR600R. For a large percentage of my
> riding, it really works well and I have to admit that I like it more
> than I should. It's Achilles' heel is the suspension, primarily in the
> rocks. It's just completely unpredictable and downright scary when I
> start trying to push it.
>
> I have no idea of the maintenance history - it could very well have
> never had any attention. It did get fork seals at some point by the
> previous owner and there's no telling what he used for fork oil, or
> how much.
>
> The obvious starting point would be to take the forks apart, replace
> what's bad and fill with the proper weight/amount of oil. Question:
> Are these damper rod or cartridge forks? I think XRs didn't get
> cartridge forks 'til '91, but I could be wrong. I happen to have a
> 1989 kx125 that I'd be happy to cannabalize for parts. It has 43mm
> cartridge forks (the XR is 43mm as well), so they'd be a simple fit to
> the XR triples. Of course, the valving and springs are likely to be
> way off, but it would seem that they'd be a better starting point.
> Yes? No? Maybe?
>
> For the shock, I'm a bit worried. Seems like I've heard that XR shocks
> have an issue with shock body wear. If it's worn out, is there much of
> anything that can be done, or am I shopping for a replacement? Are
> there even aftermarket replacements available for my dinosaur?
>
> And the big question is, at what point does it not make sense from a $
> $ standpoint? There's some extra value in this particular bike since
> it's already dual-sported and tagged in my name, but there are some
> very good deals on used dirt bikes these days.
>
> Any thoughts appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
> Craig


You do get to pull parts from XR650Ls as well- not more 'updated', but
likely fresher.

My stock soft XRL suspension seems to do well in the rocks. For that
you probably want to go softer on the springs, and maybe on the oil.

The forks flex terribly- I've heard a brace works wonders.

But, softer and fast becomes more work- not usually a problem for this
ol' trail plonker, slow is fast enough.


DDave

From: Craig on 15 Oct 2007 11:19
On Oct 15, 10:50 am, XR650L_Dave <spamTHIS...(a)yahoo.com> wrote:

> You do get to pull parts from XR650Ls as well- not more 'updated', but
> likely fresher.

I don't think the rear shock will work. Looking at progressive
aftermarket shocks, '85-'87 share a part number, '88-'90 do, and then
I assume the '91+ are the same (no listing in the book my buddy is
currently looking at). I'd expect the '91+ to be the same as the XRL.
$450 retail for a Progressive shock - it's my understanding that
they're "bottom of the barrell" when it comes to aftermarket shocks
anyway.

> My stock soft XRL suspension seems to do well in the rocks. For that
> you probably want to go softer on the springs, and maybe on the oil.

Mine's plenty soft... uh, the suspension that is...

> The forks flex terribly- I've heard a brace works wonders.

I've heard that too. I swear I could feel them flexing the other day
in the rocks. I'm usually not very sensitive to that stuff, so I might
be nuts.

> But, softer and fast becomes more work- not usually a problem for this
> ol' trail plonker, slow is fast enough.

I don't need fast so much as I need rideable. Fast is a relative term
to me anyway.

Craig


From: XR650L_Dave on 15 Oct 2007 11:37
On Oct 15, 11:19 am, Craig <googlegroupm...(a)yahoo.com> wrote:
> On Oct 15, 10:50 am, XR650L_Dave <spamTHIS...(a)yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> > You do get to pull parts from XR650Ls as well- not more 'updated', but
> > likely fresher.
>
> I don't think the rear shock will work. Looking at progressive
> aftermarket shocks, '85-'87 share a part number, '88-'90 do, and then
> I assume the '91+ are the same (no listing in the book my buddy is
> currently looking at). I'd expect the '91+ to be the same as the XRL.
> $450 retail for a Progressive shock - it's my understanding that
> they're "bottom of the barrell" when it comes to aftermarket shocks
> anyway.
>
> > My stock soft XRL suspension seems to do well in the rocks. For that
> > you probably want to go softer on the springs, and maybe on the oil.
>
> Mine's plenty soft... uh, the suspension that is...
>
> > The forks flex terribly- I've heard a brace works wonders.
>
> I've heard that too. I swear I could feel them flexing the other day
> in the rocks. I'm usually not very sensitive to that stuff, so I might
> be nuts.
>
> > But, softer and fast becomes more work- not usually a problem for this
> > ol' trail plonker, slow is fast enough.
>
> I don't need fast so much as I need rideable. Fast is a relative term
> to me anyway.
>
> Craig


Believe me, you felt them flexing.

My suspension is just about right for rocks, and figure in its a
heavier bike that probably has the same springs a 600 had, and I weigh
220 or so, and your springs could probably be made softer for the
rocks.

DDave

From: Jeff Deeney on 15 Oct 2007 15:05

"Craig" <googlegroupmail(a)yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1192457905.645433.92950(a)y27g2000pre.googlegroups.com...
> So I've got this ratty old XR600R. For a large percentage of my
> riding, it really works well and I have to admit that I like it more
> than I should. It's Achilles' heel is the suspension, primarily in the
> rocks. It's just completely unpredictable and downright scary when I
> start trying to push it.

Big rocks + XR = slower speed. The forks & frame flex terribly, causing the
bike to move in undesired directions.

> The obvious starting point would be to take the forks apart, replace
> what's bad and fill with the proper weight/amount of oil. Question:
> Are these damper rod or cartridge forks? I think XRs didn't get
> cartridge forks 'til '91, but I could be wrong. I happen to have a

You are correct. Yours are non-cartridge. Putting Gold Valve cartridge
emulators in the forks will make a huge difference in sharp rocks &
baby-heads.

> 1989 kx125 that I'd be happy to cannabalize for parts. It has 43mm
> cartridge forks (the XR is 43mm as well), so they'd be a simple fit to
> the XR triples. Of course, the valving and springs are likely to be
> way off, but it would seem that they'd be a better starting point.
> Yes? No? Maybe?

With new valving & springs, it would work. Plan on a lot of fiddling to get
them dialed in. An alternative is to swap entire steering stem & clamps
with another bike. My '88 XR600 had '89 CR250 USD forks. Staightforward
swap.

> For the shock, I'm a bit worried. Seems like I've heard that XR shocks
> have an issue with shock body wear. If it's worn out, is there much of
> anything that can be done, or am I shopping for a replacement? Are
> there even aftermarket replacements available for my dinosaur?

They will wear if the oil isn't changed regularly. At this point, you
should change the oil & put fresh bushings in the shock.

> And the big question is, at what point does it not make sense from a $
> $ standpoint? There's some extra value in this particular bike since
> it's already dual-sported and tagged in my name, but there are some
> very good deals on used dirt bikes these days.

Be like Jay. Keep throwing money/time into it. :-/

-Jeff-


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