1998 KX 500 Purple Spring??

[socal_rider]

Hi, new member here!

I have a 1998 KX 500 with a purple rear spring.  I believe that this is the spring that was in the bike since it was new, although I did buy the bike used in 1998 with only a couple of rides on it.  Can anyone tell me what rate the purple spring is?

I weigh 175 and I have not been able to set the race sag correctly.  When I back off the shock rings, I run out of adjustment and have the spring completely uncompressed and I am still only at 2.5 inches of sag.  I'm thinking that this spring is too stiff. 

I ride fast desert in SoCal, mixed with technical mountain trails, so I need a versatile setup.  What do the experts suggest?

Thanks for your help!!

[hughes]

The correct spring rate will let you have a static sag of about 1-1.5 inches and then about 4inches with you on the bike. If that spring is fully uncompressed and with you on  the bike it only sags 2.5 inches then  you are right about it being to stiff. Sound like you will need to buy a new rear spring. How big was the guy you bought from?? I just bought front and rear springs for my  bike. Go to racetech.com. They have a spring caculator that all you need to do is put in your weight. I hope to install my springs this coming week and get to ride.

http://www.kxriders.com/forums/index.php?page

[socal_rider]

That sounds right.  The guy was bigger, by 20-30 pounds, so he may have had the dealer swap the spring before he picked up the bike.  The stock spring is supposed to be 5.5 kgs and just right for my weight.

I'm hoping that someone can help me determine the rate of this purple spring, if there is a color coding to springs/rates.  I'd hate to buy another spring without figuring out what I have.

Does anyone have a 1998 KX500 that can tell me what color their stock spring is? 

Anyone have their stock spring for sale cheap?

Thanks!

[hughes]

I'm unsure about the color code. My race tech spring I just order is blue but also has 6.4 painted on it. Moneybutt has race tech springs for 93.00 bucks. I have seen some springs on e-bay from time to time. I know the rear spring color has changed over the years but unsure why. Sorry.

Rear spring colors I have seen on 500's(factory springs)

Purple
Green
Silver
Blue

Looking at Race Techs web site show some spring changes through the years. They had a note to call about the 98 500 rear spring rate.??

5.5 Model 04
5.6 Model 01-03
5.3 Model 97
5.4 Model 96
5.0 Model 95
5.3 Model 94

[Spider]

Spring codes are usually small stripes on the first or second coil of the spring.  My Racetech came with a numerical code on the third coil. I looked in the manuals I have and it gave a length and a preload but not a rate. 

Dale

[Timbowe]

I think the colour is cosmetic only.

[socal_rider]

Thanks for the help.

I've gone ahead and ordered a new spring, a 5.4 Eibach.  Racetech and others recommend a 5.5, which I couldn't find, so this should do just fine.  I'll just have to keep away from the hamburgers and pizza!

[hughes]

Do you know what springs are up front?

[socal_rider]

No, no clue.  However, I have installed Gold Valves and revalved it, and I'm very happy with the front suspension performance.  The only reason I started messing with the rear was to get the sag set correctly.

[socal_rider]

OK, I bought a 5.4 Eibach spring, and set the race sag at 4.0".  Static sag turned out to be 1 3/8", so I'm all set. 

I don't know what the purple spring was, but it didn't match the bike anyway!   

Thanks for the help.

[fast99]

purple spring color was stock for many years. the race tech site is very helpful with what is stock, what is better for you with the input you put to thier site. the change to stiffer front springs for me was ideal i'm still running the stock purple sping in my 99k5 and have no problems with it i go about 225 all geared up so it doesn't suprise me that it was to stiff for you in your 98