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SWB suspension options

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S188:
The argument I've herd for the LWT spring is although a Lightweight is famously heavyer fully built up than a civvy model, when stripped down it is lighter and most importantly the spring rates are designed to perform at this stripped weight as well as fully laden.  A civvy S2/3 spring doesn't have a need for such a range.

I have no idea how the number of leaves affects spring performance, diesel springs have more than petrol ones and are stronger but some of the HD rear springs have fewer, thicker leaves than the lighter duity ones.  Where the LWT spring fits this I don't know.  Maybe they are 5 leaf fronts primerally to reduice unladen weight rather than for spring rate performance though I'm sure one will effect the other.

Anyone who's got some info on LWT springs I'd be interested to know as I'm posubly looking for some for a S1 ragtop.  Hopefully if the milatry workshop manual is like the civvy one it'll reveal the spring specs but I don't have one myself.  Petrol S1 front springs are about 150lb/in (No longer avalable) as aposed to 200lb/in for the later substanchally heavyer models so I suspect LWT springs could be a far better match if avalable.  I know Craddocks sell britpart LWT springs but I have no intention of fitting springs bareing their name as its not worth the hassle.  I've had a word with GME springs (who surply  Paddocks exclucively since they got fed up returning BP) who don't produice S1/LWT versions but if I can find all the specs hopefully something might be possable.  As for LWT being a poor mans option I suspect this is now untrue as its alot easyer to get a parabolic now.  The biggest problem in all cases is finding a quality make, which doesn't help the rarer LWT version.

As for shocks I'm not convinced about pro comp after my dads seldom used S1 ate a set of 9000's and didn't ride very nicely in the process (and yes it had corectly ajusted check straps and bumpstops).  Its now got ES1000's on but they are not extended and as far as I can see are basicly standard series shocks painted white, with a crappy rubber boot that colects mud and a higher price.  Maybe 3000's are the happy mid ground but if the surposubly hard as nails comp spec can't take the odd gental laning trip how do the lessers fair?
My 88SW has standard springs and recently has been bouncing all over the place, the standard shocks are completely shot and borrowing the ES1000's on the rear transformed the ride and cornering - Just about to fit a set of genuine HD shocks so we'll see how it goes (the springs are looking a bit past their best so now sure what I'll do there, probubly paras as I can get hold of a set easy if my dad goes down to LWT root but if not I have to say standard springs work pritty well on it, so long as they have working shock absorbers!

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