Hi all, 

I just bought a '98 Techno 270 Dougie Lampkin Replica. I'm a very heavy dude and almost bottom out the stock rear spring. Does anyone know any compatible replacement springs available out there, before I go spending hundreds at a custom spring shop? 

I found this custom shock being sold for 02-08 Betas, I wonder if it could be retrofitted? https://www.omniaracing.net/en/rear-mono-shock-absorber-hagon-for-beta-250-trials-20022008-p-133644.html

I return with knowledge! 

The stock spring is a 49x170mm unit. K-Tech makes a 52x160mm spring for road bikes with rates up to 120N. The 95N spring will fit inside the swingarm of the Techno with custom-made spacers to make up the difference in internal diameter and length. I confirmed this by 3D printing a cylinder of the new spring's dimensions, slotting it into the shock and installing it into the bike. With this and Jitsie's stiffer fork spring on the way, I should be good to go. Will report back once the parts arrive, just in case anyone in the future needs this info.

K-Tech spring fits and feels excellent. (To a newbie, at least.) Jitsie's 38mm Paioli fork spring also fits, with a +7cm (14cm overall) replacement preload spacer. Spacer diameter is 32mm.

Glad you found something. Even in 98 there were not many choices. The 02 to 08 was a side mounted shock with no linkage is why no one awnsered. Go out and have some fun.

Hi I'm in the same boat. Do you have details of the spring you run and the spacer you needed to make. Don't have access to a 3d printer but can knock somthing up on the lathe. Thanks

On 3/26/2024 at 9:22 PM, bigboi said:

K-Tech spring fits and feels excellent. (To a newbie, at least.) Jitsie's 38mm Paioli fork spring also fits, with a +7cm (14cm overall) replacement preload spacer. Spacer diameter is 32mm.

I'm not a suspension guy. But as said I am a bigger lad and needing to sort mine out. What is the +70mm/140mm replacement preloaded spacer can u link em by anychance

34 minutes ago, haza3348 said:

 What is the +70mm/140mm replacement preloaded spacer can u link em by anychance

It's just a tube.  Knock something out on your lathe.  I like to start with PVC plumbing pipe if the dimensions work out.

Note this only changes the preload / front ride height.  It's no cure for the wrong spring rate.

47 minutes ago, haza3348 said:

Hi I'm in the same boat. Do you have details of the spring you run and the spacer you needed to make. Don't have access to a 3d printer but can knock somthing up on the lathe. Thanks

The rear spring is a 52x160 95N unit from K-Tech, with lathe-turned spacers from sturdy plastic, drawing attached.

The front spring is the 9.3N/mm https://www.jitsie.com/en/fork-springs/51983-spring-for-paioli-front-fork-38mm.html , and I just measured the overall length of the original spring + preload spacer and cut an aluminum tube to make the new, shorter spring match. OD 30-32mm, ID 25mm. ID isn't that important, as long as the wall thickness at least matches the spring thickness.

Also, if you're planning to run heavier than recommended fork oil - don't! I followed (bad) advice online and went from the stock 5w to 10w, and the front was far too muted and hard to manipulate. Went back to 5w and it feels great and lively, even with my fat ass riding.

Don't get discouraged by people talking about spring rates being wrong and such, they're presumably experienced and have discerning taste - there's still plenty of fun to be had for big guys like us, even if one's bike isn't optimally tuned to one's weight. Since I started the sport this spring, I've gotten much, much better at motorcycling in general, have done some pretty nifty things I'd have never thought I'd do on a bike, and have used the sport as inspiration to drop 30kg now, with another thirty (at least) to go. It's excellent exercise, too.

29 minutes ago, bigboi said:

The rear spring is a 52x160 95N unit from K-Tech, with lathe-turned spacers from sturdy plastic, drawing attached.

The front spring is the 9.3N/mm https://www.jitsie.com/en/fork-springs/51983-spring-for-paioli-front-fork-38mm.html , and I just measured the overall length of the original spring + preload spacer and cut an aluminum tube to make the new, shorter spring match. OD 30-32mm, ID 25mm. ID isn't that important, as long as the wall thickness at least matches the spring thickness.

Also, if you're planning to run heavier than recommended fork oil - don't! I followed (bad) advice online and went from the stock 5w to 10w, and the front was far too muted and hard to manipulate. Went back to 5w and it feels great and lively, even with my fat ass riding.

Don't get discouraged by people talking about spring rates being wrong and such, they're presumably experienced and have discerning taste - there's still plenty of fun to be had for big guys like us, even if one's bike isn't optimally tuned to one's weight. Since I started the sport this spring, I've gotten much, much better at motorcycling in general, have done some pretty nifty things I'd have never thought I'd do on a bike, and have used the sport as inspiration to drop 30kg now, with another thirty (at least) to go. It's excellent exercise, too.

Fantastic info thank you! 30kg is a massive loss keep it up! Great news. Thanks again