[glenlivet]

...several of the lighter coils have completely collapsed and others are nearly there...

Your first two pics show how my stock shocks were/still are in a box. At rest, installed and with four on the ground, the end 5 turns of each end of the 15 coil springs were at virtual coil-bind. This means that only 1/3 of the spring was in use, the top five coils and bottom five coils may as well have been solid pipe.

[NMKawierider]

...several of the lighter coils have completely collapsed and others are nearly there...

Your first two pics show how my stock shocks were/still are in a box. At rest, installed and with four on the ground, the end 5 turns of each end of the 15 coil springs were at virtual coil-bind. This means that only 1/3 of the spring was in use, the top five coils and bottom five coils may as well have been solid pipe.

Yeah...and they didn't start out that way. My fronts weren't that bad when I did the rears but after just a couple of rides they went to sh*t. Can't wait until we get to go for a ride in the rocky trails north of us. Just kicking it around the yard it feels like ...well like someone else's machine...lol

[doug80638]

Front springs arrived today. I hope to find time this weekend to install them.

I guess I'll have to reset the shock settings back to neutral and start the adjustment process all over again.

[NMKawierider]

Front springs arrived today. I hope to find time this weekend to install them.

I guess I'll have to reset the shock settings back to neutral and start the adjustment process all over again.

I just left mine where they were. The rears were just fine and it looks like the fronts will be pretty close as is.

[Tatohead]

My Stage 1 Elkas just arrived via FedEx.  Hope I made the right choice over just new springs.  Oh well Merry Christmas everyone.

[NMKawierider]

My Stage 1 Elkas just arrived via FedEx.  Hope I made the right choice over just new springs.  Oh well Merry Christmas everyone.

You will be more then happy. Heck of a Christmas pressent. When I start loosing shocks, its Elka..or I might have Bandit build me a set. They say they can build a stronger shock them Elka for less.

[doug80638]

Front springs are in! I set it up for an additional 1/2 inch of clearance when compared to before the changeover.

I didn't realize that the springs would have to be compressed in order to get them off the shock. I didn't have any spring compressors so I ended up using a couple of tie-down ratchet straps. A little clunky but it worked. Releasing the tension is "entertaining". The benefit of the straps was no scratching up the new springs :-)

It has much improved suspension response and a softer rebound just tooling around the yard.

I'm looking forward to a real ride up north in January!

[glenlivet]

My Stage 1 Elkas just arrived via FedEx.  Hope I made the right choice over just new springs.  Oh well Merry Christmas everyone.

The springs are undoubtedly a good upgrade but you didn't do wrong getting Elkas. The Elka's provide an additional 3/4" front and 1 1/2"  rear travel, if I remember right. That's a big boost on a machine that has pretty limited shock travel out of the crate. (something like 2" shock travel rear and 2 1/2" front)

That and the valving, though not adjustable on the base Elkas appears to be better than anything I could fiddle with to gain on the stock shocks' knurl knobs.
Everything we do to the stock shocks including replacing them, makes them better. That says something.

[NMKawierider]

Just got back from the first ride with the new springs. Yes..much improvement. Much smoother and much better overall feel. I could have rode for many more hours. Well worth the money.

[motoman]

Just pulled the trigger on these new springs NMK is so big on. Over 400 Canadian, with taxes and shipping.

[NMKawierider]

Just pulled the trigger on these new springs NMK is so big on. Over 400 Canadian, with taxes and shipping.

Yikes!..man they sure get you guys. Well, way cheaper then a new set of shocks. I'll bet you can get Elkas cheaper then we can...lol

[motoman]

Yeah. $121 for shipping. Just wanted to let the Canadian members know what the cost is.

[ctdls]

How are they shipping? USPS is the most economical, UPS is whom I refer to as the shipping Nazi's.

[motoman]

Just ordered last night. Got a notification today saying they are shipped by USPS. Let you know when they show up.

[Sockman]

Ok, got the rear shocks measured on the 800 EX.  22 3/16" eye to eye. 

I just installed the superatv rear high clearance a-arms, so made sure to measure it.  The rear spring is really wound down on the rears, almost until it is out of threads.  Would kill to have a nice soft spring on the rear that kept the ground clearance about where it is at (12" or so).