Got my Progressive Springs

[kingston73]

LRCXed is right, I drained and cleaned my forks and put new fork oil in, along with 1 inch PVC spacers, and its amazing how much better it felt. Granted, I was only able to ride it twice with the new fork setup before my problems, but it was a night and day difference from before. Stock, it sagged a good 2 inches at least, and would wallow going around corners. Brake dive was also bad, but with the new oil and spacers it was great around corners and didn't dive nearly as much. I don't have any fairings or cowls on mine, so the whole process didn't take me long at all. It was kinda tough getting the fork cap back on with the spacers in, I almost gave up after the first 5 times.

[Gman]

Getting those springs and caps down can be a right royal PITA

But we all get there in the end

[I'm going to GL]

Well, I like the sound of ditching the air set up on my bike. It seems that with my typical payload (180 lbs TOTAL) I can't get the air right - seems like I need more payload in order to use air in the forks, otherwise it's way too stiff. It makes me think, like you said, that the air set up is there to compensate for week suspension or when carrying additional payload or passenger. I feel like my body weight alone puts me in 'No man's land' - a few psi and it's too stiff - No psi and it's DEAD! AARRGGHHH

What do you think about this for us cheap bastards-

Drain/flush/fill using 20W (heavier?) fork oil
Configure and install spacers (if needed/desired)
Plug the holes in air caps
Ride

[LRCXed]

That's what I did with my sons 80 custom, and it works fine. He likes it, but after riding mine he wants the other set of progressives put in his!

[cdyoung1985]

What do the spacers do?

[Gman]

They compress the springs a little more giving a stiffer ride.Changing the weak ATF fluid for proper 20w fork oil is one of the best cheap things you can do on the bikes,

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/?_from=R40&_trks ... Categories

http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid ... Categories

[tallpaul]

Hi. I would like more info on the pvc spacers tip please. My front forks are leaking so I need to replace the seals. While they are apart I may as well give the springs a helping hand. TIA

[Gman]

There's better info on chopper charle's forum Paul.However it doesn't have to be a PVC spacer and I prefer metal.The old trick was to use our old big Pennies as they used to fit in my Norton's forks dead-on.Therefore why not just get some large washers and add a few to each side until you are happy.Heavy fork oil is a must for me.Way better than ATF fluid.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_trksi ... &_from=R40

I use Motul.


You can do this after you have done the seals as they fit on top of the springs or between the small spring and larger spring if you have the dual spring setup,dealer's choice

[tallpaul]

Thanks for the reply Kardan (Shep). Should the spacers/washers go on top of the springs? I am unable to find any reference to stacking coins or pvc spacers on Charle's forum.

Just had another look and understand that spacers go between lower and upper springs. Thanks.

[Gman]

To be honest I don't think it matters if they are on top or between as the spacers or whatever you use are just pre-loading./compressing the springs