Topic: Progressive Fork Springs

[Bokeh]

Anyone swapped the stock Springs for Progressives?  I am wondering if the overall front end height changed at all after the swap.  I have a new set and I am lowering the front end.  If the height does not change much I can cut the springs down before installing the progressives.  Just trying to save having to install them, measure how much needs to be cut, taking them apart, cutting and re-installing them.  Right now it seems I need to cut about 3/4 of an inch off the stock springs to even out the bike as I extended the rear which dropped the back end down.  Don't mind sliding the tubes up through the fork clamps, but would like to keep that to just the final small adjustment if needed.
 

Thanks

[Mr Freeze]

Its not too hard. You need to cut 3/4" off the non-progressive side of the springs. Then you need to make up a spacer (pvc works well) and that sides over the fork slider before the short spring. Its going to require that you disassemble the forks to do this. Adding that spacer esstentially lets the slider sit higher in the fork tube which also make the fork lower sit higher as well.

This is the ultimate tutorial for the job.

http://www.hondachopper.com/garage/shortening_forks/shortening_forks.html

[Bokeh]

I have the spacers and know how to do it.  I however haven't installed the progressive springs yet so I don't know if the new progressive springs will drop or raise the front end.  So I was hoping to only have to disassemble the forks once.  So I was wondering if anyone whom might have swapped the stock springs out for progressives could tell me if the front end raised or dropped from the swap.  I am hoping to cut the progressive springs before the swap if possible.  Or I will have to swap the springs then measure how much to cut of the progressives the take them apart cut and reinstall. 

Thanks though!

[Mr Freeze]

Progressive springs preserve the stock length.

[Bokeh]

Thanks, I'll try cutting the spaces before rebuilding the forks.   

[coal909]

I heard from suspension specialist that linear springs are the way to go and that "progressive springs are the work of the devil"

 throwing my two  cents in

[raymond10078]

I am in the middle of installing Progressive springs right now.

The Progressive springs require the use of a 3/4" to 1" spacer be installed - and it is my understanding - that this spacer is needed to preserve the right height.  The springs are shorter than stock.

So - I see that you could easily use Progressive springs, install a spacer to the lower part of the internals (as has been documented elsewhere) - and you'd get a drop of about 3/4" to 1" in ride height.

[Mr Freeze]

That spacer that comes with progressive springs has to do with pre load.

[raymond10078]

Exactly.  Less preload means a lower stance/ride height.

[Bokeh]

The progressive spring set I got didn't come with a spacer for the preload.  I can work that out.  I thought the preload was needed to possibly keep the forks from bottoming out (and the forks become stiffer). The way I understand it is that you can cut the springs lets say 3/4" but the spacers you add to the lower element can be 1/2" thus you would be adding 1/4" length to the upper springs thus giving you the preload and needing more pressure to screw the fork caps back on.  Thanks for all the help!

[Mr Freeze]

Something like that. Those preload spacers address fork stiffness, so combined with your preferred fork oil of choice, you can "tune" the front end to respond to your riding style and weight. As far as preload spacers go, they can be made out of PVC very easily. The ones that came with my Progressive kit I think were 3" but obviously could be adjusted to taste.

[raymond10078]

My Progressive Springs did not come with a spacer either.  Instructions just included how to determine desired spacer height.

[grcamna2]

I've installed Progressive fork springs w/ flat washers before instead of the PVC spacers,I just stacked up the same size flat washers until I achieved my desired ride height.

[Bokeh]

I've got spacers from Lowrider Tommy.  Was only mentioning I didn't get any spacers with my kit.

Thanks!

[grcamna2]

I've used those thin fender washers too and w/ them you're able to fine tune the ride height and tension as far as spacers go...