Topic: Progressive Suspension brand products for the CB550 - Anybody tried them?

[Tom C]

I asked this question on the Replacement Shocks CB500 thread, but perhaps it deserves it's own thread.

Have others in the forum any experience with Progressive Suspension components on their rides?  I've just purchased the following Progressive Suspension brand products on ebay for my 1974 CB550K0:

Progressive Suspension 11-1106 fork springs ($60 - found a good ebay deal)
Progressive Suspension 12-1204B 12 Series 13in. Shocks ($167)
Progressive Suspension 03-1394C 12 Series Standard Springs (70-120 psi) - Chrome ($82)

I just finished installing the the fork springs, which were noticeably longer than the old springs, so much so that it was difficult to re-install the fork cap bolt.  Before installation the bike barely leaned over on the side stand and was quite difficult to put her on the center stand, now there is a good lean on the side stand and she rolls right up on the centerstand.   

I replaced the oil with Maxima 10W fork oil.  Per the instructions that came with the fork springs, I filled the fork tubes to a height of 140mm with springs out and forks fully compressed after cycling the forks up and down a few times t108o remove trapped air.  The fork seals were recently replaced with All Balls Racing Motorcycle Fork & Dust Seal Kit 56-137 (correction - the correct all balls fork seal set for this bike is 55-108).

The shocks have arrived, still waiting on the rear springs to get here.  I'll let you know how she feels once the springs arrive and are installed.  In the meantime if anybody else out there has any feedback on their experiences with Progressive Suspension brand products I'd love to hear it. 

[Scott S]

 Personally, I find Progressive to be too stiff for my taste. I've ordered going by my weight and intended use, and I've ordered softer than recommended. They're just not my favorite.

 That said, I have a set on the current 550 that seem to be OK. Maybe they have some miles on them and have "broken in"?
 They are the 12-1204 with the 1367 90/120 rate springs.

 

[Shtonecb500]

i have a set, they are rebuildable. Ive got 3 seasons on them with LOTS of miles and im 210lbs on average. They are ready for a rebuild this spring...but i liked them and were a cheap solid option/upgrade.

[Tom C]

Well I've got the fork springs and rear shocks/springs installed now and I took her out for a test ride, she seems to ride nicely with this setup so I'm happy with the Progressive Suspension upgrades I've made. Thanks for the feedback guys.

[Mooshie]

I have Progressive Fork springs and Hagon Shocks on my 550.  Love the combination

[Kyle2020]

56-137 fork seals fit on a 75 cb550 ? I have been searching for 2 days now trying to order the fork seals and dust covers.

[bryanj]

75 should have gaitors not dust covers and 500/550 and 750 seals are all the same. If you really want just little dust covers 500 twin ones fit

[Tom C]

56-137 fork seals fit on a 75 cb550 ? I have been searching for 2 days now trying to order the fork seals and dust covers.

Kyle - my mistake there.  The correct All Balls seal kit is #55-137.   The original number there is a set for my son's KLX250.  Brain fart.  Never trust the internet! At least when I am the author....

[Tom C]

Well it's been a couple of months since I replaced the front fork springs, rear shocks and springs with Progressive Suspension parts.  I thought I'd give you all some honest feedback on the current setup. 

I've put a few hundred miles on the 550 since then, no long trips and no trips with any significant added luggage weight as I haven't yet mounted the luggage rack, top box and panniers.  The setup is quite stable on the road, I've had the old girl up to 99mph GPS where she is solid as a rock with no hint of a wobble or instability.  But overall I find the current setup to be a bit stiff.

I'm not experienced enough in suspension feel to know exactly where the stiffness is coming from, but it seems like the rear end.  For example, when I go over a speed bump it's kind of jarring, particularly when the rear wheel goes over.  When riding a road with a pattern of small bumps (like a concrete road with expansion strips) the regular bumps are more than I am used to to feeling compared to my other bikes.  BTW, I'm 230 pounds without gear, maybe 250 with ATGATT.   

My "too stiff" rating is in comparison to my other bikes:

2010 Tiger 1050 with an Ohlins rear shock and front forks redone by Cogent Dynamics.  What a difference in comfort and handling this upgrade has been for the Tiger!  Rick at Cogent is a great guy to work with and is passionate about customizing your bike's suspension to fit your needs.  This was the best investment I have made to the Tiger.  I'm spoiled I suppose. 

2013 KTM 690 Enduro with stock suspension lowered by a Koubalink lowering link and dropping the forks about an inch in the triple tree.  This bike handles well both on and off road, she eats up giant holes on dirt with ease and sticks to the pavement like glue in the twisties.  No need for any upgrades to this beast!

Overall stability and handling is great, I just wish the bumps were less noticeable.   I'll  live with the current setup for a while and reevaluate after the bike is set up as a long distance touring bike which will include luggage rack, top box, panniers, packed with all the gear necessary for a few day's ride.  If afterwards I still find the stiffness to be too objectionable perhaps I'll enlist the services of Cogent Dynamics to improve things.  I considered going directly to Rick in the first place for my suspension upgrades but my stinginess led me to a less expensive first option.  Perhaps that will come back to haunt me in the long run.  But in any case the current setup with springs appropriate for my weight is a vast improvement over the OEM shocks and tired old OEM springs. 

[flatlander]

the internet tells me that the fork springs you have should be 35-50 lbs/in. that's pretty much the same rate as the wilbers springs in my 550. those aren't too stiff and i'm even a bit lighter than you.

while i don't know the particular shocks that you have, based on the above and what scott and mooshie said, i'd guess that the fork springs are probably fine and source of your troubles are the rear shocks. maybe play with adjustment options like spring rate and damping?