Topic: 1977 CB550F progressive fork springs**confused**

[Jugghead]

Hey all,
I have just dismantled the front forks to replace the fork seals (they were leaking)
I left the tubes in the triple trees and just removed the internal parts.
When I removed the main spring, it looks like a progressive wound spring. 
The coils are tighter on one end than on the other.
the PO had the tight curls up top, but the shop manual looks like the tight curls are on the bottom. 
Is my interpretation of the shop manual correct? 

Thanks so much,
anthony (jugghead)

[78 k550]

My service manual for my 75 Wing states that the tighter coils go on top.
I would think there all like that.
I would just shoot some carb. cleaner down the tubes or pressure wash or house hose should do it.
Gap to the back is how all my bikes are set up.
The little arrows pointing forward also dont forget.

Paul

[Jugghead]

Thanks for the response, 78 k550 
you cleared up the gap issue definitively.
found the thread i read a looong time ago, too:
http://www.sohc4.us/forums/index.php?topic=12594.0
just searched "axle gap"

The "Search" feature is my friend.  there is a TON of info on here about everything.  but....

The G'wing springs on a 75 and the CB springs on a 77 550 may be different?
it would make sense to compress the easier coils first, then the tight ones later (thus tight at top)
but the manual "looks" like it has the tighter coils at the bottom.
can anyone help?   I am so confused:
http://www.sohc4.us/forums/index.php?topic=12054

Just need an answer on the spring orientation.
thanks all!

[Jugghead]

Update:
took the other fork apart and guess what, the silly spring was in OPPOSITE of the first.
One had tight coils up top like MRieck and others suggest for progressive rate springs.
One had tight coils at the bottom, like the Honda manual *supposedly* shows.
WTH?  In the end, does it matter?
Apparently the PO took it apart, and didn't pay ANY attention to how to put it back together.
Now I am really confused, because the shop manual diagram is for an earlier style fork, not the 77.
 
This is the last step before I get this nice 77 550 on the road, and I want it to be safe and reliable.
Can't wait to get it on the road!

[Canada]

I just bought new progressive springs from Progressive and they said it doesn't matter which end the tighter part of the coil is inserted into the tube. When you think about it, a spring will compress then same no matter which end is on top. They did mention that some people found that there was spring noise, from the spring rattling inside the tube, if the tighter end was on top.

[Jugghead]

thanks all for your responses.
since mine were in two different ways, I am just going to go ahead and put both back with tight at the bottom. To my best interpretation, thats what the honda manual says, and Progressive company says it doesn't matter either.
woo hoo! hopefully a ride on the CB550 Today!

[bwaller]

The rule of thumb is to install the "softer" end (tighter wind) away from the point of impact or at the top as has been said already.