Fork Springs??

[rgoot01]

I have heard from several riders and on various forums that with the use of new progressive fork springs I can eliminate the need for charging the front forks. What exactly is used to charge the forks, nitrogen? I was just curious to whether or not this was true with the new springs. Also, if I can do without charging the forks, where might I find caps that don't have the schrader valve?

Thanks,
Rob

[crazy steve]

That is correct; Progressive states that putting air in the forks is no longer needed. I believe you can swap 'standard' fork caps for the 'specials' to get rid of the valves.

'78E original owner

[rgoot01]

Awesome! Thanks for the fast reply.

[tinman905]

The Special's have air valves in the fork caps also .

[crazy steve]

The Special's have air valves in the fork caps also .

...but the standards (at least the early models) don't.

'78E original owner

[bikerphil]

The caps are different threads between the two. Just change your springs and use your air caps, just don't put air in them.

[fredintoon]

I have heard from several riders and on various forums that with the use of new progressive fork springs I can eliminate the need for charging the front forks. What exactly is used to charge the forks, nitrogen? I was just curious to whether or not this was true with the new springs. Also, if I can do without charging the forks, where might I find caps that don't have the schrader valve?
Thanks,
Rob

Hi Rob,
you inflate the forks with plain ol' air. Use a bicycle pump or other controlled pressure system to do it as they only take a low pressure, they pump up real quick and too much pressure may blow the fork seals.
The Progressive kit blurb does say you can use zero pressure with their springs but I'd suggest keeping the valved caps to keep the pressure option open.
This only occurred to me after I'd completed the Progressive spring swap on my Special's forks and I wasn't about to tear them down again.
The length of plastic sleeve in the kit that you saw two lengths off to put in atop the springs still had some left over. You could cut longer pieces to increase the spring preload, up to just cutting the sleeve in half. May be a bitch to get the caps back on though?

[b.walker5]

Kit ?? What kit ? Mine just came as a set of springs and a list of bikes they'd fit, and what length spacer to use. I used a 75mm (3") length of 20mm uPVC pressure pipe in each side with no air. As mentioned in a previous post, when I had standard springs I used 7 psi of Nitrogen because I have ready access to it.

[rgoot01]

Yeah, I am gonna keep the air caps because I like the idea of having it as an option. I just need to get a new valve. Anyone know where to get those? Thanks again for advice.

[fredintoon]

Yeah, I am gonna keep the air caps because I like the idea of having it as an option. I just need to get a new valve. Anyone know where to get those? Thanks again for advice.

Hi Rob,
just the innards? ain't it the same one used in tires?

[fredintoon]

Kit ?? What kit ? Mine just came as a set of springs and a list of bikes they'd fit, and what length spacer to use. - - -

Hi Brian,
my kit had 2 springs, a "how to" leaflet in French & English and a length of black plastic tubing.
You musta got the cheap kit they send to the colonies?

[b.walker5]

Hi Brian,
my kit had 2 springs, a "how to" leaflet in French & English and a length of black plastic tubing.
You musta got the cheap kit they send to the colonies?

Maybe to keep the shipping weight down