Progressive fork springs

[dragxs11]

Has anyone put these in? And is there a different part # for specials or standards? I want to get some for my special, but I'm not sure that the springs I found will fit right. Thanks.
Matt

[Robert Haller]

The springs are the same for standards & specials, but the specials require a spacer (3 1/2" I believe). This is a mod that is near the top of my list, I'd be interested to hear your experience.

[buffalo]

I have them in my '78 standard, PO put them in so I can't compare them to the originals but I have no complaints. I have installed them in several other bikes I've owned, noticeable improvement in every bike I've tried them in.

[dragxs11]

I went to the progressive web site, and it looks like your right Robert, I do need spacers(3.5"). However they don't appear to offer one.... the footnotes say I will have to make them.
Matt

[CA.XSer]

the footnotes say I will have to make them

The instructions with the springs say to make the spacers from PVC pipe.

[dragxs11]

K, Thanks guys,
Now a dumb question, just to make sure this goes easy. All I have to do is make the spacers and pop the caps off the forks right? I know my manual probably tells me, but it's easier to pick your brains..HA HA.
Matt

[Jerry]

I had Progressives instaled in my XJ, and they were a noticeable improvement over the old stockers. Get the front of your bike off the ground. Remove the fork caps, pull out the old springs. Put in the new springs with the spacer. Replace caps.

Most suspension sites suggest that you should have about 1/4 to 1/3 of the travel as suspension sag. This comes out to 1.6 to 2.2 inches for an XS. A couple helpers would come in useful. Get on the bike. Have a helper hold the bike steady, while the other helper ties a tring or makes a mark on the fork tube just above the seal. Get off the bike and put it on the center stand. Get the front wheel off the ground. Measure the distance from the mark to the seal. This is your suspension sag. You may have to adjust the the spacer to get the right setting. Not enough compression, (less than 1.6 inches) spacer is to long. To much compression, (more than 2.2 inches) spacer is to short.

This method takes into consideration your weight and load on the bike (Vetter or Pacifico-equipped bikes generally take longer spacers.) A 3.5 inch spacer is a good place to start, but the result should be checked.

[MartyA]

I installed mine this past spring. Wonderful difference. Just popped the caps off, removed the old, inserted the new, screwed the caps back on. I had already changed the fork oil and seals, thinking that was my problem, so I let the old ones drip a little. Adjusted the preload to the middle setting. One of the 3 best things I did to the Mangler.

[nashville_bill]

Well, what were the other two?

[dragxs11]

Thanks guys,
I'm running a little behind schedule on the big bore kit, due to some woman issues, but I'm trying to take care of the front end in the mean time. The info is greatly appreciated.
Matt

[MartyA]

3rd best was the fork springs
2nd best was a Tkat fork brace
1st bestest was re-doing my seat - my own design.

[Jerry]

I'll buy that list, except I bought a touring seat from Diamond Seat. Far better than the stock XJ cushion! Fork brace, fork springs, and added SS brake lines later. Total came to about $700.00 for these 4 items, ($400.00 for the seat) and worth every penny.

[MartyA]

Fork springs $79?
Tkat fork brace $85
Ride all day without butt burn slide way back if I want not very stylish seat of my own design - priceless (well, OK, $115)

Thinking about S/S braided brake lines, but first I am definitely replacing those shocks. And maybe a new header. And I see they make HID lamps for my Vetter. And maybe an LED tail light.

[dragxs11]

Howdy Marty,
I'm going to buy my springs from mawonline.com. They have them for $58. Err, Guess there's not a lot of point in saying that, being that you already have yours. I was wondering what that fork brace went for. As far as the brake lines, I couldn't believe the stopping power after I did mine. I used to be able to pull that handle as hard as I could, and not lock the front wheel. Now, if I wanted to, it would be easy. That was before the EBC rotors too. As far as the tail light is concerned, I had to make mine. 172 superbright LED's, a perf. board and 6 hours of soldering later, I was in business. You may be thinking of those socket clusters, and those are pretty cool. Much cheaper and easier too. I think I calculated that my LED's would have cost about $180 if I'd had to pay for them. But I think it was worth it.

[pgg]

This will go down like a lead balloon, but those progressive springs give a 'harsh' ride compared to the standard springs. I get a lot more jarring through the bars. For laid back cruising, the standard springs are more comfortable. A fork brace and standard springs are not a bad combination.