Progressive springs? Worth it?

[sthomag]

The Specials...which is what you have uses a longer upper fork tube, and therefore a longer OEM spring. However, Progressive only makes 1 size/length spring for the XS11....to fit the Standards, and then just use a spacer when placed in a special. IIRC, the spacer will be about 4" long, but I'm not totally sure of this, so don't hold me to it, just be aware that you will/should receive a spacer with the springs when specifying for a special.

SO...you can then use the PVC, or what I used which was some black iron pipe that I cut to fit, and I was able to make the spacer ~ 1/2 " longer than it would normally be and that will give you a little better preload tension. YMMV as to the final length of the spacer, best to start a little longer, and then you can adjust/trim back a little if you find it a little too stiff.

T.C.

I have a '79 standard with the shorter fork legs. I got a set of Progressive springs years ago, and found that they were too long. They made getting the fork caps on a huge ordeal, and when installed had so much preload they practically locked up the forks. They were obviously designed for the longer forks.

Unless they've changed them since then, they shouldn't need a spacer with the Specials' forks. And it goes without saying they should not be used on standards.

Race Tech springs along with Race Tech's Cartridge Emulators work very well. You have to make a spacer for them using the included PVC pipe, and they are not progressive, but they are high-quality springs. Together with the Emulators they provide a good ride that shrugs off big bumps while not mushing out like the original setup.

[adelii]

im a bit late for that. I ended up going with prigressive springs, with the 3.5 pvc spacer and 15w oil. Still havent ridden the bike yet. Mechanic rebuilt the master cylinder and calipers and noticed one of my rotors was warped. so im waiting for a rotor.

soon ill gove my review

[DiverRay]

I ended up with ATF for fork oil. Worked well for me, and I did fill by measurement from fork top. If it seems "bumpy", try a 10W oil first.

[motoman]

I ended up with ATF for fork oil. Worked well for me, and I did fill by measurement from fork top. If it seems "bumpy", try a 10W oil first.

Glad ATF seems to have worked for you Ray. Problem is, using ATF is bout' as 'old school' as it gets, and causes cavitation in the system. No offense intended, just not a very good option. Four decades ago, Dextron ATF(not F-type) was what we all commonly used in our forks of moto-x bikes. Not the case today, even though these older fork internals are somewhat older style design. IMO, I'd stick with Silcolene, Bel-Ray, etc. fork oil 15w. Also, upping that oil viscosity rating compensates for dampening orfices slightly enlarging from decades of use. Slightly enlarge dampening orfices are result of friction from the oil passing through them at a high velocity. I've had moto-x bike front forks to hot to touch after a moto-heat. Heat=friction. Also, for the most part, 95% percent of the time, the forks original springs do NOT loose their compression load ability, just the dampening orfices slightly enlarge. Don't know if that was of of any help, but has been my experience, and many others that also spent many years in the moto-x world. Same thing applies on street bikes also.

[DiverRay]

Problem is, using ATF is bout' as 'old school' as it gets,

What can I say..... So I've been into bikes for over 50 years.

[motoman]

What can I say..... So I've been into bikes for over 50 years.

Right with ya' Ray.........how bout just 'old age and treachery' then?.

[madmax-im]

I have a '79 standard with the shorter fork legs. I got a set of Progressive springs years ago, and found that they were too long. They made getting the fork caps on a huge ordeal, and when installed had so much preload they practically locked up the forks. They were obviously designed for the longer forks.

Unless they've changed them since then, they shouldn't need a spacer with the Specials' forks. And it goes without saying they should not be used on standards.

Race Tech springs along with Race Tech's Cartridge Emulators work very well. You have to make a spacer for them using the included PVC pipe, and they are not progressive, but they are high-quality springs. Together with the Emulators they provide a good ride that shrugs off big bumps while not mushing out like the original setup.

Not so..my 79 standard has a set of progressive wound springs in there and they fit just fine...as to wether or not they are worth it...that depends..in my case its not certain...I dont like the front end ride quality and I am not sure why it is the way it is...but @75 -85 mph there is a front end vibration and my ride quality plain sucks...I wish i could go the Traxxion Dynamics with the Race Tech gold emulators but having Traxxion dynamics do the install is prohibitively expensive(for me) YMMV. 've been told by Mark Lew that one can just buy the internals from TD and Race tech and do the install yourself ...That would be a significant savings..

[jetmechmarty]

I've been told by Mark Lew that one can just buy the internals from TD and Race tech and do the install yourself ...That would be a significant savings..

And maybe add significant headache. I did it myself at considerable frustration. Race Tech fell short on support. I was disappointed in them after I paid the price of admission. If I were to do it over or again, I would/will source everything from Traxxion Dynamics, largely because it's so easy for me to show up on their doorstep.

FWIW, YSS sells PD fork valves as well.

[madmax-im]

And maybe add significant headache. I did it myself at considerable frustration. Race Tech fell short on support. I was disappointed in them after I paid the price of admission. If I were to do it over or again, I would/will source everything from Traxxion Dynamics, largely because it's so easy for me to show up on their doorstep.

FWIW, YSS sells PD fork valves as well.

Mark bought the internals and did it himself...dont think he did the emulators though

[sthomag]

I wish i could go the Traxxion Dynamics with the Race Tech gold emulators but having Traxxion dynamics do the install is prohibitively expensive(for me) YMMV. 've been told by Mark Lew that one can just buy the internals from TD and Race tech and do the install yourself ...That would be a significant savings..

I did that. There's not much to it at all: just remove the damper rods and drill some large holes in them, reinstall them, put the Emulators on top of them and the springs on top of that. The springs hold them in place. Fill it with the appropriate amount of 15wt fork oil, button it up, and you're good to go.

If you can change a tire, you can do it.

[jetmechmarty]

I did that. There's not much to it at all: just remove the damper rods and drill some large holes in them, reinstall them, put the Emulators on top of them and the springs on top of that. The springs hold them in place. Fill it with the appropriate amount of 15wt fork oil, button it up, and you're good to go.

If you can change a tire, you can do it.

Yes. You are absolutely correct. You follow these instructions and the ride is horrible. Now what? This is where it gets complicated. The instructions from Race Tech say to enlarge the damper rod holes to 1/4", IIRC. They don't say how many holes there has to be. You enlarge the four holes, but, you need six. If you made it that far, you still have to tune it. That gets involved, especially if you're clueless about how all this stuff works. Race Tech did not provide a tuning guide with the valves. It could make somebody set fire to the bike!

Yes, I can do it. It is straight forward. For me. I learned the pitfalls.

[MaximPhil]

Yes Marty you can do it, You can also fix airplanes well enough for people to fly in. Just sayin
Phil

[adelii]

Welp! Bike is Up and running again finally!

The forks are way stiffer. I like it way better. Definitely a bit more rough of a ride. I think it handles a lot better with the dive almost all gone. Just waiting for the new brakes to break in.

[skids]

Did you back off the settings in the front forks a little bit?