I just picked up the stock height progressive front fork spring kit for my 03 fxdl because the front suspension sucks.
My question is has anyone used this and installed them yourself with the forks still On the bike if so anyone have a step by step for this swap?
Any info or tips would be great.
Thanks!

 

With a 2003 you really need to take it apart and clean it and put new fork oil in it.
But if you do do it this way at least change the fork oil...that stuff is way nasty by now. You can use a 12v marine pump to pump it out.

Jack up the bike.
Loosen up the top pinch nuts
unscrew the fork caps...they are under pressure when you get that last thread off they will want to spring out.
once the fork caps are off, compress your forks all the way and secure with a rachet strap.
(take a measurement of the fork tube showing after fully compressed for future reference)
Take out washer, tube spacer (your year may be PVC) ands springs.
Suck out all fork oil and refill to specs
release the forks to fully extended and pump like 10 times to get the air out of the oil
Put in new springs (I like the progressive spring up)
add spacer and washer... you really won't know how much spacer to cut until you put it all back together and check sag. Maybe a good starting point would be to have the spacer stick out 3 inches but just a guess.
Struggle to get the fork caps back on, be careful they strip out easy
Tighten the pinch bolts
Take a measurement of the forks fully extended while bike is still in the air
take bike off of lift, pump 3 times
check the sag...you want it at about 1/3 of travel

Don't attempt without a manual and without fully understanding what your doing

 

Thank you Rooti. I have the manual and was going to change the fork oil anyway and put
Fresh oil in. I think it says for my model year leave the PVC spacer the kit comes with uncut. I'm pretty handy build a few engines and been wrenching for a while. I'm pretty sure
I can handle this with no issues. I think

 

Btw can't I just drain all the oil from the bottom?

 

On my 04 I just drained the oil from the drain screw when I put my Progressive springs in.

 

Old Mike did you have to cut the spacer your progressive kit came
With?

 

And it looks like based on the Manual that there is no spacer in there from the factory.
This kit just uses a spacer. I am I correct?

 

You're probably correct, it's been a couple of years since I did this. I did cut the PVC that came with the kit, not sure what length. I'm sure it's no big deal since you can always get more PVC. I put AMSOIL Shock Therapy Suspension Fluid in the forks. I think stock wt is #5, you should be safe using #10 wt, Harley SE is #15, I think, too stiff for me. Just remember whatever oil you use, it's easy for you to change. I would go as light wt as possible for a better ride.

 

I like to put it up in the air so there is not as much pressure on the spring caps. I think on mine been a long time) I have about 2" of spacer sticking out the top with the forks extended. It's a sucky job because of the tension on the caps.

 

I really think the tension on the cap is going to be the worst part