Thinking on the '14 FXDL here. I already have Progressive OEM length springs. Installed them when the bike was new. Did nothing with the oil at that time. I'm going to be installing preload adjusters and 10wt. fork oil to both stiffen things up a bit as well as counter brake dive. I'll be installing 12.6" Progressive 412 rear shocks as well (OEM length is 12").

All I have ever done with forks are drop in springs. Is the fork oil level listed in the shop manual the way to go here?

 

Progressive typically lists recommended fluid height and weight in the install instructions. For example, with the 11-1546 heavy springs I put in the Wide Glide they recommended 15wt and a 150mm fluid level with the spring, washer, and spacer removed and the tube compressed in to the slider. If you've never done your fork fluid level before; the fluid height level is measured from the edge of the tube down to the fluid with the tube compressed in the slider and held vertical.

The fluid level listed in the SM is correct for the OEM spring/spacer, the Progressive springs are different and the SM listed fluid level would have been overfilled using Progressive springs...


Edited to add: If you dropped in Progressive springs what spacer length did you use? The recommended spacer length will be different than the OEM spacer/spring combination as well...

 

The directions and box are long gone so i downloaded them off Progressive's website. They state to use 15wt and 150mm measurement of oil in the tubes. I do not remember what I set the spacer at. I know my sag is set properly right now though.

I assume the 12 point bolts on the calipers are metric? I need to secure a set of sockets for this.

 

Ayup, metric One note when you do remove your front tubes; the fender allen bolts are NOT metric. Never dull, eh

 

Should I stick with the recommended 15wt or go 10wt? I'm running the OEM crap 5wt still.

Size of the caliper 12pt bolts? Smaller than 10mm? Just want to make sure i get the correct set of 12pt sockets.

 

Got everything done and took it for a ride today. The rear 12.6" 412's helped in lean angle, overall feel and quickened up the steering a tad which I was hoping for. The front, while feeling better, still has a bit more brake dive than I want. I've got the sag set up correctly as well. The front and rear feel very similar when going over man hole covers and such. I have about 1/8" left of the 'ol chicken strips after today's ride. Foot pegs touched down.

Should I leave well enough alone or am I missing something?

 

Its never ending search for a good suspension. Next up on front would be to upgrade to Traxxion straight rate springs and Ricor emulators. Or $$$ for the Ohlin cartridges. On back, the Pro 412 are only marginally better than stock. The Pro 970 or $$$ would go to Ohlins.

If your happy with it, then just ride and save the bucks.