Front Suspension

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Mar 8, 2008 | 07:30 PM

TurkeyRun

Thread Starter

Road Warrior

Joined: Jul 2007

Posts: 1,367

Likes: 54

From: Somewhere in NorCal

Front Suspension

Folks:

I installed a pair of Progressive 412 HD's on the back of my bike - absolutly night and day difference, love it!

Only problem now, is I'm noticing a "soft saggy feeling" in the front. I know it was always there, but now that the back end is nice and tight, it is noticeable and bothering me.

I guess the trick setup is Progressive springs and a heavier fork oil. Is this the route I should go? Any words of wisdom from the collective experience here?

I'm about 250lbs.

Thanks!

Mar 8, 2008 | 07:55 PM

HD7585

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Nov 2006

Posts: 3,269

Likes: 12

From: NJ

RE: Front Suspension

Try the extra heavy oil first, That might do it

Mar 9, 2008 | 12:00 AM

RAWHIDE07

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Jan 2008

Posts: 52,957

Likes: 44,476

From: SW OH.

RE: Front Suspension

If your forks feel like they are too soft or bottom out when braking you need the springs,heavier oil just increases the hydraulic dampening effect,fork springs do collapse with time and mileage.If you replace the stock springs with progressives, standard weight oil is fine unless you want them to be stiff for aggressive riding.

Mar 9, 2008 | 12:43 AM

netvampire

Tourer

Joined: Jul 2006

Posts: 497

Likes: 2

From: Australia

RE: Front Suspension

Quote:

ORIGINAL: TurkeyRun

Folks:

I installed a pair of Progressive 412 HD's on the back of my bike - absolutly night and day difference, love it!

Do you by any chance have a side on pic of the Progressive 412's on the bike ? Havent seen many pics around here of the FXDC's lowered.
i myself bought the tamarac 1.75' lowering kit, which i figured was a cheaper alternative for the time being and believed that with the standard size shock 12.6' would give me pretty much the same drop as progressive 412 shocks (11' is it not?)but been a little nervous of fitting due to stand clearance.

Mar 9, 2008 | 01:42 AM

AmphibSailor

Cruiser

Joined: Mar 2007

Posts: 208

Likes: 0

From: San Antonio, Texas

RE: Front Suspension

Quote:

ORIGINAL: TurkeyRun

...I guess the trick setup is Progressive springs and a heavier fork oil. Is this the route I should go? Any words of wisdom from the collective experience here?

I'm about 250lbs.

Thanks!

That's what I did to my SuperGlide. I weigh about the same as you and that setup is great! 412's in back and progressive springs and HD SE oil in front.

Mar 9, 2008 | 09:10 AM

Chipstah

Road Warrior

Joined: Dec 2006

Posts: 1,900

Likes: 1

From: Backwoods of NH

RE: Front Suspension

Quote:

ORIGINAL: TurkeyRun

I guess the trick setup is Progressive springs and a heavier fork oil. Is this the route I should go? Any words of wisdom from the collective experience here?

YES! Best route you can go, and not expensive. Yields tremendous improvement, and you should level out your bike at the same time if your shocks lowered your bike!

Mar 9, 2008 | 10:35 AM

TurkeyRun

Thread Starter

Road Warrior

Joined: Jul 2007

Posts: 1,367

Likes: 54

From: Somewhere in NorCal

RE: Front Suspension

Quote:

progressive 412 shocks (11' is it not?)

Nope, I got the 12.6" shocks - wanted to keep the stock height.

Still want pics?

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Mar 9, 2008 | 10:39 AM

TurkeyRun

Thread Starter

Road Warrior

Joined: Jul 2007

Posts: 1,367

Likes: 54

From: Somewhere in NorCal

RE: Front Suspension

Quote:

That's what I did to my SuperGlide. I weigh about the same as you and that setup is great! 412's in back and progressive springs and HD SE oil in front.

Cool - So, you used the Heavy Duty, not the Extra Heavy Duty oil?

BTW, I served on LHA-2 from 1982-1984. Still stay in contact with a couple of my "Gator Navy" buds.

Mar 9, 2008 | 10:39 AM

the metal

Banned

Joined: Feb 2008

Posts: 498

Likes: 1

From:

RE: Front Suspension

if you really want to get a nice increase in frontend suspension performance without breaking the bank, the racetech springs and cartridge emulators rock.

http://www.race-tech.com/SubMenu.asp...howPage=harley

Mar 9, 2008 | 11:21 AM

#10

Roadrocket

Cruiser

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 105

Likes: 0

From: B'ham, Al.

RE: Front Suspension

"the metal" knows what he's talking about. I have had the emulators in all 4 Harleys I've owned over the years. Always used the stock springs though -I'm about 50# lighter than you. I like them to the point that I intend to remove the cartridge forks from my FXDX and put them in the front on it as well.

JMHO, RR