Confused......
Any Simple Improvents to Front Shocks??
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,500
Likes: 0
From: Brunswick, OH
I have the Works kit and 15w SE oil. 100% satisfied. What you should do is call up Works and ask them these questions, they're very knowledgeable about this sort of thing. I hated the stock springs, much too soft, floaty, and bottomed out on me several times. All that is gone with the Works kit and it's a very simple install.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,919
Likes: 23
From: Seattle, WA
I've looked at Works and Progressive trying to decide which way to go ....
The Works appear to be thicker gauge steel springs than the stock or other replacement springs ... but, not sure how it is that they stiffen as they compress ...
On the other hand, the Progressive springs are wound more tightly at one end and 'spread' out toward the other ... intuitively it makes sense to me how they would begin to get less 'springy' as they compress ....
Interesting to get the 'conflicting' reports WRT each of the options I am considering ... BTW I've already changed out fork oil to the SE Heavy Duty fork oil ... didn't really notice much of a change ....
I recently saw where Progressive has come out with a "Monotube Fork Cartridge Kit" for H-D Touring Models (advertised for $339.95) .... Wonder if it will work with my FLST forks ...? I think I'll give them a call ....
.
http://www.progressivesuspension.com...idge%20Kit.jpg
.
R/
'Chop
The Works appear to be thicker gauge steel springs than the stock or other replacement springs ... but, not sure how it is that they stiffen as they compress ...
On the other hand, the Progressive springs are wound more tightly at one end and 'spread' out toward the other ... intuitively it makes sense to me how they would begin to get less 'springy' as they compress ....
Interesting to get the 'conflicting' reports WRT each of the options I am considering ... BTW I've already changed out fork oil to the SE Heavy Duty fork oil ... didn't really notice much of a change ....
I recently saw where Progressive has come out with a "Monotube Fork Cartridge Kit" for H-D Touring Models (advertised for $339.95) .... Wonder if it will work with my FLST forks ...? I think I'll give them a call ....
.
http://www.progressivesuspension.com...idge%20Kit.jpg
.
R/
'Chop
Last edited by mud; Dec 7, 2009 at 05:38 PM. Reason: oversize picture
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 270
Likes: 1
From:
+1 on Ricor Cartridge Emulators
I have the cartridge emulators on my bike, and they reduced front end brake dive considerably. Paired with the Progressive Springs they made a big difference on ride quality over slow(small) bumps as well as fast(Chicago pot holes) bumps. If I had it to do over I'd probably look at Howard's inverted front end kit at MotorcycleMetal.com. Not cheap, but coupled with Ohlins shocks in the rear, it would make a huge difference. The cartridge emulators are a good product. Good luck. Jay
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,562
Likes: 11
From: Palm Harbor fl.
I just do not like the way the progressives ride. They make the front of the bike very choppy through stutter bumps. This is especially noticed as I have ohlins on the rear and they are smooth as silk. JRK mentioned in another thread about getting Ohlins from Howard(motorcycle metal). Once he does, he will want the progressive front off in short order I bet.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,572
Likes: 5
From: Templeton California
I like the standard length Progressive springs up front with 15wt oil.I do not however like the heavy duty 11" shocks I have in the rear. I also have another bike, a completely different style bike but it has a full Racetech front end with straight rate springs and cartrige emulators it works real well to but I don't think its that much better than the Progressive product to justify it's much higher price.
Last edited by SPECIAL ED; Dec 7, 2009 at 08:07 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 270
Likes: 1
From:
Race Tech not Ricor
I have the cartridge emulators on my bike, and they reduced front end brake dive considerably. Paired with the Progressive Springs they made a big difference on ride quality over slow(small) bumps as well as fast(Chicago pot holes) bumps. If I had it to do over I'd probably look at Howard's inverted front end kit at MotorcycleMetal.com. Not cheap, but coupled with Ohlins shocks in the rear, it would make a huge difference. The cartridge emulators are a good product. Good luck. Jay
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,572
Likes: 5
From: Templeton California
I don't understand why people use the Progressive springs AND cartrige emulators they are both designed to do the same thing.The idea is to provide a soft ride over bumps while providing a firm feel under braking or hard cornering.The progressive springs do this with a progressively stiffening spring rate the cartrige emulators do this with variable valving which adjusts the dampening based on how quickly the spring is compressed.The emulators are more expensive because they are a more sophisticated system and are meant to be used with a straight rate spring which also adds cost.I don't think I payed $70 for the Standard length Progressive springs it's thier lowering kit which cost over $100 and I would not recomend that because it reduces suspension travel.I think my Gold Valve emulators I put on my Suzuki were over $200 and the straight rate springs were around $100 it's hard to recall it was about 10 yrs ago.You asked for a simple improvement, progressive springs and 15wt oil will do that.
Last edited by SPECIAL ED; Dec 7, 2009 at 09:03 PM.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,919
Likes: 23
From: Seattle, WA
So Ed ... let's see if I have this right:
Progressive springs take the edge off of the smaller bumps but stiffen as you brake hard or hit bigger bumps to prevent bottoming and improve control ...
Works straight rate springs are stiffer, but when used with a cartidge emulator the latter will soften the smaller stuff ...?
Something like that ...?
Which is why you recommend progressive rate springs ... one thing to buy for about a third the cost of the other solution ...??
[My apologies for mangling the lingo ... have never really been schooled in the finer points of suspension discussion ... obviously ....]
R/
'Chop
Progressive springs take the edge off of the smaller bumps but stiffen as you brake hard or hit bigger bumps to prevent bottoming and improve control ...
Works straight rate springs are stiffer, but when used with a cartidge emulator the latter will soften the smaller stuff ...?
Something like that ...?
Which is why you recommend progressive rate springs ... one thing to buy for about a third the cost of the other solution ...??
[My apologies for mangling the lingo ... have never really been schooled in the finer points of suspension discussion ... obviously ....]
R/
'Chop
Thread Starter
|
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,368
Likes: 10
From: FL
So Ed ... let's see if I have this right:
Progressive springs take the edge off of the smaller bumps but stiffen as you brake hard or hit bigger bumps to prevent bottoming and improve control ...
Works straight rate springs are stiffer, but when used with a cartidge emulator the latter will soften the smaller stuff ...?
Something like that ...?
Which is why you recommend progressive rate springs ... one thing to buy for about a third the cost of the other solution ...??
[My apologies for mangling the lingo ... have never really been schooled in the finer points of suspension discussion ... obviously ....]
/
'Chop
Progressive springs take the edge off of the smaller bumps but stiffen as you brake hard or hit bigger bumps to prevent bottoming and improve control ...
Works straight rate springs are stiffer, but when used with a cartidge emulator the latter will soften the smaller stuff ...?
Something like that ...?
Which is why you recommend progressive rate springs ... one thing to buy for about a third the cost of the other solution ...??
[My apologies for mangling the lingo ... have never really been schooled in the finer points of suspension discussion ... obviously ....]
/
'Chop
