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Problem with fork spring install 2014 Street glide
I have a weird issue. I removed my forks to do a normal fork seal replacement, and figured while i was at it I would replace the springs with progressive rate springs. I finished the right fork leg. Everything was normal (spacer on top, washer, spring, tighten the bolt at bottom, refill with oil and put fork cap on).
The issue came when I took the left side apart. The spring came out under tension (there was a rod which attached to the fork cap, with a 9/16" nut and washer between to do what I can only assume is add preload to the spring.) The rod was attached to a significantly longer end piece, and the spring on this side was a beehive shape on top and bottom.
My question is, can I use these new progressive springs? If so how do I set/calculate preload on the new spring since it won't be using a spacer. And how do I compress the spring to set the preload if I do?
I am attaching a pic to better explain what I am working with.
The top is the progressive spring and spacer (which I already cut down and put in the other side fork leg)
Middle is the spring and spacer that came out of the other fork leg (the one I already rebuilt which was normal)
Bottom is what came out of the problem side (minus the fork cap and preload)
That don't look like the stock springs I took out of my 15 Ultra. Looks like some sort of cartridge set up.
i searched forever and found another guy who had a 15 road glide that had the same deal. One leg cartridge and the other leg normal. Is this really a thing???
I've never seen or used the Progressive set up. I have Legend Axeo in my Ultra but I would think Progressive sends the installation sheet with the kit. Or contact them to get one.
Last edited by Longridertx; Oct 17, 2018 at 09:52 PM.
So after thinking on it for the night, here is what my pea-brain has come up with. The right fork leg was normal. I had to cut down the PVC bushing to 2 5/8"" (ended up with about 2.5). This was then placed between the fork cap and the spring which sets pre-load on the spring. The left fork side (weird one with the damper and rod). Effectively the damper will both suck oil in and out when compressed which should effectually control the speed of the rebound/compression of the forks. The rod is only threaded so far on top.
My thought is, by placing a nut and washer on-top of the rod, and screwing it down/tighter is just another way of setting pre-load on that side. Therefore, if I be sure the spring does not compress more than 2.5" (matching the other sides compression with the bushing at top). Then I will be good.
Feel free to burn me if this isn't going to work. But that is my plan for tonight.
Going to call progressive this morning when they open and see what they have to say. Have to wait until 7:30 California time. I will update with my findings.
So the general consensus from progressive is yes it does have the harley single cartridge on one side. But they have never messed with this type of setup before. Guess I am going to be the guinea pig on this deal. I will report back after i get it all together this weekend.
Looks a lot like the left fork from a limited low that I recently rebuilt. It was a pain in the *** to set the fork oil level. The manual called for a special spring compressor to remove the spring from
The damper rod to set the oil
Level. And I think the level was almost 10 mm lower in the fork with the cartridge.
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Problem with fork spring install 2014 Street glide
