Progressive Drop in Springs and Going Lower
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,790
Likes: 10
From: Hawaii
Haha... I riding this coming week end and then I'll do the install. I have a 3* rake on the front already so I'll start at 4" with the PVC. Then see where she sits but I will measure before and after for you guys.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 613
Likes: 0
From: Pasadena, TX
Good Thread because I was wondering the same thing. I just lowered my front with the drop in kit this past weekend. I used the standard 4.5" spacer and was wondering if I could go below the 4". So what did I do? I called Progressive. They told me the more you cut the spacer the softer the ride will be. They also told me not to go beyond the recommended 4". He said if I cut too much and the front end is too soft, go to the local store and pick up some more pipe and start over. So if anyone goes beyond the 4" let us know how it rides because we all want to know.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,790
Likes: 10
From: Hawaii
When you went with the 4.5 did you notice any lowering in the front? How many inches did it go down? Like I said before my friend went down to 3.5 and he said it's still stiffer then it was before the drop in kit?
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 581
Likes: 7
From: Portland, OR
Can somebody answer this question? Id like to know too. The on-line pdf file instructions says to remove the forks, but I dont see why you would have to remove the forks for the drop-in kit. Thanks.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 613
Likes: 0
From: Pasadena, TX
Yes it lowered it around 1.5". I want a full 2-2.5" though. The top of my fork boot to the bottom of the tree is now 7" I believe it use to be 8.5" or 8, I'm not sure. If it was 8 then it lowered it an inch.
Last edited by cryan9; Mar 10, 2010 at 03:59 PM.
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 613
Likes: 0
From: Pasadena, TX
Yes you do have to take off the forks because you have to get to the top of the forks. Here is what I did. remove the wheel and fender. Zip tie the brake caliper to the frame at the top of the down tubes. Unscrew the screw at the top of the trees. Loosen the pinch bolt from behind the lower tree. Slide out the tubes. Loosen the plug on top of the forks that you will see after you remove them. Keep down pressure on it because it will spring up a little. Then take out you old springs, put the new ones in and put it all back in reverse order. It is really not as bad as it seems. Only took about 45 minutes to complete.
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Windber, Pa
was that measurement when it was on the ground sitting level? Mine is 6 3/4 from top of fork boot to bottom of triple tree. Think the front might of already been lowered. When I bought itbut not sure.