Need suspension help!
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6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Sand Springs, OK
Need suspension help!
"upgraded" suspension last week. Rider sag on my 412s is fine. But the drop in kit...no sag wheresoever. Stiff as iron. When I hit a bump on the high way, I have to hold on for dear life. My butt flies off the seat a good few inches.
at this point, I'd rather go back to the stock springs and deal with the trail or move my tubes up. The drop in does not require an oil change. I wasn't lowering the bike the full two inches, and progressive said to leave the spacers longer if that was the case, so that's what I did. But I was thinking it I cut more off it would make it stiffer. I'm honestly pretty confused. But, from what I can understand, I have either too much fork oil, too heavy fork oil, or my preload spacers are too long.
Really need answers and oil wt recommendations. Live in Oklahoma, roads suck. And I weigh 150 lbs.
at this point, I'd rather go back to the stock springs and deal with the trail or move my tubes up. The drop in does not require an oil change. I wasn't lowering the bike the full two inches, and progressive said to leave the spacers longer if that was the case, so that's what I did. But I was thinking it I cut more off it would make it stiffer. I'm honestly pretty confused. But, from what I can understand, I have either too much fork oil, too heavy fork oil, or my preload spacers are too long.
Really need answers and oil wt recommendations. Live in Oklahoma, roads suck. And I weigh 150 lbs.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 622
Likes: 4
From: Calgary, Canada
What did you drop in? There are a few different products out there.
Assuming your fork oil level is correct (as defined in the FSM), I would start by reducing the preload by cutting the spacer shorter.
ETA: Don't drive it anymore like that, you'll blow out your seals.
Assuming your fork oil level is correct (as defined in the FSM), I would start by reducing the preload by cutting the spacer shorter.
ETA: Don't drive it anymore like that, you'll blow out your seals.
Last edited by CanuckSporty; Apr 5, 2012 at 12:38 PM.
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Sand Springs, OK
Oil level is correct per 95 xlh1200 standard, but I essentially lowered it to a hugger. From what I read on another site, I need to lower the oil level about the same amount I lowered the forks.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 622
Likes: 4
From: Calgary, Canada
I'm not familiar with that set-up, but it would make sense to lower the oil level equal to what it's been lowered. If you didn't do that I would do that first, and then adjust the preload if you aren't using most of your travel. Bike/rider sag should be 1/4-1/3 of total travel.
Lots of good info here on Sportster suspension:
http://www.xlforum.net/vbportal/foru...d.php?t=552795
Lots of good info here on Sportster suspension:
http://www.xlforum.net/vbportal/foru...d.php?t=552795
Last edited by CanuckSporty; Apr 5, 2012 at 01:03 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,391
Likes: 4
From: Upstate NY
What weight fork oil are you using? You should be using 7wt or 10wt at the highest. Some people say 15 wt but that makes the front end way to hard. I just put progressive fork springs in my 48 and left the factory fork oil in them I only have 700 miles on the bike though. Factory oil was 7 wt and its just fine like that.
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6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Sand Springs, OK
Update!: Went and bought fork oil Type E after work. Drained old. 12 oz of fluidin each!? Manual called for 9 wet in each! Little less than an oz was an 1.25" (about) of fluid. So I added a little over 8 oz. Freaking perfect.
The ride was night and day...compared to hydraulically locked forks...as well as to stock. Help was greatly appreciated.
The ride was night and day...compared to hydraulically locked forks...as well as to stock. Help was greatly appreciated.
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