Holy Wow Batman! What a Difference!
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 12,986
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From: NE Philly
Holy Wow Batman! What a Difference!
About a week and a half ago I changed the shocks and springs to Progressives. I was having an issue with the front springs being way too stiff and having almost no compression. The ride was bordering on intolerable.
I shortened the spacer by 3/8" and it did little. I had heard a few times that which way you inserted the springs (tight side down or tight side up) made little difference. I initially installed them tight side down and had dismissed the idea of flipping them.
Well today I decided I had nothing to lose and I flipped the springs to tight side up. Man what a difference. The bike now rides great! I now have compression and have a much better ride as well as better than stock handling.
I had also thought the rear shocks were a bit stiff. But after this change the entire bike seems much more balanced.
I'm planning touring from Philly to Chicago to Toronto and back to Philly soon. My Sporty is now just about ready to make the trip. Just a few more tweaks here and there.
The moral of the story is, to me at least, that which way you install the Progressive springs does make a difference. YMMV
As a side note, putting the fork cap back on is really simple. My apologies, I don't know who to give the proper credit to, but I did read on the forum that marking the cap and the fork where the cap threads engage the fork with a Sharpie makes the job very easy. Just press down and align the marks and keep screwing it down.
I shortened the spacer by 3/8" and it did little. I had heard a few times that which way you inserted the springs (tight side down or tight side up) made little difference. I initially installed them tight side down and had dismissed the idea of flipping them.
Well today I decided I had nothing to lose and I flipped the springs to tight side up. Man what a difference. The bike now rides great! I now have compression and have a much better ride as well as better than stock handling.
I had also thought the rear shocks were a bit stiff. But after this change the entire bike seems much more balanced.
I'm planning touring from Philly to Chicago to Toronto and back to Philly soon. My Sporty is now just about ready to make the trip. Just a few more tweaks here and there.
The moral of the story is, to me at least, that which way you install the Progressive springs does make a difference. YMMV
As a side note, putting the fork cap back on is really simple. My apologies, I don't know who to give the proper credit to, but I did read on the forum that marking the cap and the fork where the cap threads engage the fork with a Sharpie makes the job very easy. Just press down and align the marks and keep screwing it down.
Last edited by baka1969; Mar 22, 2013 at 03:34 PM.
Thread Starter
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 12,986
Likes: 715
From: NE Philly
I honestly thought the stock shocks were better than the stock springs. I always kept bottoming out in the front. Now I don't.
I'm at Hooters now 30 miles away and the ride was much better than stock. If I were you, I'd think about doing the springs too.
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
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From: NE Philly
The cap on the fork is a bit tight and I used a breaker bar to get it loose the first time. Can't say if you'll need to go that route. A pipe also works too.
I picked up my springs off Amazon.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 988
Likes: 8
From: Clinton IA
If you don't notice how bad the stock front springs are now, you will after upgrading the rear shocks.
I think the Progressive front springs are one of the best "bang for the buck" upgrades there is.
I think the Progressive front springs are one of the best "bang for the buck" upgrades there is.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,882
Likes: 83
Never had any real issues with stock front or rear shocks unless riding on horrible roads. If I ever decide I need a couch like ride i will buy a Road King.
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
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From: NE Philly
Now that I have the bike properly setup, the ride is much better. It can't cure everything, like some of the larger bumps, but I have yet to bottom out the front end. But I've only rode about 300 miles since I put them on and about 75 miles today since I flipped the springs upside down.
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Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2013
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From: Indiana
Wow, you've got me pumped up now.
I just installed progressive 440's along with front springs earlier this week. suppose to crack the 40's and sunny here tomorrow so it will get it's first ride on the new suspension.
Great luck on your tour and stay safe
I just installed progressive 440's along with front springs earlier this week. suppose to crack the 40's and sunny here tomorrow so it will get it's first ride on the new suspension.
Great luck on your tour and stay safe
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
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From: NE Philly
for a good deal.
I have to give the seller credit, after I had paid and he had shipped the shocks he realized they were actually the 412 shocks. He contacted me and told me what had happened and we went over the options. I ended up getting them for $100. He refunded me the difference. He would have refunded me the entire amount including return shipping. But I decided to keep them.
He had picked them up from a retailer and there was somehow a mixup. He had never used them and didn't know until it was too late.
Either way, I ended up with the 412. Which, as it turns out, are pretty good.
Good luck with your ride. Let us all know how you like the 440s.