Front suspension upgrade?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,482
Likes: 239
From: Minnesota
I've had stock, stock with heavier weight oils in all combinations, progressive mono tubes, Ricor Intiminators with stock springs and Ricor's with Race Tech constant rate springs.
My best success came with the Ricor's with the stock springs. I'm sure the Race Tech Springs would have been a better setup, but I lost patience with messing with the preload spacers because I had to open the fork tubes up everytime to make adjustments to the pvc spacers.
My best success came with the Ricor's with the stock springs. I'm sure the Race Tech Springs would have been a better setup, but I lost patience with messing with the preload spacers because I had to open the fork tubes up everytime to make adjustments to the pvc spacers.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 6,044
Likes: 336
I took my stock springs out - initially went with the Progressive - they worked okay but it is only one non-adjustable cartage tube and the other side is a spring.
I bought the Legend Axeo's to replace the Progressives - had to destroy the Progressive mono-tube to get it out as it just spun round & round in the fork tube
Very happy with the Legends - more adjustability and 2 cartages
Yes they all use a fork oil for lubrication
I bought the Legend Axeo's to replace the Progressives - had to destroy the Progressive mono-tube to get it out as it just spun round & round in the fork tube
Very happy with the Legends - more adjustability and 2 cartages
Yes they all use a fork oil for lubrication
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,231
Likes: 32
From: Long Island, NY
I found the mono tubes to just be far too hard. It felt basicslly like I had the stock suspension with the heavy weight fork oils. I found the Ricor's to be more compliant and be able to differentiate between suspension compression resulting from breaking and from hitting bumps.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,482
Likes: 239
From: Minnesota
I found the mono tubes to just be far too hard. It felt basicslly like I had the stock suspension with the heavy weight fork oils. I found the Ricor's to be more compliant and be able to differentiate between suspension compression resulting from breaking and from hitting bumps.
Last edited by InthewindMN; Oct 4, 2016 at 12:55 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6,175
Likes: 1,966
From: Great State of Canada
This will give you the idea regarding Ricor emulators
Thing about the Ricors vs the RaceTech Gold emulator, is that with the Ricors you do NOT need to modify your damper tubes. Ricor will advise you as to which oil to use. E-mail em, don't just go by whats posted on their site. Ricor sets em up for you. You just drop em into the tubes per instructions.
As mglax13 pointed out, the Ricors do differentiate between inertia (when braking) and higher velocity bump absorption.
Again, Ricor will set up your "Intiminators" and recommend an oil wt. based on rider / machine info you provide.
I went ahead and bought one of those trinkets you use to measure / adjust fork oil levels per the HD manual. You don't need this but it is reassuring to know for sure your oil levels are correct and precisely equal,,,, 20-30 bux.
Thing about the Ricors vs the RaceTech Gold emulator, is that with the Ricors you do NOT need to modify your damper tubes. Ricor will advise you as to which oil to use. E-mail em, don't just go by whats posted on their site. Ricor sets em up for you. You just drop em into the tubes per instructions.
As mglax13 pointed out, the Ricors do differentiate between inertia (when braking) and higher velocity bump absorption.
Again, Ricor will set up your "Intiminators" and recommend an oil wt. based on rider / machine info you provide.
I went ahead and bought one of those trinkets you use to measure / adjust fork oil levels per the HD manual. You don't need this but it is reassuring to know for sure your oil levels are correct and precisely equal,,,, 20-30 bux.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,878
Likes: 164
From: Northern California
I also went with Legend AXEO front suspension on my 14 Limited. Had Progressive monotubes on my previous bike. Prefer the Legend AXEO suspension. Not knocking, just my experience.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 416
Likes: 14
From: Texas
Progressive's here. Really like the improvement and would certainly do it again. Money well spent and wasn't as difficult to install as I thought it would be. Didn't rebuild the forks either.
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,231
Likes: 32
From: Long Island, NY
2007 FLHX. I used the prescribed 5W fork oil. I will be installing them again in my 2013 FLHTK this winter, which currently has monotubes.