I bought a set of Progressive monotubes for my '09 Streetglide from another member and I'm looking forward to trying them. I was able to download the instructions and I have the forks disassembled. My question is about the spacers. The instructions say to use two spacers per side. The Youtube video says two spacers for 175-200 lbs. Should anything be different depending on whether you have a Streetflide or standard ride height model? I don't want to change my ride height. Also I weigh 175, ride solo and other than my yearly vacation trip I don't carry any other weight. Can anybody tell me how many spacers they ended up using at near my weight on a Streetglide? I don't want it to be overly stiff but I don't want to bottom out too often. I really don't want to do this more than once.

 

Also it says to use 5 oz of 10w fork oil in each leg. I have some SE heavy oil. Does anybody know what weight that is?

 

I am a buck 75 and originally put two spacers in. Especially coming from the soft OEM forks, the Progressive Monotubes were too firm for me. It is a personal decision. 2 should mean better handling, but I took it back apart and went to one spacer. Glad I did. Still handles well, absorbs more of the road's imperfections. Once you have done the job once, the second time goes much quicker, if you decide you have the wrong setup.

 

The specified 0 weight is just a generic fork oil. It's there just to lubricate the bits that slide as the fork extends and retracts, there will be no damping with it. If you've enough SE heavy oil (fork oil), you'll be fine using it. It really doesn't matter the viscosity.

The spacers adjust ride height, they do not change the spring rate. Long or short, it will not make the ride any more or less harsh. It will change the bottoming out or topping out and ride height.

 

You will find 100's on this site alone that disagree with this statement. Plenty of threads backing that up.

 

 

At 175 lbs I would only use 1 spacer. As for the HD oil, it starts at 15 weight from what I can find, I used 2 spacers but I am 275 lbs I also used Belray 10wt fork oil I got it from a metric dealer.

 

Im 180 and used ONE spacer.......works.
spacers dont adjust ride height!

 

It's no different than the pre-load adjuster on various rear shock units. You're actually not changing the spring rate, you're changing the pre-load on the spring, which changes the ride height. Does many an owners manual describe it as changing the spring rate? Yes. Doesn't make the claim real.

 

Im 235 lbs, and used one spacer, rides great with no problems. Monotubes are inherently a little stiffer than stock, which will no doubt improve your handling and brake dive.

Also, if the preload the spacers provide adjusts ride height, its VERY minimal. Not noticeable to me when I pulled the 2nd spacer out.