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Problem with fork spring install 2014 Street glide
I have a weird issue. I removed my forks to do a normal fork seal replacement, and figured while i was at it I would replace the springs with progressive rate springs. I finished the right fork leg. Everything was normal (spacer on top, washer, spring, tighten the bolt at bottom, refill with oil and put fork cap on).
The issue came when I took the left side apart. The spring came out under tension (there was a rod which attached to the fork cap, with a 9/16" nut and washer between to do what I can only assume is add preload to the spring.) The rod was attached to a significantly longer end piece, and the spring on this side was a beehive shape on top and bottom.
My question is, can I use these new progressive springs? If so how do I set/calculate preload on the new spring since it won't be using a spacer. And how do I compress the spring to set the preload if I do?
I am attaching a pic to better explain what I am working with.
The top is the progressive spring and spacer (which I already cut down and put in the other side fork leg)
Middle is the spring and spacer that came out of the other fork leg (the one I already rebuilt which was normal)
Bottom is what came out of the problem side (minus the fork cap and preload)
I believe what you have there is called Premium Ride Single Cartridge. Sold as an upgrade over stock. May have been standard in the FLHXS (Street Glide special) but not 100% sure on that? Not so sure the Progressive kit you're installing would be the proper upgrade. A call to Progressive might be in order and tell them what you're working with.
Too bad you didn't take the Left Side apart First ...
You will soon find out, but unfortunately I don't think Progressive will be able to help ... For an example, If one used a fitment for a 2016-17 Dyna Low Rider S (FXDLS) that would have used a 49mm Single Cartridge system as Original Equipment, you would find Progressive would have Nothing to offer except for Rear Shocks.
Too bad you didn't take the Left Side apart First ...
You will soon find out, but unfortunately I don't think Progressive will be able to help ... For an example, If one used a fitment for a 2016-17 Dyna Low Rider S (FXDLS) that would have used a 49mm Single Cartridge system as Original Equipment, you would find Progressive would have Nothing to offer except for Rear Shocks.
This is the story of my life man.....Exactly, if only I had taken the other side apart first!!!! What would happen if I dropped the progressive in one side and left the cartridge setup as is? I have heard of MX bikes doing this. You would think they would act independently, but since the axle holds them together and the fork has no pivot, it forces them to act as a unit. Any thoughts?
I should also note, my overall goal is not necessarily to achieve a softer ride in the front, but to stiffen it up a bit and eliminate some of the brake dive.
So the general consensus from progressive is yes it does have the harley single cartridge on one side. But they have never messed with this type of setup before. Guess I am going to be the guinea pig on this deal. I will report back after i get it all together this weekend.
Here is the verdict in pictures got it all done with only 1 busted thumb. FYI called the shop and they said if I brought the fork leg to them just to compress that spring and put the retainer and nut on top, they'd charge me 100 bucks. WTF man i literally did it with scrap wood. Yes it took me longer, but the right tool for the job is a 200 dollar tool. They must really want to pay it off?????? The point is everything is done. Still has the single cartridge system in one side and the progressive spring in the other. After talking to progressive, I confirmed the spring rate will be the average of the rates in the forks. Example (50 lb spring in left leg + 40 lb spring in the right leg = overall spring rate of 45 lbs.) Due to the forks being forced to act as one unit by the axle.
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Problem with fork spring install 2014 Street glide
