Doing the front end. Any recommendations ?
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,903
Likes: 1,420
From: Lost
Doing the front end. Any recommendations ?
2016 SGS 36,000 miles.
I was at my local indy shop and asked them to help me change handlebars. While talking I mentioned that I'll be upgrading my front shocks when I get to 40k miles. He recommends me to upgrade it while I'm changing my bars as it will save me in labor. Cuz he has to remove fairing to do the job on bars anyway. Is that correct ? If so...what do you recommend regarding front shocks.
But most importantly while I'm doing this bar swap and front shocks is there anything else in the front that I could upgrade or pay attention to while he's there. Thank you.
I was at my local indy shop and asked them to help me change handlebars. While talking I mentioned that I'll be upgrading my front shocks when I get to 40k miles. He recommends me to upgrade it while I'm changing my bars as it will save me in labor. Cuz he has to remove fairing to do the job on bars anyway. Is that correct ? If so...what do you recommend regarding front shocks.
But most importantly while I'm doing this bar swap and front shocks is there anything else in the front that I could upgrade or pay attention to while he's there. Thank you.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,903
Likes: 1,420
From: Lost
Anything like bearings or other mechanicals in steering/front end I should upgrade while I'm there ?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 10,058
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As long as everything is apart, you might consider changing the wheel bearings. Harley wheel bearings have been a hot topic over the years, especially on Rushmores.
Yes, doing the suspension upgrade would make sense since the front fairing and the dash panel have to be removed in order to remove the forks. In case it hasn't been addressed, steering head bearing maintenance should have been performed at 25K.
Yes, doing the suspension upgrade would make sense since the front fairing and the dash panel have to be removed in order to remove the forks. In case it hasn't been addressed, steering head bearing maintenance should have been performed at 25K.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,580
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From: Illinois
exactly, +1 on this
Cruiser
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 109
Likes: 17
From: Minnesota
I just installed Progressive heavy duty springs with Bel Ray 15w oil. I love the improvement. I see a lot of people saying do cartridges, but I wonder if they have experienced both or if they are just saying spend ore money. I can say for sure that $110 springs have made a world of difference. I would love to test ride some $700 Ohlins and see if there is $590 worth of difference.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,385
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From: Brentwood
I just installed Progressive heavy duty springs with Bel Ray 15w oil. I love the improvement. I see a lot of people saying do cartridges, but I wonder if they have experienced both or if they are just saying spend ore money. I can say for sure that $110 springs have made a world of difference. I would love to test ride some $700 Ohlins and see if there is $590 worth of difference.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 574
Likes: 156
From: Big Sky Country
I just installed Progressive heavy duty springs with Bel Ray 15w oil. I love the improvement. I see a lot of people saying do cartridges, but I wonder if they have experienced both or if they are just saying spend ore money. I can say for sure that $110 springs have made a world of difference. I would love to test ride some $700 Ohlins and see if there is $590 worth of difference.
Last edited by ratpick; Apr 27, 2020 at 02:44 AM.
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 325
Likes: 45
From: Upstate SC
Another option is the drop in inertia valving. Relatively inexpensive with very good results for a lower budget upgrade using factory springs. I had very good results with Ricor and a 10w oil. I ran this set up for a couple of years until I could drop the coin for cartridges. If anyone looking, I have the Ricors listed for sale.
