Just installed new Progressive Springs

Altephor · July 08, 2006, 12:23:14 PM

Is there any bad thing about doing it pantablo's easy way? As I understand that basically means I don't have to remove anything right?

Would I even have to drain the oil if I wasn't replacing it? Or could I take off the endcaps, pull the old, slide the new ones in with the 1 in spacer, recap and I'm good to go?

Definitely don't have time or knowledge to pull it all apart.

Btw it's a 05 GS500F if that matters.

Also, does anything have to be torqued to spec, because I don't have a torque wrench.

trumpetguy · July 08, 2006, 12:39:45 PM

If you do it Pantablo's way, it really is that easy. A torque wrench is always best, but I did mine without. Do put some mark on your handelbars before loosening and moving them out of the way. The last thing you'll do is put them back, and with a mark you can get them back where they were easily.

Easy way -- a piece of masking tape on the bracket and another on the bars, then make a mark across both pieces of tape with a sharpie and align them at the end of the process.

It took me about 20 minutes and I was going slow. Definitely the hardest thing is re-threading the top cap back on. You have to push the cap down (against the spring) and start the very fine threads (and the plug is aluminum and easily misthreaded). Go slow, be careful and you'll be fine.

Alphamazing · July 08, 2006, 01:07:49 PM

Pantablo's way is quicker and easier, but I did mine the long way because I needed to change the fork oil as well. Fork oil needs to be replaced every two years. Honestly, taking everything apart is really quite simple. Hell, even RVertigo or TadMC could do it!

Altephor · July 08, 2006, 01:28:08 PM

Don't get what you mean about the handlebars? Don't they screw on in a certain place? Don't know why you would have to mark them.

Alphamazing · July 08, 2006, 01:35:27 PM

Quote from: Altephor on July 08, 2006, 01:28:08 PM
Don't get what you mean about the handlebars? Don't they screw on in a certain place? Don't know why you would have to mark them.

The handlebars are a tube. The tube is simply clamped in between two pieces of meal. Two screws per clamp apply pressure around the bar. Mark the bar so it has the rotation you had before.

Unnamed · July 08, 2006, 02:14:35 PM

Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on July 08, 2006, 01:07:49 PM
Honestly, taking everything apart is really quite simple. Hell, even RVertigo or TadMC could do it!

I dunno, TadMC might forget to put it on the centerstand...

Altephor · July 08, 2006, 02:23:27 PM

Yeah but if you keep it clamped can't you just take the metal pieces of then screw them back on without taking the bars off at all? Or does it not work that way.

rangerbrown · July 08, 2006, 02:30:51 PM

zinger

Kerry · July 08, 2006, 09:37:19 PM

Quote from: Altephor on July 08, 2006, 02:23:27 PM
Yeah but if you keep it clamped can't you just take the metal pieces of then screw them back on without taking the bars off at all? Or does it not work that way.

Kerry · July 08, 2006, 10:09:21 PM

Oh yeah ... one more thing.

Do one fork at a time. DON'T unscrew both of the fork caps at the same time! (The front end will drop and scare the bejeebers out of you.)

Unless you had the foresight to support the front of the frame, that is.

galahs · July 09, 2006, 01:29:25 AM

Quote from: Kerry on July 08, 2006, 10:09:21 PM
Oh yeah ... one more thing.

Do one fork at a time. DON'T unscrew both of the fork caps at the same time! (The front end will drop and scare the bejeebers out of you.)

Unless you had the foresight to support the front of the frame, that is.

Great tip mate!!!

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Just installed new Progressive Springs