Wanted: Progressive Fork Springs

[Dizzledan]

Just did my fork seals, and after seeing how wimpy the stock springs are (and knowing only too well how badly they perform) I'd like a set of progressives. Does anyone have a set they could part with?

[xunedeinx]

80 bucks new from sonic springs, and single rate are better than progressives.

[Kijona]

80 bucks new from sonic springs, and single rate are better than progressives.

All you have to do is remove the handlebars and tops of the forks to put these in right?

[BrianKD]

80 bucks new from sonic springs, and single rate are better than progressives.

All you have to do is remove the handlebars and tops of the forks to put these in right?

Yes. Please remember that you need to remove some of the fork oil after you put the new springs in. The Sonics and Progressives take up more volume inside the fork tubes than the little thin stock springs and those reprehensible spacers. Just like Archimedes in the bath, the fluid level will rise. Suck some out to bring the fork oil level back to normal.

COPYPASTA
1. Fully drain your forks. They don't have to be bone dry, but you want the old crap out of there.
2. If you haven't already, remove the springs and pre-load spacers.
3. Pour about 350ml of oil in the fork leg.
4. Fully compress the fork leg.
5. Measure the distance from the *top* of the chrome tube to the top of the oil. For street use with sonic springs, I'd suggest you start with 120mm. Raising the oil level to 110mm will make the forks firmer, and add some bottoming resistance. But start at 120mm. (For the stock forks, this value is 99mm, and can be raised to 90mm.)
6. Repeat on the other side.

The professional tool for this job is a fork oil level too, that costs ~$30. But if you're feeling cheap, you can use a ruler to measure and a syringe with a length of tubing to add or remove fluid.

Getting the fork oil level right is extremely important. The volume of air in the fork acts like a spring, and small differences in the oil level can make a big difference in the fork behavior at the bottom of travel. Also, the right and left forks have different volumes, so going by a measured amount will probably leave the two legs with uneven levels, which is very dangerous.
Sonic Springs 0.85 + 15W 139mm oil level

[Kijona]

80 bucks new from sonic springs, and single rate are better than progressives.

All you have to do is remove the handlebars and tops of the forks to put these in right?

Yes. Please remember that you need to remove some of the fork oil after you put the new springs in. The Sonics and Progressives take up more volume inside the fork tubes than the little thin stock springs and those reprehensible spacers. Just like Archimedes in the bath, the fluid level will rise. Suck some out to bring the fork oil level back to normal.

COPYPASTA
1. Fully drain your forks. They don't have to be bone dry, but you want the old crap out of there.
2. If you haven't already, remove the springs and pre-load spacers.
3. Pour about 350ml of oil in the fork leg.
4. Fully compress the fork leg.
5. Measure the distance from the *top* of the chrome tube to the top of the oil. For street use with sonic springs, I'd suggest you start with 120mm. Raising the oil level to 110mm will make the forks firmer, and add some bottoming resistance. But start at 120mm. (For the stock forks, this value is 99mm, and can be raised to 90mm.)
6. Repeat on the other side.

The professional tool for this job is a fork oil level too, that costs ~$30. But if you're feeling cheap, you can use a ruler to measure and a syringe with a length of tubing to add or remove fluid.

Getting the fork oil level right is extremely important. The volume of air in the fork acts like a spring, and small differences in the oil level can make a big difference in the fork behavior at the bottom of travel. Also, the right and left forks have different volumes, so going by a measured amount will probably leave the two legs with uneven levels, which is very dangerous.
Sonic Springs 0.85 + 15W 139mm oil level

Well, maybe I'll just start with putting some spacers in them first. LOL

[xunedeinx]

SPacers suck. Trust me, been there, done that.

It isnt as hard as it seems. This is how I did it...

Unbolted the bars, and rested them on the tank on a towel.

Undid the caps and removed BOTH springs with the bike on the center stand, this fully compressed the forks.

Took a 1/4 inch piece of tubing, and siphoned off all of the old oil by sticking the piece of tubing into the side of a soda bottle, and sucking out the top, like a man-made vacuum.

When as much as I could get out was out, I replaced one of the springs to raise the bike back to full extension, and added 20w oil to one side 120mm from the top (measured with a meter stick)

I put the new sonic spring in the side I just measured, with the spacer I made (I think it was 5 inches, but measure to make sure) and washer.

Than, repeat for the other side. Add oil, measure to 120mm, than add spring, spacer, and washer.

Check your sag, should be about 15mm

If its more, add another washer to each.

if its less take out a washer.

BOOM....Done.

Lazy mans way of doing it.

yea, I know not 100% of the old oil was out, but about 95% was. Oh well.

[adidasguy]

Been there - done that when replacing springs in Suzi. She was 1 year old, so oil was still good. Just be tidy. Have the OEM clip-ons so didn't have to remove the bars. Just took off caps, replaced springs. Checked oil and spacers then put caps back in. Simple. 20 minutes tops.

[BrianKD]

Do you measure the level with the new springs IN or OUT?

[xunedeinx]

out

[BrianKD]

Thanks! 

[Erika]

I just bought a pair from Powersport Superstore on Amazon of all places. The price is lower than other places I've looked at. They give a set, the washers, the pvc to cut spacers, and an instruction manual....

http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dautomotive&field-keywords=Powersport+Superstore+progressive+springs+11-1128&rh=n%3A15684181%2Ck%3APowersport+Superstore+progressive+springs+11-1128&ajr=0

[Dizzledan]

Haha, I saw '11 replies' and thought how odd everyone wants to help me out.
I did that amazon deal, 70 shipped definitely better than the 100+ from bikebandit. I didn't get to use my gift card, but oh well. Thanks Erika!