throwin in some progressive springs to eliminate the soft front end...i'll let you know what i think of the difference when im done. :)
Quote from: airbrushthrowin in some progressive springs to eliminate the soft front end...i'll let you know what i think of the difference when im done. :)
If the F model has the same mushy springs as the E, the difference will be like night and day. You're going to love it. :cheers:
post pics of the old springs and all.
i know the 2004 has newer type of shocks up front.. so pics would be real handy.
Got er all done....quite a difference...the bike feels alot more solid now. No more hard nose dives when braking hard. :cheers: Definitely much better than stock.
Hey, im looking to put some in too. Where did you get them from?
Quote from: roboHey, im looking to put some in too. Where did you get them from?
Me too! Did you pick them up locally, or order them from the US?
Hey, I just did the same with my '04 F yesterday! It used to bottom out at least 3-4 times a day around boston, so far not once! But I have a question, do your progressives make a slight squeek, like a bed-spring when you come to a stop? I didn't measure the oil level, just put them in with a 1 inch spacer. I assumed that with the additional volume the progressives wouldn't need more oil in the forks. Perhaps the top half of the spring needs to be coated with more oil? :dunno:
BTW, I ordered mine directly from Progressive, online. I used the ones made for whatever latest model gs they offered them for.
i ordered mine locally...nope no squeaking with mine...just took the old ones out...new ones in and put 3/4 inch spacers in..done.
Quote from: airbrushi ordered mine locally...
That's great! Any chance it was somewhere in Toronto? If so, could you post the location? Thanks!
Quote from: ollie357But I have a question, do your progressives make a slight squeek, like a bed-spring when you come to a stop? I didn't measure the oil level, just put them in with a 1 inch spacer. I assumed that with the additional volume the progressives wouldn't need more oil in the forks. Perhaps the top half of the spring needs to be coated with more oil? :dunno:
I've got a 2000 model. Mine squeeked a bit at first and had a sort of ticking noise. I even disassembled and checked it = nothing wrong. It went away after awhile. As long as they move smoothly you should be fine. I did lower the oil level as directed. The difference in ride is terrific, eh? :thumb:
I am a computer guy not a mechanic, but I have done some mod.s. Fender elimination, Lighter adapter, Blinkers...
Do you think a rookie could do this?
Quote from: boredman111I am a computer guy not a mechanic, but I have done some mod.s. Fender elimination, Lighter adapter, Blinkers...
Do you think a rookie could do this?
Following instructions found on or associated with this site you should be OK. Since the caps on top of the forks are aluminum, I would say the most critical step is being exceedingly careful not to cross thread them when putting them back on. I'd also recommend lowering the oil level as instructed, but some have left it alone without any problems.
PS I'm a computer guy too :cheers:
Quote from: Ed_in_AzQuote from: boredman111I am a computer guy not a mechanic
I'm a computer guy too :cheers:
Me too. :thumb:
I think we all know you are a GOD!
Master of All
I bow before you humbly..... :thumb:
Yeah, the squeek has gone away a bit. Its just that between the squeeking front fork and the squeeking rear brake I felt I was playing the accordian every time I came to a stop.
As for the ease of installation, it's pretty simple. I put mine on the center stand and put some weight on the rear to get some of the weight off the front end. Maybe not necessary, but I did it anyway. Removed handlebar from triple tree and moved it forward out of the way. Remove only one of the fork caps and gently used a coat hanger to remove the old spacer and spring. Drop new spring in the fork. Carefully replace cap without cross-threading. Repeat for other fork. On my '01 model, it handled well without spacers or fooling with the oil level. I am about 230 lbs.
I had the same results on my '96. I drained the forks overnight, upside down, replaced the fork oil with 15W, to 5.5" maximum level, and reinstalled the new springs with a 3/4" spacer and the original spacer washers. Resulted in less dive on braking, and a much more attached feel to the road. I dialed the rear spring to #5 and I like the way it felt. I weigh about 160lbs. I thought that the new springs would require less fork oil, but when I added the recommended volume with the forks empty and compressed it didn't reach the recommended level of 5.5". I made a dipstick from a "chop stick" and added oil till it was 5.5" from the top, sealed them back up and put it back together.Not difficult at all for an amateur wrench. I can't wait to wear out these original tires so I can try some newer performance oriented ones.