Put the progressive fork springs in my 82 Aspencade,changed the oil using ATF.If you havent put them in yet you should.Makes a whole new feeling, and handles great.Also had the fork brace on .Took it off which also helped the handling.Dont have much use for it , not sure it was any help to start with.But maybe it was just my bike??
Progressives front springs
- Thread starter gibi
- Start date
Help Support Classic Goldwings:
- Joined
- Jan 27, 2013
- Messages
- 9,855
- Reaction score
- 34
- Location
- Brisbane Australia
- My Bike Models
- 1981 GL1100 “Rats Nest”
1998 GL1500c Val
1987 CBR1000f “The Pig”
1991 CBR1000f Red
Do you still use air as well in the front forks?
Tried it out with air and it feels good without any.But each bike is different , quess you have to try it and adjust to your riding style.I couldnt believe the way it improved the feel and handling of the front end. I always had cruisers and needed that feel that the springs give you. Makes fun to ride.
yes I like to have some new springs
- Joined
- Jan 27, 2013
- Messages
- 9,855
- Reaction score
- 34
- Location
- Brisbane Australia
- My Bike Models
- 1981 GL1100 “Rats Nest”
1998 GL1500c Val
1987 CBR1000f “The Pig”
1991 CBR1000f Red
Me too, sure is nice riding Red atm...
Yes, I am not a super-sensitive rider who can feel the difference in tires, but that progressive springs sure felt much better than tired stock ones.
As for the fork brace, did you remove it and that made the handling better?
As for the fork brace, did you remove it and that made the handling better?
I had removed it long before I had put the springs in.The front end just didnt feel right, kinda outta cink?.Once I removed it the front seemed better.Put the progressives in and felt like different a bike.The forks arent very big and with the weight of the fairing and the weight strapped to the center , the new springs must give it the needed support for better handling.
Ohhh I get to add my 2 cents!
Springs: Most factory springs are too soft. Japanese bike makers (including Honda) relied on soft springs and firm damping. The proper way to set up suspension is to choose a spring rate that can support the weight of bike and rider. Valving should only have to control spring bounce.
Service manuals often mention SAG length and this would be adjusted only with spring rate or pre-load adjusters (motocross bikes all have adjusters). Often when you change springs, it would be a great idea to have your suspension revalved to match, but this is expensive and on street bikes not as necessary as off road bikes.
Fork Brace: Back in "the day" it was a trend to make a stiff frame but flexible suspension. By today's standard the fork tubes were borderline too small for the weight of the bike and rider. They actually ended up going the other way when upside down forks first became popular but thats another story.
Anyway, the fork braces reduce fork flex and should help reduce what we call "stiction" or binding in the forks due to excessive upper tube flex. What can happen though is cause an overly stiff feel. I like using fork braces but some bikes don't feel right, especially if you got used to the way your bike handled before they were added. It really comes down to rider preference but the brace should normally improve handling.
Springs: Most factory springs are too soft. Japanese bike makers (including Honda) relied on soft springs and firm damping. The proper way to set up suspension is to choose a spring rate that can support the weight of bike and rider. Valving should only have to control spring bounce.
Service manuals often mention SAG length and this would be adjusted only with spring rate or pre-load adjusters (motocross bikes all have adjusters). Often when you change springs, it would be a great idea to have your suspension revalved to match, but this is expensive and on street bikes not as necessary as off road bikes.
Fork Brace: Back in "the day" it was a trend to make a stiff frame but flexible suspension. By today's standard the fork tubes were borderline too small for the weight of the bike and rider. They actually ended up going the other way when upside down forks first became popular but thats another story.
Anyway, the fork braces reduce fork flex and should help reduce what we call "stiction" or binding in the forks due to excessive upper tube flex. What can happen though is cause an overly stiff feel. I like using fork braces but some bikes don't feel right, especially if you got used to the way your bike handled before they were added. It really comes down to rider preference but the brace should normally improve handling.
