Progressive Springs ROCK!!!

[OldGazer]

I rebuilt the front forks and swapped out the mushy stock springs with Progressives. Instead of using the supplied PVC spacer, I used the stock spacer/piston (with a new O-Ring). I also replaced the damper washers (two wavy and one flat per shock), upper and lower bushings, fork seals and plate seats (which btw have been discontinued....), fork cap O-Rings, EAND O-Rings, and air manifold O-Rings.

 

Also mounted a new rear tire, replaced all 6 brake pads, wired the bike for trailer lights on my Voyager kit, lubed the rear shock links, replaced the windshield, repaired the left saddle bag (fiber glassed some cracks...), replaced the stock H4 Halogen head lamp with a Silver Star H4, lubed all the cables, replaced the front chrome trim moldings, re-charged the Class desiccant, replaced the CLASS manifold O-Rings, and put dielectric grease into every connector I could find....

 

Took the bike out for a check ride this afternoon, and man is it SWEET!!! Rides like a new bike now.

 

Got back to the house to put the Voyager kit on and that's when the rain started. Got just enough rain to make the roads (and my new back yard) a mess, so we didn't get to ride this evening.

 

Tomorrow should be a good day to ride, so color us GONE!!!!

Edited March 31, 2012 by OldGazer
Spelling...

[Keemez]

And in what month did you start all those procedures (that it took you until today to complete them)?

[GolfVenture]

Ya I also just installed my progressive a few days ago. I love how my 91 VR handles in the corners. I think I've gained 10 mph in the corners. I also like how it stands up rides.taller with no more diving when breaking.

The one thing I did not like was how the springs took bumps. I was under the impression that the progressive would be firm under the force in the corners, which it is, but at the same time would provide some cush when encountering a bump. There was this new section of road where there was a sign “Bump” so I took it much faster then normal and the tire bounced off the bump and hoped on the payment. I did not like that. I’ve not heard anyone else complain about it. I thinking that I’m probably one of the lighter riders in the group at 170 to 175 lbs, and that could make a little difference.

I used 15 wt oil. No spacer. Went from 5.5 inches to 9 inches of air space. The extra 4.5 inches of air space made just enough difference so my forks gave a bit when I hit the same bump, and no skipping on the payment, with same cornering and braking characteristic as with the 5.5 inches.

I’m good with my settings, looking forward to this summer

[Snaggletooth]

Two things in this world you can believe are going to change your life.

 

Got nuttin' to do with death and taxes.

 

PROGRESSIVES AND SEA FOAM!!!

 

[FuzzyRSTD]

Two things in this world you can believe are going to change your life.

 

Got nuttin' to do with death and taxes.

 

PROGRESSIVES AND SEA FOAM!!!

 

 

Mike, would that be the same feeling most whom have the second geners would have with Progressives ? If so, is this something I need to start saving for, like I did for the Flanders bar upgrade ? I know we all need sea foam forever........... and death and taxes are a no brainer.

 

Fuzzy

[Snaggletooth]

Mike, would that be the same feeling most whom have the second geners would have with Progressives ? If so, is this something I need to start saving for, like I did for the Flanders bar upgrade ? I know we all need sea foam forever........... and death and taxes are a no brainer.

 

Fuzzy

 

Ok,ok..... I was waiting for someone with a 2nd gen that had done the Progressives to pop in with a comment on that one. I can only assume that Yammy continued into the 2nd gens with the same low quality springs they had in the 1st gens. So if that is a given I'd assume the improvement would be at the same level as it is on the 1st gens.

 

I know some have done this upgrade on the 2nd gen so again, it goes to show how slow they are. Catch up guys..... Fuzzy needs an answer.

 

And there ya go.

 

Mike

[Yammer Dan]

I rebuilt the front forks and swapped out the mushy stock springs with Progressives. Instead of using the supplied PVC spacer, I used the stock spacer/piston (with a new O-Ring). I also replaced the damper washers (two wavy and one flat per shock), upper and lower bushings, fork seals and plate seats (which btw have been discontinued....), fork cap O-Rings, EAND O-Rings, and air manifold O-Rings.

 

Also mounted a new rear tire, replaced all 6 brake pads, wired the bike for trailer lights on my Voyager kit, lubed the rear shock links, replaced the windshield, repaired the left saddle bag (fiber glassed some cracks...), replaced the stock H4 Halogen head lamp with a Silver Star H4, lubed all the cables, replaced the front chrome trim moldings, re-charged the Class desiccant, replaced the CLASS manifold O-Rings, and put dielectric grease into every connector I could find....

 

Took the bike out for a check ride this afternoon, and man is it SWEET!!! Rides like a new bike now.

 

Got back to the house to put the Voyager kit on and that's when the rain started. Got just enough rain to make the roads (and my new back yard) a mess, so we didn't get to ride this evening.

 

Tomorrow should be a good day to ride, so color us GONE!!!!

 

 

 

Since you ain't got anything to do now you could come look at mine.... I'd buy the parts!!!:whistling:

 

Hope that ride went well. You will find something else it needs!

[Freebird]

Well, I've changed the front springs on my '99 but I did NOT use Progressives. At the advice of Rick Butler, whom I have a lot of respect for, I went with Sonic Springs. Maybe it has changed but at the time, Progressive did not offer a spring specifically made for RSV. They list the same spring as used on the Royal Star I think. The Sonic Springs are a heavier weight spring than what is offered by Progressive and I think a better choice for the RSV. I couldn't be happier with mine.

[GaryZ]

Ya I also just installed my progressive a few days ago. I love how my 91 VR handles in the corners. I think I've gained 10 mph in the corners. I also like how it stands up rides.taller with no more diving when breaking.ffice:office" />>>

The one thing I did not like was how the springs took bumps. I was under the impression that the progressive would be firm under the force in the corners, which it is, but at the same time would provide some ffice:smarttags" />lace w:st="on">cushlace> when encountering a bump. There was this new section of road where there was a sign “Bump” so I took it much faster then normal and the tire bounced off the bump and hoped on the payment. I did not like that. I’ve not heard anyone else complain about it. I thinking that I’m probably one of the lighter riders in the group at 170 to 175 lbs, and that could make a little difference.>>

> >

I used 15 wt oil. No spacer. Went from 5.5 inches to 9 inches of air space. The extra 4.5 inches of air space made just enough difference so my forks gave a bit when I hit the same bump, and no skipping on the payment, with same cornering and braking characteristic as with the 5.5 inches.>>

> >

I’m good with my settings, looking forward to this summer >>

> >

>>

 

I think 15wt fork oil is too much and would cause the front end to actually be rather stiff on speed bumps. I used 10wt, 6" of space, and I am 250lbs.

[GolfVenture]

I was with the understanding that the 10 wt or 15 wt does not affect the compression of the forks but rather the uncompresssion of the forks. And also that only under professional racing conditions can one really experience the difference between 10 wt and 15 wt.

 

How does your forks act under some ruff road conditions. Are the forks cushy or bumpy?

 

I think 15wt fork oil is too much and would cause the front end to actually be rather stiff on speed bumps. I used 10wt, 6" of space, and I am 250lbs.

[OldGazer]

And in what month did you start all those procedures (that it took you until today to complete them)?

 

I actually started back in February. I put the bike "up" because the rear tire was worn out and not safe to ride on. I had intended to get the bike back on the road (including all of the aforementioned maintenance items) shortly after I got my refund from Uncle Sam.

 

Unfortunately, life and some really crappy weather changed my plans.

[OldGazer]

Since you ain't got anything to do now you could come look at mine.... I'd buy the parts!!!:whistling:

 

Hope that ride went well. You will find something else it needs!

 

Well, actually I have to tear into the GF's Honda Shadow Spirit. A "friend" did some "repairs" before we met, and the bike has run like crap ever since. Then I have a mechanically challenged friend with a Kawasaki Voyager II 1200 that needs new fork springs.

 

Today's ride was excellent. We did a little city riding to make sure the Voyager was behaving, and then we hit I-95. Rode most of the afternoon.... Gotta love it.