Swapping to Progressive Springs in the Front End... Questions...

[8-Ball]

I decided to put the Progressive 11-1131 springs in the forks.

Gordito and I got the thing apart... wow... a lot of parts. Hoping to get it all back together.

Have a question on fluid measurement.

I'll add photos to this procedure later, but right now we got the front forks off, removed the top bolt and the fork cap. Removed the springs and dumped the oil out of the top. Gordito pumped it about 30 times upside down to get all the oil out. I must say, I got a little uncomfortable watching him do this... just sayin'...

Right measured 5.75 inches of oil without the spring and with the fork compressed. Left measured 6.5 inches of oil.

The HD manual calls for 11.1 ounces of oil which leaves the measurement at about 4 inches... weird (and we pumped the slider about 10 times during the process to make sure). The HD manual says to adjust the level to 5.25 inches, but the Progressive installation sheet says that if the manual calls for a higher level than 5.5 inches to stay at 5.5 inches.

So we added, drained, added, drained, measured and measured again... all the while Gordito was pumping like a mad man to make sure the dampers were full. We left both forks at 5.5 inches, compressed, measured at the top of the fork tube.

Does this sound right before I button it back up...????

Also, am I supposed to pump these forks with the caps on prior to putting them back on the bike??? or was the pumping while filling adequate???

[harleyjsb]

I have a 06 street glide.When I installed my chrome lower legs I poured the oil out of the fork tube in a measuring cup.It was 9 1/2 oz put that amount back in and had no problems.............

[8-Ball]

Here are some pics... wish I'd taken more of the oil measurement process... and the actual insertion of the springs... but then I'm a doof.


Nacelle, wheel, fender, misc. crap removal and garage distribution:
http://www.doofclenas.com/misc/forkspring/lotofparts.JPG

Removed the cap bolt, loosened the pinch bolt, slid the fork down so that the fork cap was between the fork heads, tightened the pinch bolt (thanks once again to LittleBear), used a 13/16" open end wrench to loosen the fork cap:
http://www.doofclenas.com/misc/forkspring/forkcapremoval.JPG

Loosened the pinch bolt again. Here, my very capable assistant, Gordito, slides the fork out of the lower head:
http://www.doofclenas.com/misc/forkspring/forkremoval.JPG
http://www.doofclenas.com/misc/forkspring/gorditofork.JPG
http://www.doofclenas.com/misc/forkspring/rightforkremoved.JPG

Removed the spring, dumped the fluid into an oil pan, pumped the fork about 20 times to get all the oil out.

After adding the required fluid (5.5" from the top of the fork tube in the compressed position without spring) and pumped the fork slowly about 10 times.

Popped a new O ring on the fork cap. Held the fork cap over the spacer and pressed down until the threads touched, then while maintaining pressure, used the 13/16" wrench to turn the cap until the threads engaged and snugged it. Then the fork bolt with a new washer went on and snugged.

In order to torque the fork cap, the fork went back through the lower fork head and the pinch bolt was tightened. Using a 13/16" crows foot on a 1/2" torque wrench, the cap was tightened to 40 foot pounds.

http://www.doofclenas.com/misc/forkspring/crowsfoot1.JPG

http://www.doofclenas.com/misc/forkspring/crowsfoot2.JPG

http://www.doofclenas.com/misc/forkspring/crowsfoot3.JPG

Now remove the fork bolt and loosen the pinch bolt and slide the fork up through the top fork head and torque the pinch bolt.

Then, using my new handy dandy fork bolt socket that GeezerGlide turned me on to, the fork bolt got torqued. No need to remove the handlebars to get the proper torque.... NICE!!! I will sleep better thanks to Steve.

http://www.doofclenas.com/misc/forkspring/forkboltsocket.JPG

Here is a link to the guy that sells the socket on eBay ($19.95 plus $5 shipping) (http://stores.ebay.com/Moto-Services) He calls it a HARLEY DAVIDSON FORK CAP SOCKET.

Greased the neck and torqued up the handlebars and anything else I could find up there...

So far so good.

[TerryMiller]

Nice job Mike, Thanks.

[Geezer-Glide]

WHEW!! I'm glad as hell that the socket works!!! I was looking for a dumm...... er, ah...... a uh...... TEST mechanic, yea that's it....... a TEST mechanic to try it out before I did.

'Course I had to do mine the hard way THEN go out and buy the stupid socket. Ah well, there's always next time.

Nice job Mike, how do you like the front end now?

[8-Ball]

I got it back together, but now am waiting for a new set of pipes... Won't be able to do a test ride until Friday...

[8-Ball]

Initial review on the Progressive Springs.

I LIKE them!!!

Very positive response, no bouncing, holds the turns smoothly. Not sure I wouldn't like it a little stiffer (SE oil instead of the stock E oil). I need to get it up in the twisties to decide for sure.

Oh... and I didn't die... I consider this a plus.

The bike just rides like a cadillac now... unbelievable comfort level... like butter.

[harleyjsb]

Not dying is always a plus....................

[Rock]

Mike. With all the surgery and scratches and changes. What's still Harley on the bike besides the decal? :blink:

[8-Ball]

Mike. With all the surgery and scratches and changes. What's still Harley on the bike besides the decal? :blink:

Stanford... dear Stanford... It's funny you mention that.

I was talking to a guy at the dealer today about just that... not much man. not much. Case, tranny, heads, rockers, wheels, bags, that's about it... and it just keeps getting better.

[BigSwede]

Looks fairly straight forward. I may just do this after I get the chromed lowers back....

[Rock]

Stanford... dear Stanford... It's funny you mention that.

I was talking to a guy at the dealer today about just that... not much man. not much. Case, tranny, heads, rockers, wheels, bags, that's about it... and it just keeps getting better.

Next time save some loot. Order the Harley decals and just build the bastage on your own. :eyeball8:

[Stone Cold]

Mike. With all the surgery and scratches and changes. What's still Harley on the bike besides the decal? :blink:



What decal??? :whistling:

[8-Ball]

What decal??? :whistling:

Yeah....

[Deejay]

Initial review on the Progressive Springs.

I LIKE them!!!

Funny how just changing to Progressive Springs makes all the difference.
I immediately noticed I no longer have pain in the shoulders after a long ride.

[Thorns]

A CARB decal...:roflback:

Thorns

[MOOSE]

Good thread 8. I finally have managed to finish my front springs and rear shock replacement project.

Life is very busy around the Moose household so had to do this project pretty piece meal.

I followed this thread along with the service manual and instructions from Progressive. I finally got to do a short ride tonight and I'm mighty impressed with the new front end. Over the bumps it's very quiet and much less shuddering. Easily one of the biggest bangs for the buck in improving the Fatboy's ride.

[captainlee]

well when I did mine.......... if it was too mushy I added oil, if it was to stiff I removed oil. Did it til I was happy with it.




















and yes I am talking about the front forks !!!!!!!!!!!!