Progressive 440's and Front Springs

[thrasher]

Wow!

I installed 13" Progressive 440's the other day on my '04 Road King, and MAN what a difference it makes over the OEM Showa (air over hydraulic) shocks especially when running high pressure 18" tyres. They are well worth the cash. I haven't done a long day with them yet, but I'm sure they'll be much less fatiguing than the OEMs.

Next up are the Progressive front springs today and trying to hunt down a random clunk in the front end, and check and perhaps reset the fall away.

Mr. Geezer Glide has already provided some good direction.

Wish me luck!

[Big Tom]

How much $$$ were those?

[Geezer-Glide]

You're welcome!!


I'm only a phone call away..................

[Sonic]

good luck!!!

[thrasher]

Okay, front forks are off and I'll be taking them apart next to install the new Progressive springs and spacers.

Geez, I should have checked fall away before taking the front end off, but it seems tight if anything; it has always felt a little tight. Pushing it all the way to the left fork stop and releasing, it swings to the right, then back to the left about half way. That's the way it was last time I checked it anyways. Book says it should swing to the right, back to the left, then just a little bit to the right, so its a little tight.

Still doesn't explain the random clunk, though. Could it be too much or too little fluid in the forks? I'm getting ready to take them apart anyways.

Just wondering if I need to take it completely apart to inspect the head bearings to find this. Would be better now rather than taking it apart again later.

[thrasher]

Originally Posted by Big Tom

How much $$$ were those?

Progressive springs were $65.56 + shipping
Progressive 440 Shocks (black) were $470.36 + shipping

[PeaceKeeper]

Originally Posted by thrasher

Progressive springs were $65.56 + shipping
Progressive 440 Shocks (black) were $470.36 + shipping

Are they worth it? How did it improve the handling and ride?

[Geezer-Glide]

Originally Posted by thrasher

Okay, front forks are off and I'll be taking them apart next to install the new Progressive springs and spacers.

Geez, I should have checked fall away before taking the front end off, but it seems tight if anything; it has always felt a little tight. Pushing it all the way to the left fork stop and releasing, it swings to the right, then back to the left about half way. That's the way it was last time I checked it anyways. Book says it should swing to the right, back to the left, then just a little bit to the right, so its a little tight.

Still doesn't explain the random clunk, though. Could it be too much or too little fluid in the forks? I'm getting ready to take them apart anyways.

Just wondering if I need to take it completely apart to inspect the head bearings to find this. Would be better now rather than taking it apart again later.

You're right, they're a tad bit tight. But..... it's better to be a little tight than loose. One other thing... did you remove the clutch cable from the nacel attachment point and off the clutch lever? Believe it or not, that silly cable can mess up fall away.

[Geezer-Glide]

Another thought...... the random clunk. Did it occur when you went off like the edge of a drive way, or some other kind of dip that would allow your forks to extend to their max suddenly? If so, then it's the forks hitting their max extension.

[vafatboy]

I've read good things about these for the front.

Emulator

[thrasher]

Originally Posted by Peacekeeper

Are they worth it? How did it improve the handling and ride?

The rear 440's felt great compared to the air over hydraulic OEM Showa shocks. I left them on the factory setting which is full soft. Probably need to stiffen them up when the bike is loaded. Haven't gotten the bike back together completely yet, because I've been cleaning the hard to get places while the front end is off.

Hopefully tomorrow it won't be rainin like a bull pissin on a flat rock like it is now so I can test ride the thing.

[thrasher]

Originally Posted by Geezer-Glide

Another thought...... the random clunk. Did it occur when you went off like the edge of a drive way, or some other kind of dip that would allow your forks to extend to their max suddenly? If so, then it's the forks hitting their max extension.

That was it, Steve. Happens every time I go off the lip of the driveway or another dip. Having drained the old fluid, I think the level may have been a bit low. Going back in, I set the fluid level at exactly 5.5" from the top of the fork tube as Progressive suggested. We'll see....

BTW, I found a pretty good (easy) way of getting the fork tube bolt started when having to compress the spring. Put a 12" or 15" adjustable wrench on the two flats of the bolt and adjust it firmly so it won't slip off easily. Hold the fork tube vertical with left hand and put the palm of your right hand directly over the wide part the wrench (I have big hands). I was able to push and turn the bolt while holding the fork tube straight and get 1/2 turn of threads on it on the first try (yes all the springs and spacer were in ).

Back to cleaning...

[thrasher]

Originally Posted by Geezer-Glide

You're right, they're a tad bit tight. But..... it's better to be a little tight than loose. One other thing... did you remove the clutch cable from the nacel attachment point and off the clutch lever? Believe it or not, that silly cable can mess up fall away.

I'm going to recheck the fallaway again when I'm putting it back together, this time with the clutch cable off of both the nacelle and the lever.

[Infidel!]

Daryl, I'll be doing the same thing to my bike over the next month since I won't be riding anyway. Let me know how the Progressive springs feel up front.

[Berserker]

I getting ready to pull the trigger. But I think you canget less $. Geezer knows places. He sent me some links when I was looking before.

I am gonna lower mine slightly, and need to decide how much and what to do with the front.