Progressive fork springs

[guaterider]

I have front and rear Progressive suspension that was installed by the original owner. (2000 Shadow Spirit VT 1100)
In my opinion, the forks are quite active and soft, although they have never bottomed out. There are no seal leaks, so I am assuming that the fluid level is OK.
From other posts, everyone seems to concur that the Progressive system is the best.
I would like to "firm up" to forks a bit, and from what I have read, is the additional installation of some PVC pipe.
I haven't touched the forks yet, but please correct me if I am wrong.
The steps should be to raise the front wheel off the ground so there is no pressure on the forks, remove the fork caps that are threaded, and easily accessible without removing anything. Take off the caps, and the springs should be visible.
Add the PVC on top of the spring (not sure what diameter or length), and reinstall the fork caps.
Is this correct? Seems like an hour job if this is the way it's done.
To remove and replace the oil, as the forks don't have a drain plug, is to "suck" the oil out of the tubes, and replace (not sure of the amount or the best type of oil)
Any advice would be appreciated.

[JMK3rd]

Originally Posted by guaterider

I would like to "firm up" to forks a bit, and from what I have read, is the additional installation of some PVC pipe.
I haven't touched the forks yet, but please correct me if I am wrong.
The steps should be to raise the front wheel off the ground so there is no pressure on the forks, remove the fork caps that are threaded, and easily accessible without removing anything. Take off the caps, and the springs should be visible.
Add the PVC on top of the spring (not sure what diameter or length), and reinstall the fork caps.
Is this correct? Seems like an hour job if this is the way it's done.
To remove and replace the oil, as the forks don't have a drain plug, is to "suck" the oil out of the tubes, and replace (not sure of the amount or the best type of oil)
Any advice would be appreciated.

Hi,
If you just want to firm up the forks without buying new springs you'll only need some pvc pipe and a bottle of 15W fork oil. You'll remove the stock spacers and replace them with pvc spacers one-half inch longer than stock.

This thread about sums it up : http://www.hondashadow.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=71346

I did it and love the results.

[adlowe]

Originally Posted by JMK3rd

If you just want to firm up the forks without buying new springs you'll only need some pvc pipe and a bottle of 15W fork oil. You'll remove the stock spacers and replace them with pvc spacers one-half inch longer than stock.

If he's got Progressive springs, he should NOT have stock spacers. He should have PVC tubing that is, more than likely, about 1/4" shorter than Progressive recommends -- because Progressive fork springs come with a single piece of PVC tube that always seems to be too short.

The 1/4" won't do much to stiffen the ride so it probably isn't worth the bother. Going to 15W fork oil will make a difference -- but be sure to drain out ALL of the old fork oil.

BTW, how do you KNOW that the fork springs are Progressives?
Use these links for relevant info; you'll basically be doing everything EXCEPT changing the springs -- provided, of course, that you find Progressives in there. (The foirst link has a decent side-by-side photo that will help you figure that out.)
http://home.insightbb.com/~kpmh1/Z-P...ve-Springs.htm
http://www.eurekaboy.com/shadow/springs.htm
http://www.progressivesuspension.com...rings/3055.pdf

[JMK3rd]

Originally Posted by adlowe

If he's got Progressive springs, he should NOT have stock spacers. He should have PVC tubing that is, more than likely, about 1/4" shorter than Progressive recommends -- because Progressive fork springs come with a single piece of PVC tube that always seems to be too short.

The 1/4" won't do much to stiffen the ride so it probably isn't worth the bother. Going to 15W fork oil will make a difference -- but be sure to drain out ALL of the old fork oil.

Ahh.. I missed that he already had Progressives.

What does length of pvc does Progressive recommend?

+1 on the 15W.

[guaterider]

Thanks guys!
Great links and detailed pictures.....
With all that info, it looks like a no brainer to me!
Many thanks for the quick replies and help.

[adlowe]

Originally Posted by JMK3rd

What does length of pvc does Progressive recommend

That depends on the bike. I forget what it is for mine* but the piece of PVC they sent was 1/2 inch too short -- 1/4" too short for each fork when I cut it in half. From what I've read, that seems to be very, very common -- but I haven't paid enough attention to whether it is just Aero and ACE owners complaining.

Another thing I've noticed is that many folks go to 15W fork oil when they install Progressives and are quite pleased with the results. I stuck with 10W and am very happy with that; there's no way I'd consider my front end to be mushy now. That's why I question the claim of Progressive fork springs. Since I can't think of any way to verify the claim without opening the forks, I can see how an unscrupulous seller could get away with a false claim.

* My Progressive springs came with a sheet that explains how to calculate pre-load and determine spacer length but I didn't pay it much attention because it also had a section on fine tuning. The fine-tuning instructions include changing spacer length in 1/4 inch increments, changing fork oil in 5w increments and even increasing stiffness by increasing the oil level. The third link that I posted above will get you to that sheet.

[JMK3rd]

Originally Posted by adlowe

That depends on the bike. I forget what it is for mine* but the piece of PVC they sent was 1/2 inch too short -- 1/4" too short for each fork when I cut it in half. From what I've read, that seems to be very, very common -- but I haven't paid enough attention to whether it is just Aero and ACE owners complaining.

My guess is that if he has the stock metal spacers in there, he doesn't have the Progressives.

[adlowe]

Originally Posted by JMK3rd

My guess is that if he has the stock metal spacers in there, he doesn't have the Progressives.

Me, too.

It is possible to put the stock steel spacers back in when installing Progressives but I don't think there's a chance in the world that would have him complaining about a soft front end. Quite the opposite would be my guess because my stock spacers were each about the same length as the PVC that came with the Progressives -- before I cut the PVC in half.