Progressive springs for front forks?

[brianl]

I have a '97 Goldwing with a Roadsmith kit and a 6 degree rake. The bike has 44,000 miles on it and was converted in 2013 about 20,000 miles ago. Lately I've noticed that the bike doesn't handle the bumps in the road very well and think possibly the fork seals may be gone. I've also developed a crack in the bottom of my F4 windshield that appears to have started from one of the bolt holes which may be related to this problem. I was wondering is anyone had the progressive springs installed in the forks and if it makes the ride any smoother. It adds about $100.00 to the total job. Any advice will be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[CrystalPistol]

Not wishing to reinvent a wheel, I'll just quote a write up of my own trip looking for a good ride with a GL1500 Trike with 6 degree rake kit. I wrote it in 2010 .... it's been another 6 years, it still holds true.

While you may hesitate to follow my lead ..... I'm telling you that these Progressive # 11-1112 springs intended for a Kawasaki are the BEST for same money for a GL-1500 based Trike with 6 degrees "rake kit".

Below is "how" I arrived at that conclusion and it still holds. I had read many accounts of guys finding that the Progressive springs intended for a 1200 rode better in a raked GL1500 trike front end when used with 3/4" spacers, that without the spacers the 11-1122s weren't long enough to keep the front up .... so that if you use the 11-1122 springs, they will need a spacer added to get the front up where it should be.

I will also tell you that with that 6 degrees added rake laying the tubes down you do NOT want the #11-1152. They are brutal in this application with rake kit.

Note also my Fork Oil choices. It's easy to change the oil as you experiment. I currently have straight 10 wgt Bel Ray Fork Oil in the forks.

"My last word on Fork Springs for 1500 with 6 degrees"


04-06-10
Progressive # 11-1112 is for Kawasaki KZ1200/1300 (in my 1500 trike)
20.75 " L <>1.19" OD <> 45/70 Lbs/In.<> near 0.210 wire <> 54 winds

Progressive # 11-1122 is for GL-1200 GoldWings
20.00 " L <>1.34" OD <> 45/70 Lbs/In. <> near 0.230 wire <> 50 winds

Progressive # 11-1152 is for GL-1500 GoldWings
20.50 " L <>1.35" OD <> 35/80 Lbs/In.

Things happen for reasons.
In 2004 I purchased my already triked 97 GL1500 SE / Lehman trike, I knew this bike since purchased new in Oct '96, it was first '97 delivered in H-burg. Original owner triked it in '97. He was a Lehman installer, they rode it for years as he built others for folks.

It already had Progressive # 11-1152 as indicated by the receipts they kept in a book of all items for it. Complete with records and a trailer!

I had it a month before I ordered a Champion EZ Steer in 6 degree flavor, got one of the last before they stopped making the 6 degree one he said. Near $900 shipped, I installed Oct '04, reused the Progressive # 11-1152 springs as all I had on hand.

Rough ride and front end sagged. Look at spring rates above, see why? I do.

Couple years ago, tired of the beating, being a procrastinator too, I looked around and found a set of springs listed for a 1200 on Ebay, I ordered them, as number sounded familiar to what I was looking for 11-1122. Got them, slipped them in in place, WOW!, it was wonderful. They fit a little loose in the bore, squeaked at first, but oh ... What a Ride they gave!

Looking later on box I see they were really Progressive # 11-1112 springs, not the 11-1122 springs I thought I ordered.

The squeak went away first ride.

Speed forward, I keep eyes open on Ebay, one day picked up a set of the 11-1122 springs for a GL-1200 cheap, new in box. I get them and put on a shelf.

March 20th, we take a ride over to the Maple Festival, great trip, fun ride. That evening or the next, while cleaning the trike I decided to slip the recently aquired 11-1122 springs in place and removed the 11-1112 springs. I made up 5/8 spacers and that with the shorter 11-1122 springs held the front up near top of stroke at rest. These are the springs Progressive sells for the GL-1200 and the OD is very nearly the same as stock 1500 springs.

Took several rides since, still a comfortable ride, 10X better than those 11-1152 springs originally in it, and front set up ... but memory told me the "wrong" 11-1112 springs rode better, swallowed bumps better, and held the front up as well as the 11-1122 springs with spacers ... even without spacers.

Saturday we had a near 250 mile ride planned, we went.

Saturday night as cleaned it up from what was a dusty ride, I decided to slip the "wrong" 11-1112 springs back in. It's really easy now, can do it in 30 minutes.

Jack under front of motor and set on wooden blocks.

Remove schrader valve and drop 5" long smooth 1/4 bolt in hole to keep it all together when loosened, just loosen top clamp and bring out cap & tube extension as one unit (I have fork tubes mounted so about 3/8" of top extension protrudes above top clamp so that top of original fork tube is inside bottom ... so now the top clamp helps align the cap & tube extension with fork tube as I stand over with speed wrench and chest board I made up). Remove springs one at a time, I wipe new springs with fork oil and insert, put back together.

Sunday, we take another 268 mile trip.

Yep. memory was right, these Progressive # 11-1112 for Kawasaki KZ1200/1300 will now remain in my GL1500's 6 degree raked front fork tubes from here on out.

I might play with fork oil weights, have a 50/50 mix of 7 and 10 wgt BelRay Fork Oil in it now, about 8.5 weight, 350 CC each. 325 CC is enough though.

The 1122s were good, and if not for a mistake I'd be using them and not know any better ... but for a mistake in reading a number on my part and the shippers (the listing showed 11-1122, the numbers on the box so simular upon receipt that I just didn't notice, and the length looked right!). These 11-1112s work bumps and bridge joints and ripples and etc ... even better.

I already had Progressives in my '85 GL1200 ..... I remain content with a spare set 11-1122 in a box on a shelf .... those 11-1112s will stay in the Trike.

Edited 08-01-16 to say "you are welcome".

 

[Marc H]

Not wishing to reinvent a wheel, I'll just quote a write up of my own trip looking for a good ride with a GL1500 Trike with 6 degree rake kit. I wrote it in 2010 .... it's been another 6 years, it still holds true.

While you may hesitate to follow my lead ..... I'm telling you that these Progressive # 11-1112 springs intended for a Kawasaki are the BEST for same money for a GL-1500 based Trike with 6 degrees "rake kit".

Below is "how" I arrived at that conclusion and it still holds. I had read many accounts of guys finding that the Progressive springs intended for a 1200 rode better in a raked GL1500 trike front end when used with 3/4" spacers, that without the spacers the 11-1122s weren't long enough to keep the front up .... so that if you use the 11-1122 springs, they will need a spacer added to get the front up where it should be.

I will also tell you that with that 6 degrees added rake laying the tubes down you do NOT want the #11-1152. They are brutal in this application with rake kit.

Note also my Fork Oil choices. It's easy to change the oil as you experiment. I currently have straight 10 wgt Bel Ray Fork Oil in the forks.



I already had Progressives in my '85 GL1200 ..... I remain content with a spare set 11-1122 in a box on a shelf .... those 11-1112s will stay in the Trike.

Edited 08-01-16 to say "you are welcome".

Is there a way to id which previously installed Progressives you have?I figure they will compress a bit over time.Mine have about 10k miles I think and measure 20" long.Trying to figure out if I have dieing 1500 springs or good 1200.

 

[FRR]

Progressive springs will make the ride rougher because they are a stronger spring. I had them on my Wing with a Hannigan kit and had them removed after breaking the rear part of my front fender. My installer told me that 80% of his customers had him reinstall the OEM springs after riding with the Progressives for a while. Way too stiff for me tastes.

 

[JaysGone]

In a way I cant wait to put on 32K miles on my 2010.

I want the progressives gone so bad. Im almost willing to pull them out myself.............................

One if not the worst moves you can make in a raked front is to put in a stiffer spring.

My 2 cents worth.

You want a lumpy bumpy ride?? Put in progressives.

 

[CrystalPistol]

In a way I cant wait to put on 32K miles on my 2010.

I want the progressives gone so bad. Im almost willing to pull them out myself.............................

You want a lumpy bumpy ride?? Put in progressives.

No need to wait is there?

Depends on which ones are used?

 

[CrystalPistol]

Is there a way to id which previously installed Progressives you have?I figure they will compress a bit over time.Mine have about 10k miles I think and measure 20" long.Trying to figure out if I have dieing 1500 springs or good 1200.

My '97 "hd" older two part Progressives in it, they were dying I think. I have receipt from back in '98 when they was ordered as CR triked it.

 

[Marc H]

Thats the conclusion i've come to.For the record I agree with your opinion about the bike pushing right through the soft part to the hard.I know not reccomended but I put air in the forks and it seems like a much better ride.I'm thinking about using Racetech single rate springs instead of the Progressive variables.

 

[JaysGone]

All I can say is Im 0 for 2 with progressives. My Yamaha RoadStar and the GW trike.

Lasted a week in the R*.

The GW will just have to wait.

Im not in any mood to pull the front end off till it needs to have a regular service.

In a word I don't care for the harsher ride. Id rather have the front dive under hard braking then bounce or give me a jolt going over pebbles.