You guys/Gals are great: Here is another ??

[StorminNormin]

Okay, I am going for broke here. Being that I am trying to set things in motion to trike my 95 GL1500SE, I am looking at the Progressive springs addition. I have read in some threads that it gives a harsh ride and that is definitely something I don't need. I guess I was under the impression that when you trike the bike the Progressives are somewhat necessary. Okay, please fill me in on the in & outs of these things, Please!!!:xzqxz::xzqxz::xzqxz:

Thank you all for your helpful insite...ThumbUp

 

[tfdeputydawg]

I still have OEM's in my 1800Wing/Hannigan. Put new OEM's in @ 32K. The ride is fine for me! Others love the Progresssives. Any way for you to test ride one w/them?

 

[Ozarkryder]

We had the EZ steer 4.5° rake kit from Champion installed on the '95 GL1500SE we had by (now closed) Neosho Power Sports. The progressive springs apparently came with the rake kit, as they put them in but there was no extra cost noted on the bill. Not sure about any other brand rake kit, or installer for that matter.

I thought they rode a bit harsh, so I changed to a lighter fork oil and dialed them in with oil volume. I did like them a little less stiff than original but not too much as 90% of our riding is on the very twisty roads of the Ozarks.

 

[Gold Rush]

I am among the group that thinks the ride is just too harsh. The beating I take on rough streets and roads is real bad. A longer wheelbase conversion might be softer but my Motor Trike is the shortest kit out there and does not like real rough streets. The independent rear suspension takes care of the rear just fine but the front end just is not smooth at all.

When I put the 4.5 degree rake kit in, I also replace the OEM springs (they are progressive BTW) thinking I'd need the extra stiffness to hold up the trike weight. I've since changed my thinking and will be going back to OEM the next time I have the forks out for rebuild. I also totally rebuilt the forks when I replace the springs and 25,000 miles later the forks needed rebuild again. I wish now that I had thought about the springs then but alas I did not. So, this coming winter I'll be rebuilding the forks again and replacing the heavy progressive springs with OEM progressive springs. If the result is good ride and good support a fresh set will go in every fork rebuild. :xszpv::xszpv:

 

[StorminNormin]

Re: You guys/Gals are great: Here is another ?? Progressive fork Springs

On the Roadsmith website "price-list" the Progressive Fork Springs are "Recommended" with the Steering kit. So I gather from what you are saying "Ozark" that they do give you better control or a more stable ride in the twisties? I used to live in Springfield and I rode my CB750 throughout the Ozarks all the time in the early 70's. Awesome place to ride!epper:epper:

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Thanks "Gold Rush" I appreciate the input. Like you are saying , I can always add them later if I think it is too soft of a ride. Correct? I haven't been riding in 17 years so I feel like I am brand new at this thing again. I do remember that my 93 GL1500SE rode fine stock, but it was not a trike and in that area I have no experience at all. :gah:

 

[Gold Rush]

Re: You guys/Gals are great: Here is another ?? Progressive fork Springs

On the Roadsmith website "price-list" the Progressive Fork Springs are "Recommended" with the Steering kit. So I gather from what you are saying "Ozark" that they do give you better control or a more stable ride in the twisties? I used to live in Springfield and I rode my CB750 throughout the Ozarks all the time in the early 70's. Awesome place to ride!epper:epper:

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Thanks "Gold Rush" I appreciate the input. Like you are saying , I can always add them later if I think it is too soft of a ride. Correct? I haven't been riding in 17 years so I feel like I am brand new at this thing again. I do remember that my 93 GL1500SE rode fine stock, but it was not a trike and in that area I have no experience at all. :gah:

What bike are you planning on buying/converting? I see in your profile that you do not have any right now. GL1500 and GL1800 are two very different bikes. I have no 1500 experience/knowledge so my views are GL1800 oriented.

I wish someone with the Roadsmith conversion would chime in here and give their observations. As I hinted earlier that long wheelbase just might make a difference.

Yes, you can always add the heavy duty progressive springs. It's a bit more involved then just popping the top off the forks and swapping the OEM for beefed up version but it's doable. I'd try the OEM first.

Another thought..... If your OEM springs are old they will be sagging already and just might not hold the trike up well. Generally GL1800 springs are pretty well shot around 60,000 miles so if you do go with an 1800 and it has over 40K on it I'd toss a fresh set of OEM in. They aren't very costly and a good place to start.

Don't sweat the lack of experience. There is a TON of it on this board and will be glad to help all we can....

 

[StorminNormin]

It is a 1995 GL1500SE with 86K on the odometer.

 

[Gold Rush]

It is a 1995 GL1500SE with 86K on the odometer.

YUP, I'd be putting in a fresh set of OEM. Here's a link to the best price I find.... http://www.partzilla.com/parts/search/Honda/Motorcycle/1995/GL1500SE+A/A-SE+FRONT+FORK+95/parts.html if you decide to go that direction.

 

[StorminNormin]

YUP, I'd be putting in a fresh set of OEM. Here's a link to the best price I find.... http://www.partzilla.com/parts/search/Honda/Motorcycle/1995/GL1500SE+A/A-SE+FRONT+FORK+95/parts.html if you decide to go that direction.

Thanks, I shall keep this in mind..

 

[Ozarkryder]

Ride is very subjective. I prefer a bit of a stiff ride, but believe it or not, the roads I generally ride are pretty smooth. We go north to see family and the Davis Rally in September, and with the pot holes and frost heaves from the wide temp changes the further north we go the rougher the roads. (OK can be pretty jarring in spots, too.) If I lived with rougher, straighter roads I'd go for a softer, cushier ride.

 

[Gold Rush]

Thanks, I shall keep this in mind..

Which ever you settle on; how about some feedback. I'm sure you won't be the last trying to solve this question. :xszpv::xszpv:

 

[bongobobny]

What Ozarkrider said in his first post! The main idea is to not have too mushy of a front suspension for better steering control. By going to a thinner oil and playing with the volume of oil by a few cc's you can tune in the exact feel you are comfortable with...

 

[StorminNormin]

What Ozarkrider said in his first post! The main idea is to not have too mushy of a front suspension for better steering control. By going to a thinner oil and playing with the volume of oil by a few cc's you can tune in the exact feel you are comfortable with...

Well, I can tell you this! :gah: When I get to that point I am definitely going to be asking for guidance because I have NEVER done anything of the sort. :xzqxz: Sounds like something I need to know about anyway so I am looking forward to all thew experiences being brought to me by triking and riding again.

Is there a thread somewhere that I can read that pertains to this subject matter?:Shrug::Shrug:

Thanks again for all of the support and the ideas and things to think about.