Progressive Springs on the Front

[mieczkow]

Need a little advice on this. I replaced the front stock springs on my'87 K75S with Progressive springs. When I removed the stock spring units the "pre-load" plastic tubing came out in two pieces, one long, one a little shorter. In installing the Progressives, they recommend a 2 3/4" "pre-load" spacer, which just happens to be the length of the shorter of the two stock pre-load pieces. So I used those when re-assembling the springs.
When I took the stock units apart, the springs interfaced directly with the plastic tubes. There were no washers between the tubes and the stock springs. I did not put washers back in there, since there weren't any originally. Now I'm beginning to think that maybe I should drop some thin washers in between the springs and the plastic pre-load tubing. Progressive supplied some washers for this purpose which I did not use. Now I'm thinking should I have used them?

I don't know, anybody got any advice on this? Am I making a mountain out of a molehill here?

I like the Progressive springs on the front, though they do make a little "spring noise" - I also put the Progressive shock on the rear at the same time. Seemed to tighten the bike up nicely.

[GregFeeler]

So I used those when re-assembling the springs.
When I took the stock units apart, the springs interfaced directly with the plastic tubes. There were no washers between the tubes and the stock springs. I did not put washers back in there, since there weren't any originally. Now I'm beginning to think that maybe I should drop some thin washers in between the springs and the plastic pre-load tubing. Progressive supplied some washers for this purpose which I did not use. Now I'm thinking should I have used them?


I've used Progressive fork springs on several bikes (but not a K-bike) and none came with a washer to seperate the spacer from the springs. I've also pulled out the spacer and springs for a fork service after some serious miles and seen no damage to the spacer, so I wouldn't worry about it. If it will make you feel better, ride it until you need to do a fork oil change and pull the top caps off then just to check.

[Burnszilla]

I have Progressive springs in my K75S. The length of the spacer is relative to the weight of the rider. I called Progressive customer support and I told them my weight and they said I need the spacer to be 1.5 inches long, IIRC. Give them a call to find out.

[wmubrown]

I had the Progressive springs in a K100RT and used their spacer and the washers. The washers just distribute the load where the spacer and spring meet a little more than without it. You should be OK without it, IIRC the wall of the spacer is pretty thick. I cut my spacer a little longe then recommended for more pre-load and a little stiffer front suspension (2" I believe) If you are real concerned, give Progressive a call, I'm sure they will have the answer :D

[Mika]

I don't know if this article (http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-shocks-suspension/progressive-fork-springs/) will help you. I read it on webBikeWorld some time ago. It walks through the installation on an R65.