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progressive fork springs my ass!!
Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2004 11:21 am
by Guest
Well,
I've changed the front stock fork springs last year to the progressive
type...difference...NO! The front is still very spongy and the shock is
almost a quarter compressed when the bike is on it's stand. What is the
solution? Heavier oil...NOPE! Tried that. Does anyone have a solution. I am
not about to pump air into the forks. Will a longer spacer at the top work?
I read so much about the Progressive Fork Springs that I had to try it. I
must say there really is not a big difference other than I spent $150.00
Canadian(That's about $7.35 American) So please, someone tell me how to
stiffen up the front suspension. I weigh about 190 lbs, I don't jump and fly
the bike but I do some severe trail riding and really need some more front
end oomph. Any help would be great guys/girls.
Paul
NB, Canada
2001 KLR 650
Acerbis Rally Pro Handguards
Moose Bash Plate
Russel Steel Braided Brake Lines
Renthal Desert Handle Bars
K&N Air Filter
Modded Air Box
Dyno Jet Kit
Mili Foot Pegs
Mili Fog Lights
Supertrapp Exhaust
Pro-Gel Grips
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progressive fork springs my ass!!
Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2004 11:28 am
by Zachariah Mully
On Mon, 2004-03-29 at 12:21, Paul Ryan wrote:
> Well,
>
> I've changed the front stock fork springs last year to the progressive
> type...difference...NO! The front is still very spongy and the shock is
> almost a quarter compressed when the bike is on it's stand. What is the
> solution? Heavier oil...NOPE! Tried that. Does anyone have a solution. I am
> not about to pump air into the forks. Will a longer spacer at the top work?
What length spacers are you using? What weight fork oil did you replace
the OEM fish sauce with?
Z
DC
A5X
A12X
progressive fork springs my ass!!
Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2004 12:17 pm
by Paul Ryan
Well...ahhh...hmmm...not sure what weight the fork oil is...whatever was
called for....the spacers are 2 inches long as "Progressive" called
for....so you think longer spacers will work?
>From: Zachariah Mully
>To: Paul Ryan
>CC: KLR List DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com>
>Subject: Re: [DSN_klr650] Progressive Fork Springs My Ass!!
>Date: 29 Mar 2004 12:25:28 -0500
>
>On Mon, 2004-03-29 at 12:21, Paul Ryan wrote:
> > Well,
> >
> > I've changed the front stock fork springs last year to the progressive
> > type...difference...NO! The front is still very spongy and the shock is
> > almost a quarter compressed when the bike is on it's stand. What is the
> > solution? Heavier oil...NOPE! Tried that. Does anyone have a solution. I
>am
> > not about to pump air into the forks. Will a longer spacer at the top
>work?
>
>What length spacers are you using? What weight fork oil did you replace
>the OEM fish sauce with?
>
>Z
>DC
>A5X
>A12X
>
>
>
>List sponsored by Dual Sport News at
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>courtesy of Chris Krok at:
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>
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progressive fork springs my ass!!
Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2004 12:40 pm
by Zachariah Mully
On Mon, 2004-03-29 at 13:17, Paul Ryan wrote:
> Well...ahhh...hmmm...not sure what weight the fork oil is...whatever was
> called for....the spacers are 2 inches long as "Progressive" called
> for....so you think longer spacers will work?
Whatever oil weight was called for where? In the service manual? In the
Progressive instructions? In maintenence procedures posted on the
internet?
Also how much oil did you add to the forks?
As for the spacers, yes, longer spacers will preload the springs more,
so will stiffen up the front end. But longer spacers are only part of
the solution, you should figure out what weight and height of oil to
use.
Z
DC
A5X
A12X
progressive fork springs my ass!!
Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2004 12:40 pm
by Zachariah Mully
On Mon, 2004-03-29 at 13:28, Paul Ryan wrote:
> The weight of oil is specific to Progressive's instructions...just can't
> remember right now without going into the garage...and I have a cold
> (sniff). I added exactly 176 ml of oil to each fork..as was said in
> progressive's instructions as well. And then I beefed it up to 180 ml in
> each fork. I also measured from the top of the shock cap to the oil level in
> the inner tube...all seemed well.
I hope you meant "176mm" and not "176ml". Both forks should have taken
at least 420ml of oil. I have no idea what Progressive recommends, but
you really have to decide for yourself. How much do you weigh? Do you
ride two-up often? Travel with a lot of crap on the bike?
Z
DC
A5X
A12X
progressive fork springs my ass!!
Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2004 1:00 pm
by Riley
The oil should be 176 MM from the top of the fork tube with the springs
fully compressed if you are measuring DISTANCE or about 425-450 ML if you
wish to mesure FLUID. I weigh 210lbs and they made a HUGE difference.
Ciao
Riley
A154
Montreal
----- Original Message -----
From: "Zachariah Mully"
To: "Paul Ryan"
Cc: "KLR List" DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Monday, March 29, 2004 1:34 PM
Subject: Re: [DSN_klr650] Progressive Fork Springs My Ass!!
> On Mon, 2004-03-29 at 13:28, Paul Ryan wrote:
> > The weight of oil is specific to Progressive's instructions...just can't
> > remember right now without going into the garage...and I have a cold
> > (sniff). I added exactly 176 ml of oil to each fork..as was said in
> > progressive's instructions as well. And then I beefed it up to 180 ml in
> > each fork. I also measured from the top of the shock cap to the oil
level in
> > the inner tube...all seemed well.
>
> I hope you meant "176mm" and not "176ml". Both forks should have taken
> at least 420ml of oil. I have no idea what Progressive recommends, but
> you really have to decide for yourself. How much do you weigh? Do you
> ride two-up often? Travel with a lot of crap on the bike?
>
> Z
> DC
> A5X
> A12X
>
>
>
> List sponsored by Dual Sport News at
www.dualsportnews.com. List FAQ
courtesy of Chris Krok at:
www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html
> Unsubscribe by sending a blank message to:
>
DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com .
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
progressive fork springs my ass!!
Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2004 1:09 pm
by Devon
Just to throw some salt in any papercuts you might have, in three years
on the list, and having installed Progressive springs in four KLR front
ends, you are the ONLY person I have ever heard say this.
The last guy I helped put Progressives in his bike, keeping the OEM
(crap) fork oil and low OEM oil level, and thought it was absolutely
night and day from the stock springs. And he might push 300lbs in full
riding gear and tools.
It's probably something minor.
Devon
pkryan56@... wrote:
>Well,
>
>I've changed the front stock fork springs last year to the progressive
>type...difference...NO! The front is still very spongy and the shock is
>almost a quarter compressed when the bike is on it's stand. What is the
>solution? Heavier oil...NOPE!
>
>
progressive fork springs my ass!!
Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2004 1:09 pm
by Devon
pkryan56@... wrote:
>Well...ahhh...hmmm...not sure what weight the fork oil is...whatever was
>called for....the spacers are 2 inches long as "Progressive" called
>for....so you think longer spacers will work?
>
Also, how much do you weigh? And which progressive springs did you buy?
The LR series are stiffer than the old progressive springs that fit the
KLR forks.
With you on the bike and feet on the pegs, the forks should be
compressed about 3". You might just need bigger fork preload spacers.
As far as the diving, what did you set the oil level at? If you went by
the volume specification in the manual then the oil level is probably
30-40mm too low. The correct way to set oil level is to remove the fork
springs, then bottom the forks completely and measure from the top of
the tubes to the oil. 170mm is a good number for the stock front end, I
have had suspension tuners say you can run it higher (for more bottoming
resistance) but I haven't done it.
Devon
progressive fork springs my ass!!
Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2004 1:36 pm
by Chris
That would be me and yeah, I was surprised to see what he was saying
for sure. Sure there is still some compliance in the fork as there
should be but it's about twice as firm as my stock setup felt and has
been great.
I've still not bothered to flush the tubes and put clean oil in yet
either. I'll get to that one of these days. I'm sure being a '97
with 9k miles on it that my fork oil has to look like mud or not be
there at all by now and the LR springs still made a big difference.
> Just to throw some salt in any papercuts you might have, in three
> years
> on the list, and having installed Progressive springs in four KLR
> front
> ends, you are the ONLY person I have ever heard say this.
>
> The last guy I helped put Progressives in his bike, keeping the OEM
> (crap) fork oil and low OEM oil level, and thought it was absolutely
> night and day from the stock springs. And he might push 300lbs in full
> riding gear and tools.
>
> It's probably something minor.
>
> Devon
>
> pkryan56@... wrote:
>
>>Well,
>>
>>I've changed the front stock fork springs last year to the
>> progressive
>>type...difference...NO! The front is still very spongy and the shock
>> is
>>almost a quarter compressed when the bike is on it's stand. What is
>> the
>>solution? Heavier oil...NOPE!
>>
>>
>
>
>
> List sponsored by Dual Sport News at
www.dualsportnews.com. List FAQ
> courtesy of Chris Krok at:
www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html
> Unsubscribe by sending a blank message to:
>
DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com .
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
progressive fork springs my ass!!
Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2004 3:43 pm
by Pierre
Paul:
I agree with you, and had the same experience with Prog springs. You may try
to get springs custom made: but I checked with a couple of companies in
Phoenix and this is quite expensive to do, mostly due to setup costs. (in
the hundreds of dollars). Some aftermarket springs made by eibach or others
for older bikes (like Kawa 125 of the early/mid 80s may qualify as well). As
far as the rear springs, I got some aftermarket one at eshock.com, but the
front remains an issue and by far the weakest link in the bike off road
capabilities.
Pierre
----- Original Message -----
From: "Paul Ryan"
To: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Monday, March 29, 2004 10:21 AM
Subject: [DSN_klr650] Progressive Fork Springs My Ass!!
> Well,
>
> I've changed the front stock fork springs last year to the progressive
> type...difference...NO! The front is still very spongy and the shock is
> almost a quarter compressed when the bike is on it's stand. What is the
> solution? Heavier oil...NOPE! Tried that. Does anyone have a solution. I
am
> not about to pump air into the forks. Will a longer spacer at the top
work?
>
> I read so much about the Progressive Fork Springs that I had to try it. I
> must say there really is not a big difference other than I spent $150.00
> Canadian(That's about $7.35 American) So please, someone tell me how to
> stiffen up the front suspension. I weigh about 190 lbs, I don't jump and
fly
> the bike but I do some severe trail riding and really need some more front
> end oomph. Any help would be great guys/girls.
>
> Paul
> NB, Canada
>
> 2001 KLR 650
> Acerbis Rally Pro Handguards
> Moose Bash Plate
> Russel Steel Braided Brake Lines
> Renthal Desert Handle Bars
> K&N Air Filter
> Modded Air Box
> Dyno Jet Kit
> Mili Foot Pegs
> Mili Fog Lights
> Supertrapp Exhaust
> Pro-Gel Grips
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> MSN Premium includes powerful parental controls and get 2 months FREE*
>
http://join.msn.com/?pgmarket=en-ca&page=byoa/prem&xAPID=1994&DI=1034&SU=http://hotmail.com/enca&HL=Market_MSNIS_Taglines
>
>
>
> List sponsored by Dual Sport News at
www.dualsportnews.com. List FAQ
courtesy of Chris Krok at:
www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html
> Unsubscribe by sending a blank message to:
>
DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com .
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>