Hey guys, i recently fitted some new progressive front springs to my Iron, after 800k's they needed more preload as they sagged, which is to be expected from any spring, no issue there, so i had the almost preload right for speeds upto 100kmh (put would feel like the tyre was too soft when going up and down driveways) , it would rarely bottom out so i knew i only need to add slightly more preload to be spot on!
I went for a ride today and noticed that when hitting almost any bump at 105+kmh the bike would shake, the bars would wobble and ass end would move around also. This made the ride to be less than enjoyable. So upon getting home i put my thinking cap on. I had some screamin eagle heavy fork oil sitting in my shed so i decided to change it.
I jacked the bike up with the front wheel off the ground, i used a screw driver and a hammer to tap the drain screws loose, then put some tap over the holes with a gap at the bottom so i could direct the old oil into a measuring cup. It seems that from stock i was 50ml low in the right and 60 ml low in the left. i was going to add in some more preload on the springs but i decided not to make too many adjustments at once as i want to know what difference each step is going to make. I filled up the forks with 400mls of oil, and readjust the rear preload up one notch and lowered the dampening one notch.
I just went for a ride and i cannot belive how much difference i have made, the driveways feel normal and at speed of 105+kmh over bumps feel fine now, no more wobble, but im yet to try it on the bends! I found some bumps that i know make my bike bottom out and the bike isnt fussed by them now!
I just hope that its better on the bends now....
Regards Andrew - T1
yeah i went to the ostyo today also, told me the same thing, feel a little better. It started after i went to bright, 850k ride in one day might be a little too much.. and i havnt let it heal since.
hi them low late model sportys like the nightster / custom have shorter fork tube's on them & takes away the travel by about 2" , they look cool lowered but have not as much travel , have you lowered the rear as well ? , also the late model forks do not like the heavy fork oil , 10- 15 W i use Race Tech Gold Valve's & Race Tech spring's , try not to use the progressive brand dual rate springs
hi , i just buy them off Shock treatment , i'am only 61 klg & 5.5 ft, & can reach the ground on a normal sporty shorten suspension also shortens the travel & travel what you need on Aussie roads esp N.S.W. you could try the longer damper rod's off the normal model sporty but you have to make sure it dosn't bottom out under the bottom trippletreee, i would have normal travel set-up but with a modified seat shamfered & scolloped out for your possie that's what i did on both of my Buells that i had because i could only touch the ground with my toe's ,
either or just don't stop riding ?