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Progressive suspension

B

Bert Patterson

Forum Mentor
Past Site Supporter
I decided it was time to do something with the shocks. Maybe out of boredom, I very quickly ordered some series 12 rear shocks/springs and new fork springs. My friend with the 1000# lift will help me install it all - never done it before, but I assume it ain't that hard. Anybody that's done that change (especially from 21 year old stock equipment) - tell me how huge a difference I'll notice, so I don't mind spending the money (actually, it wasn't much).

I've got a Telefix fork brace, which improved things quite a bit, so now this may just do it.
 
Re: Progressive suspension

Bert Patterson said:
I decided it was time to do something with the shocks. Maybe out of boredom, I very quickly ordered some series 12 rear shocks/springs and new fork springs. My friend with the 1000# lift will help me install it all - never done it before, but I assume it ain't that hard. Anybody that's done that change (especially from 21 year old stock equipment) - tell me how huge a difference I'll notice, so I don't mind spending the money (actually, it wasn't much).

I've got a Telefix fork brace, which improved things quite a bit, so now this may just do it.
Click to expand...

Do you recall what model # Telefix fork brace you got (I assume it's on the 1100E)?
I always firgured they were overkill as the bike comes with a brace under the fender, but you saw a noticable difference in handling?
 
Re: Progressive suspension

pjackson said:
Do you recall what model # Telefix fork brace you got (I assume it's on the 1100E)?
I always firgured they were overkill as the bike comes with a brace under the fender, but you saw a noticable difference in handling?
Click to expand...

I don't know the model # off-hand - fit perfect though. Yeah, it's on my 1100E. Actually, they've always been pretty decent handling bikes for the age - much better than the Kwaks - but the brace seems to make low speed turning a little lighter, high-speed sweepers seem a little more stable. I also used to get a little shimmy on decelerating if I let go of the bars - now it's just steady. I know I shouldn't be riding around with no hands, but it happens occasionally.
 
If you don't know when the last time the fork seals were done you should change them. How much did the fork springs cost compared to the rear shocks? The progressive rears for my bike were something silly like 400$CDN a pair (aftermarker are 100). After seeing that I didn't check to see how much the fronts would be.

Thanks, Steve
 
srivett said:
If you don't know when the last time the fork seals were done you should change them. How much did the fork springs cost compared to the rear shocks? The progressive rears for my bike were something silly like 400$CDN a pair (aftermarker are 100). After seeing that I didn't check to see how much the fronts would be.

Thanks, Steve
Click to expand...

Total cost was $268 for rears + springs and fork springs. I think the fork springs were $58 a pair. We'll do the seals too - my friend Tom doesn't ever do half the job - unlike me. We're putting seals in the Yamaha this weekend and another guys Voyager - Tom was doing his Guzzi LeMans when I was there Sunday. I let him practice on all the others before he gets to the GS.
 
Bert,
You may want to consider rep;acing the teflon coated bushings if you are going to do seals. There is a set on the bottom of the upper tubes and a set on the top of the lower tubes.
 
Billy Ricks said:
Bert,
You may want to consider rep;acing the teflon coated bushings if you are going to do seals. There is a set on the bottom of the upper tubes and a set on the top of the lower tubes.
Click to expand...

Thanks, man. I'll call Bill and make sure he has them in stock. I used to do some work on bikes when I had British stuff, because all I really needed was a Wentworth hammer and a spool of wire. Once it got more complicated than that, I gave up.

My friend is willing to help on this though. You should see his garage - 3 cars wide, two and a half cars deep with a 13 foot ceiling. In the back, he has a seperate room with big hinged patio doors. Workbenches and metal tool cabinets on two walls, his thirty year collection of motorcycle magazines on high shelves. A compressor and.........a 1000# lift that rolls from one side of the room to the other on a big steel girder. His wife thinks it's all silly, but it is pure beauty. Folding lawn chairs hang on one wall. Refrigerator too.
 
Steve,

I installed progressive 14 series on my 81 750LX and they were $120 for the shocks and $65 US for the springs.
 
I did the rears last year. Forget the model #, but had to special order the springs. I got the 170/210 lb springs.
I like them alot. I bought Progressive's also.
My friends runs a parts store so I got a good deal.
This year is the front end, yes I'll do the seals.

I did have to remove the rear brake pedal to get the swingarm to drop.
I have an aftermarket box steel swingarm. The arm was resting against the pedal enough so I needed about 1/4 inch more to slide the shock on.
This was due to the arm dropping when I removed the left shock. I tried the right side first, burt with it up on the center stand it was just touching the swingarm. Hopefully you won't have this problem.
Be areful with the threading on the top mount. Use the plastic spacers.
Put them into the shock eye then slide it on. Be careful not to over tourque the bolts. I know you're not a rookie.......but I've learned from others and my mistakes.

I have a fork brace and steering damper installed. I can adjust the damper, but it still turns like a Peterbilt in parking lot manuevers.
The S model doesn't have alot of steering lock to begin with.


Keith
 
Bert Patterson said:
Billy Ricks said:
Bert,
You may want to consider rep;acing the teflon coated bushings if you are going to do seals. There is a set on the bottom of the upper tubes and a set on the top of the lower tubes.
Click to expand...

Thanks, man. I'll call Bill and make sure he has them in stock. I used to do some work on bikes when I had British stuff, because all I really needed was a Wentworth hammer and a spool of wire. Once it got more complicated than that, I gave up.

My friend is willing to help on this though. You should see his garage - 3 cars wide, two and a half cars deep with a 13 foot ceiling. In the back, he has a seperate room with big hinged patio doors. Workbenches and metal tool cabinets on two walls, his thirty year collection of motorcycle magazines on high shelves. A compressor and.........a 1000# lift that rolls from one side of the room to the other on a big steel girder. His wife thinks it's all silly, but it is pure beauty. Folding lawn chairs hang on one wall. Refrigerator too.
Click to expand...
Untill you said refridgerator I was thinking "thats not the perfect garage" But I stand corrected
 
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