Progressive springs in '79 GS550L

[tbrand69]

Hey guys, 'nother suspension question. So I bought the 11-1106 Progressive springs for my forks and they arrived yesterday.



The instructions say to toss the old springs (the short and the long one), and that no spacer is required. However, when looking at them side by side:


It becomes apparent that the new springs are going to be much shorter than the stock two springs, which sounds like it won't work too well.

If I toss the old springs, I'll be too short. According to Note 10 on the instructions I don't need a spacer for my bike. But Note 11 states that leading axle models will require a spacer.

So I'm making a spacer out of PVC, right?

Tommy

[7981GS]

If it was my bike, I would substitute the short spring for a spacer.
Oh, that's right I did just that on one of my bikes.

Eric

[tbrand69]

If it was my bike, I would substitute the short spring for a spacer.
Oh, that's right I did just that on one of my bikes.

Eric

Lol. Did you make the spacer the same length as the small spring?

Tommy

[7981GS]

No.
I used the small spring instead of a spacer.
It adds just a wee bit more pre-load.

Eric

[tbrand69]

No.
I used the small spring instead of a spacer.
It adds just a wee bit more pre-load.

Eric

Is extra preload a good thing? I really know nothing about suspension.

[7981GS]

Is extra preload a good thing? I really know nothing about suspension.

If you don't like the forks to dive when you hit the front brake hard, yes.
If you like to ride briskly, yes.

Eric

[tbrand69]

If you don't like the forks to dive when you hit the front brake hard, yes.
If you like to ride briskly, yes.

Eric

Sounds good to me. I'll give it a shot. Thanks.

Tommy