Front springs. Stock vs Progressive

dgc67 · February 14, 2009, 08:05:44 PM

I changed the fork seal on my bike and noticed the spring was sort of more compact at the bottom. Progressive springs I have had in the past looked this way. So I pulled the springs out of the 82 parts bike I have and they were not that way. They were evenly spaced all the way down. So, I am assuming the PO put progressive springs in it. Does that sound about right? I did not think to take a pic.

lragan · February 14, 2009, 08:55:31 PM

I had exactly the same question when I pulled the springs from my '96 to replace them -- "Egad", I thought, "someone has already done this" -- but on reflection, I remembered that the bike dived like Mark Spitz when I hit the brakes, and the new Progressive springs I had in my possession were definitely different.

No, those are the stock springs. The winding to winding spacing is less at one end (the bottom end in my installation), but they are not at all like the Progressive springs in the way they work.

Rode out to Horseshoe Bay and back today -- checked out another back road through the ranches and creek bottoms that I had never tried before. Maggie stuck to the pavement like never before. Man, I love this bike!!

dgc67 · February 15, 2009, 07:15:06 AM

I have not felt like my bike has progressive's on the front, as I have had them before. I have to assume they changed the springs from 1982 to 1984 then. Well, I guess what I will actually do is pull a spring from my 84 project bike, just for curiosity sake.

Bad part is the seal I replaced, for the 2nd time, is still leaking. I KNOW there are no burrs or scratches on the downtube to cause it. But did not check it to be sure it perfectly straight. I guess I will be pulling it off soon to find out. My parts bikes all have pits on the downtubes so I did not want to have to swap any of them. Guess I may have to though.

L J VFR · February 16, 2009, 09:32:01 AM

After installing new progressive springs, very happy. Doesn't dive, etc, etc. Steering is noticeably quicker. Great improvement.

TLRam1 · February 16, 2009, 11:08:01 AM

DG,

If you swap fork sliders, might can try JB Weld for the pits than sand smooth with 1000-1500 grit or so.

Slydynbye · February 16, 2009, 12:38:26 PM

Quote from: DG on February 15, 2009, 07:15:06 AM
I have not felt like my bike has progressive's on the front, as I have had them before. I have to assume they changed the springs from 1982 to 1984 then. Well, I guess what I will actually do is pull a spring from my 84 project bike, just for curiosity sake.

Bad part is the seal I replaced, for the 2nd time, is still leaking. I KNOW there are no burrs or scratches on the downtube to cause it. But did not check it to be sure it perfectly straight. I guess I will be pulling it off soon to find out. My parts bikes all have pits on the downtubes so I did not want to have to swap any of them. Guess I may have to though.

This makes me wonder how you have aligned the front forks.
If they are mis-aligned it could cause a leak even though the seals are good.
As far as I know, you should loosen the bottom end bolts on the axle and push down hard on the front end, this will get the forks spaced properly on the axle, then tighten the bolts.
Is this how everyone else does it?

dgc67 · February 16, 2009, 01:23:39 PM

Interesting, but not sure what you mean by "bottom" end bolts. I will post a couple pics of my front wheel/forks this evening.

dgc67 · February 19, 2009, 12:08:15 PM

I took some pics of my 1984 springs vs the springs out of the 1982 parts bike. The 84's are about 3/4 inch longer and wound tighter at one end. I am just surprised to see the difference, I guess it is normal though.

L J VFR · February 19, 2009, 12:14:21 PM

I don't see no springs, just a centered can of seafoam...

Chad in Michigan · February 19, 2009, 02:50:20 PM

Quote from: DG on February 19, 2009, 12:08:15 PM
I took some pics of my 1984 springs vs the springs out of the 1982 parts bike. The 84's are about 3/4 inch longer and wound tighter at one end. I am just surprised to see the difference, I guess it is normal though.

my progressive springs for my '95 magna look compressed at one end. maybe someone upgraded at one point in time??

dgc67 · February 19, 2009, 03:58:57 PM

Quotemy progressive springs for my '95 magna look compressed at one end. maybe someone upgraded at one point in time??

That's what I am trying to figure out. I have gotten mixed answers between this board and the V4 one. I bought the bike with only about 3500 miles on it and the guy never mentioned it. I would think he would have as a selling point.
Lawrence stated his stock springs looked like mine also. Trying to get somebody who has/had an 84 V45 to chime in, hopefully.

TLRam1 · February 19, 2009, 04:46:09 PM

Have you looked on a parts diagram for possible identification.

Slydynbye · February 19, 2009, 06:41:55 PM

Ummm just a sec.
WOW that default photo size was BIG!
Here is what I pulled out of my 1994 Magna Forks I think they are stock.

lragan · February 19, 2009, 10:24:32 PM

Slydnbye, those look just like the springs I removed from my '96. I will try to get a pic posted tomorrow.

dgc67 · February 20, 2009, 06:08:03 AM

They still don't look the same as mine though. I looked up some pics of progressives and mine are pretty darn close. I guess I am going to bite the bullet and pull the ones out of my 84 "project" bike and see what those look like. Just not really ready to tear into it yet.

Front springs. Stock vs Progressive

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