Installing fork springs. I always try to prevent a redo.
I put the stock spring with spacer on top beside the progressive spring and measure the length of spacer needed to bring back to stock height, correct or not?
When I do that I need a 6 inch spacer piece to bring the assemble, spring plus spacer on both, at the same level on the workbench.
I have read the tips and tricks, it says I need a 5.12 inch piece for stock height.
Is the progressive spring stiffer and I do not need as much total height as before, did progressive shorten there spring for this bike (measures 18 inches, which matches the their website), or what?
Chime in before I go further........What am I not understanding?
I am headed to get some 15wt fork oil and longer pvc. Hopefully you guys will have some answers for me when I get back.
I also found a perfect seal seat tool for the seals and dust covers, no cutting, no odd fit and will post pics later.
A 5.12" spacer is what is needed, Remember there is an amount of spring under tension for preload. This is not equal on the 2 different springs due to the progressive wound units.
The instructions are correct.
Thanks Greg, I am back.
The instructions well didn't have any for this bike. Pretty generic and you have to figure it out for yourself according to what I have and referenced the website, maybe I didn't read thoroughly but couldn't find anything on this bike and spacer length. All the info on the sheet I received was spacers are normally between 3/4-1" and figure it out based on your fork diameter.
I will continue....also I am trying the EBC Sintered brakes.
Use the largest diameter PVC spacer you can and still fit easily. They have been sending the PVC lately with the springs.
Quote from: Greg CothernUse the largest diameter PVC spacer you can and still fit easily. They have been sending the PVC lately with the springs.
We used to sell these spring kits, and for some reason, our kits always had 1 PVC spacer. And no, it wasn't meant to be cut in half, it was just the one spacer. I never could figure why they'd ship one spacer with 2 springs.
It's still one spacer and not long enough to cut in half. I bought a piece of 1"PVC and used that. I made the spacers 5.25", it helped the dive issue but I might go back and replace later with 5.65" spacers for more preload. Does anyone see that being a problem and why? Can the oil level stay the same?
Since I nicked my inner tube I begin to grind and polish it out. Started to look at an alternate way to seat the seals and not hurt my inner tubes more. While at Home Depot I realized the inner tubes were at their lowest spot and the part nicked will not hit the seals even if I bottom out, what a relief.
This is what I found.
Below is the cool seal seater I picked up from Home Depot in the ELECTRICAL AREA not PLUMBING/PVC PIPE AREA. A regular 1 1/2 of any pipe I found would not go over the inner tube.
It is a 1 1/2 inch EXPANSION COUPLING from the ELECTRICAL AREA of Home Depot.
(http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa214/TLRam1/DSCN6599-1.jpg)
It comes apart and the smaller section is a perfect fit for the seals.
(http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa214/TLRam1/DSCN6600-1.jpg)
The coupler, in the same area as the expansion coupler, fits on the end where you can place a 2x4 on top and hammer in the seal or turning the hammer sideways works also.
(http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa214/TLRam1/DSCN6603.jpg)
Once the seals are in you can turn and use the large end for the dust covers. Total cost about $17.00.
I don't advocate this in most instances but afterwards you could return the expansion joint for 16.00 since the piece you hammered on would be the small coupler.
Aggressive Progressive------I added longer spacers. I went from 5.25 (standard w/proggressive springs 5.12) which was not bad to 5.50 inches. A little difficult (but I'm a weakling) to install the caps but all seems great so far.
I would recommend, for ease of installing caps, 5.35 if you you want what I call Aggressive Progressive front suspension. If I have any issues in the future I will let you know.
I have the progressive front springs in my Magna, but I'd like to put longer spacers in. When I did it the first time, I did 5.12 per the Progressive directions. I think I'd like to go to 5.25 spacers, but I'd like to have them on hand before I open up the forks. I did something stupid and I didn't measure the diameter of the PVC the first time I did it. I just used the PVC that progressive sent (when cut in half, it was exactly 5.12") Does anyone know what diameter PVC tube is used for the progressive spacers in the Magna (3rd Gen)? Also, does it matter how thick the wall of the PVC tube is, or will any kind with the correct outside diameter work? Thanks for any help you can offer. I am hoping to avoid a drive to a hardware store while I have the forks all taken apart and pieces spread out everywhere.
Chokse,
The PVC is a 1" ID SCH40, the thicker wall PVC. Home Depot, about 2.50 for a 10 ft length so I have extra.
The spacer Progressive sent with mine was not long enough to cut in half, 10 " I think, so I bought a piece to make my originals. 5.25 was not bad, 5.12 would have been too short (not enough preload) for me. 5.50 is not that difficult but for a weakling like me......lol
If you are close to Allen, Tx. I have extra and the 5.25 pieces precut, you are welcome to them.
Thanks a bunch for the PVC information and the offer to send me some of your excess PVC. This information will help make the whole process go a little more quickly. As for the free PVC, I think it might cost as much to mail it as it would cost to buy some locally, so I think it would be easier and faster if I just buy some locally. But, thanks for the offer.