Triumphrat

jimg010

How much does the progressive lowered fork springs lower the front? What size rear shock should I get for the bike to sit level....lowered in the front and lowered in the rear.

jimg010

In case anyone else whats the info. I called progressive. The front lowering kit comes with a 1 or 2 inch drop. The speedmaster has a positive rake in the front so the front is 1" higher that the back.

So If you go 1" drop in the front and 1" drop in the back the bike will sit similar to stock but lower with a positive rake.

If you go 2" drop in the front and 1" drop in the back the bike will be level.

erikmustride

Go with a Progressive 412 series in the rear. It dropped mine about 2 or 2 1/2 inches. The ride is a bit stiffer (fells like your part of the bike) but, the handleing isn't too badly compromised. just get used to scrapping the pegs before you go on a twisty road.

__________________
"I have never killed a man, but, I have read many obituaries with great pleasure"--Clarence Darrow
"Not everybody likes us, but, we drive some folks wild"--Hank III
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www.rallyaroundthepits.com

rockDAWG

Hey Erik,

What is the length of Progressive shock, 11.5"? Do you have parts number handy?

RoyH

Stock Rear Shock Length is 12.5".

Progressive has the 412's in 12" and 11.5" lengths.

The 11.5" Progressive 412 part number is 412-4254C
The Front Lowering Kit is 10-1564 and can lower the front 1 or 2 inches.

I will be installing this on a 2005 America this weekend and plan to take extensive measurements and pictures during the process.

I will first replace the rear shocks with the 11.5" 412's get an accurate measurement of just how much lower (I'm going to use seat height) the bike sits. Then decide if I will lower the front 1 or 2 inches.

rockDAWG

Thanks Roy.

1. Do you know if you need a spring compressor to take the shock out? I imagine the shock is under compression, I am not sure.

2. You may be better off to measure the height of the horizontal arm where the rear fender is mounted. It may give more accurate drop height.

I need mine lower to be more comfy when I stop. I am thinking just do the rear unless the handling is worsen.

Keep us posted.

RoyH

1. Do you know if you need a spring compressor to take the shock out? I imagine the shock is under compression, I am not sure.

No not needed. Shocks on the America are of a basic design with basically an inner and outer tube held together with a damper rod that is secure with a bolt from the bottom of the fork. And then of course the spring and spacer, seals, etc. Disassembly is basically remove forks from bike, remove top cap to drain oil and remove spacer and spring, remove damper rod by removing damper bolt from bottom of fork. Lowering kit then adds one or two new damping springs (depending on if 1 or 2 inch lower desired) to damper rod which is then reinstall, then new main spring and spacer and oil. No need to separate inner and outer tubes or remove seals.

2. You may be better off to measure the height of the horizontal arm where the rear fender is mounted. It may give more accurate drop height.

That is a good idea. I will most likely take some before and after measurements from several locations. But most important for this change to us is the seat height. Reason for making these changes is to improve wife being able to reach ground when seated.

I need mine lower to be more comfy when I stop. I am thinking just do the rear unless the handling is worsen.

I was also only thinking about doing the rear, but the America already has so much rake in the front (which from my research will only increase if only lowering the back) that it tends to want to 'fall' into turns at slow speeds which my wife has a problem with already. After talking with Progressive I am even thinking about lowering the front 2 inches instead of just the 1 we are doing in the rear. This should reduce the front rake and improve slow speed handling but not adversely effect handling at speed.

Keep us posted.

Will do, plan is to document the whole change over to help others that are thinking of doing this.

cmac

I installed the 12” 412’s on the rear and purchased the Progressive front lowering spring kit but I just installed the progressive springs a slid the tubes up 3/8” in the tree’s. I was nervous about removing the damper rod and installing the lowering springs. It looks and rides fine but I would like to install the lowering springs one day. I hope you do step-by-step on the front.

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rockDAWG

Did you get 1/2 inches drop in the sitting height?

erikmustride

Late to the party...but, yep. That's right.

__________________
"I have never killed a man, but, I have read many obituaries with great pleasure"--Clarence Darrow
"Not everybody likes us, but, we drive some folks wild"--Hank III
www.reinstatehank.org
www.rallyaroundthepits.com