Triumphrat

doctorjay · 07-22-2006

Just put in progressive front fork springs in on the Bonnie and here are a few points I learned
1) They are the same size as the stock springs and spacers can be re-used.
2) The stock springs weren't that bad...Glad I got them off E-Bay...Makes me feel better about not paying full price for this mod.
3) Don't need to change oil in the forks and can change the springs from the top just by removing the handlebars and loosing the allen heads on the forks and of corse the big nuts come off
4) Depress the forks all the way or if on a jack like mine...lift the front tire and slide something under the front wheel...then use an allen wrench to fish out the old springs
5) all in all...an easy mod but I'm still not sure it was needed...The stock stuff turned out to be better than I thought.

357Bob · 07-22-2006

I have the factory shop manual & I could look myself but is there a bolt or allen screw holding the springs at the bottom? Or are they just setting done into the tubes?
Just take the top bolts off? On a lift of course.
I was thinking about doing this but lately (3800 miles) my front end feels better & better. It was real rough & stiff but now if feels better. Maybe just needs some miles on it. I don't think I will buy any springs yet.
Thanks.

Sheepdog · 07-22-2006

Ikon and Progressive fork springs are full-length and require no spacers. I used the Ikons and the difference was profound. Full-length progressive springs are definitely the stuff...

PAAS · 07-23-2006

I would agree with Sheepdog. I changed the stock forksprings for Ikons on my T100. I also changed the fork oil for 15w Bel-Ray and took trouble to get the levels correct - I got the impression it was a bit low from the factory. The difference this made was not small. The front end is much more supple over bumps and tracks better in long, high speed bends. I also get less dive under braking. The bike had done over 6000 miles when I made the change so I think the front suspension had bedded in by then.

The Ikon springs supplied for the T100/Standard Bonnie are longer than the stock ones and can be used without a spacer, but mine came with a 12mm optional spacer for those that want a bit of preload - I'm using it. There is nothing fixing the springs to the forks, only the caps hold them in.

doctorjay · 07-23-2006

My Hagon's are progressive also and maybe my ability to notice is less....I didn't say they didn't help...they do...I said the stock stuff wasn't that bad... When you read old threads you'd swear the springs in the Bonnie were a joke...they aren't...they're just not progressive...the spacer isn't that long...maybe 8 inches....not a bad stock set-up but worth the change....Nice thing about the Hagon's are they fit perfectly...pull the old ones out and put the new ones in...fork oil was fine and I don't think it makes a huge difference...although you could easily disagree.