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progressive front fork springs any recomendations

11K views 42 replies 15 participants last post by  Othen 
#1 ·
i know once again its not the most taxing or technical question but trawling the internet for progressive fork springs there seem to be about 6-8 options .
can any one recomend something they have fitted or currently use ,its for a scrambler model
 
#2 ·
Stock springs, 5W oil, Ricor Intiminators. With this, I get very little brake dive.

I didn't like the progressive springs. All they are is stiffer springs.
 
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#3 ·
I ended up installing Racetech springs which I believe are not progressive. The ride is much more controlled than with the stock springs, especially at speed. Everything else, oil weight, etc. is to stock spec. I may add their cartridge emulators eventually.
 
#6 ·
This is the way I went with my fork springs also with emulators, made the Thruxton so much better in all aspect of riding and handling, it cost a bit more (about $400 fitted) but well worth it, I ran progressive springs in my Norton but it made the front end to hard and wasn't happy with them at all, I ended up going back to the orginal spring but upgraded the fork cartrides with moden inturnals (Lansdown upgrade kit) to me progressive spring are to harsh, they are cheap but there are better set ups around, spend the money and do it right and your bike will love you for it as well as yourself, but do the front end up and you have to put better shocks on the back if you haven't already done that.
All up I spent $1,100 on my suspenssion upgrades and was the best investment I ever spent on my Thruxton, but I like pushing my bikes to their limits in tight twisty roads but it also made the bike more stable at high speed runs.

Ashley
 
#9 ·
See post #2 above. Cheapest, most effective way to mitigate your complaint. You need to deal with the rear as well. Rear loading and response have an effect on the front.
 
#11 ·
My suggestion is to get a linear spring that matches your weight and riding style. Progressive springs sound appealing, but most of the "softness" they promise in the first bit of travel is taken up by sag, leaving a harder spring left. A linear spring of the right rating and the right oil, will do a lot more to ease your ride and giving you more consistent control.
 
#12 · (Edited)
I have the tec front progressive springs. Had them for 2 years now and I was happy whit the result. Cheap as well. So if you are not sure it's a cheap option to try out. If I had the $$$ I would go for some biturbo or something like that. It made the bike ride a bit better in the city streets I think. Not to hard over small bumbs. But still some brake dive after I change to the pretech caliper. i am going to change the oil and test another wiscosity (W). That might help a bit.
Have someone tryed the wilber p springs?
 
#13 ·
i am going to try the TEC front springs as it is the cheap option for now i am and with my track record for changing bikes i am not going to spend thousands of £/$ i will see how they work with possibly changing the rear shocks as well.
if i end up keeping the bike and it is possible and still find the ride not to my liking i think i would invest some more money in it , as it is really just a sunday runaround i dont want to spend half as much on the bike as it cost .
 
#14 ·
I thought the same about my bike when I got it. But I fell in love with the thruxton and all the parts you can ad an custom things to do to make it your own. It's part of the charm. And everytime I meet someone whit a twin I am wery happy whir thr mods and $$$$ I put in it. Enjoy it!
 
#16 ·
The OEM rear shocks on my'01 were awful. Slamming my spine over minor bumps. Ended up getting bitubo rear shocks for them back in '02. They are still working well, even though the little rubber snubbers have rotted away and fallen off.

It was one of the best mods I did. People have changed the rear shocks out with many brands and all seem to be better than the stock pieces.
The 15W oil stopped the forks from topping out on the other side of a bump
 
#20 ·
The harshness is not necessarily the spring rate. I'm not sure that changing rate or using a progressive wind will make you happy.

The harshness is most likely the fixed compression orifices in a damping rod fork.

The first thing I would try is drilling out the compression damping holes and fitting cartridge emulators.

I am most familiar with Racetech Gold Valves but the Ricon product looks like it could be a copycat?

I fitted emulators to an SV650 for lightweight twins sprint and endurance racing and was amazed at the difference. Exceeded my expectations!
 
#22 ·
Good morn,
Did you also fit the TEC fork emulator kit? (this example would be for my 2006 Scrambler):

https://www.tecbikeparts.com/product/fork-emulators-and-adaptors-for-triumph-41mm-forks/

These are about £80, and I think one would have to fit the TEC progressive springs to derive most benefit, so about £140 total. That seems quite a reasonable price if there would be a worthwhile improvement.

I notice the TEC rear shock units are quite reasonably priced at just over £100, but I have read some poor comments on them in these pages. Do you think these are a good item?

Good fortune,

Alan


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#25 ·
Yep they are the ones.

They did have dramas but reckon they have sorted the problem. If I’m doubt give George at Tec a ring or simply don’t fit them I guess. Hagon are fairly reasonable as well.
I’ve done about 1500 miles on them (front and back) and I’m pretty chuffed with them.

Hope this helps mate!

Chris




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#27 ·
I have had my suspension looked at by a professional suspension shop. As soon as I mentioned progressive front springs he almost threw me out of his shop. Once I told him that I have linear's he was ok. I run Sonic Springs 85kg front springs and Hagon 2810's in the back. Mucho better than anything I've used or had in the past on this bike. (08 T100 that I bought in 2010)
 
#33 ·
I see your point Chris. I think this has to be kept in perspective, my Scrambler is now 13 years old and been very good. The only time I’ve found the suspension wanting was trying to keep up with a mate’s new Africa Twin on some pretty rough roads on the N Yorks moors (hardly a fair challenge). I’d be happy spending a few hundred pounds doing something like you have to achieve a worthwhile improvement, but it would not be worth spending thousands.


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#35 ·
Crikey this has got complex Alan.. so my experience, through a couple of old bikes, has been progressive springs and a good oil change make a tremendous difference but obviously if you spend more then perhaps results will be better... the emulators and preload adjusters that TEC sell seem good value as well...
Where do you stop? [emoji2957]


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#36 ·
I agree Chris, I’ve read a few threads about suspension on these pages, and there seem to be many more opinions than threads.
I have not had to do much to my Scrambler over the years, but during this winter’s break I was going to do the major service (valve clearances), tidy up some cosmetic bits and perhaps at the same time improve the suspension ‘a bit’. I’m not sure there is much wrong with it, but if I can achieve a worthwhile improvement (as you have) by spending a few hundred pounds at TEC then that would be sensible.
On an older bike like mine, worth perhaps £3000, I can’t see that it would be worth spending £1000 having the forks modified and so on.
I’m a bit confused regarding the chap saying progressive fork springs are not an improvement, particularly after reading of your first hand experience.
As you say: complex!


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