Triumphrat

road_dog

I have IKON progressive fork springs and find them on the stiff side... as others have mentioned. I bought 5wt fork oil that I plan on changing to soon. Hopefully this will alleviate a little of the bone-jarring ride I experience on rough roads.

But I've been wondering if maybe just a little less oil than the recommended level might help. Would a lower level of fork oil make the dampening any softer? Is there anything else I can do to soften my front end suspension just a little?

BTW... They're full length fork springs with no spacers, so shortening the spacers isn't an option. And I realize I could buy another brand of springs. But since I've already "forked" out the cash for these, I'm saving that as a last resort.

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Phil (road dog)

paulhdick

I would try the 5wt fork oil first. If that does not help then try lowering the fork oil in 1/2" increments.

What did you set the oil level to when you changed the springs the first time??

Paul

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Raced desert in SoCal during late 60's/early 70's. All my heros were on Triumphs or Huskys. Triumph went in to my subconscious and designed the perfect bike for me. I could not stop myself from buying the Scrambler ...

road_dog

Paul - There was only about 1500 miles on the bike at the time the IKON fork springs were installed. Therefore, the fork oil was not replaced. The old springs and spacers were removed, and the IKONs installed without changing the factory oil. So as a result, there may actually be slightly too much oil now.

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Phil (road dog)

uzidzit

and set it to about 30-35mm when you cut the spacers? the 5wt is a VERY good idea.

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"Peter, It seems like you have been missing a lot of work recently, well Bob I wouldn't say that I've been missing it"
ENOUGH, go out and ride!

johnyC

road dog,

I put Ikon springs in my new bike (had Hagon's in the last one) and found them too stiff aswell. They came with spacers about 1/2" or so thick, but also with instructions saying to install spring and spacer the same length as standard spring and spacer. This took more added spacers to achieve, but rather than hack the stock ones I used cycle aheadset spacers. I've since reduced the preload by removing some spacers, yet to be ridden, but if I'm still not happy with it I'm fitting another set of Hagons.

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johny. the boy's happy, leave him alone.

ohiorider

Phil - although you are running Ikons, here's a page from the Progressive installation instructions that comfirms what you're attempting to do.

http://s115.photobucket.com/albums/n...ent=Slide2.jpg

When I first installed the Progressives, I was in a big rush to head out on a two week ride. Stuff arrived late, so I simply removed the stock springs and spacer and replaced it with the Progressive springs and a spacer cut to the specified length. Rode like a truck, probably because the Progressives are very long springs, and displace more oil, pushing it higher in the forks.

When I returned, I experimented with fork oil levels, dropping first to 140mm below top of fork tube .... still too harsh. Dropped to the other end of the scale, 175mm below top of tube, and it was too mushy. Ended up at 165 below top of tube, and that combination works with my front end. 140 to 190mm was termed the 'safe' level range for use with the Progressive springs. (I'm not suggesting you use these values. Only showing that it took several tries to get it right).

Does Ikon give you any info on fork level range? Or (if I remember correctly) they recommend the same level because their springs are the same length as the stock Triumph springs?

Good luck,

Bob

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2003 T100 (790cc) Lucifer Org and Silv: 122/42 jets, TORs, 17T, UNI filter, no AI, Polaris bellmouth, Metzeler ME880 tires, Progressive 440 shocks (105/150 springs),11-1126 fork springs, gaiters, MotoTwin low bars, 6024 lamp, htd grips, 12v outlet.

ridesouth

On the New Bonneville Ikon spring page they recomend a 12mm spacer. I used that and 5 wt. oil at the OEM volume. They suited me (220 lbs dressed up) and is admitedly firm, but I wouldn't call them stiff. The bike doesn't dive under braking and is much more controlled. I might try halfing the spacers one of these days, especially if the wifey gets her wish and I loose a little of the load!

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Ridesouth
'07 Black-no ai, airbox mod w/K&N, tach, K&Q,Thrux gel & Corbin seats, TOR's, Ikon shocks/springs, 19/43 sprockets,Highlander bars, PIAA 510'S
"...let's fire it up and wind it out...come on baby drive south." John Hiatt - "Drive South"

road_dog

No, a recommended oil level was not given in the Ikon instructions. They only suggest that "these instructions are general in nature and should be read in conjunction with the instructions provided for the servicing of your forks by your motorcycle’s manufacturer".

From all the old posts I just read, and the Progressive Springs Installation instruction sheet (thanks Bob) I now believe that my fork oil level definitely should have been lowered (by ~20mm) due to the progressive wound Ikon springs displacing more oil that the stock springs and spacers. So I'm gonna replace my fork oil with the 5wt I have AND lower the oil level by 1" when doing the oil change. I'll let you guys know the results when I do. If it doesn't help, I'll be buying some different fork springs in the near future.

Thanks for your help guys,

---------

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Phil (road dog)

Ready to Ride

I just installed new Progressive springs this evening and have not had a chance to ride them yet. Sure feels different just sitting on her.

I reduced the oil level to ~145mm (doesn't take much oil to reduce by 25mm) but put in 3" spacers per Progressive's spec sheet for the Bonneville. This resulted in ~1/2" more preload than stock or than Progressive's general instructions indicated (~3/8 " above the top of the fork).

My guess is that this will be too much preload and I will have to take them apart tomorrow and cut the PVC spacers.

Did anyone else find the recommended spacer length too long?

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07 Silver Bonnie, TORs, Tach kit, knee pads, center stand, A/I gone, solo seat with rack, Progressive fork springs, Progressive 440 shocks, NM windshield, 125 db horn, analog clock, Signal Minder

ohiorider

I used the 3" spacer as called for by Progressive, and found it works fine for my weight (170#). I don't recall how much, if any it was above the top of the tube. Maybe slightly. Nothing that I couldn't easily compress by hand. I will have to admit I didn't then go thru the sag routine outlined elsewhere on this forum. Maybe this season when I have some time and another person around to help do the measurements.

What I had to play with to get it right for me was the fork oil level:

- initial level: stock with new springs. Way too harsh
- then dropped to the max level Progressive recommends: 140mm below top of tubes.
The result was still too harsh for my riding.
- dropped to 175mm below top of tube. A bit too mushy
- back to 165mm below top of tube. This works for me.

Keep in mind I have low bars on the T100, which causes me to put more weight on the front end, leaning forward into the bars. More wrist impact also. Plus our Ohio roads aren't quite as nice as those on the West Coast .... winter is rough on them.

Bob

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2003 T100 (790cc) Lucifer Org and Silv: 122/42 jets, TORs, 17T, UNI filter, no AI, Polaris bellmouth, Metzeler ME880 tires, Progressive 440 shocks (105/150 springs),11-1126 fork springs, gaiters, MotoTwin low bars, 6024 lamp, htd grips, 12v outlet.