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I bought a set of Progressive fork springs for the Thruxton about 2 months ago and just have been too lazy, um I mean busy to install them. I decided to do it today and also install the rubber fork gaitors.
I pulled the front wheel, slid the legs out and drained the old oil... it was a filthy gray color...pretty gross. As I pulled the stock springs out, I was also surprised to see how short they are. Looks like about a 7-8" difference compared to the new Progressives. The shorter length OEM springs Triumph made up the difference with a long tubular spacer. The stock springs are constant rate...all the coils spaced evenly. Progressive (and others) are tightly spaced coils at one end, gradually going to a wider spacing for the remainder.
I reassembled the forks with the original washers, the new springs, and using the chart and PVC spacer material provided in the box, cut the new spacer to 2.5". I refilled the legs with new BelRay 15W fork oil (the same amount I drained by measure) and put the adjusting caps back in, with them screwed all the way out.
After the legs and front wheel were back in I went for a little ride on my favorite twisty road. All I can say is WOW! Even pulling out of my driveway and rolling down my street, I could feel an immediately 'softer' feel over small bumps, but with much improved rebound damping that really reduces front to rear pitching and wallowing. Stock fork setup is basically a pair of pogo sticks!
After I got on to the higher speed twisty road (that I know very well) I went into the first couple of turns a little slower than usual just to get the feel. It felt firmly planted, so I bumped the speed up as I rode, and soon found that I was able to take most of the turns at a faster speed than was comfortable before. I glanced at my speedometer at one point and I was going through a marked 30 mph curve at 65 mph. I don't think I was able to do this before without the front discouraging you by wallowing and chattering.
All I can say... this is the best handling and overall ride improvement that you can do for such a minimal cost. Still, the OEM tires are the weak point, and if I push it to the limit they still slide a bit, but it's nowhere near as scary as it was before.
Guess I should have put these springs and oil in right after I got the bike. I've been suffering with the stock setup for 4500 miles. Anyone out there that's on the fence, jump off and do it!
Also, my new IKON rears are very nice. I got the chrome bodies with black springs. Messed a bit with the adjustments, and feels the best to me on the lowest spring pre-load and position #2 on rebound damping. Fairly plush, but controlled ride over rough roads.
That's my experience for today... just wanted to pass it along.
Cheers,
BLIGHT
I pulled the front wheel, slid the legs out and drained the old oil... it was a filthy gray color...pretty gross. As I pulled the stock springs out, I was also surprised to see how short they are. Looks like about a 7-8" difference compared to the new Progressives. The shorter length OEM springs Triumph made up the difference with a long tubular spacer. The stock springs are constant rate...all the coils spaced evenly. Progressive (and others) are tightly spaced coils at one end, gradually going to a wider spacing for the remainder.
I reassembled the forks with the original washers, the new springs, and using the chart and PVC spacer material provided in the box, cut the new spacer to 2.5". I refilled the legs with new BelRay 15W fork oil (the same amount I drained by measure) and put the adjusting caps back in, with them screwed all the way out.
After the legs and front wheel were back in I went for a little ride on my favorite twisty road. All I can say is WOW! Even pulling out of my driveway and rolling down my street, I could feel an immediately 'softer' feel over small bumps, but with much improved rebound damping that really reduces front to rear pitching and wallowing. Stock fork setup is basically a pair of pogo sticks!
After I got on to the higher speed twisty road (that I know very well) I went into the first couple of turns a little slower than usual just to get the feel. It felt firmly planted, so I bumped the speed up as I rode, and soon found that I was able to take most of the turns at a faster speed than was comfortable before. I glanced at my speedometer at one point and I was going through a marked 30 mph curve at 65 mph. I don't think I was able to do this before without the front discouraging you by wallowing and chattering.
All I can say... this is the best handling and overall ride improvement that you can do for such a minimal cost. Still, the OEM tires are the weak point, and if I push it to the limit they still slide a bit, but it's nowhere near as scary as it was before.
Guess I should have put these springs and oil in right after I got the bike. I've been suffering with the stock setup for 4500 miles. Anyone out there that's on the fence, jump off and do it!
Also, my new IKON rears are very nice. I got the chrome bodies with black springs. Messed a bit with the adjustments, and feels the best to me on the lowest spring pre-load and position #2 on rebound damping. Fairly plush, but controlled ride over rough roads.
That's my experience for today... just wanted to pass it along.
Cheers,
BLIGHT