Hitchcocks Forum

Hi all,has anybody fitted our hosts progressive fork springs,basically what I'm asking is it an improvement cheers Pete

If you're after a softer front end, it's easier and cheaper to change the oil for something lighter. I ended up with ATF in mine which seems about right. Interestingly, ATF is specified for the wife's Honda CBF250.

Thanks pete I am already using atf, and yes it is a bit softer but I was thinking of something a bit more basic i.e does it now with the progressive springs fitted have more movement on the forks. I/e is it better .cheers Pete

Whatever springs are fitted have to initially support the weight of the loaded bike and will sink down until the weight is supported, with normal springs the more they compress the more weight they can support this is spread along the full length of the spring and the change is over a longer travel than progressive springs as progressive springs sink in the same way until the weight is supported, then the close wound coils begin to rest on each other progressively closing up and shortening the actual available spring length so making then stiffer, they will not give a softer ride but do help prevent fork dive under braking.

If the bike sits too low on the forks then a cheap solution is to add some pre-load to leave you with a bit more travel for the bumps

On my last 2005 350 I found the ride too hard and harsh for my dodgy back so I replaced the original rock hard seat with a softer 65 pattern one, I replaced the fork springs with our hosts and have used either ATF or 5 grade oil, this gives a very soft ride and the bike glides beautifully over the bumps and the "odd" imperfection in our roads. I ride solo and do not carry much more than a top box with a few tools etc. I also replaced the springs on the rear with our hosts and this helped a lot, the front does of course dive more but I think its worth it.
I now have an Electra X and have done the same mod on the front and find the rear units ok as they are. Now that I am getting on a bit the comfy suspension is what makes all the difference to a good ride out.
I hope this helps bigpete .

Thanks dick,that's the sort of thing of thing I was looking for.I also ride solo with single seat.I take it if your forks are dipping under braking your front drum brake is working somewhat better than mine, cheers pete