BE PROGRESSIVE, BE-E PROGRESSIVE! Progressive Fork Spring Installation On A Sportster

[@davebragg2917]

Best video for getting fluid level correct

[@LoneWolferGarage]

Dave Bragg thanks! Part of me is also disappointed in that this video is a bit of a joke and more straightforward and serious vids dealing with fork oil levels aren’t as helpful. I pray for us all!

[@packgrog]

Good god, probably the best (and most humorous) instruction video on this that I've seen! Bravo! Two Wheel Rocco's video is also excellent. Too many videos tell people to remove the drain plugs BEFORE taking the fork caps off, and bounce the forks to push out the oil. That seems like a messy and chaotic approach! Excellent pointers here, thank you! I'll have to make sure that I take care with the offsets on my spacers and possibly fork oil with the addition of the Intiminator valves that I ordered along with the Progressive springs. I already have air shocks on my Sporty, and they were a tremendous improvement over the OEM spine-smashers, but I'm biting the bullet and getting the Bitubo dual adjustables for further improvement (and less bulk).

[@LoneWolferGarage]

That little drain plug is a great time saver on the Sporty's. I wish my Dyna had them. And Anything is better than the OEM rear shocks, but those Bitubo's would be a dream, even though I think the Progressive 412s do a great job on the back of my Sporty.

[@packgrog]

@@LoneWolferGarage As I said, the Street Glide take-off air shocks were an incredible improvement on my ride, for not much money (less than $100). Th Bitubos are a LOT more expensive, but I'd like to some day get some Viking hard bags and be able to commute without a backpack. The larger diameter of the air shocks would prevent that. Also, the roads in PA are atrocious, and even with the air shocks my spine still hurts after a good ride. My ride may only be an 883, but I really don't need the extra power. I just need to feel less beaten up after a ride. Here's hoping!

[@LoneWolferGarage]

@@packgrog I'm considering putting some touring air shocks on my Dyna Switchback as they are easy to come by. And yeah, saddle bags are a hude step up from a backpack. I can't stand wearing a backpack while riding.

[@packgrog]

@@LoneWolferGarage So I got the Bitubo shocks, Progressive fork springs, and Ricor Intiminator valves over the summer. The shocks initially didn't seem like that much of a change compared to the air shocks... until I got up to speed. MUCH better at speed. I still have not changed the fork springs. Not having a garage makes that a little challenging. Having to set up and tear down everything in the same afternoon puts a brutal time crunch on me, and if weather is good enough, I'd rather just RIDE. Doing my clutch plates was difficult enough in one afternoon. Fork springs seem like they'd be simpler, assuming I can get the proper leverage to get the caps back on without tipping the damn bike over in my parking spot... again. But I also really don't want to wind up with leaves or pollen in the fork oil, so I might just take it in to a local shop for a full fork rebuild to also replace 19 year old fork seals. So I guess the question is: what kind of improvement did you feel after the change? Just smoother ride, or did it help with cornering confidence at all?

[@LoneWolferGarage]

@@packgrog Sorry for the late response. Been a bit busy with coaching and haven't been able to catch up on really anything hahaha.The ride was infinitely better. The cornering is so much more responsive and I'm way more confident in the bike.

[@teucer4]

Best install video of its kind.

[@LoneWolferGarage]

Thank you! Hope it helps out with your project/plans or simply entertained during a bit of down time.

[@markwinchester3005]

Provided everything is in proper running order adding Progressive springs (F&R) made my '96 Sportster seem like a totally new/different motorcycle. I can't say enough positive things about these. Nigh & Day difference isn't strong enough to describe how much of an improvement these can do.

[@LoneWolferGarage]

I agree! Huge improvement. Funny thing is I bought a Dyna Switchback not long after doing this upgrade, so my wife who rides the Sporty full time now got all the benefits and never had to suffer with the OEM shocks and springs.

[@riverwindflutes]

I have a 1996 1200 sportster as well, which progressive springs did you end up purchasing ? Thanks

[@Thickfreakness817]

Subscribed as soon as you were willing to share the manual info haha

[@LoneWolferGarage]

Thanks! I try to remember to do that whenever I can but often times I’m flying by the seat of my pants. I don’t believe in the annoying old timer response of “do you have a manual? If you did you’d know the answer. “ I’ll share the manual pages or info to anyone who needs it. And I’ll try and answer any question posed to me the best I can if I’ve experienced the issue or done the job before.

[@fuzzypic]

Thank you for this video. I will attempt to change the springs on my new 48.

[@LoneWolferGarage]

Do it! It is so worth it and it might seem daunting at first but it is very straight forward and worth the time. Just go slow and take pictures as you take things apart to remind yourself what does where.

[@Thundy]

Aye it's here! Been waiting ages!

[@LoneWolferGarage]

Yeah, this one took a lot longer to edit than I anticipated! It really was worth doing the job though, a world of difference for this motorcycle! Hope it helps.

[@TYMWLTL]

OK, I'm no amateur when it comes to mechanics so I decided to watch a few videos on progressive front fork spring replacement in a nightster while I wait for mine to be shipped. Watched a lot of videos and a lot of people just don't have a clue. The oil capacity thing these guys were selling was just ridiculous along with some of their methods and wasted motions. Now your video made real sense and I mean that as someone who has been around for a very long time. The job is simple but what you said and did to get the oil level correct was just what I wanted to know before the spring set arrives. If progressive supplys me with the same specifications for my 2011 1200N I'll be styling. Buying that slick oil extractor tool as soon as I'm done telling you you know your shit. Thanks for the video.

[@LoneWolferGarage]

Thank you! I am by no means a professional, just been around long enough to have had a few pro's give me a stern talking to.

[@winchesterhouseeast1927]

Excellent instructional video. Reducing beard length to allow for Covid mask as an added bonus tip, thank you.

[@LoneWolferGarage]

Thanks for watching!

[@HippoDrones]

Nice Faith No More video title! :D Nice install vid mate :-)

[@LoneWolferGarage]

Thanks! AND YESSS, GLAD YOU CAUGHT THAT HAHAHAHAHAA. Was worried it would fly waytoo far under the radar.

[@HippoDrones]

@@LoneWolferGarage :D

[@Timmy2fingers]

Great video man. Thanks 👍🏻

[@LoneWolferGarage]

You are very welcome and thank you for watching! If you do this upgrade yourself, please share your thoughts and opinion on the differences it makes to your ride.

[@Timmy2fingers]

Just ordered new progressive 490’s and some fork springs. I’ll be throwing them in soon!

[@stevet7784]

Great video, thanks man! Sorry if I missed this info but are those the standard or heavy duty springs you chose for the upgrade? I'm having a hard time deciding which ones to go with.

[@LoneWolferGarage]

I went with standard springs as I wasn't riding 2up very often. I was about 250 pounds when this video was made and they were perfect for my applications. My wife who is about 140 rides the Sporty more often than I do and they are perfectly suited for her. She got lucky in that as she never had to ride the bike with the OEM spings, or rear shocks.

[@stevet7784]

@@LoneWolferGarage oh wow, even at 250 they worked for you? Crazy. Okay we'll I'm 190 and ride 2 up maybe once a year so I guess the standard springs are the way to go for me too

[@ZINO.883]

nice video!!! very helpful

[@cgm0826]

Tha is for this video man! Question, did you have to supply your own washer and spacers? Looks like you just used pvc pipe right?

[@LoneWolferGarage]

You are very welcome! The washer and pvc spacers come with the kit. You just have to cut the pvc spacers to the size specified in the directions for your year and model.

[@elzer0181]

in the process of doing the same to my 2014 883R - Progressive part number 11-1527. However there isnt much difference in lengths of spring, but it is beefier... does this sound right

[@LoneWolferGarage]

The 883 R has a different front tube length so it could easily be that the springs are the same and you just have to cut the pvc piece a different length to compensate.

[@elzer0181]

@@LoneWolferGarage it's OK, I just followed there instructions, perfect. Was just expecting a difference in length

[@DanielSalazar-ej8lq]

Can you explain the "forks needs to be compressed all the way down" how do you do this? you just push it down?

[@LoneWolferGarage]

To take the fork caps off you need to lift the bike off the ground. I used a scissor jack. Once the springs are out and the fluid is drained you then lower the bike down until the forks are fully compressed but the bike is I still firmly on whatever method you used to raise the front end. Hope that clarifies things and you can get your ride all buttoned up!

[@headreddedstepchild6177]

In the description it says the socket is 39mm, however, i borrowed a 36mm and its too big. Does the fork nut size vary by model? I have an 05 XL883

[@LoneWolferGarage]

Sadly it looks like the link shows that the Motion Prosocket isn’t available anymore on Amazon. The 39mm is referring to the size of the front end forks. In the description of the socket it does have the correct size which is 1 3/8. There are other versions of the socket in the suggested section on the Amazon link, but I haven’t used any of this so I’m not sure if they will scratch the fork caps or not. The motion pro version is still available from other retailers on line if you do a google search for it. Hope that helps.

[@headlaka]

Q: does the travel or height increased?

[@LoneWolferGarage]

I feel as though there was a bit of an increase, but I believe that was only because my OEM springs were sagging so bad.

[@nickpoluha6295]

Hey man did you put the speed merchant adjustment cap on or just running one solid adjustment?

[@LoneWolferGarage]

Just used the regular old Sportster Fork Caps that came on the bike.

[@RipThatVette]

Did you get the HD springs? I just got them form my 08 nightster. Not sure what my fluid level needs to be.

[@LoneWolferGarage]

Andrew L I installed Standard Springs and if you don’t have the instructions from Progressive in the box, give them a call. Their number is 1-877-690-7411 - I’m sure they will give you either the exact number for the Heavy Duty Springs or even send you the instruction sheet.

[@nicolaswilliams9060]

I have a 2007 sportster 1200 and it calls for 12.3 ounces in each tube. Does that sound right?

[@LoneWolferGarage]

Whatever the sheet that came with the springs for your year and model is spot on. Progressive has all that dialed in.

[@nicolaswilliams9060]

@@LoneWolferGarage it doesn’t tell me the ounces on there just the spacer measurement. Should I call them?

[@LoneWolferGarage]

​@@nicolaswilliams9060 use the measurement given on the instruction sheet listed for your model, I show the instruction sheet for oil level measurement at 1:45 and the numbers for specific models a 2:08 if you don't have the instruction sheet handy. You can buy the tool I use in the video, link above in the video details section and it is just something I recommend not an affiliate link or sponsor, or use a ruler and a turkey baster. But the ounces is not how I did this change nor is it how progressive suggests doing this job. If you are dead set on doing according to ounces you can give them a call as they have great customer service. I don't recommend using the ounces though as you never know how much is left in there unless you take the whole fork tube apart and clean it thoroughly.

[@TYMWLTL]

@@LoneWolferGarage He is exactly right. Oil height is the most accurate way to refill.

[@chrisrestifo7010]

Did you cut the spacers to the same length as the OEM spacers?

[@LoneWolferGarage]

As stated and demonstrated in the video, page 3 of the directions from Progressive tell you how long the spacers need to be for each model.

[@chrisrestifo7010]

Mine is a 1976, so I will have to determine it myself. Since the new springs are longer. I took my caps off and there was absolutely no spring pressure, but they are 46 years old and probably shot. I have instructions that came with the springs.

[@LoneWolferGarage]

@@chrisrestifo7010 Give progressive a call, chances are high that someone has done an upgrade with their springs on your year and model - their customer service is top notch.

[@chrisrestifo7010]

Sounds like a good idea. At least to get a baseline. I can always adjust one way or the other from there. I got the 412 shocks for the back, so I'm look for them to work together as I am making a significant upgrade from the worn out stock set up. Thanks again!

[@OSOFLHP]

In my experience progressive springs are poor quality, warranty has gone to shit, as mail us your defective stuff, we’ll get back to you in a few months,

[@LoneWolferGarage]

Well, my rear shocks have been going strong for over 5 years and the front springs are now over 2 years old so I would say my experience does not reflect poor quality and I have not had the need for their warranty which is only 2 years anyway. Sorry to hear you had a bad experience with their parts, but mine are still going strong.