Progressive Fork Spring Install Harley Davidson Iron1200 Sportster

This video is about how I installed Progressive fork springs in my 2019 Harley Davidson Iron1200 Sportster. Also it shows how the left and right forks are different and the possible difficulties you can encounter and overcome them!!! Below are the links to the springs and the fork cap socket I purchased.
1)Fork springs
www.progressivesuspension.com...
2)Fork cap nut socket
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...
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0:00 Video Introduction
2:54 Starting Spring Removal
10:09 Fork Oil Adjustment
11:07 Left Fork Reassembly
20:32 Right Fork Reassembly
22:35 Closing Thoughts and Suggestions

[@MotorcyclingwithCarl]

I hope you enjoy this video. And if you have a newer sportster I hope it helps out with getting to see the difference between the left and right forks in the newer sportsters!

[@AB-ho8pc]

Nice Job and very nice video,too... I have 3 question for you (I own a 2020 Iron 1200): 1. According to your experience, what about spring preload? It seems that only right leg has a preload spacer. 2. Is there a spring preload system in left leg? 3. I saw that stock springs are progressive type, and that your new springs seems to be shorter than stock ones, also; isn’t it? Thank’ a lot!

[@MotorcyclingwithCarl]

@@AB-ho8pc I think the left side has the spacer or equivalent in the bottom of the fork that is probably why they have you reuse the stock one on the right because it has to match. Yes the springs were slightly shorter but the spring itself was quite a bit thicker and definitely more heavy duty. Definitely can feel a difference in the front end. I have not got a chance to take a long ride yet because of winter 🥶 😓

[@Thundy]

@@MotorcyclingwithCarl Super awesome video! I plan on doing this to my 2017 in the next week or so, and if my research is correct, the fork setup should be identical. Thank you in advance for the guidance! How are you liking them so far? I've heard they do raise the front end a tad due to less sagging.

[@MotorcyclingwithCarl]

@@Thundy I am loving the suspension upgrades front and back. It just seems like I get less vibration in the bars now.

[@denttime]

Love it. Great video and showed the real struggle and determination with no arrogance.

[@MotorcyclingwithCarl]

Thanks for checking it out and commenting appreciate it.

[@TheMotoJawn]

Nice work! Cant wait to get your views on the difference it makes during a ride!

[@MotorcyclingwithCarl]

Hopefully once I get the rear shocks on and the weather is good I can do a good review. Just afraid it won’t be till spring!!

[@ChopperFett]

Good stuff man and very informative. I’m scared to do my forks but they say it’s not so bad. Keep up the great work.

[@MotorcyclingwithCarl]

Building the tool was a lifesaver. Thanks for checking it out!!!

[@madrat5176]

Great video as always bro. I've got a 2018 Roadster and won't be doing this, but always fun to watch.

[@MotorcyclingwithCarl]

Thanks for watching watching appreciate it. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

[@madrat5176]

@@MotorcyclingwithCarl Thanks, same to you

[@timfinning]

What a great video mate big thumbs up, can't wait to see how you rate them once you get the chance to test ride them. Stay safe Carl 👍🇦🇺

[@MotorcyclingwithCarl]

I will be putting on the rear shocks soon then I need to hope for a nice day! Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Tim!!!!

[@marklorette1474]

Awesome video brother! IBEW 103 Boston here great knowledge thank you

[@MotorcyclingwithCarl]

How is work up there. We are very slow. I took a short call at millstone for the shutdown.

[@BigAlsCompound]

Nice job, got me wanting to instal something new on my bike!

[@MotorcyclingwithCarl]

Winter is tough. Have to find something to do!!! Thanks for watching

[@fuzzypic]

Thank you for this video.

[@MotorcyclingwithCarl]

Np thanks for watching

[@aliabedin2323]

Well done sir! Quality video and very informative. Liked and subscribed! I’m looking to do the same thing on my 09 FatBob and this was very helpful. Thank you.

[@MotorcyclingwithCarl]

Yours may be easier if it doesn’t have different left and right forks. They are both probably like my right fork if I had to guess.

[@aliabedin2323]

I’ll have to look into whether they are different. Im still deciding on whether I’m feeling brave enough to tackle this one myself. Kind of intimidating. Lol. Thanks much.

[@MotorcyclingwithCarl]

@@aliabedin2323 no problem Thanks for checking out my videos. Have a Happy New Year

[@aliabedin2323]

Happy and healthy New Year to you and yours man!

[@gestoandlane]

Happy Christmas from me and Gesto :D x

[@MotorcyclingwithCarl]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!!

[@HarleyFatBoyJr]

Right on for subscribing to my channel Carl. Hoping to get some good content uploaded soon. Still learning. Keep the great videos coming Sir. Mahalo for the support. 🤙🏾

[@MotorcyclingwithCarl]

No problem looking forward to checking out your channel!

[@EasyRiderGreg]

You do good install/service vids Carl. I think I'll still let Jesus (my trusted Harley mechanic) do it for me. Have a good Christmas my friend.

[@MotorcyclingwithCarl]

I enjoy going out to the garage and tinkering with the bike. I know it was a long one thanks for checking it out. I am definitely trying chapters on most videos now especially the long ones. I can tell by the analytics that you may get a good 4 or 5 minutes on average might as well let them pick what they want to see.

[@EasyRiderGreg]

@@MotorcyclingwithCarl I'm lucky to get 2.5 maybe 3.5 minutes average.

[@deanfickling5609]

Man I wish you had this video up a week ago. That left side killed me and I had no clue how to get it off. I ended up scratching up my fork cap pretty bad and my triple tree. I was getting kind of frustrated haha. I got the job done though..

[@MotorcyclingwithCarl]

I have the service manual so I kind of had an idea it wasn’t going to be easy but the tool I ended up making made it easier than the right side. I looked all over KZbin for someone doing the springs on these years with the different left and right forks but could not find anything. Thanks for watching have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

[@Thundy]

Good evening, Carl! I'm currently doing my rear shocks, and will get around to doing my front springs within the next week. Quick question for you: Did you end up changing the oil, and if so, did you have to remove the forks to do so? Our particular models don't seem to have drain plugs at the bottom of the forks like the older ones (pre-2013 I think). I'm tempted to just use the measuring tool to just suck out the oil little by little instead of removing the entire fork. Thanks for the video, and have a great rest of your night!

[@MotorcyclingwithCarl]

My bike had under 5000 miles so I didn’t change the fluid I just adjusted the level. I believe you have to remove the forks to totally drain them. I would definitely give it a try to suck out as much as you can and change it that way. Hopefully it goes well . Let me know how it goes.

[@mikeg883]

Great video! thank you so much. I am having an issue you didnt have, maybe you have an idea. I cant get my nut on as far as you did, the rod just spins. i tried with a cordless impact but it didnt help. Any ideas on why mine is spinning but yours didnt? Thank you

[@MotorcyclingwithCarl]

Not sure. Have to figure a way to hold it without damaging it. Let me know how it goes for you. Thanks for watching

[@davidknows3320]

I would not go 50k on fork oil, it's usually played out at 20k. I believe you about what the book says, but reality is not always the same. I have been watching many of these fork upgrade videos and the oil is always junk unless it's on a new bike. Thanks for sharing the procedure.

[@MotorcyclingwithCarl]

Agreed. If I had more than 5000 miles I would have sucked it out and changed it. Thanks for watching.

[@theblackarrow]

@@MotorcyclingwithCarl Hey Carl, how are ya? I have a 2012 Sportster XL with no drain plugs on the fork. When you say you were going to suck the oil out, do you mean remove the cap and spring and just suck out the oil? If it’s possible I would do the same instead of the whole disassembly to replace the fork oil. Please share your advice when you get a chance. Thanks !

[@MotorcyclingwithCarl]

Yea I would just use the big siring with the tubing on it and suck out the old fork oil and refill it from the caps instead of disassembling. Thanks for watching and and commenting.

[@oldguy6434]

I have the same bike and also A iBEW member. Cool video

[@MotorcyclingwithCarl]

Thanks for watching the IBEW has been good to me. I have about 30 years in. We have been very slow in our local since Covid. We don’t do much residential up here and that is whats booming here now. I hope you love the bike as much as me I think even if I got a touring Harley I will always hold on to the sportster also.

[@linvestisseurdiscipline3239]

IBEW local 568 member here in Montreal , i hate the exact same bike ! cheers Buddy

[@MotorcyclingwithCarl]

@@linvestisseurdiscipline3239 I hope you have it and don’t hate it lmao!!! Thanks for watching Brother

[@danielsantos.estudio]

Hi Carl, thanks so much for sharing this knowledge. I'm about to do the same spring upgrade in my XL 1200 Custom CB down here in Brazil and I've noted that the HD service manual says is 120mm for right fork and 142mm for the left fork. I see that you set 175mm from the top for both forks oil level. Does this equal measure for both forks comes in the Progressive Springs manual? Thanks for the help!

[@MotorcyclingwithCarl]

It’s been a while since I did it but I think measurement may have come in the instructions.

[@Wrathchild1977]

Thanks Carl great video One question Was the height of your motorcycle the same after changing the springs?

[@MotorcyclingwithCarl]

I believe so I didn’t notice any height change with the spring change. But I did notice a difference in the ride. Thanks for watching and commenting

[@edwinjacob8854]

Excellent video! What kind of jack stand is that?

[@MotorcyclingwithCarl]

Drag specialty. I have a unboxing video on my channel about it. Thanks for watching.

[@patriciasheets7166]

Hi Carl I love your homemade tool. My brother and I couldn’t figure out the left fork until your video. I have a 2022 Harley Iron 883. I ordered the progressive springs to lower my bike 2 inches. My kit has 2 springs for each one and a pvc spacer I’m supposed to cut. Not sure the length of each side as the directions don’t have it for my bike. Any ideas?

[@MotorcyclingwithCarl]

Sorry I do not have any information on that. I appreciate you watching my videos and im glad it helped. Ride safe and enjoy the new suspension!!

[@patriciasheets7166]

@@MotorcyclingwithCarl thank you. I emailed progressive to ask them

[@denttime]

I noticed you didn’t put a spacer on the left fork? Just the main spring. Did you not need it?

[@MotorcyclingwithCarl]

If I recall I think its on the bottom of that side.

[@user-wf8cv2ow8t]

Hi. I have sportster XL1200NS 2018. I want to replace the front Fork Springs because are very light. what is the part number of these fork springs that are used in this video?

[@MotorcyclingwithCarl]

I believe I left a link to the springs in the description of this video. I love the springs and my progressive rear shocks. If you are going to install them yourself just remember the one side is a little difficult. Good luck and Ride Safe I hope the video helps out. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@AB-ho8pc]

Hi Carl, last week I installed Progressive springs in my MY2020 Iron. You video was very useful especially for left leg. Huge improvement over stock springs, but I installed a superbrace, also. I have just one question about left leg: as I unscrewed the fork cap I took a measure of the threaded part of the damper rod above the locking nut. It was 18mm with stock springs. With Progressive spring installed I couldn't reach the same thread lenght above the nut, I lost 3mm; even compressing the spring I couldn't bottom out the nut 'cause nut and rod rotates all together. So, now I have "only" 15mm of threaded rod screwed in the fork cap. I didn't understand if you encountered the same "problem" during installation and, if so, do you have any idea about this? THX for your advice.

[@MotorcyclingwithCarl]

I think I got mine all the way back on I am trying to think how but I was able to hold the rod while the spring was compressed. Sorry I don’t have a definite answer I will think about it when im home from work and let you know if I remember what I did.

[@AB-ho8pc]

@@MotorcyclingwithCarl THX a lot!

[@MotorcyclingwithCarl]

I think mine went right on. But after some thought you can probably go buy 2 nuts and double nut it above the nut you are trying to tighten. You should be able to hold the lower nut of the double nut and tighten the other without the damper moving. I know that sounds confusing but hopefully you understand if not let me know and I will try and explain it different

[@AB-ho8pc]

@@MotorcyclingwithCarl Hi Carl! I followed your advice and everything went right! It was all in, yet, but I saw that I installed the stock washer upside down. Infact it has a flat and a curved face. The first one needs to face the spring, otherwise the ring washer and the C shaped washer will not match as needed. Thank's for your support and suggestions! Greetings from Italy!

[@ronhernandez9198]

Installed a fork brace as well. I went with the red Arlen Ness one.

[@20beersago75]

I just picked up a new 2020 Iron 1200 and rode it for the first time (never been on a Harley, coming from sport bikes) and this thing VICIOUSLY vibrates at 60-70mph... like I feel like I’m going to vibrate off the bike! ... almost to a point of not safe. Is this normal for these bikes at that speed or should I take it back to the dealer and have them look it over?

[@MotorcyclingwithCarl]

Check out my other video of my sportster at highway speeds. I have to say since I put in the new fork springs rear shocks and put on the Memphis Shades Del Rio my bike is doing alot better on the highway. I have a ton of videos. I just did a recap of everything I did to the bike. I am going to have a new highway video with all the mods maybe next Friday. If you have sny questions let me know. To answer your question they do vibrate alot I ride a sport bike also it is a huge difference. But as always if you don’t feel something is right go to the dealer and have them take a look.

[@ronhernandez9198]

Ya those that say that they're a girls bike, yet they ride a glide of some nature. Takes a bit of cajones to ride 1200cc harley at higher speeds.

[@ddk5327]

Do they sell fork extensions for the 19-20 sportster ?

[@MotorcyclingwithCarl]

That I don’t know sorry. Thanks for checking it out hope it was helpful.

[@olironrider8918]

Looking forward to your test ride video. Very much interested in an honest opinion if the upgraded suspension is worth the time, effort, and $$. Thanks for another very informative video.. 👍👍

[@MotorcyclingwithCarl]

I can’t wait either I can tell you just sitting on it in the garage it definitely feels a little stiffer. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

[@olironrider8918]

@@MotorcyclingwithCarl A very joyous and Happy Christmas to you and your loved ones.... Blessings....

[@debrathane7177]

Crafty homemade tool!

[@MotorcyclingwithCarl]

Sometimes you have to get creative!!!!

[@tylernorthcutt8122]

I have a 2011 nightster do you think it has the same thing on the left side?

[@MotorcyclingwithCarl]

Probably not but you can probably look it up on line.

[@eleonoradegrazia9113]

Hi Carl how does the fork feel after this mod? Thank you

[@MotorcyclingwithCarl]

It feels really good. Waiting for good weather to really give them a really good test ride. It’s been cold here only getting out for 15 or 20 minutes now but spring is in the air!!!

[@karthickrajan7208]

Did you say 15000 miles

[@MotorcyclingwithCarl]

Are you asking about the life of the fork fluid?

[@karthickrajan7208]

Yes, I’m at 17000 miles and got the new springs for my ‘16 XL but thinking about changing fluid as well

[@MotorcyclingwithCarl]

@@karthickrajan7208 I am not sure 16 may have a different setup. Not sure what year they went to this fork style. Yours might be different

[@MotorcyclingwithCarl]

@@karthickrajan7208 my book says the 2019 fork oil is good for 50,000 but I think you’re forks may be different altogether not sure

[@DSRaver]

Man, I cannot reassemble the left work =[

[@DanielSalazar-ej8lq]

My damper doesnt raise as high, had to get a jim tool

[@MotorcyclingwithCarl]

Did you see the tool I made in the video to get mine done?

[@DanielSalazar-ej8lq]

@@MotorcyclingwithCarl unfortunately no, I have the damper secured with nylon and it doesn't reach as high as yours do, it does not stretch all the way to the speedometer even with the bike on the ground

[@MotorcyclingwithCarl]

@@DanielSalazar-ej8lq you want the bike as high as you can when you put the tool on.

[@MotorcyclingwithCarl]

You want to jack the bike up and let the forks fully extend. Maybe I am misunderstanding you.

[@TheBlueBikeDoyle]

That gave me out

[@MotorcyclingwithCarl]

We had a lot of rain over Christmas and all the snow melted. And the roads got clear. got out for a ride today to test them out. Video to come in a couple of weeks.

[@RoadRashHD]

That job didn't look that hard

[@MotorcyclingwithCarl]

Making the little tool for the left side made it pretty simple!!! It was worse having no idea what to expect.Can’t wait to get the rear shocks on and get a good test ride in. It definitely feels a little bit stiffer in the front we shall see. Glad you get to go back to day shift I occasionally had to work night shift it sucks ass.

[@clocko322]

Your not to bright on this installation, you did no homework and I hope someone who is doing this job doesn't do what you did, I bet you learned a lot though didn't ya, thos is not at all how you do this, and you over worked yourself and went through way too many unnecessary steps, for future reference, do your homework and have the proper tools and set up, this video is not what anyone with lower mechanical skills should learn from, maybe next time ask a tech or read a manual like your supposed too

[@MotorcyclingwithCarl]

I did but I said in it I am doing without the proper tool because I didn’t have it and couldn’t get it unless I spent a ridiculous amount of money on it. I made my own tool.

[@MotorcyclingwithCarl]

Sometimes you have be be creative. And nothing was hacked.