 Fork Oil (AGAIN) with Progressive springs
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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OP
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
Okay, so I know the stock fork oil measurement is 166mm from the top, or roughly 548cc as spec'd in the manual. I'm installing Progressive springs, STOCK height, and putting the tightly wound part down. The instructions say this might help lessen spring noise. HOWEVER, the instructions also say that if your stock fork oil level measurement is greater than 140mm, keep it at no more than 140mm. Is this bollocks? I know this was discussed somewhere in the past but I've been putting the search engine through its paces and came up with bupkis. Help! What do I do? I'm so close to riding again... 
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Re: Fork Oil (AGAIN) with Progressive springs
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877 |
Well 144mm is actually more oil than the 166, since it would bring the level closer to the top. I just did mine today, same springs, and I filled it to the 166, mainly cause I didn't even look at the progressive instructions... When I swapped springs originally, I didn't do anything, just a straight swap, and it worked fine with however much fork oil the factory put in, so I'm stickin with stock. Except heavier oil.
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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Re: Fork Oil (AGAIN) with Progressive springs
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 435
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 435 |
I agree, I just did mine and 166mm works fine. I think more oil could risk blowing the seals.
BTW what sping noise do you hear? mine are silent..
TBA, Stainless extractors / drag pipes, 65mm over forward controls, Thruxton needles, 904cc, head ported, lowered 1-inch, Console removed, relocated battery box, Australia.
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Re: Fork Oil (AGAIN) with Progressive springs
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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OP
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
I haven't heard any noise from the stock springs, it was just mentioned in the progressive install instructions.
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Re: Fork Oil (AGAIN) with Progressive springs
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877 |
I just wonder if by "more" they mean higher, in which case it would actually be a lower number, so 166 is fine cause it's "lower" or less than the 144. I think you're good.
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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Re: Fork Oil (AGAIN) with Progressive springs
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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OP
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
Nope. There's a diagram. 140mm is more oil. I'll run with the 166mm. Thanks, yous guys. P.S. I know I'm not the first to do this but the black fork legs, black upper shrouds and fork gators with silver yokes looks dead sexy. 
Last edited by FriarJohn; 04/27/2008 10:46 AM.
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Re: Fork Oil (AGAIN) with Progressive springs
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877 |
I think we're thinkin the same thing... 144 is more oil, but a lower number... one of those bass-ackwards things. I painted my lower yoke black after smoothing it somewhat, looks great. I have fork protectors from a TBS rather than gaitors, but overall the blackened front end looks GREAT. Can't wait to get the headlight and console on to see it complete. I need a nice-ish day to WASH the bike first tho! It's pretty gross...
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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Re: Fork Oil (AGAIN) with Progressive springs
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,485
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,485 |
OK, going to switch my springs also as soon as I get the oil, and it sounds as 166mm from the top of the tube is the way to go. Sounds simple enough.
"Despite all the amputation, you could dance to a rock 'n roll station..."
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Re: Fork Oil (AGAIN) with Progressive springs
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,485
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,485 |
So, for those who have done this, do you compress the forks before filling and measuring, or does it matter as long as the oil depth is the same as it was with the stock springs?
"Despite all the amputation, you could dance to a rock 'n roll station..."
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Re: Fork Oil (AGAIN) with Progressive springs
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877 |
Remove springs, compress forks, fill and measure. I had mine off the bike so I could measure them as they were perfectly upright. If they are still on the bike, you gotta do some geometry.
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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Re: Fork Oil (AGAIN) with Progressive springs
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,150
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,150 |
Hi guys, I have hagon progressive fork springs and they too recommend 140mm air gap. To confirm I emailed Hagon and was told they still recommend 140 mm. I also showed them the link to this thread given others are talking about the issue and they said that having the 140mm and with it more oil will NOT blow the seals. What I find interesting with this one is, Hagon suggest 140mm air gap as do Progressive which makes me think it is no coincidence both companies have recommended the 140mm and probably means both have done there research on this one. So at the moment I'm edging towards the idea of replacing my oil anyway with new 10Wt and trying the 140mm gap. FYI, I too kept my original oil in and just dropped in my new progressive springs and have found my front suspension to be pretty good but given my distributor (who used to work with Hagon and actually grew up in England with the old man's son) does not believe any damage will occur to the seals or anything anyway, what harm could there be in giving this a go and if I feel the front suspension is too stiff I can just take some out easilly enough until I'm happy. 
Staintune Pipes, K&N Pods, 45 pilots, TBS needles and 145 mains.
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Re: Fork Oil (AGAIN) with Progressive springs
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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OP
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
I just took it for a short ride with 166mm of fork oil and so far, so good.
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Re: Fork Oil (AGAIN) with Progressive springs
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,150
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,150 |
One last thing. I emailed the distributor and was told Quote:
the bigger the air gap the softer the suspension
Last edited by Staffo; 04/29/2008 5:00 PM.
Staintune Pipes, K&N Pods, 45 pilots, TBS needles and 145 mains.
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Re: Fork Oil (AGAIN) with Progressive springs
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,308 Likes: 4
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,308 Likes: 4 |
But is this measurement with or without the springs in the tubes with the oil? The Progressive springs are bigger and take up more volume in the tubes, hence maybe less oil???
A word to the wise is not necessary. It is the stupid ones who need the advice.
Pat
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Re: Fork Oil (AGAIN) with Progressive springs
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877 |
W/out springs, according to the manual for oil change of forks. So yeah, the prog springs will bring the oil level up slightly from stock.
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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Re: Fork Oil (AGAIN) with Progressive springs
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 438
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 438 |
Yo FJ, if things don't feel quite right...try a 50/50 mix of 10w and 15w. That's what I ended up with and it feels juuuuuuuuust right.
Not you fat Jesus!
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Re: Fork Oil (AGAIN) with Progressive springs
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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OP
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
Way ahead of you... 
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Re: Fork Oil (AGAIN) with Progressive springs
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,971
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,971 |
Using a turkey baster, hardware store tubing and a measuring cup, I put back what I took out, which was quite a bit different than what the manual spec'd.
A long skinny wood dowel with a clean rag taped to it cleaned the tubes right nice.
30 years ago, I might have put a wee bit more in one side than the other. (Not suggesting you would) The results were less than race ready. While at the hospital getting the road removed from my hide, the state trooper asked:
State trooper - "How fast were you going" (when you decided to get off an otherwise perfectly good motorcycle)
Me - "Geez, I dunno, 30 MPH?" (Loud cough noises)
State trooper - "The reason I ask is your peg left a scrape in the road 262 feet long"
Me - "That's because it was downhill?"
State trooper - "I'm going to write you for Speed too fast for conditions."
Me - "What conditions?"
State trooper - "Night time"
The Doc - "Nothing like adding insult to injury."
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Re: Fork Oil (AGAIN) with Progressive springs
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877 |
Quote:
The Doc - "Nothing like adding insult to injury."
Literally.
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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Re: Fork Oil (AGAIN) with Progressive springs
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,068 Likes: 1
Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,068 Likes: 1 |
I just dropped in a set of Progressives today and went for a spin . Rides like a completely different bike . I'm amazed at what a difference $68.00 can make . I may opt out on the Progressive rears now , I think the fronts did the trick .
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Re: Fork Oil (AGAIN) with Progressive springs
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,308 Likes: 4
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,308 Likes: 4 |
Quote:
I just dropped in a set of Progressives today and went for a spin . Rides like a completely different bike . I'm amazed at what a difference $68.00 can make . I may opt out on the Progressive rears now , I think the fronts did the trick .
oooh but ride one with the 440s and then see if you still think that way.
Been there, done that.
A word to the wise is not necessary. It is the stupid ones who need the advice.
Pat
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Re: Fork Oil (AGAIN) with Progressive springs
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,150
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,150 |
To answer Pat's question: Quote:
But is this measurement with or without the springs in the tubes with the oil? The Progressive springs are bigger and take up more volume in the tubes, hence maybe less oil???
I emailed the Hagon distributor and he replied,
Quote:
take the spring out and bottom the leg so it is compressed completely, then measure the air gap (140mm) from the top of the tube to the oil
Last edited by Staffo; 05/02/2008 6:18 PM.
Staintune Pipes, K&N Pods, 45 pilots, TBS needles and 145 mains.
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Re: Fork Oil (AGAIN) with Progressive springs
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,308 Likes: 4
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,308 Likes: 4 |
Excellent Staffo, thanks mate!
A word to the wise is not necessary. It is the stupid ones who need the advice.
Pat
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Re: Fork Oil (AGAIN) with Progressive springs
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,150
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,150 |
 with your famous brew
Last edited by Staffo; 05/02/2008 10:48 PM.
Staintune Pipes, K&N Pods, 45 pilots, TBS needles and 145 mains.
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Re: Fork Oil (AGAIN) with Progressive springs
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,068 Likes: 1
Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,068 Likes: 1 |
Quote:
Quote:
I just dropped in a set of Progressives today and went for a spin . Rides like a completely different bike . I'm amazed at what a difference $68.00 can make . I may opt out on the Progressive rears now , I think the fronts did the trick .
oooh but ride one with the 440s and then see if you still think that way.
Been there, done that.
Ooohh , don't tempt me , 'cause whatever Lola wants , well , you know . Peace . 
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