Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech The front half...Progressive springs.

The Ikon progressives are about 1" longer than the stock springs. Should I cut down the spacer or just compress 'em.

I cut my spacers down an inch because the rebound was harsh. After a few thousand miles they began to sag a bit more and stock spacers probably would've fixed that. You might want to make you a set of shorter spacers and keep the stock ones in case yours do what mine did. Am i making sense?

yep. thanks

when i put in progressive springs i used the stock spacers

If you'll lay the old spring, spacer and washer on the garage floor and lay the new spring beside it you can see how long to make the new spacer (heavy duty PVC pipe works fine) to obtain the same preload.

Yeah, Frank, the Progressive brand are the same length as the stockers, the Ikons are a little longer.

I can't imagine Ikon not knowing their springs are 1" longer, and them not being designed that way for a reason.
What is their responce for this? Surely you asked them before asking here!?

No, I didn't ask Ikon first. It was Saturday, besides I tend to trust this site. That and that when I buy stuff from a highly recommended vendor specific to our bikes I will not receive parts that aren't appropriate. That hasn't been the case this time around.

Its a learning thing for me. I mean, I don't know what I don't know. So when some discrepancy comes up like sloppy fit with new shocks, progressive springs that are too long, or plug wires that, unlike stock wires, need to have nuts screwed to the plug terminator, well...see my tag.

BTW, I do like the way the front shocks feel. Now if I can get the 412's right...

You're going to find the 412s give you much more confidence leaning into a turn. However, like all sport tuned suspension you're going to give up some of the cushy ride for better handling.

So, what did you do?
One member cut their spacer, but feels it was the wrong thing to do now, and suggests putting stock spacers back in.
Another notes performance suspensions WILL be stiffer, hence the performance characteristics.
As you've said, I'd expect a highly respected aftermarket performance manuf. to have done their R & D work, and have made their springs longer for a specific reason, which only they may be able to explain.
Curious, cause I to will be installing improved springs in the near future.

I agree, 110%.

FWIW, I'm using the stock spacer with the Ikons. Needed to wrestle the end cap back on, but I do like the ride and braking is mucho bueno!