yet another front fork question

[dulcimerbob]

I just finished a rebuild of my front forks using Progresssive springs and Amsoil 10wt, new seals and wipers
The ride seems very harsh. I have read all the posts and still wonder why the ride is bumpy over every uneven spot in the road. Did everything by the book using Progresives 155mm oil measurement with forks compressed.
Expected much more than I got as far as smoothing out the bumps. Too much oil ? Too heavy? I can't move the forks when I press hard on the handle bar. Nor do I see any movement in the fork as I go over bumps. When I brake hard I see the forks dive . Any answer to this . I'm out 150.00 or so and still have the same ride I had with the stock springs.

[debron]

The oil measurement should be 145mm. Also, did you put the filters back in? They are not used with the Progressive's.

[dulcimerbob]

no filters. so i should drain some oil out ?

[debron]

so i should drain some oil out ?

I'd give it a shot....

[dulcimerbob]

OK, I have found over the years of being a woodworker and hack mechanic just to do stuff til it seems right. Had a lapse of that with all the tech jargon I read . So I'll go back to trial and error and error and error

Thanks

[SgtSlag]

I put the spacers, and the oil filters, back into mine, with the Progressive springs... Talk about harsh!!! I took them out, and it improved dramatically. I used 15W fork oil, and mine are still a bit harsh for my liking. I plan on using either ATF (old school, not sure what oil weight it clocks in at, but it is usable, and very inexpensive), or 10W fork oil, next Spring, to see if I can soften them up a bit. Good luck with your bike. Cheers!

[Mr Jensee]

When I installed my progressives, I first drained out the old oil, it was still clear so I did not flush. pushed the forks up and down to make sure all the old oil was out. Removed the old springs, inserted the new progressives, added the prescribed amount of fork oil per the manual and put the seal with the circlip back in each fork. Did not put the oil filters or spacers back in. Used 10wt. Honda fork oil. Have had no problems. Ride is stiffer than before but much better and controlled.

[JHD]

I put the spacers, and the oil filters, back into mine, with the Progressive springs... Talk about harsh!!! I took them out, and it improved dramatically. I used 15W fork oil, and mine are still a bit harsh for my liking. I plan on using either ATF (old school, not sure what oil weight it clocks in at, but it is usable, and very inexpensive), or 10W fork oil, next Spring, to see if I can soften them up a bit. Good luck with your bike. Cheers!

ATF is approx. 7w.

[SgtSlag]

Excellent! Thank you. Cheers!

[dulcimerbob]

Another question. When you are sitting on the bike are you able to push down on the bars and move the forks without the front brake on ?

[SgtSlag]

I can, on mine. The front brake simply prevents the tire, and bike, from rolling forward -- I apply the brake and push on the handlebars, to make sure the front forks are working properly. The front brake is separate from the front fork suspension.

[Steve in Sunny Fla]

That 145mm is with the forks compressed and the springs out. Do that to an extended fork, and it won't hardly compress at all. Steve

[bikerking.biz]

When you change fork oil, it's best to also flush out the forks. There is a mess that accumulates with use in the bottom of the forks which can cause them to stick at the lower portion of travel and not work as well as they could. Also if your fork bushings are badly worn, the fork may be binding a little and not react to smaller bumps as well.

[dulcimerbob]

I drained a little oil from both sides and the ride seemed a little better. As a side note I found getting the fork caps off was quite easy with a 1" dowel (broom handle)tapered on one end to fit the dimple on the cap pushed it in and had a helper take off the ring. took me forever to figure that out after trying every tool I had with no success. Thanks for all the replies