AIR NO MORE

[Lucasind]

A very FROZEN... Hello everyone, I pulled the trigger on the progressive suspension front and rear this week.The UPS guy delivered the box to my door while I was at work, Being zero outside, it's even too cold to install them , Working out in this bad weather kinda takes the wind out of your sails for doing even things you enjoy ,like bike work will wait for it to warm up a bit then install,



......tony

[bikerking.biz]

Even though most don't use air in the front forks with Progressive springs, you may want to after a period of time, especially if you like more spirited riding. Most solo touring you can get away with no air, but I now use up to 10lbs if I'm sport riding. 5 lbs will do it most other times. JFYI

[SgtSlag]

You will love it! Best investment for both safety (big improvement in suspension's function), and comfort. Cheers!

[Lucasind]

....as you guys might tell, I am not that great at posting pics and the storyline yet ! I hacked off the things I am about to say here. (I think my words ended up underneath the picture) even using the "pre-view" I don't know what happened.. oh well here it is. I looked around on-line trying to get the best price, and talked to some knowledged people ,and some not. As we voyager owners know, our needs are not even on the recent "hit parade" I ended up spending a total of $280.00 including shpng, on what you see in the photo. I was shocked that the items were delivered the very next day from being ordered , I'm talking 30 some hours from hanging up the phone, ... the boxes were at my door ! ! I ordered from a company called CYCLEPLICITY located in martin IL. The guys name was HUGHBERT and helped me greatly in finding exactly what I wanted to order Let me know if you guys need the part #s ... can provide.... I knew the #s for the front springs .... but had a hard time finding the rear progessive #s on our forum DUH !! probably me Winter is looking like it is going to be long and brutal this year Will make the spring -time sooo much sweeter.... if it ever gets here ! .................tony

[Tat2demon]

Would love those numbers.

Thanks

[debron]

Would love those numbers.

Check the dollar 4 dollar page. Click on the "S" at the top of the page, then scroll down to "Suspension." Front Progressive Springs are 11-1102 for '87 on. Rear Progressive Shocks are 412-4221c (Heavy duty) or 412-4213c (srandard.)

[Tat2demon]

Ah ok thanks.

[Lucasind]

....yes ,thank you RON those are the P/N #'s I ordered / received, I chose the heavy duty (rear) ,usually riding 2 up , and the added weight of the tongue of the trailer, made sense. can't wait to install then test ride ! ! ............tony

[forplay]

Hi Tony.
This is Keith out of Cleveland. You and I did some riding together at the last rally in Logan. I think we both left a lung at Old Mans Cave. lmao
I hear ya on the weather. Same here. This summer we might have to meet up and do some riding together. Let me know about those rear shocks. Might be interested in them. Getting a little tired of the air myself.

[Lucasind]

....HI KIETH, yes I remember riding with you. I will let you know the changes that updating the suspension makes. there was nothing WRONG with my air suspension in the way of air leaks , or seals seeping etc. but as I know from my old goldwing ,it's just a matter of time.lately the wing has to be "aired up" before each ride.

In fact I bought my bike from a guy near you, Wadsworth OH. It was someones "garage queen" rarely ever ridden ,10 years old w/16k on the clock. approaching 22k now after one year of riding it , no real long trips, but just ride often. We are definitely going to rally this year, already booked at the crown plaza. Bikes going from the stable are 2000KAW ZRX 1100, 2003 KAW CONCOURS,and 2003 VOY XII.It can't come soon enough for me , have'nt ridden for nearly a month now and have a touch of cabin fever .............................tony

[forplay]

I put mine away in November and haven't ridden sense. Are you going to the bike show in Cleveland?
I am also suppose to go to the rally in July also. Rooming at Red Roof Inn with a couple other guys. I will probably leave on Saturday and take my time both ways.

[Lucasind]

.... No we're not going to the cleve. bike show, that's nearly a 5 hour round trip drive 4 us. Yes ,the RED Roof, is another way to go ( $ wise) , all of us in the same place is best...... I am going to NOT stop 4 high dollar coffee each morning , and drink ol' dutch ..... to warrant the x tra expense of stayin at the Crown plaza!until July,............. dyyin 2 go ryyydin, here in toledo .....,tony.....snow & cold sux.

[forplay]

I here ya on the $ but I need my Starbucks. Lol
See ya in Asheville.

[Lucasind]

.... After work today I headed out to the garage to change out the front springs in my XII. Mother nature gave us a break today and actually was in the hi 40's. I made a tool to put downward pressure on the top fork cap. I used one of my old grand dad's tire tools that had been past down.To save a dollar my grand dad would mount his own tires in the garage It took longer to drill thru that good old hardened steel than it did to change out the springs
The new springs are longer than the old ,
I stopped on my way home at the shop where my son works, and got the new fork oil to install

Went in and "Nate" hooked me up with the fork oil and new rear brake pads for $25.Nate is a friend of my son Brad and goes out for rides with us on the weekends. Figured I might as well get the pads ,cause at the end of last season they were makin a little noise, and the saddle bags are still off.



I bought the "HONDA" brand fork oil 10 wt. has always worked well for me. The fluid is changed out ,and the new progressives are loaded in to the tubes.



The springs are compressed with the home made tool and the circlips are installed.


I finished the brake pads and buttoned everything up., took her out for a 40 mile ride, took a few minutes to start feeling right ,with frozen tires that haven't turned in months. Now I need to adjust the rears and try some air in the front ,as the first ride was at zero p.s..i

Oh yeah , on the way back my speedometer quit working , Back in the garage I quickly checked connection ,top and bottom O.K. I had enough for today , I will check the speedo drive out tomorrow .

Overall I like the up-date to Progressives front and rear , but will now take some time to "dial it in . The weather here is going back to normal crap again, so that might take some time................................tony

[voyager55]

With progressive springs you're not suppose to have air in the forks. That's one of the benefits

[Tat2demon]

Not sure how big you are but because of my size Carl was pretty insistent on me using 15w oil.

[forplay]

Hi Tony
I wouldn't think of taking my bike out right now. There are so many potholes here in Cleveland. If I where to take it out I might as well head off road because of the condition of the roads. I think riding through the woods would be a smoother ride. Plus all the salt still on the roads.
Keith in Cleveland

[Lucasind]

....Hi Keith , I can relate, Toledo is going to be re-named "POTHOLIO"
I had "hot balls", to go riding, so I went Now I know where I stand, and can continue to tweek it as needed. I'm about to go out to the garage now and look into that speedo issue, and clean off the salt residue..........tony

[gearheadfla]

Not sure how big you are but because of my size Carl was pretty insistent on me using 15w oil.

Carl told me the same thing, 15w oil, I loved it.

[SgtSlag]

Different strokes for different folks, I guess. I started with 15 Wt., but I hated it, found it too stiff. I went back to using Dexron ATF, ~8 Wt. I still like the ATF's reaction, and stiffness. I also love its price, less than half of the cost of "fork oil". YMMV. Cheers!