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I have a 2000 GoldWing with 4.5 easy steer and OEM springs installed. The ride isn't very good. I was wondering if Progressive 1200 springs would help this. If so what size spacer should be used ? I do not want to put progressive 1500 springs in because the ride would be even worse. If this can be done do the forks have to be removed ?
Thanks for your help with this
When mine had the progressives for the 1500 I was able to take them out and in without needing any kinf of compressor but it was a challenge.I think the 1200 spring are a bit stiffer on the low side so some sort of compressor or assistance might be needed.I have opinion of the 1200 springs compared to stock.I never had either.
[size=3][SIZE=3]My findings with a 6 degree kit, but I expect you'd see similar results with 4.5 degree kits. I went through this 10 or more years ago, still holds up. [/SIZE]
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[/SIZE][SIZE=2]Progressive #[B] 11-1112[/B] is for Kawasaki KZ1200/1300 ([I]and what I use in my 1500 trike with Champion 6 degree EZ-Steer[/I]) ....
20.75 " L <>1.19" OD <> 45/70 Lbs/In. rate[/SIZE]
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[/SIZE][SIZE=2]Progressive #[B] 11-1122[/B] is for GL-1200 GoldWings ([I]use of a 1/2" or 3/4" spacer is suggested when used in GL1500 based trikes with rake kits[/I]) ....
20.00 " L <>1.34" OD <> 45/70 Lbs/In. rate
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[/SIZE][SIZE=2]Progressive #[B] 11-1152[/B] is for GL-1500 GoldWings ....
20.50 " L <>1.35" OD <> 35/80 Lbs/In. rate
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[size=3]
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[/SIZE][SIZE=1][URL="http://www.triketalk.com/forum/threads/33600-Progressive-springs-for-front-forks?p=374899&posted=1#post374899"][FONT=Arial][FONT=Arial]http://www.triketalk.com/forum/threads/33600-Progressive-springs-for-front-forks?p=374899&posted=1#post374899[/FONT][/FONT][/URL][FONT=Arial][FONT=Arial] posted 07-21-16 [/FONT][/FONT][/SIZE]
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[/SIZE][/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT]Not wishing to reinvent a wheel, I'll just quote a write up of my own trip looking for a good ride with a GL1500 Trike with 6 degree rake kit. I wrote it in 2010 .... it's been another 6 years, it still holds true.
While you may hesitate to follow my lead ..... I'm telling you that these [B]Progressive # 11-1112 springs intended for a Kawasaki are the BEST for same money for a GL-1500 based Trike with 6 degrees "rake kit". [/B]
Below is "how" I arrived at that conclusion and it still holds. [SIZE=2]I had read [B]many accounts [/B]of guys finding that the Progressive springs intended for a 1200 rode better in a [B]raked GL1500 trike front end [/B]when used with[B] 3/4" spacers[/B], that without the spacers the 11-1122s weren't long enough to keep the front up .... so that if[/SIZE] you use the [B]11-1122 springs[/B], [B]they will need a spacer [/B]added to get the front up where it should be.
I will also tell you that with that 6 degrees added rake laying the tubes down [B]you do NOT want the #11-1152. [/B]They are brutal in this application with rake kit.
Note also my Fork Oil choices. It's easy to change the oil as you experiment. I currently have straight 10 wgt Bel Ray Fork Oil in the forks.
[QUOTE][SIZE=2] [SIZE=2][SIZE=2]
[B]Things happen for reasons.[/B] [/SIZE][size=3]
[/SIZE][SIZE=2]In 2004 I purchased my already triked 97 GL1500 SE / Lehman trike, I knew this bike since purchased new in Oct '96, it was first '97 delivered in H-burg. Original owner triked it in '97. He was a Lehman installer, they rode it for years as he built others for folks.
It already had Progressive #[B] 11-1152[/B] as indicated by the receipts they kept in a book of all items for it. Complete with records and a trailer.
I had it a month before I ordered a Champion EZ Steer in 6 degree flavor, got one of the last before they stopped making the 6 degree one he said. Near $900 shipped, I installed Oct '04, reused the Progressive #[B] 11-1152[/B] springs as all I had on hand.
Rough ride and front end sagged. Look at spring rates above, see why? I do.
Couple years ago, tired of the beating, being a procrastinator too, I looked around and found a set of springs listed for a 1200 on Ebay, I ordered them, as number sounded familiar to what I was looking for 11-1122. Got them, slipped them in in place, [B]WOW!, it was wonderful.[/B] They fit a little loose in the bore, squeaked at first, but oh ... [B]What a Ride they gave![/B]
Looking later on box I see they were really Progressive #[B] 11-1112[/B] springs, [B]not the 11-1122[/B] springs I thought I ordered.
[B]The squeak went away first ride[/B].
Speed forward, I keep eyes open on Ebay, one day picked up a set of the 11-1122 springs for a GL-1200 cheap, new in box. I get them and put on a shelf.
March 20th, we take a ride over to the Maple Festival, great trip, fun ride. That evening or the next, while cleaning the trike I decided to slip the recently aquired 11-1122 springs in place and removed the 11-1112 springs. I made up 5/8 spacers and that with the shorter 11-1122 springs held the front up near top of stroke at rest. These are the springs Progressive sells for the GL-1200 and the OD is very nearly the same as stock 1500 springs.
Took several rides since, still a comfortable ride, 10X better than those 11-1152 springs originally in it, and front set up ... but memory told me the [B]"wrong" 11-1112 springs[/B] rode better, swallowed bumps better, and held the front up as well as the 11-1122 springs with spacers ... even without spacers.
Saturday we had a near 250 mile ride planned, we went.
Saturday night as cleaned it up from what was a dusty ride, I decided to slip the [B]"wrong" 11-1112 springs[/B] back in. It's really easy now, can do it in 30 minutes.
Jack under front of motor and set on wooden blocks.
Remove schrader valve and drop 5" long smooth 1/4 bolt or spike with head so it won't drop through ... in hole to keep spring end under the fork extension as / when loosened, just loosen top clamp and bring out cap & tube extension as one unit ([I]I have fork tubes mounted so about 1/8" of top extension protrudes above top clamp so that top of original fork tube is inside bottom of triple tree ... so now the top clamp helps align the cap & tube extension with fork tube as I stand over with speed wrench and chest board I made up[/I]). Remove springs one at a time, I wipe new springs with fork oil and insert, put back together.
Sunday, we take another 268 mile trip.
Yep. [B]memory was right[/B], these [B]Progressive # 11-1112[/B] for Kawasaki KZ1200/1300 will now remain in my GL1500's 6 degree raked front fork tubes from here on out.
I might play with fork oil weights, have a 50/50 mix of 7 and 10 wgt BelRay Fork Oil in it now, about 8.5 weight, 350 CC each. 325 CC is enough though.
The 1122s were good, and if not for a mistake I'd be using them and not know any better ... but for a mistake in reading a number on my part and the shippers ([I]the listing showed 11-1122, the numbers on the box so simular upon receipt that I just didn't notice, and the length looked right![/I]). [B]These 11-1112s work bumps and bridge joints and ripples and etc ... even better. [/B][/SIZE]
[/SIZE][/SIZE][/QUOTE][SIZE=2][SIZE=2][SIZE=2][B]The 11-1112s will stay in our Trike.
[/B][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE]
I swapped them, never taking the forks off. On mine, the fork extensions are at top of tubes within the top triple tree. I adjusted my steel fork tubes so that the top 1/8 inch is also within the top triple tree. [B]Before[/B] removing stuff, make sure the front of the trike is [B]supported[/B] under the engine with blocking, or etc. I loosen top pinch bolts, then simply back out the fork caps & extensions which are holding the springs in. I do this with a 1/2" drive speed wrench (looks like a crank) with correct socket. T^he speed wrench has a handle on top or user end that rotates. I have a 24" long 2x4 with a recess in center that I place on top of this rotating handle, then I brace my torso against the 2x4 as I stand on rear floorboards, my weight controls the spring as I unwind the extension. Being as they are in the top triple tree, it helps align the fork extension threads.
Mark H and CrystalPistol =Thanks for the reply and the information.
Mark= What springs are you using in your forks now?
Again thanks for your help
Racetech I think .95 I would have to look at the box.7 inch spacer.I was going stock if that didn't smooth it enough Or the Progressive Crystalpistol suggested.