Front shock springs

[gjanes]

Has anyone used heavier springs in the front shocks on a Goldwing Trike. I was at the bike shop and they were telling me about them. If anyone has how do you like them.

[Gold Rush]

Has anyone used heavier springs in the front shocks on a Goldwing Trike. I was at the bike shop and they were telling me about them. If anyone has how do you like them.

General conscientious is that OEM springs are pretty well worn out at around 65 to 70 thousand miles. When I converted my '06 a couple years ago it had nearly 74,000 miles on it. I noticed a lot of sag in the front suspension so I rebuilt the forks and installed progressive springs. They took care of the sag at expense of ride comfort. I don't know if I'd have been better off just putting a fresh set of OEM springs in or not. I think the next time I rebuild the forks I just may try that.

I know there are other options available besides the heavy duty progressive springs. Maybe someone with experience there will chime in here....

[mhgoldwing]

The OEM springs are weak to begin with. Personally, I have the Traxxion springs in mine and they were chosen by rider/passenger weight. Also have the Traxxion cartridges so antidive is not functional. Stronger springs, whether progressive or straight will improve the 1800's ride and handling. YMMV.

[msocko3]

The OEM springs are weak to begin with. Personally, I have the Traxxion springs in mine and they were chosen by rider/passenger weight. Also have the Traxxion cartridges so antidive is not functional. Stronger springs, whether progressive or straight will improve the 1800's ride and handling. YMMV.

How you liking the Traxxion combination? I'm thinking about doing it next year.

[JaysGone]

For me every bike Ive owned anytime I put in Progressive springs. I ended up taking them out eventually and replacing them with the OEM spring.
Progressives gave me a stiffer ride in every case.
Handling hasnt an issue for me.
The main benefit of Progressive to me being no nose diving. But always at a cost of riding comfort.
After doing this, Progressives in maybe 4 bikes. I finally got smart and went with OEM springs in every rebuild since.
Im hoping the springs currently in my trike are progressives. My current ride is fairly stiff. Id like a smoother ride then it currently has. In any case when the time comes they will be replaced with OEM springs.
OEM has been better for me.
Your results may be different.

[Old Fard]

It seems to me that a stiffer ride will cause premature replacement of the triple tree bearings, yes/no?

[Teal]

like Jays said

[mhgoldwing]

"How you liking the Traxxion combination? I'm thinking about doing it next year. "

Love it.

[gjanes]

This is the information that I was looking for. I think that I will stay with the original springs.

[msocko3]

"How you liking the Traxxion combination? I'm thinking about doing it next year. "

Love it.

Good to hear, I'm 99% sure I'll be pulling the front end apart next year to ship the legs off to my friend so he can do the deed.

[DonFor]

Have a 2008 Roadsmith trike Gl1800, when I had bike converted to trike by Roadsmith in Daytona they said I would be okay with regular front springs I notices after a year of riding I was bottoming out, so I installed progressive springs in place of old springs. The new progressive springs were half an inch longer. drained old oil and put in Amsoil front suspension oil , Shock Therapy Fluid # 10 medium weight only need 1 qt. Worked great should of had them installed when they triked the bike.pepper

[Veritas44]

Old Fard-No

Gjanes- +1 to Progressive/Traxxion (OEM Inadequate/Inferior post-Trike).
"Some",,,, differ.

Also, there are differing Lengths (as DonFor said), Spring-Rates, Spacers or No Spacers (and differing lengths of those), and Fork Oil viscosity and amount, Triple Tree modified then Fork Extensions yes or no (hopefully Yes),,, ALL which will affect the equation and experience of Progressive, Traxxion or any Spring for that matter. Like a good Chilli, you have to dial in ALL the ingredients to get it "right".
Don't get all caught up in the after-market (non-standard OEM) Spring YES or NO. It IS a YES when converting to a Trike.
The Real question of Which/What/How will vary by Brand Kit and which Bike and then the proper corresponding variables (listed above) to fit appropriately. WHOLE lot to consider to get a truly Accurate & Complete Picture/Answer. The Front-End of any Trike is an Assembly. It has to be thought of and addressed as such. To be correct anyways... Can't just flippantly throw pieces at the wall and when they don't "stick" toss them away. Not the Piece that's wrong-It's the Application/Applier that's to blame.

In Trikes, there really are some YES or NO's that are simply NOT, YES or NO

[JaysGone]

Well said Verritas.
The Wing, Valkyrie front ends geometry has been a mystery me so far for 3 years.
Spent a lot of time with it.
Thankfully not a lot of $$$ and been very frustrated by the Valkyries front end when I owned it.
No real what is right or wrong here.

[scribe5]

I'll probably be switching out the stock springs for either Progressive or Traxxion (but not the Traxxion total fork rebuild --that's too rich for my blood). My wife and I together weigh about 270 lbs. I'm a pretty aggressive driver and most of my riding is on mountain road twisties. I don't mind if the ride is a bit rough. I hate when the front end dives when braking. Any thoughts or suggestions on what might be a good setup forks and fork oil wise. Also, would disabling the anti-dive on the fork be a good thing?

[Veritas44]

Need to give the following for best possible advice...
What Bike ?
What Brand Conversion ?
Triple Trees changed? If so, what degree?
Fork Extensions used with above?
Spacers present (internal) already?

[scribe5]

Need to give the following for best possible advice...
What Bike ?
What Brand Conversion ?
Triple Trees changed? If so, what degree?
Fork Extensions used with above?
Spacers present (internal) already?

Good point: It's a 2005 Goldwing with a Champion solid axle conversion...not sure about the year. It has Champion's 4.5 degree rake, and it comes with I believe their 3/4 inch (or 1 inch) extension on the tubes. Not sure about spacers, but if they don't normally come with the triple-tree kit, then I doubt they are there. The trike now has about 15,000 miles.

[tfdeputydawg]

I found it very interesting when my local installer answered my fork spring question this way:
"When I first started I encouraged my initial customers to install Progressive springs. After 4 of the 6 customers came back wanting their OEM springs put back in, I stopped suggesting!"
I stuck w/the OEM's, which I replaced w/new OEM's at 36K. They were free for shipping costs from a trike installer!pepper

[scribe5]

It's all subjective...but I like getting other opinions to help in my decision. On my VTX 1800, I changed to progressive springs on the front on the recommendation of others and love the firmer control. Didn't notice a harsher ride at all. But then I like the stock seat on the VTX, and almost everyone else hates it. I also really like the stock Goldwing seat.

[Veritas44]

Garbage In{GI} = GARBAGE OUT{GO}


where GI= advice from self-proclaimed "Experts"
&
where GO= advice from those who take advice from self-proclaimed "Experts"

[Veritas44]

OK...
Given YOUR situation... Suggest the following:
Progressive Springs part # 11-1521,
No internal Spacers to begin with.
Check Fork Oil levels-insure to spec.
After testing that (for several miles and varying courses), you can always add some 1/2"-3/4" Spacers easily should you find it too "spongy" (too much travel to dampening) at the top of compression cycle. Betcha you WILL want to add the Spacers but, never hurts to try BEFORE adding them. Easier to Add than to Remove. Same for Fork Oil type/viscosity "tweaking" (ie. Synth vs standard, weights, etc). The Anti-Dive ???? not sold on either school of thought personally.

That more than likely will produce the "Bang" you seek with the least amount of bucks.

The Progressive brand Part # above will work for All GL18's. Shorter length kits throw forces/"shocks" to front and rear a little harder and quicker than the longer wheel-based conversions. That will tend to use up the top of the progressive compression cycle quicker which results in a quicker initial "shock". Same goes for +6* vs +4.5* Triples. Given your Extensions, the previous is why I bet you will want to add the Spacers. Spacers reduce the amount of initial time to engagement and energy transferred to the point dampening begins. General rule of thumb is when + Steering Angle Triples are on a Trike, Extensions have been used (hopefully-If Not, add them ASAP) and Spacers ARE necessary. Spacers usually equal to or 1/4" less than length of Extensions.

Hope this helps and sure it is worth every cent you paid for it

P.s. I am NOT an "Expert"