Darn you Shawn,j you just cost me a pile of money. just bought a 2007 Sporty 1200, and after watching your videos on your 883 Iron, new seat(mustang) ,shocks(PS 412) and screaming eagle stage one intake, I ordered all of the above, and so far you are right on with all your assessments. All the above are installed and test rode. Sure appreciate your shop talk videos. Next up new PS fork springs, and doing a tune with my new V&H FP3. Thanks again for the great videos.
Sr thanks for your video... but I have a doubt with exactly what socket size you used exactly to remove the fork nuts... i tryed with 36mm but it was pretty big even with the blue rag... thanks
Nice vid bro! Question is there a way where u can make the rear & front softer and more comfortable without the rear & front getting raised?? I have a 2013 883 and i love the way the bike sits as is! But it's like Bbabooom and ahhhh shiT' when I hit a bump! There has to be a way and need ur opinion on the solo saddle diamond stitched seat from Harley? Is it comfy? And worth buying?
Great vid thanks.... helped me put the stock springs back 'IN' the bike.....yeah I know. Everyone is saying WHAT !!! but the progressive 'lowered' springs that were installed in my bike literally bottomed on bad bumps and I felt the wheel ring with the impact... BAD... standards seem to be better until the normal progressive springs arrive which should be the ticket.. why would anyone lower the front of a sporty ? Its got no ground clearnce anyway... great stuff tho. Thanks a lot.
Hi Mark, I use the same size PVC pipe that comes in the Progressive Suspension fork spring kit, 3/4". The actual o.d. of 3/4" PVC is 1-1/32" (26.2mm). Thanks for watching and commenting Mark!
I have a 1200 custom and want to improve the front suspension. Is getting a new spring better or getting a cartridge kit? I noticed that the length of the spring that you installed was longer so was it from a different bike selection? Is the plastic spacer fine to be used since the stock one was metal?
Hi Shawn, youre just like my late father was about me and tools when i was a kid, now im a lot older, and can see where he was coming from, he used to put 'hands off' messages on his tools:) I have an 09 xl883l and where i am we have some truly aweful roads, will these springs help with the ride, ie stop the front end bottoming out? it has 1200 miles on it and seems super soft on the front, otherwise love the bike, best thing i ever bought. Appreciate some informed thoughts on this before i buy a kit, cheers guys.
Question for you here..........as the video ends...... the large plastic syringe and tube you drew the fork oil out with is still laying on the floor with the oil still in it....? Do you lower the oil when replacing the original springs? Another thing I was thinking....why not change the oil to a higher weight to improve front shock performance? Thanks
Jennifer McGowan Yes, the oil level has to be lowered to compensate for the oil level being increased due to the Progressive springs having thicker and tighter wound coils. There has to be a certain amount of air gap when the forks a collapsed, or they will hydraulic. The Iron only had a few hundred miles on it at the time, so the fork oil was fresh. I had no issues with the damping performance of the forks, so I didn't change the oil. I would have to perform the same procedure if I would have done so. The reason for the spring upgrade was due to the soft, non progressive rate stock springs having too much sag. I couldn't be happier with the outcome almost 4,000 miles later... Thanks for watching and commenting!
can I ask how much you weigh? Looking at the 412s (Heavy Duty) and these springs for the front and tip the scales at 250 lbs. Just curious if the 90/130 12.5" in the rear and these in the front will be a good match. Riding an 06 883 (Hammer 1250 performance conversion)
I have a 2013 iron 883 with almost 6000 miles on it now,and it seems in the last couple hundred miles my front springs a really slushy soft,what do you think caused this,and thanks for the vid
Hey man, I'm stuck when I try to install the progressive spring..... I need to know how much oil need for each fork on my 2011 fortyeight.... I don't have the oil gauge kit.....can you help me ??? Tanx !!
Hi Alessandro, your forks will hold around 10oz of fork oil each. Completely collapse the forks without the springs and slowly add oil until the level is 6" from the top of the tube. Without the tool, you can use a small tape measure, or anything that you can measure out 6 inches and be able to see the oil touching it once it reaches the correct height. Make sure that you pump the fork a few times to purge air and check height once again... Hope this helps!
The problem is, the shocks and forks have very little travel as a result of Harley slamming these bikes. The softer you go, the easier they'll bottom out. I went longer for two reasons, to get better cornering clearance and more suspension travel. I haven't tried those seats, so I don't have any feedback on them - sorry.
I have 2005 Harley sportster and it pops and misses at low rpm or even when I'm riding at a steady speed. When I go to take off from a stop pulling into traffic it does it to its almost got me hit couple times can you tell me what's wrong
Is it early on in the ride? Mine does that but apparently it's fine. From a tuner and a HD mech. Just let it warm up a bit before throttling. You could always check your spark plugs. The colour can tell you a lot.
Both front and rear... On a short travel suspended bike like the Iron, the general starting sag point is 25% of the total travel. Other bikes can be drastically different, even very specific, in the amount of sag set... Thanks for watching!
+ConditionRed - The fluid doesn't need to be removed unless it's in need of replacing. The forks are completely collapsed without the springs and the fluid level measured. If it's too high, some will have to be removed. The springs are installed with tight wound coils toward the top for a couple reasons. 1) The tight coils in the oil will displace more oil, rising the oil level. 2) The tightly wound coils also weigh more, and you don't want them adding to the unsprung weight of the forks...
So you're raising the back & lowering the front? Are you making a British style bar hopper/ cafe racer look? Search e bay under "motorcycle license plate mounts" they have some nice black fender license mounts & some vintage style & some British style cheap that you might like to complete the look. People are selling the Harley side plate & fender side markers on there also so maybe you can get rid of yours. Enjoying going through your vids & learning a lot about fixing bikes from you Thanks
I see THIS did NOT work....... Would you please tell us What you did to fix it RIGHT....!!!! Getting ready to do THIS in a few days, you saying that 5 1/2" of air space at the Top is Not correct.????
Just about to complete the same project on mine, if you're talking about the socket for the fork cap it is 1 3/8"- word of note, I could only find one in a 3/4" drive, so I had to buy a 3/4-1/2" drive adapter for my ratchet.
Darn you Shawn,j you just cost me a pile of money. just bought a 2007 Sporty 1200, and after watching your videos on your 883 Iron, new seat(mustang) ,shocks(PS 412) and screaming eagle stage one intake, I ordered all of the above, and so far you are right on with all your assessments. All the above are installed and test rode. Sure appreciate your shop talk videos. Next up new PS fork springs, and doing a tune with my new V&H FP3.
Thanks again for the great videos.
Did the same thing today on my 06 XL883C and put in fresh oil, too. Used to sag halfway just by sitting on the bike; now just a smidge. Thanks, Shawn!
cicada5001 I have a 2004 xl 883 c, how much oil must I use each fork? Thank you
I raised the rear and, by reducing the front fork sag with the new springs and spacers, raised the front...
Thanks for the parts tips!!!
Installing Fork Springs! - Harley Iron 883
Thanks TheMarlind! I believe it was around $80 for the spring kit...
Thanks for watching and commenting!
Sr thanks for your video... but I have a doubt with exactly what socket size you used exactly to remove the fork nuts... i tryed with 36mm but it was pretty big even with the blue rag... thanks
That is awesome, I will do it on my bike, witch is the same but I do have a question, why did you removed some or all oil from inside?
how was the noise on the forks since you put the tightly wound side toward the top? i'm putting mine on this weekend.
Nice vid bro! Question is there a way where u can make the rear & front softer and more comfortable without the rear & front getting raised?? I have a 2013 883 and i love the way the bike sits as is! But it's like Bbabooom and ahhhh shiT' when I hit a bump! There has to be a way and need ur opinion on the solo saddle diamond stitched seat from Harley? Is it comfy? And worth buying?
Great vid thanks.... helped me put the stock springs back 'IN' the bike.....yeah I know. Everyone is saying WHAT !!! but the progressive 'lowered' springs that were installed in my bike literally bottomed on bad bumps and I felt the wheel ring with the impact... BAD... standards seem to be better until the normal progressive springs arrive which should be the ticket.. why would anyone lower the front of a sporty ? Its got no ground clearnce anyway... great stuff tho. Thanks a lot.
Great video man thanks for the Info deffinetly doing this to my iron . How much did the springs run you ?
So why not drain the fork oil before pulling the springs and change the oil at the same time and save mess?
Great video Shawn, what size is fork inside dia, I am thinking of making a couple of 1" long spacers to stiffen my iron' s front suspension up
Hi Mark, I use the same size PVC pipe that comes in the Progressive Suspension fork spring kit, 3/4". The actual o.d. of 3/4" PVC is 1-1/32" (26.2mm).
Thanks for watching and commenting Mark!
How did you bind up the fork to get it to compress? Is it just a jack and the weight of the motorcycle doing it?
Hi what part number is for the spring you got , any issues with them wobbling at higher speeds ?
I have a 1200 custom and want to improve the front suspension. Is getting a new spring better or getting a cartridge kit? I noticed that the length of the spring that you installed was longer so was it from a different bike selection? Is the plastic spacer fine to be used since the stock one was metal?
Hi Shawn, youre just like my late father was about me and tools when i was a kid, now im a lot older, and can see where he was coming from, he used to put 'hands off' messages on his tools:)
I have an 09 xl883l and where i am we have some truly aweful roads, will these springs help with the ride, ie stop the front end bottoming out? it has 1200 miles on it and seems super soft on the front, otherwise love the bike, best thing i ever bought. Appreciate some informed thoughts on this before i buy a kit, cheers guys.
Question for you here..........as the video ends...... the large plastic syringe and tube you drew the fork oil out with is still laying on the floor with the oil still in it....? Do you lower the oil when replacing the original springs? Another thing I was thinking....why not change the oil to a higher weight to improve front shock performance? Thanks
Jennifer McGowan Yes, the oil level has to be lowered to compensate for the oil level being increased due to the Progressive springs having thicker and tighter wound coils. There has to be a certain amount of air gap when the forks a collapsed, or they will hydraulic. The Iron only had a few hundred miles on it at the time, so the fork oil was fresh. I had no issues with the damping performance of the forks, so I didn't change the oil. I would have to perform the same procedure if I would have done so. The reason for the spring upgrade was due to the soft, non progressive rate stock springs having too much sag. I couldn't be happier with the outcome almost 4,000 miles later...
Thanks for watching and commenting!
can I ask how much you weigh? Looking at the 412s (Heavy Duty) and these springs for the front and tip the scales at 250 lbs. Just curious if the 90/130 12.5" in the rear and these in the front will be a good match. Riding an 06 883 (Hammer 1250 performance conversion)
I have a 2013 iron 883 with almost 6000 miles on it now,and it seems in the last couple hundred miles my front springs a really slushy soft,what do you think caused this,and thanks for the vid
What is the fork head bolt size? I bought a 35mm but it seems too big. Wanted to check before I start. Thanks
mark for stock height did u cut the pvc
Dear Shawn, did you cut PVC pipe to 2,75 inch?
Hey man, I'm stuck when I try to install the progressive spring..... I need to know how much oil need for each fork on my 2011 fortyeight.... I don't have the oil gauge kit.....can you help me ??? Tanx !!
Hi Alessandro, your forks will hold around 10oz of fork oil each. Completely collapse the forks without the springs and slowly add oil until the level is 6" from the top of the tube. Without the tool, you can use a small tape measure, or anything that you can measure out 6 inches and be able to see the oil touching it once it reaches the correct height. Make sure that you pump the fork a few times to purge air and check height once again... Hope this helps!
Shawn Smoak oooook....Tanx man.... I'll try !!!
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The video is spliced, something happened that did not show! (14:59 ) and new oil ?
The problem is, the shocks and forks have very little travel as a result of Harley slamming these bikes. The softer you go, the easier they'll bottom out. I went longer for two reasons, to get better cornering clearance and more suspension travel.
I haven't tried those seats, so I don't have any feedback on them - sorry.
few ml of oil put into each tube?
By any chance do u live in the NY area?
I have 2005 Harley sportster and it pops and misses at low rpm or even when I'm riding at a steady speed. When I go to take off from a stop pulling into traffic it does it to its almost got me hit couple times can you tell me what's wrong
Is it early on in the ride?
Mine does that but apparently it's fine. From a tuner and a HD mech.
Just let it warm up a bit before throttling.
You could always check your spark plugs. The colour can tell you a lot.
How do you adjust for sag in the front? Or rear?
Both front and rear... On a short travel suspended bike like the Iron, the general starting sag point is 25% of the total travel. Other bikes can be drastically different, even very specific, in the amount of sag set...
Thanks for watching!
Do you have to remove the fluid? Also it looks like you installed the springs upside down.
+ConditionRed - The fluid doesn't need to be removed unless it's in need of replacing. The forks are completely collapsed without the springs and the fluid level measured. If it's too high, some will have to be removed. The springs are installed with tight wound coils toward the top for a couple reasons. 1) The tight coils in the oil will displace more oil, rising the oil level. 2) The tightly wound coils also weigh more, and you don't want them adding to the unsprung weight of the forks...
Sorry, but I just make the same question without seeing this one, but how much oil did you removed.
if you're worried about sag you can just install preload adjusters.
I'm in the Pacific Northwest (Washington State)...
Why did you not remove the windshield ?? Makes it 100 x easier...
So you're raising the back & lowering the front? Are you making a British style bar hopper/ cafe racer look? Search e bay under "motorcycle license plate mounts" they have some nice black fender license mounts & some vintage style & some British style cheap that you might like to complete the look. People are selling the Harley side plate & fender side markers on there also so maybe you can get rid of yours. Enjoying going through your vids & learning a lot about fixing bikes from you Thanks
I see THIS did NOT work.......
Would you please tell us What you did to fix it RIGHT....!!!!
Getting ready to do THIS in a few days, you saying that 5 1/2" of air space at the Top is Not correct.????
What socket size is that?
+ConditionRed - I don't recall off had, I'd have to go out to the shop and measure them...
Just about to complete the same project on mine, if you're talking about the socket for the fork cap it is 1 3/8"- word of note, I could only find one in a 3/4" drive, so I had to buy a 3/4-1/2" drive adapter for my ratchet.