I cut as much weight as I could but had to put a chain tensioner on it and a bigger horn/loud horn and I think that big brake weighs more than stocker !

Ruttly wrote on 01/26/17 at 12:02:40:


I don't think there is a "good" value or specific target. Most modern sport bikes are biased so that 51-53% of the weight is on the front axle. With a rider on board it even-out to 50:50. With the forward lean required to reach my clip-ons, I'm assuming that the weight distribution is somewhere around 50:50.

Called Progressive today , my shocks were made for large Honda & large Kawasaki not a sportster. Only one other spring option that will fit them , a 75/125 . When I asked if they would change springs for me he said no they would only install springs that the shock comes with but he would sell me the other springs. And then explained that there are many reasons they are so stiff like they are on the Wrong bike,weight,shock angles , length of swingarm , a very informative phone call. Springs 26 each + shipping , spring compressor 37 + shipping , is it worth it ?

I paid $ 69.29 with shipping from China.....the price seems to have gone up a bit on them.  Current prices are in the $ 79.99 to $ 89,99 range.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/112188166961?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/170901783630?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=...

I had the shocks mailed directly to Chris Livengood at CL MotoTech to get them set up properly, as the "rumor" is the shocks are made pretty well - but are not filled with oil or charged consistently (and he has even found some where the charging passages were not drilled).  The cost to rebuild them was $ 95, and I also had them install the spherical ball ends at a cost of $ 105.  I noticed that on my Cafe' bike the rear axle is resistant to any "initial" movement, and the shocks did not want to move initially - Chris agreed the spherical ends help to allow the shocks to respond as the friction on the ends is reduced.  Shipping to me was $15.....so in total I have $ 284.29 invested.

I have not yet got them mounted on the bike or ridden on them.......spring will be here soon and I will be able to try them out.

It could be that the shocks as delivered from the factory might be OK....if you are lucky and get a good pair.  You could also not spend the money on the spherical ball ends - I did as I noticed how much smoother the rear of my other bikes are...they are both monoshock bikes with bearings in the linkage.

As I stated previously in this thread.....lighter springs helped - but did not make the ride good - the damping is most likely still too stiff for my Cafe' bike.

Dave wrote on 01/23/17 at 05:22:56:
 

Can you explain what ratings on the springs mean as in 90/130  75/125
Please and a upfront Tanx !

The advantage is a spring that is supple enough to soak up small bumps, yet firm enough to handle a big hit.

That deodorant commercial just popped into my head..

Strong enough for a man
But made for a woman..

So, the Wire itself is the same diameter and rigidity throughout the spring, it's just coil spacing that changes the rate? That would change the angle of the pressure applied, I can see how that would work.

Paid 450 they list for 652 , Ryca was having trouble getting shocks from Progressive at that time , they most likely sent them any 13" shock they had in stock. Maybe I will just add extra padding when I have the seat made , cause it handles really good. I'm still buying the tool found it for 32 + shipping! I'll just wait on the springs !