Progressive Fork Springs

[bikerboy1951]

I bought an '01 standard last fall.  Because of snow I had time to work on it.  I had had Progressive front springs in a vtx1800 and loved them.  So I put a set in my Valk.  It makes the front end of the Valk very firm and some of the bumps are jarring when you hit them.  This is not at all what they were like on the vtx.  There is also a clunking sound when hitting these bumps.
Is all this normal with the Valk or what do I need to do to get a better ride?
Thanks.

Brad

[toetruck21]

Did you check the level of fork oil?  Did you use 10W or 15W fork oil?  Maybe let some out so it has more air in the fork to compress.  Other then that IDK what to tell you.  I just put some progressive springs into my Valk and love them.  I am not have the problems you are experiencing though.  I believe the left fork took less oil then the right side or vise versa.  Check the o & m manual for how many oz. need to be added.  I used the recommended 10W oil.

Good Luck
Mike

[John U.]

The clunking sound is probably the floating brake calipers, mine do that too.

[MacDragon]

I have progressives both front and back and love them... Very smooth.

[2qmedic]

Progressive up front and back - great handling upgrade.
I have not had the issues you are speaking of. I used the stock weight oil.

[simon]

I had the Progressive springs installed by my local bike shop and find them to be way better than the originals. More stable control. It says on the installation instructions that you can install the springs any direction you want and they will work but if you install the tighter wrapped part to the top of your forks, you may hear the springs tapping the inner walls of the forks sometimes. That may be what you are hearing? Simon

[Jess from VA]

I had the same experience with PS fork springs.  Paid it done, and used the correct 10 wt, and can only assume it was a bit too much oil in the install.  Rode too hard on bumps, and unmissed bad bumps could be downright jarring.  I just lived with it, and over time (9mo-1yr) they lost their harshness.               My 2d bike came with them, and rode like a dream.

Again, all I can assume is too much oil.  Removing 1 - 1 1/2 ozs from each fork would probably fix the issue. 

[2qmedic]

Hmmm...was just  I know that's dangerous),
I had progressive springs installed on a BMW in the 80's. They were mega stiff and I didn't like them. Almost didn't get them for the Valk, but they had good reviews. I think the installer for the BMW may have put in too much oil or possibly the wrong weight. I didn't know the variables back then.
O-well, life is a big test, but it's not graded on a curve.   
I guess that's why they call it the school of hard knocks...