Progressive Springs? Worth Changing?

[Auggie]

I have a 2013 1800. I think the front end is very harsh. Some times I think the grips may come out of my hands when I hit a bump. Do you think the Progressive change will help? Also what about the rear? Will that make for a more soft ride? Thanks

[FlyBoy2121]

I Auggie

I have to change for spring, ca work much better, it can absorb the drop of the road, you will not regret it.

FlyBoy2121

[thrasherg]

I changed for Progressive springs about 5 years ago and have never regretted it. The front springs work great especially with the anti-dive disconnected, but the rear spring is what really made the difference for me, it makes the bike sit a little higher (almost an inch) which gives much better ground clearance, so better cornering and the ride was so much smoother. It's a bit of a hassle to change the spring on the rear shock due to the hydraulic preload on the 1800, but the effort is really worth it. I did this to my 2005 goldwing, but I don't think Honda have changed the springs until 2016/17 so your 2012 should see similar gains. Highly recomended..

Gary

[Auggie]

Thanks Gary for the info. I think I will probably put them in.. Is this something you did yourself or a dealer installation?

[bikrbob1]

I almost sold my 1800 because the ride was so bad. then it developed a fork seal leak so I decided to go with all progressive springs with the monotube shocks up front and the all balls steering bearings. completely different bike now, ride is incredible especially with the car tire on the back.
I bought all the parts and took it to the dealer for the install.

[FlyBoy2121]

Allo !

I changed the two springs myself, and at the same time I changed the fork oil, I had coordinated the two jobs.

FlyBoy2121

[Viking]

Thanks Gary for the info. I think I will probably put them in.. Is this something you did yourself or a dealer installation?

Yes, if you are at all handy, you can do this yourself. Just keep in mind that the springs in there are compressed and you will have to recompress the new prgressives. This, and screw the caps back on at the same time. Having the front forks fully extended by having the bike on the centerstand and lifting the front of the bike with a jack under the front of the engine will help. The harshness in your ride is more likely to be the anti dive. I disabled mine, as Gary did, but have heard that cleaning it up can make it operate better. Could not prove that one by me tho. A kit to disable it is less than $20, and gives slightly longer screws with the spacer. I would hate to do the nickel trick and find out my screws are too short by stripping them. The shim kit can be found here: http://www.motomfg.com/GL1800_Goldwing_ ... p/gl-1.htm

[tfdeputydawg]

You didn't tell us how many miles on the bike?
Suspensions do wear out and need replaced. Anti dives do need cleaned to work properly.
Progressive springs are harsher than OEM springs.
I do like the mono-tubes!

[wingpilot08]

I just rebuilt my forks at about 25k miles and replaced the springs with Progressive and also disabled the ADV. Was considering PMT's, but didn't have the available cash outlay. I also had Progressive springs on my 1500 when I had it. Progressive springs are MUCH better than OEM springs! Second owner of the 2008-HPNA.. bought it in 2015 with 3300 miles on the odo.

[thrasherg]

Thanks Gary for the info. I think I will probably put them in.. Is this something you did yourself or a dealer installation?

Hi Auggie, I did all the work myself, but as stated you need a spring compressor for the rear shock spring, it took me a couple of hours to change the front fork springs and oil, but took me more than 4 hours to get the rear shock out, change the spring and put it back together. Plan on it talking a full weekend if you do it yourself. I think the rear spring compressor was the only special tool that I needed. It is a real bugger to get the rear shock out, it is burried deep inside the bike and you have to remove a lot of stuff to get it out..

Gary

[FlyBoy2121]

I Garry

Here's what a friend of mine did, I found this a bit dangerous, but he had no problem doing the job.

FlyBoy2121

[thrasherg]

Merci FlyBoy, It actually looks safer than the way I did it!!

Je suis complètement fou et j'ai utilisé de nombreux boulons et crochets!

[FlyBoy2121]

I Garry

I would secure the shock absorber U-piece which is pressed on the support of the creek, it would be better not to receive a part in face.
Because the U-shaped piece is aluminum, but it works well for him.

Next time

FlyBoy2121

[Rednaxs60]

I had the Traxion "full Monty" front and rear installed on my '08 1800 in 2014 and have not regretted the change or expense. When I was looking into buying an 1800, the two issues that were most commented on were tire longevity and a soft suspension. In my opinion, I look at suspensions as being a safety issue, especially on a bike, keeps the tires firmly planted on the road, and the ride is more enjoyable.

Cheers

[Auggie]

Thank you all very much for the help and advice on the spring changes. I think I will make the changes. Now if one of you could come to Minnesota to give me a hand. lol
Auggie

[thrasherg]

Thank you all very much for the help and advice on the spring changes. I think I will make the changes. Now if one of you could come to Minnesota to give me a hand. lol
Auggie

How about you come to Texas and I will help you!! Seriously if you do ever come anywhere near Dallas, I would be more than happy to put you up and help with any issues (Mechanical or electrical).

Gary

[Auggie]

You never know where we may be. Thanks for the offer.

[GaryODS]

I’ll second the Progressive Monotube Shocks (which include Progressive springs). I had them installed on my 02 at about 30K miles and they worked well until I sold it with 100K on the clock. My main reason for the upgrade was the constant need corrections in hard long turns (what I refer to as wallowing).

I then bought a 08 with 3050 miles on it which sold new in 2011. This time I set it up for myself from the start, which again included Progressive Monotube Shocks. Now at 43k they still ride like new.

So you know when you install the monotubes, you strip the guts out of each fork and drop the monotubes in

[cjexotic]

where is the Anti Dive located and where did you get your progressive springs from? New Goldwing rider. Thanks

[wingpilot08]

where is the Anti Dive located and where did you get your progressive springs from? New Goldwing rider. Thanks

On the left fork just in front of the brake caliper.
http://www.goldwingfacts.com/images/bik ... _small.jpg

Progressive springs can be found everywhere on the internet...so many choices..search google for gl1800 progressive fork springs

[cjexotic]

Thank you. How do you disconnect it and what is the results when you do. Sorry being new and trying to learn. Thanks in advance.

[thrasherg]

The anti-dive is a small piston that is connected to the front hydraulic brake line (on front left fork near the brake caliper), when you squeeze the brake lever, the hydraulic pressure inside the brake system forces a small piston in the anti dive unit to move outwards and this piston pushes on a restrictor valve inside the fork damper, reducing the amount of oil that can flow inside the fork, causing the forks to become stiffer. Disconnecting the anti dive unit, consists of buying a small spacer (about the size of a dime/nickel and inserting it between the the anti-dive piston and the fork damper restrictor valve. You are just spacing the anti dive unit far enough away from the restrictor valve that even when the piston comes out, it does not contact the restrictor valve, so the anti dive never effects the fork damping. The antidive unit and the damper valve are held together by 2 small screws on the front of the left fork leg, so you remove the 2 screws, separate the antidive unit, insert the spacer, then put the antidive unit back on and use 2 longer screws (as the unit has been spaced out by the spacer, the original screws are a bit short) to reassemble the unit. The job takes 15 minutes, no mess and is really easy. However as you now have no anti-dive the forks will dive more under breaking, so this mod really needs to be done with newer fork springs (Traxxion, progressive, etc). The kits to disable the anti dive consist of 2 screws and a small round spacer with a hole in the middle and are very cheap, any fool can fit them.. Hope that helps.

Gary

[cjexotic]

Thank you very good description.

[Red Ron]

I could tell some difference on my '08. Worth going ahead and doing espically if you have to tear down for busted seals, etc.

[cjexotic]

can these kits be had anywhere? an what are they called? Thanks for your help.