Vulcan Drifter Riders

DISCUSSIONS => Drifter 1500 only => Topic started by: richaud on February 04, 2016, 01:05:36 AM

Title: Progressive front springs
Post by: richaud on February 04, 2016, 01:05:36 AM
Hi
.. anyone here have progressive front springs? Thjinking of installaing to make braking better.. when I slam the brakes my front fork kompressesa whole lot Before the bike starts to slow down.. Have new fork oil in the forks and bike has travavelled 10 000 km (approx 6200miles) so I dont Think the springs are bad.

So I was thinking of installation progressive springs to stiffen the suspension up in front but anyone notices braking perfomance benefits?
Title: Re: Progressive front springs
Post by: CDNRatMan on February 04, 2016, 04:41:19 AM
  I know GreenBarn put progressive springs on the front of his 800 as have I. Not sure if he did on his 1500 yet. He will be around soon to let us know.
Title: Re: Progressive front springs
Post by: DC on February 04, 2016, 08:53:01 AM
I put on Progressive fronts a rears a few years back.

I had the same problem with my forks diving on braking.  The FRONT Progressives were too stiff to begin with, but broke in nicely after about 6 months.  These gave the front end great control that I never had before.  Also, I replaced the top stem bearing, which was shot.  WOULD recommend.

I also put on Progressive rears which were quite another story.  They have never broken in, and despite all kinds of setting and mounting adjustments, the ride remains overly harsh.  I've lost count on how many times I've been on the phone with Progressive and, although they are trying to be helpful, they have no solution to the problem, and I'm SOOL.  When I have enough money, I'm going to buy REAL Kawasaki shocks and scrap these POS shocks.  WOULD NOT recommend.
Title: Re: Progressive front springs
Post by: Hoggy on February 04, 2016, 22:41:12 PM
Quote from: DC on February 04, 2016, 08:53:01 AM

Also, I replaced the top stem bearing, which was shot.  WOULD recommend.

How many miles did you have on the stem bearing?
Title: Re: Progressive front springs
Post by: greenbarn on February 06, 2016, 23:34:05 PM
I put progressive fork springs on my 800 the first winter, after riding it one season.  The handling was SO MUCH better, I'd put it in the top 3 mods for the 800.  When I bought the 1500, it was December - I replaced the springs on it that winter - I didn't even check to see how bad the originals were.   The neck bearings, however, on the 1500 were real bad.  I noticed that on my first ride around the block.  Bike only had 18000 miles on it.
Title: Re: Progressive front springs
Post by: DC on February 06, 2016, 23:35:48 PM
Quote from: Hoggy on February 04, 2016, 22:41:12 PM
How many miles did you have on the stem bearing?

It was close to 13,000.  The bike was very hard to control.  I went to a Drift-In and had a passenger on the back on the daily rides.  It was so very hard to safely control.  Once I got the bearing replaced and added the Prog front springs, it turned into a completely different bike. . . . and for the better.