Installation of New Progressive Fork Springs for 2004 Standard Bonneville

[miller7346]

Anyone installed new springs for a standard bonneville? I'm planning on using Progressive #11-1126 springs. Is it difficult? I've checked a couple of threads here and it seems several have done it without much of a problem. I would like to try to do it msyself (as I did with the Progressive 440 rear shocks) instead of taking it to a dealer to save a buck or two. Any step by step advice out there?
Ronnie M

 

[CarlS]

Really good instructions from both Dilli and BC. Thanks, guys.

 

[miller7346]

Thanks Dilligram and BeautifulBC. You mentioned changing the fork oil. I too thought that would be necessary, esp. as my Bonneville now has almost 12,000 miles. When changing the oil, I've read you must remove the wheel to get to the drain plug. Is that necessary or could you syphon it out? What type of oil do you use and do you need a higher weight oil for the Progessive and how much do you use on each fork?
Would appreciate any suggestions.
Ronnie R

Spring swaps are super easy, just be sure while in there to change the fork oil to, why so many don't change it regularly is beyond me.

Best tip and so many over look the simple stuff is this....if you think the handlebars are going to be in the road at all take the three minutes to unbolt and move them.....no need to undo lines and cable.....just rest them somewhere, and keep the brake reservoir facing up....doesn't have to be perfectly up, just don't hang it upside down all day.
And loosen the top triple clamps off really loose before undoing the caps.......they tend to be squeezing the tops of the forks and are like a binder to hold the caps tight on some forks, not all, but its best to just loosen them first just in case.

Cheers and enjoy the new found ride and handling.

 

[CarlS]

You can siphon it out and I have done that as some forks have no drain plugs. It is best to use the drain plugs or take the forks off and turn them upside down. However, at 12,000 miles you probably do not have any gunk in the bottom anyway.

I am not a fan of changing the weight of the fork oil as this will change the action of the suspension. I am one who makes one change at a time. You are changing the springs and that is a big change in the handling. I recommend that you use the stock weight oil and see how the new springs do. If you find you need further modification, then change the fork oil weight.

This is just my opinion and how I do things.

 

[gumpt1oo]

Hi Ronnie, you might want to have a look at a post I did a couple of years back about fitting pre-load caps to the bonnie.
Here's a link
https://www.triumphtalk.com/showthread.php/2997-Bonneville-fork-mods.