After looking around for several weeks, reading a lot of posts, asking a lot of questions, I finally tackled installation of a Progressive Front End Lowering kit. Since I just completed it last night, I thought I'd write it all down while it's still fresh in my mind. A lot of this information is posted in the Forum on various threads, and on Progressive's website, but I could find no where it's all listed together. So...here's another contribution to you guys ....and girls...(Val made me say that!)
Overall, the process is really pretty easy...there's a lot of steps, but they're all pretty straight forward, with few 'gotchas' involved. I did find what I think is a better way to drain oil from the forks, and I've incorporated this in the How To instructions. I didn't take any pictures during the process, mainly because of my advanced case of CRS...but, also because my hands got really oily from all the fork oil, and touching my digital camera would have probably oiled it down pretty good.
Tools Needed: Nothing exotic, you probably already have most of what you need on hand if you've done any maintenance to your V-Rod in the past. You'll need a good set of metric allen head wrenches, or 'sockets', if you will. My set fits 3/8" drive ratchets, and worked well. You'll also need a longer 6mm allen wrench to fit the Seat Pipe Screw on the bottom of each fork. It's also very helpful to have a 1 3/8" socket to remove the Fork Stem Caps, and you'll need an HD Service Manual for all the gory details. But, my instructions will list all the steps as documented in the Service Manual. In place of the suggested HD Service Tool to re-install the oil seals, get about a 2 foot piece of 2" inside diameter schedule 40 PVC pipe. Works great...and is cheap enough...I paid $3.64 for a 5 foot piece at Lowe's.
Parts Needed: Obviously, the Progressive Lowering Spring Kit. The Service Manual says to replace the oil seals in the top of the sliders, and the O-rings in the fork stem cap, and I used almost 4 pints of HD Screamin' Eagle Performance Fork Oil.
Cost: Progressive Lowering Kit, $115, delivered. Two O-Rings at $1.00/ea, $2.00. Two oil seals at $5.65/ea, $11.30. Four pints of HD Screamin' Eagle Fork Oil at $4.85/ea, $19.40...all plus tax...so a shade over $150.00.
Time Needed: The first fork took about 3 hours, as I was being very careful to explore everything before I disassembled anything. Plus, I had to work out where to put things, how much oil was going to drain out...I spent a lot of time cleaning up the spilled fork oil...what a freakin' mess..! :goof: But, the second fork only took about 20-30 minutes, mainly because not only was I more familiar with the fork and internals, but because I figured out a better way to drain the fork oil. This made for much less mess to clean up. I think I could do another V-Rod in about an hour and a half, maybe two hours...start to finish.
Degree of Difficulty: I'd give this about a 5 or 6 out of a possible 10, with 10 being the most difficult and requiring the most mechanical knowledge and tools. If you've got a decent tool box, and decent mechanical skills, you should have no problems.
Okay....see the next email for the instructions...
Oh...and here's what my 'rod looks like in my garage this morning...after installing the lowering kit...
Overall, the process is really pretty easy...there's a lot of steps, but they're all pretty straight forward, with few 'gotchas' involved. I did find what I think is a better way to drain oil from the forks, and I've incorporated this in the How To instructions. I didn't take any pictures during the process, mainly because of my advanced case of CRS...but, also because my hands got really oily from all the fork oil, and touching my digital camera would have probably oiled it down pretty good.
Tools Needed: Nothing exotic, you probably already have most of what you need on hand if you've done any maintenance to your V-Rod in the past. You'll need a good set of metric allen head wrenches, or 'sockets', if you will. My set fits 3/8" drive ratchets, and worked well. You'll also need a longer 6mm allen wrench to fit the Seat Pipe Screw on the bottom of each fork. It's also very helpful to have a 1 3/8" socket to remove the Fork Stem Caps, and you'll need an HD Service Manual for all the gory details. But, my instructions will list all the steps as documented in the Service Manual. In place of the suggested HD Service Tool to re-install the oil seals, get about a 2 foot piece of 2" inside diameter schedule 40 PVC pipe. Works great...and is cheap enough...I paid $3.64 for a 5 foot piece at Lowe's.
Parts Needed: Obviously, the Progressive Lowering Spring Kit. The Service Manual says to replace the oil seals in the top of the sliders, and the O-rings in the fork stem cap, and I used almost 4 pints of HD Screamin' Eagle Performance Fork Oil.
Cost: Progressive Lowering Kit, $115, delivered. Two O-Rings at $1.00/ea, $2.00. Two oil seals at $5.65/ea, $11.30. Four pints of HD Screamin' Eagle Fork Oil at $4.85/ea, $19.40...all plus tax...so a shade over $150.00.
Time Needed: The first fork took about 3 hours, as I was being very careful to explore everything before I disassembled anything. Plus, I had to work out where to put things, how much oil was going to drain out...I spent a lot of time cleaning up the spilled fork oil...what a freakin' mess..! :goof: But, the second fork only took about 20-30 minutes, mainly because not only was I more familiar with the fork and internals, but because I figured out a better way to drain the fork oil. This made for much less mess to clean up. I think I could do another V-Rod in about an hour and a half, maybe two hours...start to finish.
Degree of Difficulty: I'd give this about a 5 or 6 out of a possible 10, with 10 being the most difficult and requiring the most mechanical knowledge and tools. If you've got a decent tool box, and decent mechanical skills, you should have no problems.
Okay....see the next email for the instructions...
Oh...and here's what my 'rod looks like in my garage this morning...after installing the lowering kit...