Progressive Spring Install

R

Roccitycb

New Member
If you saw my post in introductions, you will see I am new to the forum and the "cafe" world.. with that being said, my first project is the suspension.... which is in terrible, terrible shape... I have done some re-search and i was thinking of snagging up new Progressive springs for the front and rear.. Im not looking for a super aggressive ride, just something a little bit better than the OEM suspension..

Its a 1977 Honda CB750F, I have found some progressive springs through Cycle X that appear to be a good choice... with that being said, ive tried to find a write up, or thread on the installation of springs with no luck.. Is this an easy to moderate install that I could do? special tools? Im very mechanically inclined and was hoping I could do the work myself, any advice, info or direction is much appreciated! Also, does anyone know the exact amount of oil in each fork the OEM Forks require?
 
Join sohc4 they have write ups on everything cb750

The install is easy. No real special tools.
Get the factory service manual, it will help.
The progressive springs are a nice upgrade.
I would replace the fork seals while I was there. Also think about cartridge emulators, and pre load adjusters(air or mechanical). Easy quick upgrades while you are doing the springs.

A real nice upgrade for the cb750 is the GL1000 fork swap. 37mm, better and lighter.
Bolts right on. You would need a GL front end from a comstar bike. Easy swap.

Also if feeling extra froggy I have a write up on how to bolt on twin piston calipers to the 77-78 F forks. Again a nice easy upgrade.
 
Ok thanks for the good advice!! Good to hear that im going in the right direction, im just looking for a good quality ride and really dont need to go crazy with performance modifications, my goal here is to just get the bike to 100% riding condition... Also the bike already has twin brake calipers on it... i was under the assumption that it came with twin calipers.... oh and im buying the kit from Cycle X which comes with spacers as well...
 
An easy and inexpensive upgrade is installing cartridge emulators. The budget option are the $54 valves from MikesXS which work in 35mm forks (like yours). They're not bad generally speaking.

http://www.mikesxs.net/product/27-1086.html

The better way to go are the original Race Tech Gold Valve emulators, which the MikesXS versions are cheap copies of (made with lower grade materials, likley looser engineering tolerances etc.)

Doug (Beatnic on the board) is at DEK Performance and is a suspension professional. He's the right guy to talk to about optimizing your suspension, on your budget. He's used to working with us, and is genius at making the most of what you've got. He tweaked Troy's Goldwing at the Spring Thaw in Kentucky and transformed it - just by adjusting a few things.
 
Those emulators look like a great option! Id still like to replace the factory springs that are in there, you can clearly tell that they need to be replaced... id feel comfortable knowing i have new springs as well... would these emulators work with progressive springs? the kit from cycle x comes with spacers as well and yes i am going to replace all seals and dust caps...
 
Just be sure of what you're looking at when you say they need to be replaced. Also, the emulators as I understand it work better with non-progressive springs (not the brand Progressive, but rather progressively wound springs).

I ran my XS with progressive springs from MikesXS and their emulators. Then last fall at our annual October get together in Alabama I had Doug bring me some Race Tech springs and Gold Valve emulators. We installed them and he set it all up. Massive improvement.
 
To give u an idea on how terrible the suspension is, i can hold the front brake and completely compress the front forks till they bottom out... so im thinking that its a combo that the factory springs that are 35 years old and lack of or worn out fork oil.... i checked out the race tech springs and emulators and they look like the best option, however, im not looking to spend a ton of money and just want to get my bike up and riding (safely) so would just adding new fork oil, seals and progressive springs be a good approach? or can i get the factory oem springs and add the emulators? what would be the best bang for the buck?
 
Progressive springs it is!!! Thanks for the tips guys, now that i have that figured out, how much oil in each fork and what type is best?
 
From WAY back in 2007 - here's your official Honda Service Manual in PDF. Should help some - not sure it has the exact specs for the F bike but still a good starting point.

http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=717
 
Oh wow thanks tim!!!! Just ordered a new air box, front and rear springs, all seals and gaskets, rubbers for carbs, 520 sproket and chain kit.. should be running great! Thanks for all the help guys :) Ill post pics when she is done
 
New air box?
Rear spring? Going to swap springs some how and keep the 50 year old shocks?
 
The bike has pod filters, after re-search i found that the factory carbs do not run well with the pod filters, i bought an airbox to get back to stock... my mistake, i purchased new rear shocks.. lol
 
You sir get 34675775789567958 Internet points from me.
Good for you not being a sheep and swapping a running bike with air box to a none running bike with pods
 
Hahahaha, thanks surffly! I love this bike, it has some "cafe" mods that I have already completed! Once I get this thing running 100% my next project is rear-sets... then there is a long list of odd and ends that need replacing (clutch cable, levers, wires, resevoirs etc) I want to build a great running daily rider with some minor modifications to performance and handling so when I do get the itch for some spirited riding it will be fun and reliable :)... im pretty nervous to rebuild the front forks, i wont lie, if it was just the springs it wouldnt be an issue, but i bought all new seals and oil and looking like i have to completley dis-assemble the front end... hope i do it right! lol
 
Roccitycb said:
Hahahaha, thanks surffly! I love this bike, it has some "cafe" mods that I have already completed! Once I get this thing running 100% my next project is rear-sets... then there is a long list of odd and ends that need replacing (clutch cable, levers, wires, resevoirs etc) I want to build a great running daily rider with some minor modifications to performance and handling so when I do get the itch for some spirited riding it will be fun and reliable :)... im pretty nervous to rebuild the front forks, i wont lie, if it was just the springs it wouldnt be an issue, but i bought all new seals and oil and looking like i have to completley dis-assemble the front end... hope i do it right! lol
Click to expand...

It's really not as bad as you think. I recently rebuilt front forks with an anti-dive system. It came out great, and it really wasn't anywhere near as hard as it sounds.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

DTT Light or Dark

  • DTT Light
    • www.jadusmotorcycleparts.com
    www.lostapostle.ca/
    www.sparckmoto.com

    Spread the Love

    Back
    Top Bottom