Front shock question

Can I adjust the preload on the front shocks by adding another spacer above the spring? I bought a new set of springs and they seem a bit soft. Maybe this is just my imagination but wanted to ask if anyone had tried it. Thanks.

That is possible, if you are of average weight, it should not be needed. Take a look here norton-roadholder-modifications-t3645.html for other front fork modifications.

Jean

Thanks Jean, How did you know I may be storing a few extra pints in my belly, LOL After I get this new bike on the road I hope to do these modifications to the shocks. It just feels as if the front is too soft, And these are brand new springs. I have not ridden it yet just pushed down on them and rolled it back and forth during building. The Buell I have has a much stiffer front end and it seems so does my 75 Norton. I also put all new internals in them. Just feels to sag a bit much when I sit on it. And don't say go on a diet, You will sound like my wife. OK maybe I should.

I was wondering if those new springs are the Progressive brand and type. In 2 recent cases , both mine and a friend's Commandos the progressive springs( sold as the medium type), turned out to be too soft, with 2 + inches of sag , so in both cases the stock Commando springs went back in...and also in both cases the" Covenant" kit was installed on the damper rods and that helped the "topping out" effect on rebound.The kits were obtained from Rocky Point Cycles. Cheers

They are in fact the progressive brand and they should have been for my weight, Looks like I need to do a little research on this as I still have two sets of original Norton shocks that may end up going back in, Thanks for the info. nortonista I am not skinny but I am not over 190.

I have the Progressive Suspension springs in my 750, and for me they work well. I suspect you weigh a bit more than I do. They may be too soft for the "typical" (220 lbs.) Norton rider.

Debby

Well I go between 180 and 190 and find it interesting that both bikes have progressive brand and one feels so much softer than the other. I think I'll do what nortonista did and pull them and put the stock ones back in. In fact I just went in and weighed myself and I am now 187, Is this too heavy for bike. LOL LOL Maybe I should shed a few pounds as the wife says and cut down on the 1 or 2 days a week I meet with the boys for beer (NOT). Thanks for the help friends.

Can I throw a curveball in here, what weight of oil have you put in the forks?
You may find you are underdamped. I use fairly thick oil, about 20 weight as I remember. Don't use 10's, that is for modern stuff.
Stu.

Thanks Stu, That is what I put in it was 20 wt. Now I am just going to wait and see how it rides before taking them out. It just feels like it lowers a bit more when I sit on it, More than the 850. I did try and see how much it dives by just rolling in the garage and hitting the front brake and it seems good in that regard. That's why in the first post I was just thinking of increasing the pre-load on them? I have read that the progressive's are a bit longer than the stock springs, Is this true? Oh well I will soon find out as I am almost ready to start the bike for the first time, A total rebuild. Chuck.