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Welcome to the Virago upgrades page.
6-3-03 Progressive Spring
After reading an article on the 920 virago, and not liking the handling if the
bike, I bought a rear spring from Progressive. At first they didn't list the
rear spring on the website. They said I couldn't order directly from them but
could order anywhere you buy oil or parts for your cycle. So I called the dealer
and they said they couldn't get them. I went to a small shop and got first class
service.
The guy looks in a catalogue and there is no listing for the rear. He says to go
look in the article and see if I'm lucky and they printed part numbers. 1165 was
in the article. I got to thinking I'd better take a look at how the spring gets
changed so I tear into the bike and before long, parts are everywhere. I remove
the spring/shock assembly and look at the exploded view and conclude the spring
must be compressed and the collar slid up and a small locking ring removed, then
the collar and spring can be removed. I used some webbing that is used to pull
cable for the phone or electric company that my dad had gotten somewhere. I cut
two pieces about a foot long. I then threaded them under the spring and tied
them into loops. Then, inserting wrenches and twist and presto! compressed
spring! tie off with wire, slide collar up, remove locking ring, metal collar,
plastic spacer, and finally spring! TaDa.
Now that I know I can do it, I go back to the shop. They don't go by short
numbers anymore. The shop owner (Ed) says they added a prefix to the numbers
now. We look again and find a spring. PS-1165R. Its rated at 600 lbs. The spring
in the article says it's a 600 lb spring. Close enough for Ed and close enough
for me.
In the mean time, I e-mail Progressive. They e-mail back the front #. I e-mail
back. The spring comes in. The package is labeled 01-1165R, the spring is
labeled 1165. I check their website and the rear spring is now magically
appeared. At least they looked into it and updated the site. Three days later
Progressive e-mails back with the 01-1165R number.
The ride is stiffer than before, but that was couch type of ride with what I
thought was marginal handling.
I cannot convey in words the improvement in cornering. So I will try a word
picture. Forgive in advance as it is probably more info than you would like to
know but here goes.
I went out and rode some familiar corners and curves. With the old soft spring, I
think I was bottoming out. When it would bottom, there is a sudden stop in
suspension travel and believe-you-me when that happens deep in cornering you
KNOW it. From your insides, you know it. Like, you add a new racing stripe to
your undergarments know it. Well with the new spring, I thought I had fallen
asleep or something. The bike went around so easily it was done and over with
and No issues whatsoever from the rear.
I'm poor as a church mouse right now,
but as soon as I get some cash the very next purchase will be fork springs for
sure. I found that I like the firmness of the new spring. It feels like the tire
is firmly planted on the pavement and not hovering just above it as before.
8-03
Been busy lately. Ran into some extra cash. Yes I did purchase the front
progressive springs. Yes I do like them. No, they did not have as drastic effect
as the rear spring did. Would I recommend them? Well H E double hockey sticks,
Yes! It's so nice to get into a corner too fast and just think "lean more" and
you do it and it does whatever you ask.
I also got a tapered bearing steering kit from partsnmore.com. Good prices and
good enough quality for me. I also got turn signals from there. Nice lights for
the price. The bearing kit was somewhat of an adventure to install. The old
stuff removed easily except the bottom race on the triple. The new race for the
top tube tapped in easily. The bottom one is recessed in the frame and hard to
get in straight.
The instructions say to tighten to seat the bearings. Very vague to
me!. I thought I had tightened them down pretty well but in reality had not. I
was out 40 miles or so when I realized when I hit the front brake, the front was
loose. I really didn't worry too much about it. There's no way it can come
apart. When I got home I tightened it up. I didn't like it at all. It seemed to
wander all over the road. It was free when on the center stand but sticky going
down the road. I took it apart to find some how one roller had turned 90
degrees. I removed the offending roller and reassembled. It works like a dream.
I also bought some grips for $19 and floor boards for $39 from JCWhitney. Very
happy with them.
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