fork springs which way?

[GrimReaper]

 Sorry guys for the dumb question.I just received my progressive springs,but i don't know which side is up and which down.Also should i put the spacers or not.
 i don;t have a repair manual so if somebody can do a simple drawing of the procedure will be highly appreciate

 Thank you in advance

[bobbydyabb]

This might help (1986 R65 monolever fork spring upgrade):  http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-shocks-suspension/progressive-fork-springs/

As far as spring orientation, close wound coils on top (theory being less unsprung weight is preferred).

This may not apply to you but it did to my '83 R65.  The Progressive spring's ID is too small to sit properly onto the spring seats.  The bike came with it and was VERY stiff when I bought them.  'course I did not know this until I rebuilt the forks.  So at reassembly, I opened up the ID on each end of the springs and reinstalled them.  Still stiff, but no longer jarring.

Have fun ...

[Barry]

I agree close wound to the top is correct for the reason stated. Stock springs can go in either way up.

I had to laugh and agree with Tom Cutters response when the same question was asked on the Airheads list.

"Proper installation of the Progressive fork spring is vertical, in the
trash bin. Those springs are too stiff for Airheads.

Seriously, as a general rule, the tighter-wound end goes up, because it
is heavier, which puts the little bit of extra weight on the sprung
end. That is common to all bikes, and to all springs. The tighter wind
always goes to the stationary end.

I am serious about the Progressives. They are just plain wrong for
Airheads."

[GrimReaper]

Thank you Bob,that is all i need to know

[nhmaf]

Spacers could go in either on the bottom or on the top, though Progressive's instructions say to put them at the bottom - you have the "PVC pipe" spacers in your kit, correct?     I just stuck mine to the end of the spring with some sticky grease and put them in at the bottom.
Place them at the top is do-able too, but I've heard that the springs may be more noisy that way.

I like these springs in my R65LS, but I am a taller/heavier guy than some here and I like the firmer handling - doesn't seem to harsh to me.

[GrimReaper]

Proggresive said-"Install your new fork springs into the forks. Mechanically, it
makes no difference which way the springs are installed. Some
manuals will state; install the spring with the close wound end towards
the bottom. This is done because sometimes there will be
less spring noise. The springs will perform exactly the same regardless
of which direction they are placed"
 So spracer should be put without trimin'?and if i put them on bottom how i am going to take them out if did not like the new spring and decide to go back with OEM spring

[nhmaf]

When I installed mine (years ago) I believe that the instructions showed that approximately  3/4" of preload was recommended on the springs.   With the spacers that came with my kit, they needed no trimming to achieve this, but it is possible that the spacers (really just PVC pipe I believe) that they now supply may be different length.   You'll want to have to compress the spring/spacer combination this much to get it into the tube and under the top plug/circlip.   If you don't have enough preload, the springs will rattle in the tubes when the suspension tops out and the overall suspension action will be odd.

I think that I put my springs in with the close wound part of the spring toward the bottom, but can't be 100% certain.

You could put the spacer at the top, though this could make pushing the spring & spacer downward into the tube to re-install the top circlip and plug a bit trickier, and it might be noisier that way too (I don't know).   But, at least it would be a little easier to remove them later if you expect you might have to.

[montmil]

...how i am going to take them out if did not like the new spring and decide to go back with OEM spring

Not difficult. Piece o' straightened coat hanger wire. Small 90 degree bend with a sharp, pointy end to snag inside the PVC bit oughta do the trick. I don't have the BMW OEM Special Tool Part Number for this but there are several hanging in my laundry room right now. Go fish!     Monte

[GrimReaper]

 I did the springs today.The spacers were 1" long so i reduced them to 3/4.Like them a lot.Also cleaned and lubed head bearings.It is a totaly different bike.
  Thank you guys for the support