I have an 08 Nightster I'm wanting to upgrade my suspension on the forks, my first plans is to replace the fork oil with SE fork oil then add a superbrace and go from there any other advice or help would be appreciated..

 

A superbrace would be good since I do not see a front fender on the picture of your bike in your post.

You have probably read it before....fork springs should be your first step.

If you can insert spacers with these new springs, use a length that equates to a proper preload for your weight.

Oil weight and level would be the fine tuning.

The SE oil is thicker than what's came with the bike and would slow compression and rebound. That is not ideal. Buy the springs.

 

Thanks I'll check into progressive for some springs like I said I'm just trying to get some ideas..

 

I thought i read somewhere that you can make your own spacers, using the stock spring to stiffen up the front forks. My front end is alway bottoming out. I'm 190lbs

 

I know when i took my N's front fender off I noticed no noticable change....it is just sheet metal afterall....no real strength there.

However it was a completely different story when i put a superbrace on....made a very significant difference. While I hate to say it....it really did feel like a "new bike"!

My bottoming out issue with the front forks was solved by using the Ricor Intimidators. One of the guys on the XL forum has spent many days trying to come with various fixes for the XL front end (changing fork oil, progressive springs, introducing air into the upper fork tubes, using different spacers, etc etc) and when he installed the Intimidators in his sporty it was such a significant improvement that he said he was done with his front forks now. I followed suit a couple months later and I have the same report.

 

You're quite right, it is possible to do that. I looked into doing it myself, but eventually fitted RaceTech single rate springs, matched to my weight. The damping on stock forks is almost non-existent, so I also fitted Emulators. They are hardly earth shattering in the improvement they give, but the front end rides better.

 

Are those intimidators just drop in? And does it come with a good set of instructions ? Will be my first time taking apart the forks, I have the service manual.

 

They have a website with lots of useful info, worth a visit! I suggest fitting single rate springs at the same time, to match your weight, as already suggested.

 

Although you may want to go with different springs, you might want to start slowly with the front end mods...but definately drop the Ricor intimadators in FIRST. They dramactically change how the front forks works and behaves by knowing if the wheel is trying to move or if the chassis is trying to move, resulting in a more stable chassis and a faster wheel response over bumps (stock configuration is a dismal compromise). You may find the Ricors are enough to balance your suspension and thereby saving some bucks...

 

Pretty sure Progressive makes some springs that could be suited for your needs. I know that there are various suspension specialists all over the states if you do a search on google that can build you springs for your specifications for a decent price