Sorry. I can't help with measurements. Mine don't have factory springs.
Someone will chime in.

 

I have a shorter travel Nightster so I can't compare but I'm sure someone on here will. 5.5" sounds pretty damn generous to me, and I know I lost at least half my travel just by sitting on it, but I am 210. It really sounds normal to me, I'm thinking you just relaxed a tweaked front end and got rid of a bunch of stiction. I don't doubt your assessment though, just can't imagine what else could be going on.

 

Thanks Jackal. Thats a sweet Nightster btw. The other funny thing about the forks is, when I get off the bike, I can expand the forks an inch or so just by grabbing the lower tree with my hand and pulling it up. I'm still out of town for work, and I'm itching to mess around with the bike more to find out what might be the issue at hand. I really appreciate the input, especially more so since I am a noob.

 

Mine did the exact same thing until I got the Progressive springs. I could easily get something like 1/4" - 1/2" more if I stood up and pulled up on the bars. Now they're topped out.

...and thanks man, it's coming along. That's an outdated pic, but waiting for some goodies to come in this week to take new ones.

 

So I took the Sporty to the dealership to have them check it out. They said that there didn't seem to be an issue. The suspension does seem to be softer, but it rides okay, and I was whitelining on the parkway, so it still got its moves. For the moment, I'll take what some of you guys said about me not noticing the suspension travel before, and assume that the "change " is in my head. Thanks to all, I really appreciate the fact that one can always find great help from this forum.

 

Good deal, treat yourself to some superior $50 springs.

 

Hey Jackal, is it tough changing out springs? I wanna do them on my 07 sporty...

 

Probably the easiest thing you can do to your bike besides airing the tires.

 

Yup, nothin to it if you take your time and a MUST if you are over their rating...160 or 180 or w/e it is.