I want to get the Progressive 12.5" 412 shocks for my '07 883L which has 11.5" stock shocks and a stock lowered front end. Would I need to lengthen the front springs by an inch as well? Or maybe a spacer to add the inch? What's the retail for the Progressive fork springs? I'll probably have to save up if I have to do both at once. Thanks.

 

My 2006 Roadster has 13 inch rear shocks with Progressive front fork springs. Iy handles great. It just has a little more "sport bike stance". The front fork springs costs less than $100 I think.

 

You won't notice the difference in height. You will get way more rider sag with the progressives in the rear than you do with the stocks shocks. I found front an rear for under 300$.

 

You can raise the front end a little by loosening the triple tree pinch bolts and sliding the fork tubes down in the triple trees. That's all I did with the 12.5" Progressives.

 

What I found with my bike is that the forks sag far too much, leaving only around an inch of travel. So your suggestion of putting in an inch of spacers is a very good idea. It should lift the bike to where the forks should be from the factory.

There is supposed to be around 4" of fork travel, from fully extended. Some of that gets lost with the rebound springs, but we should have at least 2" travel left when sitting on the bike, ready to ride.

I actually had single-rate springs and Emulators fitted to my bike, but other than lifting it as I described I don't reckon it rides much better than before. So fitting spacers is a far cheaper and quicker way ahead.

 

For under $100 for the Progressive fork springs it might be worth it to pick them up. Can I replace the springs with the wheel and forks still on the bike? Or do I have to disassemble the whole front end? Wheels, brakes, forks? Thanks again.

 

IMHO adding a little preload to the stock springs will do it, keep the $100. BTW, factory springs are progressive, too.
And no need to disassemble anything, you may want to take the handlebar off to have better access.

 

Deleted double post.

 

Yes, the Progressive fork springs are well worth the money IMO. The stock springs are weak and sag eventually. No need to disassemble the forks, just raise the bike on a jack to unload the front-end and remove the cap nuts on top of the forks. BUT, be careful, they're under spring tension.

I recommend buying a fork nut socket to prevent damage to the cap nuts and it makes the job easier.
https://www.denniskirk.com/fork-cap-socket.p282291.prd

 

i added an inch to my rear shocks and left the fronts alone... all is well.
so you dont have to change anything if you dont want to.