Can I remove the stock front springs by hand or do I need to buy special tools..

I want to replace fronts with the montubes from progressive

 

You're fine by hand, just make sure your front wheel is off the ground, so there's no load on the springs or the caps. Good luck!!

 

front tire off the ground just resting on the floor a bit. Will unload it enuf for ya. Don't want the weight of the bike when you take the caps off.

I would rather take the forks off the bike if im doing springs unless you take off the gas tank and other painted stuff,,,,,,, nothing worse then dropping a wrench on paint. the forsk come out pretty easy. but a lot of guys do it without pulling the forks. paul

 

If you are refering to removing the springs and internals after you have the forks off the bike the yes you can...
Be Fore Warned though there is sufficent load on the fork cap when you remove the cap
What I have done is:
Drain all the fluid out of the tube assy.
They clamp the fork preload cap into a vise with the slider in the air at 12 o'clock
With the fork cap clamped and the weight of the tube assy it helps to soften the initial jolt when it seperates
make sure you have a hand on top of the slider applying some force down to make the un- threading process easier...
paul

 

sweet thanks...they are already off the bike since im changing the lower forks assembly to powder coated ones...

 

If you are only changing the lowers then there is no reason to remove the internals
You can remove the 6mm screw in the bottom of the slider
remo0ve the "C" clip where the seals reside
Pop the slider while holding the tube assy. and your in buissness...
repeat process and they will be back together...
Really a very easy process
Oh don't forget to measure out fluid and add thru the top of the tube assy
paul

 

I am doing the progressive monotube upgrade also....just bought the new fork seal rebuild kit to...