long roadholder springs

Hi Les. I would always fit the tighter springs at the bottom.

Reason: The tighter coils, because of the longer wire length and the shallower angle they are set at, compress more than coils that are wider spaced for any given compression force. This results in the ability of closer set coils to be compressed by smaller road bumps more easily.

Over any bumps both sections of the the two rate springs are compressed but the tighter coils move more comparitively. As you want to minimise "un-sprung" weight, it is better to drive the supple tight coils directly rather than have the the open stiffer coils transmit the ripples through themselves to drive the tight springs if set above.

By placing the tight coils at the bottom the stiff wider set coils can remain fairly still whilst the supple coils absorb the ripples below. Doing it the other way will see the wider coils having to respond to the high speed ripples to transmit the movement of the wheel to the supple coils which unnecessarily adds to "un-sprung" weight.

NB Hagon shocks and many other suspensions use this set up method. Some years ago I emailed the new Norton company to tell them they had their rear springs upside down...and they have....Unfortunately in their arrogance never bothered to reply...Les

Not that it make enough difference to notice but to minimise unsprung weight on progressively wound springs you fit the tight windings to the top, as they become solid they change from being a spring to be weight and at the top they become sprung weight, at the bottom the become unsprung weight. That's the way Koni /Ikon do their springs and the way RGM told me to fit their progressively wound front springs.

When you do a Google you get the same advice at numerous links

http://www.hrsprings.com/technical/frequently-asked-questions

2) Which end of the spring is up?

H&R springs fit the same way that stock springs do. The shape of the spring is most important.

If the spring is the same on both sides and fits the same either direction, then it is correct to install the spring with the closer coils âupâ.

Even Hagon tell you to put the close coils at the top

https://www.hagon-shocks.co.uk/common/pagedetail.aspx?PageCode=setup

Fully extend legs to end of travel and replace springs with the tight coils to the top.

John:

1) Since when can Norton Roadholder front forks become coil bound?...they have less total movement than any correct spring can accommodate!

2) Yes it does seem odd that Hagons has been, and still sells ALL his shocks with the tight coils at the bottom....a possible write up mistake?

3) Any photos of Manx Nortons shows tight coils at the bottom.

4) The reverse method might be applicable when the suspension is designed to become coil bound, perhaps with modern mono-shock systems but not otherwise.

At the end of the day it will, as you say, not be noticeable.

Les