Progressive 440 11.5

[rockbobmel]

I found these for sale locally.  They are listed as "Harley shocks" but I can't understand the difference.

I know they are obsolete.  Here is the specs:


Model 440SeriesShocks
11.5"
Item model number 440-4011B
Manufacturer Part Number 440-4011B
Vehicle Service Type street-cruiser-motorcycles

Thanks,  Bob

[Hook#3287]

Bob, is there a question here?

I have no experience with shorter shocks, so I'll be no help, but are you thinking of putting these on your bike?

[rockbobmel]

Yes, I have them on my 1100. Don't know if it will make a diff. I think they are the Heavy Duty version  new, never installed. I am 5'6" and shrinking but the bike is pretty comfy the way it is.

[MarkT]

I don't think they are "heavy duty".  If anything they are HD = Harley Davidson shocks.  If they have the same springs as the 444-4011B, their spring rate is 115/155  and they are black in color.  I found the 105/150 springs to be anemic.  Now am good with the shocks with 140/200 springs but run them with preload dialed all the way up all the time.  If you are lightweight or solo only you might be happy with them.  Jorge (Progressive's tech dude) told me some time ago, their shocks with springs in this range might be considered "heavy duty" on a Harley but very light duty on a Valk.  BTW Progressive writes the spring rate on the coils - at least on black springs.

[Jess from VA]

I'm not sure it is always so with progressive shocks, but if you look carefully on the springs, many were marked with the spring rates.   But very small and hard to see unless looking carefully on chrome.

[rockbobmel]

He texted back and they are for a Harley Davidson.

The stamping on the springs say 13-1313 and 15/155. That must be (115/155).

I am 175  lbs. 

Do you think  will these work? Will they fit?  Do they need different bushings?

I saw a video on Progressives that the rep said the stock Showa  shocks were prolly good for 10K. 
That seems hard to believe.

[The emperor has no clothes]

He texted back and they are for a Harley Davidson.

The stamping on the springs say 13-1313 and 15/155. That must be (115/155).

I am 175  lbs. 

Do you think  will these work? Will they fit?  Do they need different bushings?

I saw a video on Progressives that the rep said the stock Showa  shocks were prolly good for 10K. 
That seems hard to believe.

I know many here like the Progressive shocks over the OEM Showa's . I'm not in that camp. 

[Jess from VA]

I cannot comment on the spring rate, though it may be fine for 175lbs and no passenger (though all 440s have 10 settings for preload) (but they are not easy to turn, and I have to use a strap wrench and a very short throw, unless I pull my bags).  

When new and in good repair, and set properly they blow the OE Showas away (talking 440s here not 412s, which I think new Showas are much better than)

What I will say is that 11.5" is really a short shock and I would be dragging my pegs and boards way too often in virtually every ride I take.  In the flat lands this may be no big deal.  I'm only 5'9" and I run 13"s and would never go lower than 12.5"s.  That's me (and my love to lean hard).

The other thing is 440 specific. They are great shocks when new and while they last.  But they will all leak down eventually.  I have three sets, two with receipts for bought new.  One set has leaked down.  Even with a receipt, Progressive will not rebuild 440s at all. They will only honor a lifetime warranty to the original buyer, and they don't want to honor them even to original buyers now (claiming they have no shocks now for valk at all, which is a lie).

Unless you are getting a very good deal (price), or you know these are relatively unused (they've been superseded now for a number of years (3-4?), you are buying something with a limited shelf life that no one will repair.

One other thing; I've had occasion to call and ask for Progressive Suspension tech support, and gotten outstanding and really knowledgeable information and answers to all my questions (pretty rare).  Calling them is free.   

[rockbobmel]

Hi Jess.  They are supposed to have never been installed (NOS). and $100.(I think they were $550+ new)

But I want to make sure I can bolt them on without any real problems.

I can always sell them on evilbay if I don't like them.

Do you think they will fit?

[Jess from VA]

I do not know.  See the last paragraph of my post I just added.

If they will fit, $100 for unused sounds like a good and reasonable gamble, if you don't mind dragging pegs from time to time.

If Progressive can't or won't answer to your satisfaction, since they are local, you could always ride over and try to put them on at the sellers place. It's always best to change one at a time, but unless you already have 11.5s on there, that is not going to work.  So you run a ratchet strap over the top to the swingarm on each side, or something like that.  Pull your bags before you ride over. Take the few tools you will need with you.   

[rockbobmel]

Awesome.  Thanks Guys.

[rockbobmel]

I called Progressive and got a short “NO” on the fitment question.  He said all progressives are bike specific. Load, rate, travel, bolts.

I have a hard time believing that is an absolute.

[Hook#3287]

Bob, you can bolt any shock on, as long as you can fit it.

You'll need an assortment of bushings & spacers and maybe some washers.

I'd be careful not to mess up the pumpkin.

[rockbobmel]

It's seeming unwise to go ahead with these.  I'm not experienced enough to recognize if something is not right.

I have read here that the Showa OEM shocks are fine. Then I read the Progressives' quality is a big upgrade.  ???

[Hook#3287]

I've got both and yes Progressives are an upgrade.

But, I'm happy with the OEM's also.

It all depends on your expectations.

If I was in your position, I'd run with the OEM's and get a feel for them first.

You can always upgrade.

[rockbobmel]

Thanks Bill!