Progressive Rear Shocks

[Steve K (IA)]

My 440's I bought in the early 2000's are shot.  I never kept track of the receipt.  So no free rebuild.

While I'm searching the net.  Some sites say 444 and 430 are not for an I/S and instead list 412's.  Some sites do list them for the I/S.  Don't know what to believe.  Most places say the 430 series are Heavy Duty.  And they are much less pricey than the 444's.
Bike Bandit so far has the 430's for $490 but in 12.5"...and they are out of stock.  I thought stock length was 13".  Pretty sure that's what my 440's are.

Has anyone gone with the 430's?  12.5"?  And where did you get them?  Are you happy?
I tip the scales at just over 300#, once in a great while I might pull a trailer and no more passenger.

[9Ball]

The Progressive Suspension lifetime warranty on the 440 shock replacement is not possible.  They no longer rebuild these shocks, the 440s were discontinued, and the only replacement they currently offer is for the 412s.  Top of the line replaced by bottom of the line shocks.

My RH 440 leaked a bunch of oil over this past winter.  I bought these new in CY2000, about the same time as the OP listed.  I kept my receipt and sent a scan to customer service.  They offered to refund the original sales price (which is pretty stand-up for warranty) or replace with a new set of 412 shocks.  I saved my OEM shocks and installed them last week in order to send the leaking 440 shocks in for warranty inspection.

I suggested that instead of the 412s or a refund that they replace with a set of 444 shocks for my Rocket 3.  The 440 shocks were identical length (12.5”) and part number (440-4209C) for both the Valk and the Rocket.

I’m waiting to get the details of my warranty issue.

UPDATE: replacement 444 Rocket 3 shocks arrived today.

[Valkorado]

I've read accounts from others using the 430s who are satisfied with them.

On both my bikes I'm using 444-4221 shocks.  They are 13“.  Great ride, I love them.   Yeah there was a minor tweak to a bushing sleeve,  so minor it's hardly worth mentioning.   Also it was a tight squeeze getting the lower left side in the mount,  again minor.  Whack it down with a rubber mallet.   All the necessary metal sleeves are included in the box.

[Kaahn]

I have a 430 11.5" basically brand new condition with a 210/250 spring for sale if you're interested in trying that, should be appropriate for your load unless you ride with a passenger


as far as my opinion, when they were on my bike I think it's a great shock. The 430 and 444 seems like the best options, I have 444's now and am happier.. mostly because I have the correct spring rating this time

[Fazer]

I too have the 444's and have just had them rebuilt.  Took a long time, but at least they did it.

[Steve K (IA)]

I've talked to Progressive and they said the only shock they have for a Valkyrie I/S is the 412 Heavy Duty in 12"  412-4234C, because the 13" have std springs.  This is the same P/N that comes up on J&P Cycles site.

J&P is about a 20 minute ride from me and they have them in stock...

[Jess from VA]

I too have the 444's and have just had them rebuilt.  Took a long time, but at least they did it.

444's are fairly new.   Can you tell us how long you had them and how many miles before leaking?

[RUDE DOG - Steelers]

I have 430s on my Interstate for years. No issues.

[Leathel]

A few other manufacturers of shocks list the same part numbers as Triumph rockets, progressive have listings for the rocket.....I would go std weight as the rocket is heavier so should be a little stiffer

 I tried an adjustable set from another brand, great 2 up but a little stiff riding solo so sold them to a mate with a Rocket Tourer and he loves them

 Now running with some 444's I got for an old bike I had that was a little lighter and they are great but ?? on part number, got to be 5 years plus since I got them

[MarkT]

I have posted several times on my findings on 444 shocks re: spring rates in relation to your load.  Check their specs document - it's a comprehensive pdf file listing lengths, spring rates, and related data for their entire line.  https://www.progressivesuspension.com/assets/files/7100-105-Specs-And-Tech-Info.pdf  

The 444's will work on the Valk with a very minor tweak to one of the bushing sleeves.  For some odd reason they want to say it's not for the Valk. Baloney. Pay close attention to the lengths and the spring rates.  They don't say anything about the correct shock for your load - you need to deduce that from my posts on that subject.  Use the advanced search tool entering "MarkT" and "444 Progressive" looking in the 1500 tech forum to see my discussions on it.  Personally I run 444-4057 which has a 140-200 spring which is good for my 250# plus my 130# wife, even with the tagalong trailer it still doesn't bottom.

[Jess from VA]

The 444's will work on the Valk with a very minor tweak to one of the bushing sleeves.  For some odd reason they want to say it's not for the Valk.

The reason is so they don't have to honor their lifetime warranty on the thousands of leaking 440s out there.  

I read here early on (soon after the changeover) one or two guys got 444s for the 440 warranty, but that's not what they told me.... they don't fit.

I don't recall them even offering 412s, not that I wanted them.

[Fazer]

Jess--I bought mine in Oct 2015 after breaking the weld on the OEM on the lower bushing trying to adjust.  I bought the 444-4213 which are standard duty as opposed to Mark's HD.  I rarely ride 2 up and at 200lbs they are good spring weight for me. 

I did not notice them leaking until Bob Smith (Attic Rat) sent me a picture when he was working on the upgrage last February.  I sent him my remaining OEM shock along with an eBay purchased replacement for him to put on the bike and he sent the 444's to Progressive in the box w/ shipping label, I provided.  I had called Progressive earlier and sent them my proof of purchase, along with photos Bob took and they provided the RMA.  Figure I had about 15,000 miles on 'em.

Took about 8 weeks and several calls, but I have them back. 

As far as fitting, I had to sand about 1/32" off the metal sleeve that goes inside the bushing on one side.  Other than that, no problem installing.

[Relax]

Has anybody tried longer than 13" shocks on the Valk?
(if such shocks exist!?)

I m mostly  riding 2 up and my 440 are bottoming.
No purchase proof so no reason to contact Progressive
I have had them for years and many miles ....

[hubcapsc]

Has anybody tried longer than 13" shocks on the Valk?
(if such shocks exist!?)

I m mostly  riding 2 up and my 440 are bottoming.
No purchase proof so no reason to contact Progressive
I have had them for years and many miles ....

I would guess you'd want fresh ones, not longer ones. I think
they have more than one spring rate and such...

-Mike "444 now..."

[Gnarly]

Has anybody tried longer than 13" shocks on the Valk?
(if such shocks exist!?)

I m mostly  riding 2 up and my 440 are bottoming.
No purchase proof so no reason to contact Progressive
I have had them for years and many miles ....

Recently read a post here by a VRCC inventive member: Jersey (I have his shifter mod!) who addressed the 'bottoming out'  issue by using a 14" Progressive # 416-1626A Air Shock, but he mentioned it needs to be compressed slightly in order to go on. From memory, he used a carpenter's pipe clamp to compress the shock slightly, then wrapped the compressed spring with baling wire til he got it installed.
Hope I got that right....Maybe send him a PM?

[Jersey]

Has anybody tried longer than 13" shocks on the Valk?
(if such shocks exist!?)

I m mostly  riding 2 up and my 440 are bottoming.
No purchase proof so no reason to contact Progressive
I have had them for years and many miles ....

Recently read a post here by a VRCC inventive member: Jersey (I have his shifter mod!) who addressed the 'bottoming out'  issue by using a 14" Progressive # 416-1626A Air Shock, but he mentioned it needs to be compressed slightly in order to go on. From memory, he used a carpenter's pipe clamp to compress the shock slightly, then wrapped the compressed spring with baling wire til he got it installed.
Hope I got that right....Maybe send him a PM?

Yep, that's exactly how I did it.  I have a Yokohama Envigor CT which is about 1" less diameter than the OEM MT.  This caused frequent bottoming out of the exhaust and side stand riding 2up with my wife.  I was using the 13" Progressive Airshocks.  So I switched over to the 14" airshocks to compensate for the loss in hieght due to the smaller tire.  Rode these about 5k miles out to Inzane Taos this year and back without a problem.  Work great 2up with the wife.

Hope that helps!

[Avanti]

Do the air shocks ride smoother than coil over?
If they leak are you done riding?

[Bagger John - #3785]

Do the air shocks ride smoother than coil over?

If you set the air pressure properly, they do. Too low and the ride is rougher - IMHO.
 

If they leak are you done riding?

When the ones on my I/S leak or require adjustment, I reach to the master cylinder mounted switch block and press the "Compressor Run" button. Similarly, if I need to lower the air pressure I move the Bleed/Fill switch to "Bleed" and press the button.

What's that? Other I/Ses don't have this mad form of electrickery? The system I built uses 90+% Honda OEM parts. The only non-Honda bits are the control relays and switch system, the air dump solenoid, an electrical air pressure gauge and the shocks themselves.

Honda could have made such a construct and included it in the I/S package. Compressor servicing is a bit of a challenge as the unit is mounted inside the fairing. Thus, all of it has to come apart in order to service the air drier. A remote (accessible) drier could have been incorporated, though.

[Gnarly]

Sad news, Jersey!
I fully intended to copycat your choice of shocks, when I put the new Yoko Envigor 205/60 on my FlyinJenni2, during the upcoming Season of Frigidity....not gonna say the "W" word here. (Hates it, doesn't we? Yes, we doessss.)
Where was I?
Oh. Yeah.
I called Progressive Suspension yesterday p.m. and spoke with their Tech guy.....He said they are no longer making ANY air shocks.
He had no freakinClue which 14" Progressive might fit a '99 Interstate. He may have been flipping burgers last week. Politely declined to discuss the ramifications of putting a slightly longer shock on. Had been seriously lawyer-proofed back in Orientation.
Only 'regular' Progressive I found ( on my own; by looking at their PDF ) that MAY work is 14.26" long....the 412-4012C.
Dunno that much about spring rate, but it's 140 / 200.
I weigh 270#, she weighs 140# and the fearless Boston Terrier third passenger weighs 26#.

[turtle254]

If your swingarm doesn't travel 14", then you just wasted shock travel. If it does, no need to compress the shock, just lower the swingarm.

[The emperor has no clothes]

If your swingarm doesn't travel 14", then you just wasted shock travel. If it does, no need to compress the shock, just lower the swingarm.

The length of the shock has little relation to the shock travel.

[turtle254]

If your swingarm doesn't travel 14", then you just wasted shock travel. If it does, no need to compress the shock, just lower the swingarm.

The length of the shock has little relation to the shock travel.

True … but if you have to compress to install past your available travel of your swingarm, you lost that travel length.

[Jess from VA]

The length of the shock has little relation to the shock travel.

I believe it does.  Shorter shocks, have less available travel, no?

I believe they often beef up spring rates and hydraulics to make up for it (to avoid bottoming), but it's still a harsher ride. 

Seems to me longer shocks have more travel available.

[Jersey]

to help in all of the discussion that seems to have started.  I have 416-1626A Air shocks.  I needed a longer shock to cause the swingarm to extend just a little further to make up for the 1" loss in tire diameter.  ANy loss of travel that might exist isn't an issue, since the end result is the swingarm lo/hi positions are now to my benefit to keep the bike at the OEM design height.  Plus the bike doesn't bottom out anymore when at maximum weight.

Aside from the theory of how shocks work.  All I can say it I've gotten what I needed and it rides nicely.

[HBFL]

I like my 412’s. It works on #4-5 preload with my wife. The way I see it, I don’t really care that much with a 20 yo bike with antiquated suspension. If it doesn’t bottom with my wife and luggage I’m good.

[Jersey]

Sad news, Jersey!
I fully intended to copycat your choice of shocks, when I put the new Yoko Envigor 205/60 on my FlyinJenni2, during the upcoming Season of Frigidity....not gonna say the "W" word here. (Hates it, doesn't we? Yes, we doessss.)
Where was I?
Oh. Yeah.
I called Progressive Suspension yesterday p.m. and spoke with their Tech guy.....He said they are no longer making ANY air shocks.
He had no freakinClue which 14" Progressive might fit a '99 Interstate. He may have been flipping burgers last week. Politely declined to discuss the ramifications of putting a slightly longer shock on. Had been seriously lawyer-proofed back in Orientation.
Only 'regular' Progressive I found ( on my own; by looking at their PDF ) that MAY work is 14.26" long....the 412-4012C.
Dunno that much about spring rate, but it's 140 / 200.
I weigh 270#, she weighs 140# and the fearless Boston Terrier third passenger weighs 26#.

I have the 416-1626A, which still available on amazon for about $400

[Jersey]

If your swingarm doesn't travel 14", then you just wasted shock travel. If it does, no need to compress the shock, just lower the swingarm.

I'm not sure that's how it works.  So the 13.5" air shocks are naturally a certain length (I can't recall as I didn't measure).  But when you go to put them on, they are able to fit within the space provided with the swingarm just hanging there.  The 14.25" air shock (416-1626A) are just slightly too long to fit into this same open space.  While I can hand compress the airshock on the bench, I can't do it while trying to install... just too much angle an not enough upper body strength - SO I compressed and used baling wire to hold it while I installed.  I'd say the total compression was about an 1" just to allow easy install like the 13.5" shocks.

As far as wasted space. Nah.  That extra compression of the slightly longer shock was what I wanted on purpose... to raise the bike (extend the swingarm) just a little further than the 13.5" to make up for the smaller diameter tire of the Envigor.  The extra compression also very slightly increased the compression rate once mounted.  Hope that helps.

[Jersey]

If your swingarm doesn't travel 14", then you just wasted shock travel. If it does, no need to compress the shock, just lower the swingarm.

The length of the shock has little relation to the shock travel.

True … but if you have to compress to install past your available travel of your swingarm, you lost that travel length.

While this is true... it doesn't matter in this situation.  I don't need the swingarm to extend past it's physical design limits.  Just need it to extend about .75" in it's natural position with the longer airshock"