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superjoe37
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« on: September 23, 2021, 07:34:16 AM » |
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Fellas, I am looking at potentially replacing my rear shocks. I have seen posts on I/S shocks but not sure if the same info applies to the standard? Also, i am about 5'10" 190lbs and my only (somewhat) complaint about my bike is I am not as low to the ground (flat footed) as I'd like to be. If I understand it correctly the stock shocks are 13" and the progressive 412 series offers 11.5, 12, 12.5, and 13. Would there be any problems going with the 12" shocks and would that actually get me lower to the ground? Thanks!
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John Schmidt
Member
Posts: 15194
a/k/a Stuffy. '99 I/S Valk Roadsmith Trike
De Pere, WI (Green Bay)
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« Reply #1 on: September 23, 2021, 07:44:11 AM » |
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No problem, ran 12" on my Tourer for years. Many others run 11.5".
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CoreyP
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« Reply #2 on: September 23, 2021, 08:43:41 PM » |
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I would suggest Bitubos. That's what I have on my bike now. I'm 6 ft and have no trouble with the stock height, I don't think an inch off would be a problem. I got my shocks from here, https://traxxion.com/, tell them what bike you have and they will get the right shocks and set them up for you. They'll ask what weight you are and how you are riding. |
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mello dude
Member
Posts: 945
Half genius, half dumazz whackjob foole
Dayton Ohio
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« Reply #3 on: September 27, 2021, 11:37:25 PM » |
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Having screwed around with the stock shocks, I had never tried setting on number 1 until today...........I just assumed it would bottom out and be harsh. Well, I was wrong....Day..Umm...... Jeez. The number 1 setting on the rear shocks work out smooooth.....whoa I like...I'm really surprised......  OK....check replacement aftermarket shocks off the list . For info ....I weigh 170 lbs..... |
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« Last Edit: September 27, 2021, 11:47:56 PM by mello dude »
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* There's someone in my head, but it's not me.......
* Mr. Murphy was an optimist....
* There's a very fine line between Insanity and Genius.....
* My get up and go, must have got up and went.....
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Bagger John - #3785
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« Reply #4 on: September 28, 2021, 06:15:09 AM » |
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...check replacement aftermarket shocks off the list .
How many miles on the bike? Eventually they'll get to the point where the dampers wear out and you'll have to consider a refit. |
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98valk
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« Reply #5 on: September 28, 2021, 07:19:28 AM » |
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Having screwed around with the stock shocks, I had never tried setting on number 1 until today...........I just assumed it would bottom out and be harsh. Well, I was wrong....Day..Umm...... Jeez. The number 1 setting on the rear shocks work out smooooth.....whoa I like...I'm really surprised...... OK....check replacement aftermarket shocks off the list . For info ....I weigh 170 lbs..... very dangerous, bike will wallow badly under certain bump road conditions at speed, can become uncontrollable and result in going down. experienced it when I first installed I/S shocks on my tourer, they where set on two. I run them on three and everything is perfect. what yr is your bike? '97-98 shocks have very harsh compression and rebound settings. '99 and on have much better smoother settings, same as the I/S shock settings except for the heavier springs of the I/S. |
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1998 Std/Tourer, 2007 DR200SE, 1981 CB900C 10speed
1973 Duster 340 4-speed rare A/C, 2001 F250 4x4 7.3L, 6sp
"Our Constitution was made only for a Moral and Religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the goverment of any other."
John Adams 10/11/1798
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98valk
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« Reply #6 on: September 29, 2021, 08:05:56 AM » |
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Having screwed around with the stock shocks, I had never tried setting on number 1 until today...........I just assumed it would bottom out and be harsh. Well, I was wrong....Day..Umm...... Jeez. The number 1 setting on the rear shocks work out smooooth.....whoa I like...I'm really surprised...... OK....check replacement aftermarket shocks off the list . For info ....I weigh 170 lbs..... Contrary to what some say, setting #1 is not inherently dangerous. I would ride over some bumps at speed and see how they react though. you are incorrect. if the suspension is overloaded just from speed, cornering forces, rough road, etc., due to the bike being undersprung, i.e. shock/s set without enough preload for the conditions mentioned bad things can happen very very fast. just cruising streets going straight low speed, then is doesn't make a difference. |
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1998 Std/Tourer, 2007 DR200SE, 1981 CB900C 10speed
1973 Duster 340 4-speed rare A/C, 2001 F250 4x4 7.3L, 6sp
"Our Constitution was made only for a Moral and Religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the goverment of any other."
John Adams 10/11/1798
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mello dude
Member
Posts: 945
Half genius, half dumazz whackjob foole
Dayton Ohio
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« Reply #7 on: September 29, 2021, 10:12:27 PM » |
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To the naysayers - its fine... for the bikes mission to cruise around SW Ohio backroads.... the bike will never leave the state.
The bike is a '99.. - I did replace the front springs...
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« Last Edit: September 29, 2021, 10:24:05 PM by mello dude »
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* There's someone in my head, but it's not me.......
* Mr. Murphy was an optimist....
* There's a very fine line between Insanity and Genius.....
* My get up and go, must have got up and went.....
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Bagger John - #3785
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« Reply #8 on: September 30, 2021, 05:53:22 AM » |
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... for the bikes mission to cruise around SW Ohio backroads...
Those are fairly flat (I've been there, done that) and hopefully still in good repair. Come to northeast Ahia and this pavement will challenge even the highest-end aftermarket suspension setup. |
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98valk
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« Reply #9 on: October 01, 2021, 09:31:12 AM » |
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Having screwed around with the stock shocks, I had never tried setting on number 1 until today...........I just assumed it would bottom out and be harsh. Well, I was wrong....Day..Umm...... Jeez. The number 1 setting on the rear shocks work out smooooth.....whoa I like...I'm really surprised...... OK....check replacement aftermarket shocks off the list . For info ....I weigh 170 lbs..... if u are getting a harsh ride have u checked the upper shock bushings? |
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1998 Std/Tourer, 2007 DR200SE, 1981 CB900C 10speed
1973 Duster 340 4-speed rare A/C, 2001 F250 4x4 7.3L, 6sp
"Our Constitution was made only for a Moral and Religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the goverment of any other."
John Adams 10/11/1798
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psckam
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« Reply #10 on: October 28, 2021, 05:55:59 AM » |
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Just curious but if shocks were dangerous at the lowest setting why would they have that feature. I'm sure the lawyers would be lining up for that cash cow.
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98valk
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« Reply #11 on: October 28, 2021, 06:50:41 AM » |
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Just curious but if shocks were dangerous at the lowest setting why would they have that feature. I'm sure the lawyers would be lining up for that cash cow.
if one pushes a motorcycle towards its limits at higher speeds and encounters rough bad roads while leaned over with under-sprung suspension bad things will happen fast due to the suspension fully compressing and hitting the internal stops and then hard parts hit the road. one has to do baseline suspension adjustment for correct handling on a motorcycle with all added weight. owners manual pg 17 states "position 1 for light load and smooth road conditions. position 2 is std position" when entering a curve at speed the suspension can get overloaded. https://vehiclephysics.com/advanced/how-suspensions-work/https://www.superbike-coach.com/coachs-blog/coachs-motorcycle-support/motorcycle-suspension-guide |
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1998 Std/Tourer, 2007 DR200SE, 1981 CB900C 10speed
1973 Duster 340 4-speed rare A/C, 2001 F250 4x4 7.3L, 6sp
"Our Constitution was made only for a Moral and Religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the goverment of any other."
John Adams 10/11/1798
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Knapdog
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« Reply #12 on: July 15, 2022, 07:41:18 AM » |
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I'm looking to change my rear shocks also.
I've a 1998 Tourer with only 14,000 miles.
I've done 1000 miles in it now and would say I'm a bit disappointed with the ride. I have it on setting 3 have tried other settings but generally find the ride hard and not the sumptuous ride I was expecting.
The bike is going in to the local dealership for fork refurbishment, seals, bushes, oil etc but I'm keeping the springs.
Lots of you seem to go for Progressive 412 shocks but they're not easy to get in the UK. I believe the oem shocks are 13" so do I replace with the 13" Progressive? Quite often, on ebay for example, they're advertised as fitting a Harley Davidson. When I type in the Gl1500 Valkyrie it says they won't fit my bike. Can I ignore that?
I'm 180lbs and very rarely carry a pillion passenger, if that helps.
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Stay between the hedges!
'98 Honda Valkyrie Tourer⁸
'96 Honda C90
'83 Honda C90C
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98valk
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« Reply #13 on: July 15, 2022, 08:47:56 AM » |
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I'm looking to change my rear shocks also.
I've a 1998 Tourer with only 14,000 miles.
I've done 1000 miles in it now and would say I'm a bit disappointed with the ride. I have it on setting 3 have tried other settings but generally find the ride hard and not the sumptuous ride I was expecting.
The bike is going in to the local dealership for fork refurbishment, seals, bushes, oil etc but I'm keeping the springs.
Lots of you seem to go for Progressive 412 shocks but they're not easy to get in the UK. I believe the oem shocks are 13" so do I replace with the 13" Progressive? Quite often, on ebay for example, they're advertised as fitting a Harley Davidson. When I type in the Gl1500 Valkyrie it says they won't fit my bike. Can I ignore that?
I'm 180lbs and very rarely carry a pillion passenger, if that helps.
the '99 to '03 std and tourer shocks have better valving like the I/S shocks for a smoother ride. usually can be had on ebay for low cost. '97 and '98 shocks provide a terrible ride as u have noted. |
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1998 Std/Tourer, 2007 DR200SE, 1981 CB900C 10speed
1973 Duster 340 4-speed rare A/C, 2001 F250 4x4 7.3L, 6sp
"Our Constitution was made only for a Moral and Religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the goverment of any other."
John Adams 10/11/1798
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hubcapsc
Member
Posts: 16769
upstate
South Carolina
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« Reply #14 on: July 15, 2022, 10:25:50 AM » |
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The fellow I rode to InZane with got a set of Bitubos recently. He
really likes them. I might get a set...
-Mike
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Ron in Buffalo
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« Reply #15 on: July 16, 2022, 08:38:04 AM » |
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I bought Bitubos from Traxxon Dynamics and would recommend them.
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1997 Valkyrie & 2002 BMW F650GS
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Tazman11
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« Reply #16 on: July 16, 2022, 10:49:06 AM » |
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Ron, do you mind me asking what you paid approx. Thanks
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Ron in Buffalo
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« Reply #17 on: July 17, 2022, 04:23:53 PM » |
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I think around 500.00 dollars. This was in 2020.
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1997 Valkyrie & 2002 BMW F650GS
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