Got a set of Progressive 440's, but adjusting them is impossible it seems.

[John Schmidt]

I called their Tech. line about a wrench and the girl said you don't use one with the 440's. Supposed to just twist the top by hand, so I tried. That girl must have a gorilla for a boyfriend because these suckers won't budge without a wrench. Called back and asked again....she said get some 3in1 oil and run it around the top where the black meets the polished cover. Then pick up a strap wrench to turn it, told me it will loosen up eventually.

So....what's been the experience of you folks with similar shocks? Can you adjust by hand like she said?

[Valker]

I can, but only if they are clean and freshly lubed. I carry a strap wrench simply because my bike is rarely clean.

[hubcapsc]

Have you got bag rails? I could get my hands in there to turn them before I had bag
rails... like Valker says... get a rubber strap wrench, they have a perfect one at Sears...

-Mike

[John Schmidt]

And yes, I have bag rails which was another thing I couldn't figure out. How to get my hams in there for adjusting the shocks. I'll hit Sears tomorrow.

[NiteRiderF6]

John,

About the only way I can turn mine with bag rails is with the blue strap wrench that Sears sells. It helps to get the back tire up too to take some weight off the shocks. Good luck!

[Jeff K]

I've had mine apart several time to lube them, it lasts a week or so, then you can't turn them anymore.
But I rarely adjust them anyway. I don't think I'd buy them again.

[Jess from VA]

John, they do get stiffer with age, but even after putting on brand new ones on my SV last year, I still had a dickens of a time turning them with bags and bag guards.  I could only get a half inch turn on each grip, and killed my hands.  BTW, I believe it is a bit easier if you jack the bike (rear) up a bit to take the load off the shocks.

[G-Man]

Strap wrench!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Relax]

Mine were stuck, but I added some drops of oil and was able to turn.
Now i add some VD 40 or something after every wash ( when i remember )...and i can adjust by hand.

[f6john]

I've had mine apart several time to lube them, it lasts a week or so, then you can't turn them anymore.
But I rarely adjust them anyway. I don't think I'd buy them again.

 


Any alternative suggestions?

[hubcapsc]

I've had mine apart several time to lube them, it lasts a week or so, then you can't turn them anymore.
But I rarely adjust them anyway. I don't think I'd buy them again.

 


Any alternative suggestions?

Some people say they like Interstate shocks on Std/Tourer.

Other people say they like Works Performance shocks on Valkyries in general.

I have 13 inch Progressives on my Tourer... I weigh 195... I started out with regular springs
which were OK when it was just me, awful when Carolyn was on back. Now I have heavy duty
springs and I like it one up or two up.

I never rode my bike more than once or twice with the shocks that were on it when I
got it...



-Mike

[Wildman]

I have a standard and I think that the 440's (13" with heavy duty springs,i'm about 235 Lbs.)are a pain to adjust.
100 grip and turns to go from all the way low, where I use them for solo riding, to all the way high where I need them for two up riding. Other than being a really good fore arm exercise it has no redeaming value. The Original Equipment spanner wrench is way more convenient and far quicker for adjustments, but the 440's are a better shock.

[John Schmidt]

Did get them loosened up finally. Hopped on the beast and rode up to Harbor Freight, picked up a rubber strap wrench and a couple pair of mechanics gloves with the little rubber nubbies on them. After soaking the top overnight with some WD40, I was able to grab them with the gloves on and they broke loose. Turns pretty easy now but I can see how it's impossible when mounted. I don't think I'll need the HD springs since I only ride solo and the only time I have extra on back is when I travel. But the bag and any supplies in the saddlebags are nowhere near the weight of a corider so I'm sticking with the stock springs for now. I don't plan on installing them until this Spring when I pull the rear end and driveline, prior to any Summer trips. Also plan to pull the front end apart to change out the fork oil and install new stem bearings, plus something else TBA later. 

[Robert]

When you adjust them a few times they loosen up a bit plus with greasing the bottom of the spring and the threads helps but what helps the most is making a spring seat out of plastic. My first try was a thick bottle that was plastic cut out the diameter of the springs and put it in and it worked pretty good. I can do it by hand now, a little effort is sometimes needed very but doable. I later found a harder plastic that worked great and still have it on the bike now. I have also found if you have the chrome ends that they peel so better keep your receipt so you can send them back when they do. If you need to compress the spring to get it apart a thick walled plastic pipe cut 1/4 or a bit more slot in it works great for a tool to put some force through to compress the spring. I use this tool and the car lift and it works great.

[lee]

UNLOAD them:  Buy that I don't mean sale them.  Just jack the bike up until
the rear wheel is just touching the ground.  Makes adjusting easier.