progressive 412's and wobble

[csj]

Within the last month I got the fork oil changed, seals replaced,
and changed the shocks from the 12 yr old OEM to these
progressive 412.
The 412 ( 12 1/2" ) lowered the bike A LOT. I'm thinkin that
the order was placed correctly, but I was sent a shorter
version. On hard road bumps, there was a loud 'cherk' sound
that seems to be metel to metal, but maybe my 205-60 car tire
was hitting the inside of the fender. Don't know which.

That was the bad part. The good part is that the high speed 100mph+
rear wobble is gone (new bushings?). So, took a look at the old shocks
top bushings are toast.

I've decided to order some new bushings, replace them in the
old OEM shocks, put them back on. Them shorty progressive shocks
aint gettin er done for me.

One more item, with the 412s on, the bike is so low that I Cannot
put the bike up on the rivco c. stand. Not enough muscle.
Puttin the oem shocks back on.

Has anyone else gone through this shock problem?

[Gryphon Rider]

A solution to the centre stand issue is to ride the back tire up on a board before attempting to lift it.  My high speed wobble problem (85 MPH+) disappeared when I replaced the upper shock bushings and replaced the front E3 with a Cobra.  I don't know which made it better.

[Ricky-D]

My two cents!

Getting rid of that Dunlop was it!!!!

***

[SgtBunny]

I had 412's on mine but they were 10.5".

It took me and my wife to put mine on center stand so I took the stand off.

I had a bad wobble in turns and found that one of my 412s was leaking.

I bought 440s and it runs great....sold the center stand though.

[sandy]

The 412 is a light duty shock. The 12.5" height is suppose to be standard height, but it depends on what you weigh as to whether it's the right shock for you. Most folks go with the 440 heavy duty version.

[John Schmidt]

Stock height is 13", if you have something under 12.5" you will have difficulty getting it up on the centerstand. I had 412's at 12.5" for a number of years and never had a problem using the centerstand. Soon as I went to the 12" 412's it was just too low. Solution...I cut a piece of 1x3 about 18" long, roll the bike backward up on it and I can use the centerstand same as before. I did find it easier to put the piece of wood behind the tire and roll the bike backward onto it. Just give youself an inch of space behind the tire, stand the bike upright while sitting on it, roll/rock it backward and it goes right up. I carry that bit of wood in the saddlebag when I travel, works great.

The 412's are fine for riding one-up, used them for years. When I traveled and would load the bike with a bag on the rear fender and some stuff in the saddlebags, I just cranked the setting to its highest and never had a problem with bottoming out. After the trip, I just backed off to a mid-level setting. The metal to metal sound you're hearing is most likely the shocks bottoming out. Measure them from mounting eye to eye...center to center. I have some 12" heavy duty 412's that are new but much to hard a ride for me. If yours are not heavy duty and are 12", might consider an even swap. I have less than 1000 miles on these, but are just to harsh a ride for my old bones....like riding a hardtail Harley.