I/S Progressive 416's question.

[fordmano]

Ok here is another prelude to my ride report. With a question.

The progressive 416 air ride shocks seem nice but I am struggling with the proper air pressure for riding 1 or 2 up.

I started out at 25lbs riding solo with normal going to work gear, not much mostly lunch and riding gear. Seemed a little to bouncy and sagged more than I liked. I also was worried that this is part of my headlight adjustment issue with the beam being aimed to high. The next night I ran the pressure up to 35lbs felt a little bit better with 1 up.
So then I rode with the wife on back and pumped the air up to about 40ish, not enough we did not bottom out but the bike sure sagged to much. Now I for some reason can’t figure out what is the maximum air that is safe in the 416’s. Seems like I saw somewhere 70lbs of air was ok and safe for the shock.

I am about 260lbs and not sure but I figure the wife is a bit over a buck-sixty and with our upcoming Vegas ride I figure we will have better part of 50lbs of gear so that puts the I/S at around 470+ total baggage for the I/S

So bottom line question what kind of air pressure should I run in my 416’s for total carry weight of close to 500lbs?

Thanks,
Matt

[X Ring]

Mornin Matt, do you have the Progressive Installation Sheet?  If not, you can download it from Progressive's website.  It has the instructions on how to set up the air shocks. 

Marty   

[fordmano]

Does it? I guess I will have to dig it back out and look. Don't remember seeing the max pressure allowed of even suggested pressures.

Thanks I will look again.

[Warlock]

Ok here is another prelude to my ride report. With a question.

The progressive 416 air ride shocks seem nice but I am struggling with the proper air pressure for riding 1 or 2 up.

I started out at 25lbs riding solo with normal going to work gear, not much mostly lunch and riding gear. Seemed a little to bouncy and sagged more than I liked. I also was worried that this is part of my headlight adjustment issue with the beam being aimed to high. The next night I ran the pressure up to 35lbs felt a little bit better with 1 up.
So then I rode with the wife on back and pumped the air up to about 40ish, not enough we did not bottom out but the bike sure sagged to much. Now I for some reason can’t figure out what is the maximum air that is safe in the 416’s. Seems like I saw somewhere 70lbs of air was ok and safe for the shock.

I am about 260lbs and not sure but I figure the wife is a bit over a buck-sixty and with our upcoming Vegas ride I figure we will have better part of 50lbs of gear so that puts the I/S at around 470+ total baggage for the I/S

So bottom line question what kind of air pressure should I run in my 416’s for total carry weight of close to 500lbs?

Thanks,
Matt

I bought some from someone here and rebuilt them. I'm running around 30 lbs solo and max is 70 lbs. I still haven't tried two up for any distance yet. They seem to ride better than my 440's. Only time will tell how they hold up. I know to rebuild them doesn't cost much.
David

[X Ring]

I installed some lightly used (300 miles) 416s on my I/S this past weekend.  Biggest thing was trying to figure out where I was going to put the fill valve.  Haven't had a chance to test them yet.  The fairing is off while I installed Deuce Risers, new grips and a Stebel horn.

Marty

[quexpress]

I bought some from someone here and rebuilt them. I'm running around 30 lbs solo and max is 70 lbs. I still haven't tried two up for any distance yet. They seem to ride better than my 440's. Only time will tell how they hold up. I know to rebuild them doesn't cost much.
David

Hi David,
How much of a job is it to rebuild these? Are you still happy with them?
Thanks!
Normand

[Warlock]

I bought some from someone here and rebuilt them. I'm running around 30 lbs solo and max is 70 lbs. I still haven't tried two up for any distance yet. They seem to ride better than my 440's. Only time will tell how they hold up. I know to rebuild them doesn't cost much.
David

Hi David,
How much of a job is it to rebuild these? Are you still happy with them?
Thanks!
Normand

Wasn't hard at all. Still haven't tried 2 up. Hoping to get my wife on back for a good ride while I'm home this time. So far I like them. Took them out for a 300 mile ride while in and the bike handles and rides better than my HD 440's.
David

[quexpress]

Thanks David! 

[Colin]

I run mine at 50psi one up. SWMBO doesn't come with very often so I am usually solo. Took a her on the back recently and didn't bother pumping them up and it was fine, handled well but I don't ride as fast with her on the back. I go about 230 lbs.

As to mounting the inflation adapter I got a stainless steel bracket at the local hardware store that I bent to shape and pop riveted it to the rear of the plastic battery carrier and hold the inflation nozzle in place with a couple of suitably sized nuts. I'll do a photo if anyone wants, let me know.