Shocks - again

[Hedgehog]

Hi folks,

Just a daft Newbie question...just got my first Valk and am looking at replacing stock rear shocks....

Can anyone advise me as to whether the Progressive 412 shocks are OK? I'd like the 440's but they are quite a bit more expensive.

I don;t do many miles so was wondering whether 12 inch 412's would be a better ride than the OE shocks and worth a go..? ???

Or should I save up and get the 440's? ??? ???

They look fairly easy to fit.... but I could be wrong..? ??? ??? ???


Many Thanks


HH

[Quicksilver]

I tried a set when my origional shocks went south. They work, however they lower the rear some and in my case I bottomed out frequently riding 2 up. Used them a month I guess before going to 440 hd. I weigh around 250, wifes 120 or so. QS

[9Ball]

In my opinion, save for the 440s.  You can occasionally find them on ebay new in low $400 range.

Find the progressive model number based on length and duty that you want, then search by the Progressive model number for other bike fitments.  I found the cheapest set listed for a Rocket 3, but with the same model number, since these same shocks have fitments for quite a few different bikes.

The 440s have a lifetime warranty to the original owner and if you have any problems they will replace them free as long as you have your sale receipt/invoice.

YMMV...

[Hedgehog]

Thanks for the advice.

 440's it is then... Guess I should keep them at 12 inches as I believe that's what standard PE is and I'm happy with height?


Are the 440's easy to fit?? ???


Thanks

HH

[9Ball]

Yes, very easy.  You can even do them on the sidestand one at a time (you need to lift up on the rear or have a second person lift while you slide the shocks in place).

It's a bit easier with a bike lift.  Make sure you take the weight off the bottom bolt (in the final drive unit) and just do one side at a time.

There are other good shocks at the price point or slightly higher than the 440s that you may want to look at.  Just remember, you do get what you pay for and if you go cheap up front you may be wasting both time and money.  I'm happy with the 440s, especially after installing the Progressive fork springs.  The bike handles so much better with front and back upgrades.  It is money well spent. 

Good luck...

[Hedgehog]

Thanks Jrh.

I've got a centre stand, so I hope this will make it easier.

I'm going to do the forks (springs and heavier oil) after this.


HH

[sandy]

HH: How much do you and the other half weigh? I don't want an answer but it's what you need to consider. 12 1/2" is stock height. If you want a better ride, go with 13" shocks as that will give you a longer range of motion. With the preload set a bit soft, you can have a better ride. When the SO rides too, you can raise the preload to maintain ride height.

[Jess from VA]

OE shocks are 13" not 12.5".

OE are all old and sag more than new at rest, but they were 13" new. 

[Hedgehog]

I'm a bit tubby at 14 stone (I think that's about 195 lbs, wife is about 130 lbs).

From what you say I think the 13's (440s) would be OK?? ???


Thanks


HH

[BonS]

For whatever reason the Progressive Suspension 13" 440's are longer/taller than stock when in service. I put 13" 440's on my IS and the bike lean on the side stand was unbearable. I added a kickstand pad to help counteract the lean but you'd better have a long inseam to deal with the additional height. It must be for that reason that others have said that 12.5" Progressives are closer to stock height. I'm light so I set my shocks very near their softest setting.

The spring rate + bike weight + rider + passenger + gear determines the sag under load and therefore the actual length of the shock in service. The shock lengths referenced by the shock manufacturer is the unloaded length.

[Ricky-D]

There's a ton of shocks for the Valkyrie on e-Bay right now!

***

[hubcapsc]

I'm a bit tubby at 14 stone (I think that's about 195 lbs, wife is about 130 lbs).

From what you say I think the 13's (440s) would be OK?? ???


Thanks


HH

I'm 195, my wife is 130... 440s with standard springs were good for me, but even with max preload, they'd bottom
over little tiny bumps with both of us on.

Now I have HD springs on my 440s... there's a setting that's good for just me, and a setting that's good for both
of us...

-Mike

[Hedgehog]

Thanks hubcap - HD springs it is then..

[Sodbuster]

I'm a bit tubby at 14 stone (I think that's about 195 lbs, wife is about 130 lbs).

From what you say I think the 13's (440s) would be OK?? ???


Thanks


HH

I'm 195, my wife is 130... 440s with standard springs were good for me, but even with max preload, they'd bottom
over little tiny bumps with both of us on.

Now I have HD springs on my 440s... there's a setting that's good for just me, and a setting that's good for both
of us...

-Mike

hubcapsc - so are your shocks 13" or 12.5" ??

[hubcapsc]

hubcapsc - so are your shocks 13" or 12.5" ??

13. They're the same length as the OEMs, off the bike... the sag is probably
different between the 440s and the OEMs, so I can't really say much about
the difference on the bike, doesn't seem all that different to me.

-Mike

[Westsider]

Will the oem shock bushings fit the progressive shocks? TIA

[hubcapsc]

Will the oem shock bushings fit the progressive shocks? TIA

Progressive sends  you a mess of, like, brass bushings... there's ones that
fit great on the Valkyrie. Shock bushings is not an issue I've had to think about
at all for the 45,000 miles I've had progressive shocks... my shocks blew out
a few months ago, and Progressive replaced them, so now it is all new again...

-Mike