Front and rear shocks

[8Track]

Hi Guys,

I have a 99 Valk Custom which I bought 3 months ago with 32,000 Kms on it. The suspension definitely needs freshening up. In particular the rear is bouncy and bottoms out on larger bumps, even with pre-load up on 4.

The front feels a little less than properly planted . Mid corner bumps do upset the bike more than I'd like.

I was wondering if the stock rear shocks are rebuildable? If not what shocks are you guys using? I want to retain standard ride height. The bike is used 60% solo, 30% with pillion, and 10% with pillion + luggage. I weigh 110kgs (242 pounds) and the Mrs is 57 kgs (126 pounds).

For the front, I guess the first step is to investigate the fork oil situation and make sure its OK. I know fork oil often gets neglected. Beyond that, are you guys replacing OEM fork springs with anything else or are the OEMs ok?

Thanks,

Mark

[F6BANGER]

I am running Progressive suspension 440's and front springs. Love them
http://www.progressivesuspension.com/metric/440series/index.html
http://www.progressivesuspension.com/forkspringsmetric/index.html

[Joe Hummer]

Progressive fronts...416s air shocks in back...

[RUDE DOG - Steelers]

Progressive Springs up front, Progressive 430's out back.

[sandy]

I have Works Performance shocks (rear) and Progressive springs in the front. Another option is Hyper Pro springs which I have in my GoldWing forks. Love 'em both.

[Hedgehog]

Progressive 412s are cheaper than 440s but still excellent. I'm really pleased with mine.

JC Motors was the cheapest via E bay.

A progressive spring (there is only 1, not  a pair) and new oil in the front does wonders...

HH

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Progressive 412s are cheaper than 440s but still excellent. I'm really pleased with mine.

JC Motors was the cheapest via E bay.

A progressive spring (there is only 1, not  a pair) and new oil in the front does wonders...

HH

When I bought mine it had two in the box.

[rangernight]

I had 2 in the  box I bought also ????

[Hedgehog]

I meant only 1 spring for the front forks..... there is only one needed...

[Joe Hummer]

I meant only 1 spring for the front forks..... there is only one needed...

If you only got one spring with your set of front springs, you got jipped.  My box had two front springs in it.

[BF]

Hi Guys,

I have a 99 Valk Custom which I bought 3 months ago with 32,000 Kms on it. The suspension definitely needs freshening up. In particular the rear is bouncy and bottoms out on larger bumps, even with pre-load up on 4.

The front feels a little less than properly planted . Mid corner bumps do upset the bike more than I'd like.

I was wondering if the stock rear shocks are rebuildable? If not what shocks are you guys using? I want to retain standard ride height. The bike is used 60% solo, 30% with pillion, and 10% with pillion + luggage. I weigh 110kgs (242 pounds) and the Mrs is 57 kgs (126 pounds).

For the front, I guess the first step is to investigate the fork oil situation and make sure its OK. I know fork oil often gets neglected. Beyond that, are you guys replacing OEM fork springs with anything else or are the OEMs ok?

Thanks,

Mark

The stock shocks arn't rebuildable that I know of.  There's usually sets of used shocks on ebay.  The Insterstate shocks are supposed to be a little tuffer because of the added weight that's on the Insterstates. 

I've been riding with the stock shocks and front springs.  Rides like an old Cadillac.....mushy.  I've just put a set of used 11.5" Progressive 412's on it just to see if I like the lower ride height, but my eventual goal is to put Progressive springs (and I'm thinkin' 10wt oil) in the front and Works shocks on the rear.  

[Hedgehog]

Re Front forks - No I wasn't duped  - there is only one spring in the forks - both sides do not have one. The Progressive kit (by Hagon) therefore only has one - that's all that's needed.

[JC]

I am running Progressive suspension 440's and front springs. Love them
http://www.progressivesuspension.com/metric/440series/index.html
http://www.progressivesuspension.com/forkspringsmetric/index.html

+1   

[JC]

Re Front forks - No I wasn't duped  - there is only one spring in the forks - both sides do not have one. The Progressive kit (by Hagon) therefore only has one - that's all that's needed.

That's strange, mine has a spring in each side, and the Progressive set had two springs, one for each side. I replaced them both myself so I know this for sure.

Sorry Hedge, but both sides do have springs, you just have to get to them differently. The left side takes a 'special' tool to get the spring out. If you only did one side, you are halfway done..........

Here is the parts page for reference

http://images.powersportsnetwork.com/fiche/images/HONDA/1999/MOTORCYCLES/2497_FRONT%20FORK.gif

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

I am running Progressive suspension 440's and front springs. Love them
http://www.progressivesuspension.com/metric/440series/index.html
http://www.progressivesuspension.com/forkspringsmetric/index.html

Me too. The front springs and 440's in the rear are the best upgrade I've made to my bike. The 440's are expensive but they have a lifetime warranty as long as you keep your receipt.

[8Track]

Thanks to all for sharing their experiences.

With an upgrade to the Progressives, can you you comment on the ride and handling? Do these shocks give you the confidence to ride the bike hard through the twisty stuff?

Thanks,

Mark

[Joe Hummer]

Thanks to all for sharing their experiences.

With an upgrade to the Progressives, can you you comment on the ride and handling? Do these shocks give you the confidence to ride the bike hard through the twisty stuff?

Thanks,

Mark

Since I was the only one to comment on the air shocks, I will state my option...from that stand point.  First, a qualifier...I haven't had a chance to ride through a lot of twisties since I put them on...since it was just January when I put them on.  But, the bike does feel more stable in the corners I have taken it in.  I had put the front springs in last summer.  That made a pretty good change in the way the bike handled.  The front didn't dive as much when braking.  My rear shocks had 85k miles on them, so it was time to get something else.  The air shocks (I have mine set at 40 psi) made the ride more stable (compared to my worn out stock shocks).  The bike now flows over irregularities in the road.  I don't ride with a passenger often but I will pump the air shocks up to 45-50 psi when carrying a passenger.  The shocks do well at 40 psi when I have carried a passenger but I think I will want a little more when on longer trips.    I don’t see needing to make a change in the pressure when towing a trailer.  As for weights…I am about 275-280 lbs, my normal passengers are from 160-220 lbs.  Extreme passengers would be close to my weight. 

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

For sure the upgrade gave me a sportier ride and better handling. Before installation I felt my front forks were too soft, with too much travel used up by just my weight and the weight of the bike. The progressive front springs and a little higher fork oil level give me less sag and a better more planted feel to the front. It also handled big bumps better and high speed superslab bumps better too.

I was already running my OEM stocks at full stiff to aid in ground clearance and for less bottoming when riding two up. They beat me up on small bumps at this setting though. I set the 440's pre-load pretty stiff and then brought it down till they no longer topped out when going over big bumps at speed. (Indiana means rough roads)

This setting is slightly stiff for me with no luggage but just right for me with luggage or with a rider. With luggage and a rider I stiffen them up a little. Adjustments on the 440's are done without tools.

I've heard good things about the works shocks too but they didn't seem too interested in selling me a pair when I called them so I bought the 440's. I probably just talked to a poor salesman or one who was anxious to go home for the weekend.

[Challenger]

Crap! I read the instructions and I still put one spring in each front fork.  Anyway I have progressive front spring"s"  and I love them, no more nose dive when I'm on the front brake hard.     

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Re Front forks - No I wasn't duped  - there is only one spring in the forks - both sides do not have one. The Progressive kit (by Hagon) therefore only has one - that's all that's needed.

  One on the right and one on the left ....1 + 1 = 2 .....Duped you was  ???