Progressive air shocks

[Raverez]

Does anybody know the suggested air pressure for the 416 shocks?
Can't find that info anywhere including the progressive website.
Thanks.

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

Min. 0 max 70lbs. I found it took about 25lbs just to get the ride height back to normal without me on it after installing my shocks.

[wingrider02]

I run about 60 pounds in it two up...but question if my seals aren't blown, as I am always getting oil out of the schrader valve when I check the pressure.

[BobB]

I put 416's on over a year ago.  I fill to 30 psi when riding solo, and I tip the scales at 230 lbs.  When riding two-up I increase the pressure it 55-60 psi.  Hope this helps.

[The emperor has no clothes]

So how do you guys like these shocks?

[Raverez]

Thanks, wasn't sure how much. I'll try to go with 45lbs.

[fordmano]

WOW! How in the world are you guys able to run at such low pressures?
If I run less than 80#psi solo it really is way too squishy and I run between 90-95#psi with two up I am about 265+# and the wife,,,,, well just say way less than 2/3rds of me.

I had mine rebuilt after my trip to Vegas a couple years ago now and they had somehow failed? The rebuilt them and added a small amount higher volume of oil and said I could safely get away with running them up around 100#psi if I still bottomed out...

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

I pulled mine for the same reason. At 70 psi we bottomed out pretty easy. Tire (CT) hit the underside of the fender and rubbed often. Progressive 13in 440 on there now. Sweet at 4 setting

[Valkorado]

I pulled mine for the same reason. At 70 psi we bottomed out pretty easy. Tire (CT) hit the underside of the fender and rubbed often. Progressive 13in 440 on there now. Sweet at 4 setting

Yup, same here.  I hated those 416s.  We scraped everywhere, even headers once (not comforting).  I installed HD 13" 444s.  They're a beautiful thing set halfway, whether solo or two up.   

[fordmano]

Hmmm, well maybe I should rethink the 416's with those bits of information...
I wonder why there is such a variety in the quality of ride and performance on the 416's?

I have been considering increasing the oil level in them a few cc's at a time and see if that helps...

[Colin]

I run mine at 55psi as I have found that is the best for me usually solo and the type of roads I ride. If I have a passenger I up it by10-15psi depending on their weight.

[MarkT]

The 416's have a large "sweet spot" provided you have the preload accurately set.  IOW the ride is cushier than any of my other vehicles.  You really need to set the pressure right for the load.  Easy on Deerslayer since I installed a compressor system.  You can increase the oil to increase the compression rate for carrying heavy loads.  I used to do that before I solo'd the bike.  Then w/o a back seat extra oil wasn't needed.  Now I have put the back seat back on.  I plan to add extra oil before an upcoming trip, as on that trip I will be taking friends for rides.  BTW the oil goes in the bottom, not the side where the air line goes in.

The 416's will carry good capacity with extra oil.  Their docs say don't do that.  However the Progreessive rep who used to hang out here, advised me to do it.  Worked fine.  Over 17 years I've rebuilt them a couple times.  That is, get the kit and replace the seals.  They don't have rebound damping but the adjustability by just turning a valve makes them worth it to me.

Pressure needed?  Varies with the amount of oil inside.  I dial mine up to over a hundred pounds sometimes, particularly when I'm hitting the twisties fast and want the suspension stiff, or I'm about to hit a bump that will bottom the shocks otherwise.  When the seals aren't worn they will hold their pressure indefinitely.

http://www.horseapple.com/Valkyrie/Tech_Tips/A_Premium_Air_System/a_premium_air_system.html

[fordmano]

Thanks Mark.

Ok so the oil goes in the bottom? I have not pulled mine off and tipped them over yet. I would guess this would mean to mostly disassemble them to access the lower section of the internals?
Can you give a rough set of directions and also any suggestion on oil weight type and total volume needed to achieve the results you described in your experience.

Thanks,
Matt

[MarkT]

Thanks Mark.

Ok so the oil goes in the bottom? I have not pulled mine off and tipped them over yet. I would guess this would mean to mostly disassemble them to access the lower section of the internals?
Can you give a rough set of directions and also any suggestion on oil weight type and total volume needed to achieve the results you described in your experience.

Thanks,
Matt

I have their instructions which I either made into pdf's or downloaded them that way.  They are somewhat contradictory and so, confusing.  There are 3 of them, one says max ATF fluid (Dexron) is 2 oz, the other says max is 6oz, one says specifically to put the oil in the bottom during the rebuild and the other says don't worry about it leaking out the air hole. It makes more sense that extra oil in the air chamber would accelerate the compression rate - don't know about the other side of the piston making sense but that's what the rebuild pdf says. I think the original amount is 2 oz, I have at least doubled it, had success putting it in either location IIRC but if in the top, when you vent air, oil will come out with it.  I added a hose to the vent valve to route the oil off the bike.  Makes Deerslayer comfortable to park next to HD's.  It does significantly increase the compression rate and so the shocks will carry quite a bit more than w/o the extra oil.  Like I said - the Progessive rep said to increase the oil for more capacity, while the instructions say don't.  I went with his advise and it worked.  Lawyers probably wrote the instructions.  I will be adding extra oil again soon so I can haul heavy passengers on a coming trip.  I'll pay more attention to the amounts and results then. Go to this link and download the 3 pdf files that begin with 3068: http://www.horseapple.com/scratch/

Re-reading the pdf's, apparently it's supposed to have 2 oz ATF in the bottom and a max of 6 oz in the top.  Apparently.  I'm going to pull mine and refill the tops with 6oz for max load capacity.  Pretty sure that's not what's in there right now.

[fordmano]

Thanks MarkT, really appreciate it.
Planning on pulling mine off and adding oil Thursday I will report back if I get this taken care of...


Thanks,
Matt

[Bagger John - #3785]

I went the route Mark did with Deerslayer - the compressor is an old GL1200 unit; its electronically controlled bleed/fill control valving setup  is mounted inside my I/S fairing and uses an electrical Stewart-Warner air pressure gauge for a readout. The gauge is mounted in the right-side radiator pod along with a coolant temp gauge of the same series.

A Show Chrome reservoir-mounted switch block has a pushbutton actuator along with a Fill/Bleed switch mounted inside. Pressure can be adjusted on the fly.

When solo I run 20-45lbs pressure as there's no trunk on the bike. With a heavier (185lb) passenger I set the shocks to 70lbs and the ride is reported to be "cushy, yet firm". I could increase the pressure a bit more for two-up in the twisties but usually don't have a passenger aboard when doing that kind of riding.