Stock Showa Shocks

[Sircharles]

97 fast black with original shocks. I weight over 300lbs, and have recently added bags and a few other things, short story, it aint any lighter.
I moved the shock up to 5 (formerly was able to ride at 4) and was barely able to navigate a lumpy road with no passenger and the bags empty.
After much reading and investigating, coupled with the fact that I'm broke, we decided to shim up the spring (pre-load). Took a bit of experimenting to get it apart, but the upshot is, it is do-able, and it did work.
Moments later,literally, a friend showed up with some shocks in a box, both sets were new, though no identifiers, other than being "Progressive brand". We took a set that measured slightly longer (3/4") than stock and gave them a whirl, and they worked very well.
Upshot is, the old Showa shocks can be tweaked to gain some preload, and seem to work well, though not scientific as to what the rate of gain was, we made an educated guess and got very near.
So, if anyone needs, I can work you though it, or do it for you, if you like. One more wrinkle in my ever continuing education.

[csj]

I'd like to know how and what you did. But could you please write it
down and give some details. (some pics maybe)

Putting myself in your shoes, maybe that's a bit embarrassing for you,
and you'd like to keep some of the non-scientific stuff to yourself.

Whatever you're going to do, it'd be nice to hear about it. My Showas
are just about toast.

[98valk]

gold wing air shocks fit
http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,13356.0.html

rebuild with heavier springs
http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,45903.0.html

I/S shocks might be what u need, list some spring rates here.
http://valkyrie-owners.com/SMFORUM/index.php?topic=4550.0

[Sircharles]

Not at all sure why my noodling would be embarrassing. I just decided to share the info because after all my poking around the site here no one ever mentioned freshening up the old shocks. So, on inspection the bushings were worn but there was no sign of leakage. I didn't feel like I had much to lose, so we began figuring out how to take off the chrome and access the spring. Much like one would do on a car. Anyway, after a few false starts we figured out that be compressing the shock somewhat we could unscrew the aluminum upper mount, and carefully ease off the press and access the spring. Keeping in mind that these shocks are circa 1997 the fluid dampening still seemed to work very well. I felt good about the general condition and we kept going. My big problem was the added weight of the bags and modifications. As I mentioned before, my weight caused me to run the shocks at the 4 setting most of the time, and 5 with a passenger.
 Here is the unscientific bit. We had no idea how to quantify the spring rate  Using the press I made a guess as to how the spring "felt" at the 5 setting. We made a PVC bushing 3/4" thick and rebuilt the shock. It now felt like 4-5 at the 1 setting, and did not feel like it was binding as I bounced it. I adjusted the setting to 3 and took it for a ride. It seemed very good. I hit as many swoops and potholes as I could and did not bind or bottom out as before. Not very complex, just a little tricky getting it apart. It took tow of us. Someone with a better set up might do it easier / faster. Anyway, pics to follow.