Progressive 416 air shocks

[WintrSol]

Anyone using these?
I have the Goldwing air shock system, and may want to change the shocks for ones with a higher pressure limit, because of the trailer I pull.

[wingrider02]

I had some on my IS when I bought it.  They were ok, but for me, I liked lower pressure so I cold touch the ground a bit, but then they didn't ride nice due to that low pressure.

[98valk]

416 springs are 125/180 lbs/in  + 0-70 PSI, max pressure is 100 PSI however they state air pressures above 70 psi will decrease shock life and bike might be overloaded if 100 psi is needed. They are easy to rebuild. Same spring rate is used for all GLs and  Valkyries. I picked up a set from a GL1100 for $60 last yr. going to rebuild them. GL1200 uses a longer shock
if u search, some love them, some hate them, reading the haters they were way overloaded for the shocks.
I have not found what spring rate the increased air pressures correlate to.

I/S shocks  140/200 lb/in

Progressive Heavy Duty shocks are over 200 lb/in, looking at their catalog all the way to 300+ springs might be available.

hope that helps.

[WintrSol]

Thanks, guys. I read on a 'Wing site that the dampers are stiffer in the 416's, as compared to the 'Wing dampers; not sure I'd like that. Also, that the newer 'Wing version has a limit of 57psi with the rear wheel off the ground, and a load limit of just over 400lbs, presumably at that pressure. That gives me a total load (other than me) of about 230lbs. Whatever I put on the hitch is doubled because of the lever arm, so if I have a 75lb tongue weight, that still leaves about 80lbs of stuff in the bags and on the back seat. Last I pulled the trailer, with about 55lbs tongue weight, I aired up to 57psi, with weight on the wheel, and, even though the rear was about 1" lower than it should be (for spec rake angle at the fork), it handled well enough. Next time, I'll lift the weight off, air it up, and see how far the trailer drops it, and reduce pressure if it is too tall. Since my air system stops at 57lbs, I hold off on the Progressives for now; $430 is too much for an experiment, especially if it fails.

[98valk]

from what I have read the 416s use the same dampening system as the 412s. Most recommend adding and extra oz of oil to the air chamber. if u go to their site see both metric and HD and u can read all of their PDF files on rebuild, installs and setups.

[WintrSol]

I went to www.progressivesuspension.com, and the closest it came to any data is 'target ride length'; nothing about pressure range, or anything else. The page says there is an adapter kit to use with the bike's compressor, but even that can't be found with a search. Is there another/better site for them?

[Jess from VA]

Years ago I had occasion to call and ask for a tech person at Progressive Suspension.  The person I got was exceedingly knowledgeable about their products and was able to answer all my questions. 

Good PDF pages are good, but sometimes they don't have your answers.   

[98valk]

I went to www.progressivesuspension.com, and the closest it came to any data is 'target ride length'; nothing about pressure range, or anything else. The page says there is an adapter kit to use with the bike's compressor, but even that can't be found with a search. Is there another/better site for them?

http://www.progressivesuspension.com/install-sheets/vtwin/shocks

seems they removed the GL1500 install. u can search on line or call them and customer service will email it to u.

[WintrSol]

OK, looked under Metric, and found nothing. Thanks for the link.

[98valk]

OK, looked under Metric, and found nothing. Thanks for the link.

see this on the link AirShock-Install.pdf  same for all 416.

[WintrSol]

I find it interesting that the general install instructions say 70psi max, while the install instructions for the HD ones say 100psi.