Progressive 412s

[pancho]

Here is the problem, I have a new seat and it causes me to sit differently (I suppose until it gets broken in) and my feet are not comfortably positioned on the road when I am stopped. With my stock 13" shocks, I was able to have both feet flat on the road with my knees bent and legs splayed out a bit, on the new seat (which is the same as the old), not so. To compensate, I added an additional 60 lbs of weight in my saddle bags, and put the shocks on the lightest preload which works to give me a comfortable stance when stopped, but causes me to be more into the sag of the shock than it should be. Also there are other obvious reasons why this is not a good solution!



I'm thinking a 12" progressive  412 shock will fix the problem, if I can find one that works until the new seat gets right. Progressive only has one 412 that they recommend for the Valkyrie,  

https://www.progressivesuspension.com/product/1408/412-series-shocks

but there are many other 12" 412s available, and there are others I would prefer such as the . 412-4079C. I am wondering if others have used other models of the 412 on their Valks, and what is the differences. I mean why can't you put any of the 12" 412s on our bikes? Are the bushings different and can they be changed or what?

[Jess from VA]

I'm not up on 412s, but I suspect the ones they recommend for Valk is for a (fairly heavy) spring rate for the heavy bike.  Way back when I was looking at new 440s, I was able to call their tech support a couple times and got really great advice and assistance.  I'm betting that all 412's are the same, except for varying lengths and spring weights.  You want an adequate spring weight for you and gear (and passenger, how often?), but a lower rate should ride a bit lower (and softer).

I would never get a 12" shock because I lean hard and would drag badly.  But maybe a 12.5"

And remember lower shocks have less travel and a harder ride (ergo sum, need a higher spring rate).  

I'd look for 12.5"s with as light a spring weight as you think you can get away with.  

And I am not sure of 412 adjustability.  440s (now extinct) had 10 settings (full 360* turns on the top).  My first set was a heavy duty spring rate they advised for interstates.  I never needed to take them off the softest setting (and they were still pretty hard).  So when I got a second pair of 440s for my supervalk, I got the standard spring rate, but then turned them down 4-5 turns to get the right suspension.  And I always liked this better than my first heavy duty ones.

And as far as mounts, the 440s came with a whole bag of different mount bushings for different bikes.  412s may too, I don't know.  

My experience with several Corbin seats is they never break in and never get softer (at all), so I wouldn't count on ever getting lower on it. My first Corbin was what led me to find the Airhawk seat cushion (to relieve ass pain).  And of course that sat me higher.  The second one came with the bike, and I sold it to fund Ultimates.  They were two of the most beautiful seats I'd ever seen, but my butt was blind (and perpetually sore).

Call them and ask for tech support.

[rafalc]

Also don't forget to take the geometry of the drive shaft into consideration. At regular ride total weight you want the shaft to be in as straight of a line with the engine output as possible. In my case, I got 13" HD spring rate progressives and with me on the bike, the swing arm is still at significant lower angle than the engine. I'm hoping that once all parts are back on the bike and a full tank of gas, as well as a passenger, I will get it to align better. In hindsight, a 12.5 might have been a better choice in my case. We shall see.