eleven inch shocks

[pancho]

Has anyone put 11 inch shocks on their bike? Any issues? I got a set of progressive 412 xxxx shocks for cheap on eBay and got all the bushings set up correctly, and put them on. I seem to have plenty of tire to fender clearance but wonder about wheel travel and u joint etc. Any info will be appreciated.

[turtle254]

What's the compressed length. I'm running the 11" shocks. Give me the shock number and I will check the compressed length. That's  what counts.

[Jess from VA]

I vaguely remember reading that 11 1/2" was about as low as you could (safely) go.  The spring rate would need to be stiff, not cushy.  

They may mount up OK, but leaning clearance may be pretty limited (no floorboards, pegs only).  And a car tire (if that is your preference) may not have enough room for fender clearance up in there.  

If you run a standard 180 bike rear, you might try to measure inside fender clearance and see if you have room with 2" shorter shocks (and that's without any shock compression).

Slipping the forks lower (for leveling) would only make it worse.  

[pancho]

The shocks are 412-4005. Turtle254.

  I was looking for 12"but came across these and decided to give them a try.  When I put them side by side today I started to wonder... quite a difference.



I put them on the bike, and things look OK, but I don't want to hit the road with them without some informed opinions and hopefully someone to affirm or nix their working.  The bike doesn't appear to be too far out of whack with them on and leans correctly onto the stand, but I can see that I will need to adjust the headlight.

[Jess from VA]

The specs on 412-4005s say they have a 'standard' progressive spring rate), and a 5 Position cam style preload adjuster (to stiffen them). 

I'd just start doing parking lot maneuvers and see how they do. 

[turtle254]

                  Ext. Length   Comp.* Length Travel*                spring rate
412-4005B/C 11.01          8.99            2.02                          90/130    1.61/2.32 10.25
compress length will get you in trouble 8.99, no less than 9.25 to work;
also spring rate is way to soft.
At 9.25 your brake caliber will be in side fender, so you will have shave top fins off. Check clearance by
lowing bike without shocks on, till you have 9.25 between shock pin mounts. Watch for caliber interference with fender as you go.

[Joe333x]

Im running 12.5 progressive standard 412s on my interstate along with the progressive fork springs which are 12.5. I clicked the rear shocks down one because they almost through me off when I went over a bump once. They ride even better with a passenger on the back so I might click them down one more. I can scrape my stock pegs pretty easily so Im not sure I'd want to go much lower than. I do come from riding a sport bike though so I'm using to leaning.

[pancho]

OK, I appreciate the input.   The 8.99 compressed length will give me the answers. I'll take the shocks back off and set the center to center distance between frame and swingarm to that and see what things look like.

Turtle254, you said you were running on 11 inch shocks. What is your compressed length. what do you think about them? I'm thinking they will seem really wierd, but am usually wrong when I start speculating. Is there anything you had to address?

[turtle254]

The 8.99 compressed length will not work, plus those shocks are way to soft.
I'm using 9.25" compressed with 300/350 springs, but like I said you have to fix the brake caliper. Also a few other items.
Sorry, but that shock will not work on your bike.

[98valk]

Has anyone put 11 inch shocks on their bike? Any issues? I got a set of progressive 412 xxxx shocks for cheap on eBay and got all the bushings set up correctly, and put them on. I seem to have plenty of tire to fender clearance but wonder about wheel travel and u joint etc. Any info will be appreciated.

the limited fender clearance is where the fender clears the cross brace connecting the shock towers together. the tire will hit the fender during shock compression if the shocks are too short.

[pancho]

OK, I see what you mean Turtle, this is the clearance at 9.25.... I see where you would want to grind a slot in that casting. 

Alright, I have some shocks to sell on eBay. I have learned a couple of things here.

        1. progressive has all the information on their products available online.
        2. The minimum distance required between the shock mount centers.
        3. If it has to do with a Valkyrie, someone on VRCC has been there, and some are still around.
        4. When you remove your bags, it's a good time to clean you wheel and pipes.

Well, I still would like to try to lower the rear, so I will continue to keep my eyes open for a set of 12" progressives with full cover. (that is what made me jump on these) I appreciate the information guys,, really glad I decided to check here before jumping on the road and damaging the fender.     That would have made a bad day.... at least a bad hour.... probably a bad day even though inners are still available on eBay.

[Jess from VA]

My two interstates have 440 Progressive Suspension shocks; one stock 13" and the other 12.5"

The half inch lower is a bigger difference than it sounds (for my short 5'9"/30" pants inseam legs).  I can get both feet down OK on the 13's", but I can flatfoot easily on the 12.5's".  FWIW

I'm a leaner in the twisties though, and the 12.5s drag my floorboards sooner than on the 13's. Floorboards (on both bikes) drag sooner than pegs though.  Both sets are ground off on the outside edges. 

[pancho]

That's what I'm looking Jess. I sit flatfooted with some bend in the knees, but when it comes to backing on a slight incline... I think some additional leverage would help and lowering the rear may provide it. I am still interested in the reverse gear setup from a 1500 wing, but we have to choose our battles,, only so many projects will fit.

[98valk]

That's what I'm looking Jess. I sit flatfooted with some bend in the knees, but when it comes to backing on a slight incline... I think some additional leverage would help and lowering the rear may provide it. I am still interested in the reverse gear setup from a 1500 wing, but we have to choose our battles,, only so many projects will fit.

best to narrow the seat so your thighs are straighter towards the ground.

[Jess from VA]

Walking it backward up any incline is always a chore for me, on either bike.

So I'm very selective about where I will stick my bike so I don't have to do it much, or very far.  If there's room, I'm pretty good at doing a tight turn at the bottom of the hill then backing downhill so I can take off uphill.

To get out of my 10 X 12 bike shed at the foot of my property, I have to back it out uphill and do a very tight (lock to lock) 3 point turn at the same time.  With only a couple inches of clearance inside, there's no backing into the shed. 

I got no garage with this place, and the only (code legal) place to build one would be behind my house then pouring a second driveway to it from my corner lot side street (after cutting down a giant 100yo oak tree), so that's never happening. 

[pancho]

Yeah, I also have learned to place my bike in the best spot for a quick get away, but still, once in a while. T

In your place Jess, I think I would build a shop/garage  in the back and just run a sidewalk to it.  After all the years you have been dealing with that shed for two bikes, the advantages would be awesome. Maybe even life changing... 

[Jess from VA]

Poncho, I have sidewalks all around my back yard already, and a big aircraft carrier deck off the back of the house (which I never use anymore).

I've got my two 10 X 12 sheds at the foot of my driveway which runs up the back, out the 2 8' gates and down to the street.  All wired for 110 with lights and fans and and 30 years of tinkering with storage up the sides and overhead.

This is the only pic I can find of it (in the background), with the wife's 1100 Yami Custom twin I put together for her.

I only have a third acre to work with here in suburbia.

[pancho]

Thirty years is certainly enough time to get something organized and configured for your requirements and set up so it works for you.

I used to ride up and back down a wooden ramp into a building before I built shop/garage. Never had an accident, but got hairy once in awhile, especially when wet on the ramp and stopping before hitting the far wall.

Your picture didn't show up Jess, not even a blank space.

[Jess from VA]

Your picture didn't show up Jess, not even a blank space.

Sorry, my computer skills are lacking.

It's a copy/paste from an old Delphi Motorcycle Forum (long abandoned I think).

It shows up for me (on here).