Is there a stiffer shock/spring option than a progressive HD 440?

[Jabba]

The 440's seemed to be barely enough on my standard, but they don't seem to cut it on the IS.

Side question... how many "lines" are there of adjustment on the progressive 440's?

With me weighing in at 310lbs, plus the SO @ 200+, plus the bags ans such... I need a little more spring.

What are my options?

Jabba

[Valker]

You might want to contact another shock manufacturer to see if they will custom make a spring for your requirements. I think Works Performance will do this. There should be others. Progressive may do this, but I've not heard of it.

As someone else mentioned, Mine are 13" also. I forgot to say that before. It might make a huge difference.

[buffalobill]

Jabba, If they are 11 1/2" or 12" then you should sell them to me and order some new ones. I bought a set but they are 13" and it makes my bike look like an ATV.
buffalobill

[HayHauler]

The 440's seemed to be barely enough on my standard, but they don't seem to cut it on the IS.

Side question... how many "lines" are there of adjustment on the progressive 440's?

With me weighing in at 310lbs, plus the SO @ 200+, plus the bags ans such... I need a little more spring.

What are my options?

Jabba

Same here Jabba, but im about 290.   Still bottoms out on a good bump...  2 up with the wife is pretty bad...  thinking about putting the stock IS shocks back on... 

Hay 

Jimmyt

[junior]

i am around 300 lbs and i have the progresive 416 air shocks set at 40 psi and at times i ride 2 up. they seem to work well for me 

[Jabba]

Jabba, If they are 11 1/2" or 12" then you should sell them to me and order some new ones. I bought a set but they are 13" and it makes my bike look like an ATV.
buffalobill

Mine are 13" HD's.  I have had them for 5 or 6 years AND they are a little rusty... AND I'll probably out them back on my Standard if I pull them off.

I am a long leg... and like the taller Valk set up.

Jabba

[Jabba]

Same here Jabba, but im about 290.   Still bottoms out on a good bump...  2 up with the wife is pretty bad...  thinking about putting the stock IS shocks back on... 

Hay 

Jimmyt

I don't think the stock IS shocks are stiffer than HD 440's are they?

Jabba

[hubcapsc]

Jabba, If they are 11 1/2" or 12" then you should sell them to me and order some new ones. I bought a set but they are 13" and it makes my bike look like an ATV.
buffalobill

Unless Jabba is short (I'm 5-11) - trade... with HD on both, maybe the different geometry will help...

I think my 13 inch 440's with HD are awesome with almost no adjustment, me and Carolyn together are
around 330 lbs...

I think there's two reasons that my pegs don't drag too often...

  - I'm not so fast 

  - 13 inch shocks...

I still usually catch up to gangs of Harleys, rain or shine 

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4571961580987107438&hl=en	powered by Aeva

-Mike "the sound is bad, but the road is good, on this old video..."

[Jabba]

I figure that between the two of us... we're 550 lbs or so.  Plus luggage.  Plus whatever is in the luggage.  I have a trip around lake michigan coming up in July, and I SURE would like to have it set up right by then.

Jabba

[asfltdncr]

To answer your question-my 440's have 5 lines I believe.
Not trying to be a smart ass and I'm not skin and bones myself, won't that weight exceed the load limit on your tires (unless you're a darksider)?

[Cleaver]

Hi Jabba

I'm 295 and the wife is about 150.  We tried 440's, 416 air shocks, and 412 13"HD, and none lasted more than a few month until they would bottom under load on a good size bump.
  We switched to a set of Works shocks about a year ago. Best thing we have done for our comfort.
The bike does set high, but i"m 6' 2" and they are perfect for me. They have a 2 stage set up, where you can move a cam to better handle two up loaded riding, but I have never had to use it yet, they are high priced but work excelent. I will be at the Wiskey run and InZane if you want to try them before you buy a set.

[Jabba]

I am a dark sider.  On both my valks. 

I just got back from a short 100 miler tonight with the SO.  It was not TOO bad.  I had the 13" 440's on.  I am interested in the works shocks, but having bought the IS last week, that I really couldn't afford anyway... I need to allow my funds to recharge a little so to speak.

I am going to try to make the Whiskey run, and I am going to try to make it to Bellaire, on Saturday night, but I will be riding with some HD's and I am not sure they're going to be up to my 500-600 mile days.  We'll see.

Jabba

[fudgie]

If you want to ride to the Whiskey run let me know. We're meting a few Valks up the road from ya on Keystone.

[solo1]

The type of shocks 412's or 440's doesn't make the difference.  The shocks are different in valving, but they share a common spring and spring length.

Based on my experience with Progressives, you might consider Work's Performance for a shock with a much heavier spring.  Your combined weight plus luggage might be be calling for an air shock but the seals wouldn't hold up as the air pressure would have to be high.

I'd suggest talking to Works Performance for a solution (IMHO).  Also, for what it's worth, the heavier the tire, the worse the ride.(unsprung weight)

[Gear Jammer]

You might want to contact another shock manufacturer to see if they will custom make a spring for your requirements. I think Works Performance will do this. There should be others. Progressive may do this, but I've not heard of it.

Here's the link to Works Performance shocks.

http://www.worksperformance.com/pdf/app_guide/street.pdf

In searching them out I found a liink to a HD forum
 http://harleyzone.tenmagazines.com/ew/topic.asp?id=73219&s=warning_about_works_performance_shocks  , where a buyer mentioned this company includes with instruction sheet (not mentioned on ordering site) a recommended  factory service every xx,000 miles for $85 or so, and when he decided to return the shocks before installing, they charged him 20% restocking fee of $100.  So I guess you need to make sure which shock you need, and that you really want them, or you'll pay for the pleasure of having them shipped for your viewing.  They cost a bit more than Progressives, but not ridiculously priced  IMO .

[Jabba]

Heck... I think the Progressives are rediculously priced.  

WOW.  I e-mailed them just now.  We'll see what they say.

I might go to a local spring joint and see what they can do too.

Phone calls are free right?

Jabba

[Gear Jammer]

Heck... I think the Progressives are rediculously priced.  

WOW.  I e-mailed them just now.  We'll see what they say.

I might go to a local spring joint and see what they can do too.

Phone calls are free right?

Jabba

well, I meant "Not ridiculously priced" relative to Progressives.  They're all way too high for what they are.

[Jabba]

Heck... I think the Progressives are rediculously priced.  

WOW.  I e-mailed them just now.  We'll see what they say.

I might go to a local spring joint and see what they can do too.

Phone calls are free right?

Jabba

well, I meant "Not ridiculously priced" relative to Progressives.  They're all way too high for what they are.

Works just quoted me $555 for a set of Steel, dual rate  springs set up for us.

That's actually $100 CHEAPER than a set of 440 HD Progressives.

Crap.  Now I need $600 for springs.

 

Jabba

[asfltdncr]

I am a dark sider.  On both my valks. 

I just got back from a short 100 miler tonight with the SO.  It was not TOO bad.  I had the 13" 440's on.  I am interested in the works shocks, but having bought the IS last week, that I really couldn't afford anyway... I need to allow my funds to recharge a little so to speak.

I am going to try to make the Whiskey run, and I am going to try to make it to Bellaire, on Saturday night, but I will be riding with some HD's and I am not sure they're going to be up to my 500-600 mile days.  We'll see.

Jabba

That's where I was about to go but suggesting going Darkside is like telling some to switch political parties-you just don't do it.  I'm a Darksider as well 

[Cliff]

Just ordered the Works performance Steel Trackers DRS & ARS.  They needed Valkyrie model, driver weight and passenger weight as well as the percentage of time spent riding 2 up.  Got tired of the off the shelf 13" Progressive 440's with HD springs- I had also added a preload shim supplied by Progressive to increase the preload even more but still not a good ride.  Keep in mind I am 6'5" at just under 300lbs and ride 2 up 70-80% of the time with a 130lb passenger.  The 440's were dissapointing.  They will be sold along with the progressive tool used to compress the springs to dismantle the shocks for shim install/removal/servicing.  Hope the Steel trackers work better, the guy on the phone states they are customized to our weight when both riding, with an adjustment for when riding solo. (owning this valk is still not quite as bad as owning a boat)

[Valker]

cliff, please keep us posted on how it works.

[Jabba]

Yes please.  Let me know.

I have more than you as you have read.

I am probably 560 lbs of rider plus luggage plus gear.

Jabba

[Cliff]

Yes please.  Let me know.

I have more than you as you have read.

I am probably 560 lbs of rider plus luggage plus gear.

Jabba

Jabba,

The sales rep took into account a luggage load up to as much as 100lbs (just to be on the safe side)
I am anxious to see the difference with a "custom" setup vs  the old off the shelf with hd springs.  I will definitely post an update. 
Also hope to make it to inzane (waiting for my sister in  law to either commit to visiting us or not,,, dang I hate being in limbo)

[Cliff]

Yes please.  Let me know.

I have more than you as you have read.

I am probably 560 lbs of rider plus luggage plus gear.

Jabba

Jabba,

The sales rep took into account a luggage load up to as much as 100lbs (just to be on the safe side)
I am anxious to see the difference with a "custom" setup vs  the old off the shelf with hd springs.  I will definitely post an update.  
Also hope to make it to inzane (waiting for my sister in  law to either commit to visiting us or not,,, dang I hate being in limbo)

Got word that the sister in law isn't coming,,,, we have signed up for INZANE!!! This will be our first and we are looking forward to meeting everyone, we will be coming from New Hampshire leaving Tuesday Morning with a stop for an overnight somewhere near Niagra Falls.  If anyone is traveling from the NE area at same time we can join up for the ride.