John Schmidt
Member
Posts: 15215
a/k/a Stuffy. '99 I/S Valk Roadsmith Trike
De Pere, WI (Green Bay)
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« on: August 12, 2010, 02:09:04 PM » |
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I have my new HD 412's on the lowest setting and when I sit on the bike I get no sag/drop whatsoever. Yet I've talked to a couple friends on the phone and theirs are softer than that. They tell me their HD shocks do give when compared to bike height with nobody on it, at least 1"+ on three different bikes. Makes me wonder(and hope), will these things soften a bit with use. Right now the ride is like riding a hardtail. If you have HD Progressive's on your ride, how much drop do you get when you sit on it?
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DeShazo
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« Reply #1 on: April 12, 2017, 03:17:46 PM » |
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John, did this issue ever get solved? Did they break in? I am about to pull the trigger on a set of 412 heavy duty and am trying to get some feedback from those who know.
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Gabriel
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« Reply #2 on: April 12, 2017, 04:39:40 PM » |
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I believe that's what I put on this Valk I used to own, they may have even been a little shorter, I can't remember but they sure look short. I would never put heavy duty shocks on anything unless it was really loaded because they have a very harsh ride otherwise. (Ask me how I know) BTW: This bike had 103K on it when I took this picture   |
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« Last Edit: April 12, 2017, 06:25:08 PM by Gabriel »
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Leathel
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« Reply #3 on: April 12, 2017, 05:23:37 PM » |
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If you get them to stiff and run them the shock wont last..... Mine spewed its oil out of one and when in contact with them it was due to the shock "topping out" to much
Went a softer shock and not an issue.... but that was a lighter bike and not the HD shock...just one designed for a heavier bike.
I went to fit some 444 shocks I have here but they were shorter and I am already scraping pegs so didn't fit them (pulled from a previous bike)
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Bighead
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« Reply #4 on: April 12, 2017, 06:10:59 PM » |
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John, did this issue ever get solved? Did they break in? I am about to pull the trigger on a set of 412 heavy duty and am trying to get some feedback from those who know.
My question is how many miles are on the shocks on the bike now? I am still running stock OEM on my bee from 1997 and have no issues with them. 100k + smiles. |
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1997 Bumble Bee
1999 Interstate (sold)
2016 Wing
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Leathel
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« Reply #5 on: April 12, 2017, 09:08:10 PM » |
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John, did this issue ever get solved? Did they break in? I am about to pull the trigger on a set of 412 heavy duty and am trying to get some feedback from those who know.
My question is how many miles are on the shocks on the bike now? I am still running stock OEM on my bee from 1997 and have no issues with them. 100k + smiles. I only have 11K and I would love to have the 444 shocks on it (or at least one with speed sensitive valves)...... The OEM still function well but cornering on our ruff roads could be better.... Although I don't think the 412 would be that big of a step up if the OEM are not worn  |
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Fazer
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« Reply #6 on: April 13, 2017, 05:24:11 AM » |
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I've got the 13" 444-4213, not HD. Pricey but they seem fine. I run them about 30% of their preload setting. I broke a shock trying to adjust the step setting or I would still be running OEM.
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Nothing in moderation...
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Blackduck
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« Reply #7 on: April 13, 2017, 06:17:35 AM » |
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Shocks going bad sneak up on you.
You adjust to them as they deteriorate and do not realise what is happening till you get a wake up call on a rough bend or curvy road.
My OEM's were shot by 60K and just thought the bit of wallow in some bends was the road.
New shocks and a very different ride.
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2001 Standard, 78 Goldwing, VRCC 21411
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Relax
Member
Posts: 322
Power & elegance...just like the Valk
Oslo, Norway
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« Reply #8 on: April 15, 2017, 09:11:26 AM » |
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I find this shock issues on Valks a bit strange. The loading capacity on the valk is actually not very much compared to the heavy & powerful bike it is. Concidering riders & the passsenger have grown weight since 1997...lol..( yeah...me too!!  ) we run in to problems more of us.... What's the best choice when you ride 2 up and with baggage ? You have probably allready passed the original loading capacity of the bike!!? Shock for IS help some....but how much? Air pressure shock absorbers ( 412, 416) are not actually built for much higher load either, are they? If I am not mistaken, there are shocks for HD that fit the bike and have higher capacity?!  |
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MarkT
Member
Posts: 5196
VRCC #437 "Form follows Function"
Colorado Front Range - elevation 2.005 km
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« Reply #9 on: April 15, 2017, 10:52:28 AM » |
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The following, all Progressives except on Marty.
Marty - OEM shocks. Not much comment - is a Tourer - OEM shocks are mediocre.
416's on Deerslayer since about '98. They don't add capacity IMHO but add easy preload adjustment. Provide a very cushy ride if you have the air right as the sweet spot is large but must be matched. Worked for me as I have a compressor on board and can change preload w/o stopping - handy as you approach a known big bump or heading into the twisties aggressively. They do need rebuilding periodically and mine don't hold their pressure that well. You can increase the spring rate by adding more ATF fluid. Not the best shocks IMHO.
I have 412's on George. They look nice on a custom bobber but other than that I don't have much opinion on them. I don't change their preload as the bike never gets different loads. They don't compare to the next choice I have but they are much cheaper.
444's with 140-205 springs on Jade. These shocks have much better capacity than the others. Yeah they cost more. I bought the springs separately. I'm not a lightweight at 280# and run the preload at half - which is 4 turns; it has 8 total. Keep a strap wrench in my kit for changing it easily. Bumps disappear under these shocks. I never need to change the preload with or w/o heavy trailer or heavy back seater (brother around 200#). Much smaller wife, same thing. One of the best mods I've done is these shocks.
You're mistaken on the HD shocks - tech engineer at Progressive told me, the heavy duty 444 shocks are "heavy duty" only on Harleys - they amount to light duty or std when put on a Valk. They have (approx) 105-150 springs and for me were inadequate. The shocks were perfect after they got the heavier springs. BTW they have much heavier springs available as well. Go to their site and download the tech sheet on them.
Also - they will tell you the 444's are not for the Valk - but the engineer said "I know you Valk guys will make them work anyway." I had to mod the mount sleeves slightly - no biggy.
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« Last Edit: April 15, 2017, 10:58:41 AM by MarkT »
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Relax
Member
Posts: 322
Power & elegance...just like the Valk
Oslo, Norway
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« Reply #10 on: April 16, 2017, 04:33:07 AM » |
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Thanks for a good write up!  |
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bentwrench
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« Reply #11 on: April 16, 2017, 05:44:26 AM » |
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Hmm,they said nothing to me about 444s not fitting valks when they sent me a pair (under warranty)to replace the 440s I kepted blowing out on our fine Pennsylvania roads.
Mark is right about the 444s they can haul some weight and keep the harsh bumps from going up your back.
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« Last Edit: April 16, 2017, 05:46:23 AM by bentwrench »
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Leathel
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« Reply #12 on: April 16, 2017, 11:37:34 AM » |
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Hmm,they said nothing to me about 444s not fitting valks when they sent me a pair (under warranty)to replace the 440s I kepted blowing out on our fine Pennsylvania roads.
Mark is right about the 444s they can haul some weight and keep the harsh bumps from going up your back.
yeah the lesser progressive shocks are harsh on the back if you bottom them out....not so with the 444.... Its a damn shame the 444 shocks I had off my last bike are too short for the Valk  |
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