Riding two up on Progressive 416s

[Valkorado]

I have 416s installed on my bike, they seem OK when I am riding solo, but not two up.  We are not petite people, but my old Shadow 1100 with stock shocks got us around without any scraping issues. 
Yesterday the bike scraped the asphalt going over a very slight dip in the road.  Upon inspection it looks like the contact point was on the underside of a right header.  I had the air pressure in the shocks at 65, with the maximum for 416s being 70 psi.  When riding solo I keep the shock pressure around 32 and don't have any scraping problems.  Since I rubbed the header, I am wondering if 65 psi may have been too much pressure?  Anyone else have 416s and ride two up on them?

[Gryphon]

I usually keep mine at around 34 and 41 when riding 2 up.  I had to increase to 45 on the way to Inzane last year, but we were loaded pretty well.  The only scraping I've ever encountered was on hard bumps; the bump when you go over a bridge or a sudden dip.  Then the scraping was the tire on the inside of the fender.  Bottoming out kind of thing.   The adjustability is why I love my airshocks.  This spring I'm going to mount an onboard compressor so I can adjust while riding.  Sometimes you miscalculate in the driveway. 

[Valkorado]

Thanks Gryphon.  Could be I had too much pressure and the extra inch from the CT is wedging my front end down some.     I'll try backing it off to 45-50 and see if it helps, otherwise I'm going to springs.

[Oklahoma_Valk]

Unless there was an imperfection in the road, it's hard to understand why the headers would drag (scrape). Are your 416's 13'' in length? Or shorter?

okie

[Valkorado]

Unless there was an imperfection in the road, it's hard to understand why the headers would drag (scrape). Are your 416's 13'' in length? Or shorter?

okie

Good question Okie, they were on the bike when I bought it last fall.  Wonder if I can tell by measuring?  I figured all 416s were 13" but just checked online and see sizes from 11.5" to 14.25".  The Progressive site of course recommends 13" for the Valkyrie, but who knows what the PO had on there.  Anyway, if they are shorter than stock that very well could be the problem. 

[Oklahoma_Valk]

Could be. Definitely.

if you decide to go Springs, I must be the first to recommend the Progressive 440s. The 12.5'' models feel closest to stock (to me anyhow) and are an extremely comfy ride.

Im 6'1'' 250lbs and ride with preload on the lightest setting. My wife is roughly 150 (I say roughly because she'll never tell me) and when we ride two-up we've never bottomed out. I think if I rode 2 up more often, I'd adjust the shocks to be a little-little-little bit stiffer preload.

my 440s have the standard rate springs, not the HDs.

FWIW!
okie

[Colin]

I run mine at 50 two up with no issues at all and we aren't tiny. I find the 416 air shocks the most comfortable that I have ever ridden with on any bike.

[MarkT]

I have onboard air and I regularly dump 130 lbs in the 416's when I'm heading into the twisties or about to roll over a sharp grade bump that will bottom it. Have been doing that for a dozen years, so they can take it.  I've rebuilt the right one twice, and the left once but that was stupid becuase it didn't need it - I just did it because I was doing the right one.

Anyway, you can increase the load capacity of 416's by adding more ATF fluid.  Yeah I know, the manual says don't do that.  I was told that by the Progressive tech that used to hang out on this board, so I did it and that increases the compression rate a lot, of course depending on how much you add.  Std quantity is 2oz, add 1 more and you'll like the results.   It goes in the bottom chamber so you do that with the shocks off the bike and the lower seal removed.  You remove the seals with air pressure.  If you want more instruction I have the rebuild instructions saved in the computer.  They might also have them available at their web site.

Here's the seal R&R instructions:  http://www.progressivesuspension.com/pdfs/shocks_shockSprings/3068-100.pdf

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

I had 416s on my bike and the tire would rub the little box under the fender where the connections for the rear lights were . I found it took 20lbs of pressure just to get the rear fender up to where it was with the stock shocks with no load.. I now have 13in 440hds  and not a problem anymore.

[Valkorado]

We have had unnerving scraping issues every time we are two up, and the shocks seem to hold their air so I don't think they are in need of a rebuild.  We're probably a bit under 400 lbs. together, so we shouldn't be pushing them beyond their capability.  I'm guessing Okie is onto something and the PO may may have lowered the rear to accommodate his inseam.  MarkT I hadn't considered pushing the pressure past 70, but I do like a firm ride in the twisties.  Don't know if I'd have the cojones to try 130, but I may bump it up some and see how it feels.  I think 440s are in my future.

[BobB]

Thanks to all...  I installed 416's on my '98 Tourer this last winter.  Wait!  It's still winter here despite what the calendar says.  I was just guessing as to the solo and two-up pressure settings.

[MarkT]

My 416's provide the cushiest ride I've ever had in my vehicles.  I think the reason is, they have a really large "sweet spot" since you are supposed to set the preload accurately - putting your current load right in the middle of the long travel of the suspension.  Combine that with a darkside tire, with (in my case) low pressure (34 lbs) and the tire together with the 416's results in grade edges not even being felt from the back.