Rear shocks with rebound/damper controls

[Leathel]

 While I liked my 444 shocks on my last bike they were a little stiff riding with no gear...and when really loaded the spring wound up OK but the shock needed in the damper / rebound.... Not bagging them as they were way better than the 412 and std suspension..

Just asking to see if anyone had tried shocks like the YSS that have adjustable rebound and damper (on some models not all)

Something like these

http://store.suspensionshop.org/honda/gl-1500/1990-1999/99-01-gl-1500-cf-valkyrie-interstate-shock-fully-adjustable-fixed-reservoir-twin.html

http://store.suspensionshop.org/honda/gl-1500/1990-1999/96-01-gl-1500-c-d-t-valkyrie-valkyrie-tourer-f6c-shock-emulsion-twin.html

Price is up there but so are the 444 for me by the time they are freighted to NZ

[sandy]

The model with the reservoir will not fit bikes with saddlebags. I like the option of HyperPro springs. I have HP's in the front of my '05 Wing and love them.

[Leathel]

The model with the reservoir will not fit bikes with saddlebags. I like the option of HyperPro springs. I have HP's in the front of my '05 Wing and love them.

yeah I saw there note but I can move my bags around easy enough.... been trying to find the dimensions to see if they would squeeze in..... but the other set are more my price anyway

I want to redo the front too, Not sure which to go yet .... to soft ATM, to much sag and using 100% of the travel at times.

[sandy]

Progressives are the common front springs used. Look into HyperPro to see if they have a set for Valks.

[Leathel]

Well I fitted the YSS Adjustable rebound shocks without the reservoir to the bike Yesterday  and went for a 100mile ride with the wife to see how they went, Very happy with the ride, soaks up the smaller bumps more than the factory and large bumps don't bottom on the same setting... I just need to fit the progressive fork springs I have now as it really shows the softer front now

The shock is set 5mm longer than stock and can safely go another 5 if needed, be nice not to scrape the boards   Although with less sag and being better sprung I don't expect the shocks to compress as much in the corners, especially when the front is finished








 I needed to remove the alloy inserts for the tops, and LH Lower, use the LH lower stock shock insert, and grind a couple of mm of the RH lower as it was a touch wide but an easy fix... I got mine of Bike Barn

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Honda-GL-1500-C-Valkyrie-F6C-1997-YSS-Adjustable-Twin-Rear-Shocks-/302058132154?hash=item46541152ba:g:dLcAAOSwR29ZM2fR&vxp=mtr


But I have also noted they now have Hagon adjustable shocks on Ebay too and they have a thicker shaft (not length adjustable though) and I would have liked the stronger looking shock...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/For-Honda-F6C-Valkyrie-1996-2003-Hagon-Twin-Nitro-Shocks-Silver/301881421618?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649

[Bagger John - #3785]

Progressives are the common front springs used. Look into HyperPro to see if they have a set for Valks.

Yes, they do. Have a set in my Tourer (as of May this year) and love the ride.

EPM Performance in NJ is the U.S. distributor.

[Leathel]

Managed to find some time to fit the progressive springs in the forks, 3 out of the 4 guard bolts were locked in the forks so was a little of an issue getting them out even after being left to soak over night... got there in the end though and it rides well, stayed with 10 weight oil as I need them to move freely on those uneven roads we have over here.
 Backed of the rear shocks a little more and adjusted the damper as well, pretty much as I want it now, need to do a few more K's to be sure but I am happy as it is ATM







 Must be spring over here, a short ride in the evening and this is the result




Next free time will be more carb tweaking and balance

[Brian]

You guys realize that you can rebuild you forks without removing the uppers from the triple trees? You still have to loosen the upper clamps to remove the caps.

[specialdose]

    Anyone have experience with these :   YSS TOPLINE Z-Series Z362 twin rear shock Honda GL 1500 VALKYRIE 1997 - 1998.......on ebay

[Leathel]

You guys realize that you can rebuild you forks without removing the uppers from the triple trees? You still have to loosen the upper clamps to remove the caps.

I looked at doing it without removing them but I have no means to remove the oil and if your guard bolts are OK its not much of a task to remove them to get a better job of cleaning the fork legs out, especially the RH leg (has the damper rod in it)

 Also with my bars they would need to be removed and the riser clamp bolts come from the underside.... Major PITA to undo.

[RonW]

Leathel, just had to ask, is that a scissor lift? If so, is it better than the lifts with the folding parallelogram? I mean does the arms stay level from bottom to high elevation?

[Leathel]

Leathel, just had to ask, is that a scissor lift? If so, is it better than the lifts with the folding parallelogram? I mean does the arms stay level from bottom to high elevation?

not a scissor lift, just bad lighting so hard to see its a std lift.

[Leathel]

Last ride out I did rub my boots on the road, didn't scrape the boards but it must have been close.... had a look at the rear tire and I only have a couple of mm of tread not getting used....so if I do scrape I will be pretty much of the edge of the tire

I like the improved clearance with less sag up front and a slightly longer shock..... now to find time to finish tweaking the carbs then Digisync