oem shocks rebuildable

[matt]

Hey all.  Anyone ever rebuild stock shocks?   I  imagine every thing comes apart,  just thought I would ask before I  try to tear them apart. It will probably be awhile before I do as first I need to rebuild progressive air shocks this winter.

[R J]

Matt, you could probably buy a new pair of 'Works' shock cheaper than to rebuild those worthless OEM shocks.

In answer to your question, YES, they can be rebuilt, but ya better damn well know what you are doing before you take on that task.

1st pair I attempted to rebuild ended up in the trash.     I got pissed off and got carried away with the cutting torch.

So I found another pair that were in real bad shape.     They came apart, I went down to the drive-line joint and talked to a couple of their techs.   1 volunteered to come out to the shop and work with me on the project.

Took us 4 nights of messing with them, we did get them rebuilt, and they only last about 5 or 6 months.

That was when I bought a pair of Works.     They were still on MGM when we converted him to a Trike.

[matt]

Thanks RJ   I had got a worn set to throw on bike for winter while I rebuild progessive air shocks, had to drive bike about 30 miles and let me tell you not sure if progressives are just that worn as I have owned bike since 2007 have put around 30,000 on it but bike tracked much better with worn out stockers. Other thing is PO must have put taller progressives as bike sits lower with stockers. Well maybe after I rebuild progressives and put new oil and bushings maybe I will like ride. Once again thanks for answering. I hope i can handle been an off road tech to heavy truck to auto master tech doing mechanical since 1980

[John Schmidt]

I made an apparatus to dismantle the Progressives on my bike. Here's what it looks like, easy to make. If interested in the particulars let me know.

[Earl in Pensacola]

To be very honest with you, I would never put Progressive (#416?) air shocks on one of my bikes again.  In-fact not even on my passenger Van either and both for the same reason--there seems to be no or very little rebound control.  They seem to rely solely on the lift of the air provided pressure.   I had air shocks on my Valk for several years because I pulled a trailer (likewise for the van) and thought I need them. I just have never liked the ride of the bike when riding without the trailer (and the back of the van bounces up and down when not loaded too).
I sold the trailer for lack of use and went back to OEM shocks set at #3 and plan to to likewise on my van.  I'm perfectly happy now with the well controlled ride I get from the OEM shocks.