Interstate shocks

[Big Rick]

I have a 2000 Interstate with Progressive 412 shocks set at the highest setting, but I can still bottom out every  so often riding single. I don't know if the shocks are 11" or 13" but I would guess 11" because the previous owner was a shorter guy.
 I am 6'1" and 400lbs so I was wondering what would be a better shock for myself.
    Progressive or Works ? and what model?
        Thanks in advance and yes I know a diet would help LOL
             Big Rick

[gordonv]

I know many mention bottoming out on their bike. I'm 220, wife was 230 (now 150), bags are full when we ride, even pulling a trailer, going over regular bumps, I don't think we have bottom out ever.

OEM shocks. Current bike has +100K miles. I figure they are set to max (5).

[rhinor61]

BIG RICK,

 When I did an update I switched to Progressive Suspension 444-4233B Black 12.5",
I am 305# and with a rider that is 145#, shocks on '3"... no issues
although I heard good things about the WORKS shoks, i have not tried them.

If you go to Progressive Shocks they won't list the 444 for our bikes, but doing my homework, I know they were close to the 440's but were reworked because of Patented technology infringement.

I also run a CT and the cage nut mod....

let me know how things work out...

John

[Big Rick]

thanks for the reply guys, I appreciate it

[StrikingViking]

Hmm... Valkyrie Tourer with an Interstate trunk, running OEM Interstate shocks.  Between my wife and I we're 400#... add luggage and that brings us up to 440-ish... and we don't bottom out.

Maybe grab a pair of decent IS shocks?

[Relax]

Hmm... Valkyrie Tourer with an Interstate trunk, running OEM Interstate shocks.  Between my wife and I we're 400#... add luggage and that brings us up to 440-ish... and we don't bottom out.

Maybe grab a pair of decent IS shocks?

And where do one find them ?
 

[Avanti]

Need to check ebay for a used pair.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/99-01-Honda-GL1500-Valkyrie-REAR-SHOCK-SHOCKS-ABSORBER-FOR-INTERSTATE-GL1500-CF/133205321596?hash=item1f03a7e77c:g:czcAAOSwqr5dp318:sc:UPSGround!53589!US!-1

[Relax]

Need to check ebay for a used pair.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/99-01-Honda-GL1500-Valkyrie-REAR-SHOCK-SHOCKS-ABSORBER-FOR-INTERSTATE-GL1500-CF/133205321596?hash=item1f03a7e77c:g:czcAAOSwqr5dp318:sc:UPSGround!53589!US!-1

From  above link: 79,326 known miles on it
How long do they last?

[Avanti]

You might want to take a poll.
I have used them for over 150,000.
You can also check here to see if anyone might have a pair for sale.

[Jess from VA]

New ones from Honda are pretty pricey, but when checking the microfish, only one side is still available. (But I'm not sure they come in left and right, do they?)

Do you have motorcycle salvage yards over where you live, and are they all connected together with a computer system of parts listings?  If so, you could ask one to look into a pair for you.

But they are all 20 years old or so, and it's hard to know how many miles they have on them.

When I got new Progressive Suspension 440s in 2005, I wish I had not just given my 4000 mi IS shocks away.   

[hubcapsc]

New ones from Honda are pretty pricey, but when checking the microfish, only one side is still available.

There is a difference at the lower mounts, but someone here said
that getting the bushings for the unavailable side is all that is
needed.

-Mike "Ida know"

[Beardo]

I was bottoming out with my tourer shocks when 2-up and loaded, I had read on here the stock interstate shocks were much better for higher weights. I put a want ad up in the classifieds on here, had several offers in the first week. Got some for $60. Never bottomed out again. Might want to try that before spending a bunch on new ones.

[Relax]

New ones from Honda are pretty pricey, but when checking the microfish, only one side is still available. (But I'm not sure they come in left and right, do they?)

Do you have motorcycle salvage yards over where you live, and are they all connected together with a computer system of parts listings?  If so, you could ask one to look into a pair for you.

But they are all 20 years old or so, and it's hard to know how many miles they have on them.

When I got new Progressive Suspension 440s in 2005, I wish I had not just given my 4000 mi IS shocks away.   

How was your 440 different than IS shocks ?

[hubcapsc]

I used Stanley Steamer's 75,000 mile (or so) Interstate shocks while
I was waiting on my 440 shocks to be rebuilt.

Interstate shocks might not bottom out much, but there's a BIG
difference.

Progressive doesn't  have 440s anymore, they have a new model 444.
Five or six hundred dollars a set...

-Mike

[Jess from VA]

New ones from Honda are pretty pricey, but when checking the microfish, only one side is still available. (But I'm not sure they come in left and right, do they?)

Do you have motorcycle salvage yards over where you live, and are they all connected together with a computer system of parts listings?  If so, you could ask one to look into a pair for you.

But they are all 20 years old or so, and it's hard to know how many miles they have on them.

When I got new Progressive Suspension 440s in 2005, I wish I had not just given my 4000 mi IS shocks away.  

How was your 440 different than IS shocks ?

As Mike said, they are were much better than stock shocks.  Principally, the BOTH WAY (up and down) dampening was much better/smoother.  But this assumes you bought the pair best suited to your needs, as they sold them with many different spring rates, two choices of hydraulic dampening (std & HD), and multiple lengths.  

But, all 440s leak down eventually and required rebuilding.  Thus the lifetime warranty for their most expensive shocks.  But then they discontinued them and sidestepped the warranty for all bikes they say the 444 doesn't fit, including all 1500 Valkyries (which they do fit, with some minor modification).  

So screw Progressive Suspension.  

[Valker]

Agreed. I’ll never buy a Progressive branded product again. Same reason.

[Gnarly]

Probably already ruled this out, Big Rick, but under the 'May Be Worth Checking' category....my OEM Interstate shocks were bottoming....or so I thought.
Only 30,000 miles on this bike.
Pulled the shocks off. The factory rubber shock eye bushings were SHOT.

Installed new ( $12 for 4! ) polyurethane bushings from Redeye.
Problem solved.

https://redeye.ecrater.com/p/18385698/rear-shock-bushing-kit-ver-2

Hope your solution is as simple as mine was! and ride safe.

[John Schmidt]

My Tourer was scraping every once in a while using Std. springs so I picked up a set of I/S springs and installed them myself. Did so using a homemade shock compressor. Problem solved and don't have to crank the setting all the way up either.

http://vrcc.photostash.com/vrcc_18944/S3500182.jpg

If interested I can dig it out and give some specs on how to build it.

[Chrisj CMA]

My Tourer was scraping every once in a while using Std. springs so I picked up a set of I/S springs and installed them myself. Did so using a homemade shock compressor. Problem solved and don't have to crank the setting all the way up either.

http://vrcc.photostash.com/vrcc_18944/S3500182.jpg

If interested I can dig it out and give some specs on how to build it.

If you put the bike on a lift there is no need for a shock compressor

[Relax]

When you park the bike for a longer time , do you adjust the shock to lowest position to ease the pressure on the sprigs?
Will the shock last good longer if you do?

 

[The emperor has no clothes]

When you park the bike for a longer time , do you adjust the shock to lowest position to ease the pressure on the sprigs?
Will the shock last good longer if you do?

 

I doubt it makes much difference.

[Jess from VA]

My Tourer was scraping every once in a while using Std. springs so I picked up a set of I/S springs and installed them myself. Did so using a homemade shock compressor. Problem solved and don't have to crank the setting all the way up either.

http://vrcc.photostash.com/vrcc_18944/S3500182.jpg

If interested I can dig it out and give some specs on how to build it.

If you put the bike on a lift there is no need for a shock compressor

I was thinking the same thing, but I think John is saying he swapped IS springs ONTO his std shocks.  You'd need one for that job. 

[The emperor has no clothes]

My Tourer was scraping every once in a while using Std. springs so I picked up a set of I/S springs and installed them myself. Did so using a homemade shock compressor. Problem solved and don't have to crank the setting all the way up either.

http://vrcc.photostash.com/vrcc_18944/S3500182.jpg

If interested I can dig it out and give some specs on how to build it.

If you put the bike on a lift there is no need for a shock compressor

I was thinking the same thing, but I think John is saying he swapped IS springs ONTO his std shocks.  You'd need one for that job. 

I didn't think the Showa's were rebuildable ?

[Jess from VA]

Well, I heard the same thing, but I'm not sure changing the springs without messing with the hydraulics is  a complete rebuild.

[Avanti]

The term rebuilding has many levels.  Sometimes making parts are in the process.  I have even found that replacing an old part with new part, needs a new part or two.

[The emperor has no clothes]

The term rebuilding has many levels.  Sometimes making parts are in the process.  I have even found that replacing an old part with new part, needs a new part or two.

Agreed. I wasn't aware the Showa's could even be taken apart, much less put back together properly. Has anyone successfully done this ?

[98valk]

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,45903.0.html   rebuild info by 8track

GL1100 shocks but would be same way to take valkyrie shocks apart. There are 12 vids total, below are two.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kykytty4rWY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKIFnxjSehE


"the honda valkyrie" book by Peter Rakestrow   on page 43 , makes reference that the 1999 Std and Tourer models had the shocks redone for a smoother ride.
In my opinion it would have made sense for cost by Honda to just use the new re-valved '99 I/S shock lower dampers either with the I/S springs or with the Std springs.

I have a set of I/S shocks on my std converted into a tourer with I/S bags and fuel tank.  Love the ride compared to the '98 std shocks that were on it. The revalved dampers make all the difference.

[Relax]

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,45903.0.html   rebuild info by 8track

GL1100 shocks but would be same way to take valkyrie shocks apart.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kykytty4rWY


"the honda valkyrie" book by Peter Rakestrow   on page 43 , makes reference that the 1999 Std and Tourer models had the shocks redone for a smoother ride.
In my opinion it would have made sense for cost by Honda to just use the new re-valved '99 I/S shock lower dampers either with the I/S springs or with the Std springs.

I have a set of I/S shocks on my std converted into a tourer with I/S bags and fuel tank.  Love the ride compared to the '98 std shocks that were on it. The revalved dampers make all the difference.

GREAT INPUT!!

[Chrisj CMA]

My Tourer was scraping every once in a while using Std. springs so I picked up a set of I/S springs and installed them myself. Did so using a homemade shock compressor. Problem solved and don't have to crank the setting all the way up either.

http://vrcc.photostash.com/vrcc_18944/S3500182.jpg

If interested I can dig it out and give some specs on how to build it.

If you put the bike on a lift there is no need for a shock compressor

I was thinking the same thing, but I think John is saying he swapped IS springs ONTO his std shocks.  You'd need one for that job. 

Yes that would be very different, nevermind

[Relax]

What the weight on a Interstate?
I search net and find different figures on each site.
 

[Relax]

What the weight on a Interstate?
I search net and find different figures on each site.
 

Valk, standard, 681 lbs
Interstate 773.8 lbs

According to brochures from around year 2000.
Guess it's righ ...

[98valk]

What the weight on a Interstate?
I search net and find different figures on each site.
 

Valk, standard, 681 lbs
Interstate 773.8 lbs

According to brochures from around year 2000.
Guess it's righ ...

that's dry lbs.
wet weights, I made approx, since different magazine articles posted lbs slightly different.
std     721~
tourer 776~
I/S      833~   

[Relax]

What the weight on a Interstate?
I search net and find different figures on each site.
 

Valk, standard, 681 lbs
Interstate 773.8 lbs

According to brochures from around year 2000.
Guess it's righ ...

that's dry lbs.
wet weights, I made approx, since different magazine articles posted lbs slightly different.
std     721~
tourer 776~
I/S      833~   

Thanks

[MarkT]

I made this tool to change springs.  Note, changing the springs isn't enough - the dampers need changing too.

[Relax]

 
What is the carry weight ,or GWVR, on the Interstate.
The carry weight on the Standard is rather low (or people have become unexpected more heavy since the bike was designed )

For 2 up riding,  200+110 lbs, what is good  setting on the shocks on the  Interstate?
Are the shocks so sensible that riding solo require immediate adjusting of the shock if they set for 2 up riding?

[Jess from VA]

What is the carry weight ,or GWVR, on the Interstate.
The carry weight on the Standard is rather low (or people have become unexpected more heavy since the bike was designed )

For 2 up riding,  200+110 lbs, what is good  setting on the shocks on the  Interstate?
Are the shocks so sensible that riding solo require immediate adjusting of the shock if they set for 2 up riding?

2 or 3 always did it for me at 185 (with or without my 125lb passenger, and lightly loaded), but mostly solo.  

I always like my shocks toward the hard/performance side when solo, so adding some weight didn't change anything, for me (probably for you too).  

But if you like the softest setting you can get solo, you may need to go up.

Bumpy-ness of average roads is also relevant (to bottoming out).

[98valk]

What is the carry weight ,or GWVR, on the Interstate.
The carry weight on the Standard is rather low (or people have become unexpected more heavy since the bike was designed )

For 2 up riding,  200+110 lbs, what is good  setting on the shocks on the  Interstate?
Are the shocks so sensible that riding solo require immediate adjusting of the shock if they set for 2 up riding?

GVWR                  carring capacity
std       1133          412
tourer   1133          357
I/S        1252         419

source: Motorcycle consumer news

[Relax]

What is the carry weight ,or GWVR, on the Interstate.
The carry weight on the Standard is rather low (or people have become unexpected more heavy since the bike was designed )

For 2 up riding,  200+110 lbs, what is good  setting on the shocks on the  Interstate?
Are the shocks so sensible that riding solo require immediate adjusting of the shock if they set for 2 up riding?

GVWR                  carring capacity
std       1133          412
tourer   1133          357
I/S        1252         419

source: Motorcycle consumer news

Thanks!

400-420 carrying capacity actually isn't very much (?)
If both rider and passenger is a "little heavy", it isn't  much left for luggage.
No wonder the rear shock are a "weak spot" on the Valk.

[Relax]

What is the carry weight ,or GWVR, on the Interstate.
The carry weight on the Standard is rather low (or people have become unexpected more heavy since the bike was designed )

For 2 up riding,  200+110 lbs, what is good  setting on the shocks on the  Interstate?
Are the shocks so sensible that riding solo require immediate adjusting of the shock if they set for 2 up riding?

2 or 3 always did it for me at 185 (with or without my 125lb passenger, and lightly loaded), but mostly solo.  

I always like my shocks toward the hard/performance side when solo, so adding some weight didn't change anything, for me (probably for you too).  

But if you like the softest setting you can get solo, you may need to go up.

Bumpy-ness of average roads is also relevant (to bottoming out).

Thanks!  Seems like a plan for me!

[98valk]

What is the carry weight ,or GWVR, on the Interstate.
The carry weight on the Standard is rather low (or people have become unexpected more heavy since the bike was designed )

For 2 up riding,  200+110 lbs, what is good  setting on the shocks on the  Interstate?
Are the shocks so sensible that riding solo require immediate adjusting of the shock if they set for 2 up riding?

GVWR                  carring capacity
std       1133          412
tourer   1133          357
I/S        1252         419

source: Motorcycle consumer news

Thanks!

400-420 carrying capacity actually isn't very much (?)
If both rider and passenger is a "little heavy", it isn't  much left for luggage.
No wonder the rear shock are a "weak spot" on the Valk.

for any vehicle,  first tires and then suspension springs are always what limits carry capacity.
both easily fixed for the Valkyrie.