New rear shocks
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,325
Likes: 7
From: SE Illinois
New rear shocks
Sunday project...replaced my stock rear suspension with 12.5" Progressive 444s.
So, this was a pretty simple project...actual probably a 30 minute project if you have the right tools and a jack.
Took it for a short test ride...night & day difference. Rear is way more planted in the corners, and it handles the rough country roads around here way better. Much better ride quality.
I decided to go with the 12.5", which is 1/2" taller than stock. I made the right decision. I wanted to go with 13", but with the D&D Bobcat exhaust, the 13" would have caused clearance issues between the bottom shock bolt and the can of the pipe. I could have re-adjusted the exhaust system, but in the end I'm glad I went with 12.5" and didn't have to mess with that. It did raise the back end of the bike some...I would guess a good inch. the shocks are supposed to only be 1/2" taller, but apparently due to the geometry of the struts it affected the rear of the bike more.
I did some comparison between with the stock and 12.5 Progressives both off of the bike...the new shocks are actually more like a good 3/4" longer than my stock ones. Not sure on the exact specs, but stock is supposed to be 12", and these are supposed to be 12.5". I didn't measure eye to eye length of each, just comparing the two.
I attached a couple pics so you can see the difference in height....first one is with the new shocks, second one is before with the stock shocks.
I like the stance of the bike better....how it should have looked from the factory. It does lean a little more on the stand, but I like that also.
One of the best mods so far.
So, this was a pretty simple project...actual probably a 30 minute project if you have the right tools and a jack.
Took it for a short test ride...night & day difference. Rear is way more planted in the corners, and it handles the rough country roads around here way better. Much better ride quality.
I decided to go with the 12.5", which is 1/2" taller than stock. I made the right decision. I wanted to go with 13", but with the D&D Bobcat exhaust, the 13" would have caused clearance issues between the bottom shock bolt and the can of the pipe. I could have re-adjusted the exhaust system, but in the end I'm glad I went with 12.5" and didn't have to mess with that. It did raise the back end of the bike some...I would guess a good inch. the shocks are supposed to only be 1/2" taller, but apparently due to the geometry of the struts it affected the rear of the bike more.
I did some comparison between with the stock and 12.5 Progressives both off of the bike...the new shocks are actually more like a good 3/4" longer than my stock ones. Not sure on the exact specs, but stock is supposed to be 12", and these are supposed to be 12.5". I didn't measure eye to eye length of each, just comparing the two.
I attached a couple pics so you can see the difference in height....first one is with the new shocks, second one is before with the stock shocks.
I like the stance of the bike better....how it should have looked from the factory. It does lean a little more on the stand, but I like that also.
One of the best mods so far.
Last edited by Sharkman73; Feb 9, 2015 at 07:55 AM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,685
Likes: 4,294
From: Northeast, NJ
Excellent!!!! Have read pretty good things about the 444's. Glad to hear that you found the ride quality improved.
I have a set of Hagon Nitros being made and can't wait to get them.
I have a set of Hagon Nitros being made and can't wait to get them.
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 91
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From: New Zealand
Depends on the rake on the shock - technically 45 degrees would give you the 1/2 but as it is attached to a pivot (the swing arm) isn't quite that simple
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,325
Likes: 7
From: SE Illinois
The above ^^ is true at the location of the upper shock mount.
However, not true as you go to the rear of the bike from that point...
Think of it as a triangle, with the swing arm pivot, lower shock mount, and upper shock mount being the 3 angles. Ok, now picture the fender struts extending from the upper shock mount as they do. Let's say as an estimate that the upper shock mount is half-way between the swing arm pivot and the rear of the fender struts. If that were true, for every measurement you raise the upper shock mount, you will be raising the rear of the fender strut twice than amount (IF it were a straight line, but it is not). Still, the farther rearward from the upper shock mount, the more it's affected.
I should have taken before and after measurements...best I can do is look at all of the pics I have and look at where the struts are in relation to the tire straight above the axle. I looked at several last night, and I can say with certainty that at the rear axle, the strut is at least 3/4" higher, but appears to be more like a full inch. It's a very noticeable difference.
It's complicated, and without doing some crazy geometry and trig functions, the only other way is to take hard before and after measurements between the center of the rear axle and the bottom of the strut. I'd be happy to take a measurement as it currently is, and someone else with a FXDF with stock suspension take a measurement and compare....then we would know exactly how much it raised my bike.
Anyone with an FXDF with stock suspension want to do this for me? With the bike on the kickstand & no load on it...measure from the center of the rear axle straight up to the bottom of the fender struts.
However, not true as you go to the rear of the bike from that point...
Think of it as a triangle, with the swing arm pivot, lower shock mount, and upper shock mount being the 3 angles. Ok, now picture the fender struts extending from the upper shock mount as they do. Let's say as an estimate that the upper shock mount is half-way between the swing arm pivot and the rear of the fender struts. If that were true, for every measurement you raise the upper shock mount, you will be raising the rear of the fender strut twice than amount (IF it were a straight line, but it is not). Still, the farther rearward from the upper shock mount, the more it's affected.
I should have taken before and after measurements...best I can do is look at all of the pics I have and look at where the struts are in relation to the tire straight above the axle. I looked at several last night, and I can say with certainty that at the rear axle, the strut is at least 3/4" higher, but appears to be more like a full inch. It's a very noticeable difference.
It's complicated, and without doing some crazy geometry and trig functions, the only other way is to take hard before and after measurements between the center of the rear axle and the bottom of the strut. I'd be happy to take a measurement as it currently is, and someone else with a FXDF with stock suspension take a measurement and compare....then we would know exactly how much it raised my bike.
Anyone with an FXDF with stock suspension want to do this for me? With the bike on the kickstand & no load on it...measure from the center of the rear axle straight up to the bottom of the fender struts.
Last edited by Sharkman73; Feb 10, 2015 at 08:08 AM.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 158
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From: Ocala FL
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Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 33
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From: San Jose, CA
Bike's looking great man, mine's starting to look similar haha. Are you still digging the shocks? Also where did you pick them up? I've been searching around for good progressive deals
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