shocks
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 78
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From: Twin Cities
shocks
Hey all, was interested in replacing my stock shocks on my street bob with the black progressive ones......Question, is it difficult to take off the shocks? And secondly for those who have the progressive shocks can you tell much of a difference in the ride? Also was going to pull off the rear fender struts to have powdercoated, anyone have any luck with replacing these parts? Thanks for the help.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,154
Likes: 3
From: Colorado Springs
RE: shocks
I replaced mine last weekend. Took about 30 minutes. I went out and bought a new motorcycle jack so I most of my time was spent lining the stupid thing up correctly under the bike.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,900
Likes: 1
From: Backwoods of NH
RE: shocks
ORIGINAL: BerksBOB
.... And secondly for those who have the progressive shocks can you tell much of a difference in the ride?
.... And secondly for those who have the progressive shocks can you tell much of a difference in the ride?
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 177
Likes: 1
From: Chapel Hill, NC
RE: shocks
ORIGINAL: Chipstah
Swapped by crappy stock shocks out for the black heavy duty Progressive 412s and their front springs last summer - HUGE positive difference, a lot stiffer (ok by me but perhaps not for everyone as you really feel every bump), really planted in corners now and much more controllable. With the stock suspension I always felt I had to adjust to what the bike wanted to do in corners, now it goes where I want it to! One of the best performance mods you can do IMHO next to stage 1 upgrade w/a fuel management system, and a Lyndall brake pad upgrade.
ORIGINAL: BerksBOB
.... And secondly for those who have the progressive shocks can you tell much of a difference in the ride?
.... And secondly for those who have the progressive shocks can you tell much of a difference in the ride?
Something else I'm wondering: did you have the fork brace before or after adding the front springs? That's a mod I've been thinking about to address the wobble I get sometimes when on fast sweepers when the road has some irregularities. Guess I'm curious about difference with just fork brace versus fork brace plus springs.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,900
Likes: 1
From: Backwoods of NH
RE: shocks
Actually you are correct - didn't experiment too much as I planned to go to the lower 11" Progressives from the git go - always planned on lowering the stance. And did the SE fork brace at the same time as shocks and springs (and powder coated the fork slides all at once to save time), so hard to tell which contributed the most or in what way. Figured by removing front fender, a little more fork bracing would be a good thing. All I really know is that the combination of shocks, springs and brace really did make a huge difference. I'm sure the stock shocks can be tweaked to some degree, and if it works for you, all the better.
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 177
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From: Chapel Hill, NC
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Road Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,154
Likes: 3
From: Colorado Springs
RE: shocks
I have noticed that the bike seems to ride a little better after putting the shocks on. The stock shocks were a little "squirrelly" when I would hit corners hard. The Progressive shocks are definately stiffer but the bike seems to stick to the road better.
The only drawback that I have seen so far is that I have scraped my pipes a couple of times when I turn right. I guess I will have to slow down a little. NOT!
Maybe I will get shorter pipes.
The only drawback that I have seen so far is that I have scraped my pipes a couple of times when I turn right. I guess I will have to slow down a little. NOT!
Maybe I will get shorter pipes.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,299
Likes: 2
From: By the "Betty water and the Wire"
RE: shocks
It would be best to do strut covers and shocks at the same time, if possible. When removing the shocks you're part way to removing thecovers. Plus, if you were thinking about any rear turn signal changes, it would also be the right time for that as well, for the same reasons. I plan on doing the strut covers and shocks myself this winter. Once you go black...