11" progressives
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Fortville, IN
the wide glide has 12.6" stock shocks. Going to 11" shocks lowers the bike over 2". So your frame and pipes are now almost 2" lower to the ground.(I say almost because lowering the rear and stock front put the pipes and frame at an angle going up from the rear of the bike) Also the 11" shocks will preload less. This means they will feel like they are skipping over bumps more than your current shocks.(does not feel as confident as a taller shock) Heather If I were you and you would be comfortable with just a little less than an inch of lowering, get 12" shocks. Lowering is good for looks and saddle height issues, you can not ride as hard in the twisties with a lowered bike though.
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Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Palm Harbor fl.
EDIT: let me also add that the shocks off a streetbob, lowrider, and fatbob(nice chrome covered shocks) are 12" shocks.
Last edited by rounder; Jan 28, 2009 at 11:40 AM.
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Joined: Jul 2008
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I just put progressive 11’ on my wide glide, big difference in looks, I like it, the first test ride I could feel the bumps a lot more so adjusted them two clicks up and it was a lot better. Sat. I did the test ride with the wife she was ok with the ride and liked the looks aswell.But I might be looking at some Works 11.5”I was impressed with rep I talked to on the phone and his knowledge how there shocks work I’ll see how the ride feels as it gets warmer, and get some before and after pic’s as soon as I lower the front.
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Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Kansas
I just put Progressive 412's, 12IN. on a 05 Superglide which lowered the bike 3/4 of an inch, another 1/4 when you sit on it which does'nt sound like much but it was noticable another thing to consider is the distance between the rear fender and the chain guard any lower and it just looked like one good bump and they would hit. On my bike when the rear struts started to point towards the ground it just didn't look right. Rides much better than the factory shocks. Before I bought the shocks I put the bike on a jack took the old shocks off and lowered it to see the difference between 11 and 12's.
Last edited by KansasHellride; Jan 28, 2009 at 02:10 PM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,562
Likes: 11
From: Palm Harbor fl.
I just put Progressive 412's on a 05 Superglide which lowered the bike 3/4 of an inch, another 1/4 when you sit on it which does'nt sound like much but it was noticable another thing to consider is the distance between the rear fender and the chain guard any lower and it just looked like one good bump and they would hit. On my bike when the rear struts started to point towards the ground it just didn't look right. Rides much better than the factory shocks. Before I bought the shocks I put the bike on a jack took the old shocks off and lowered it to see the difference between 11 and 12's.
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,181
Likes: 2
Thanks for all the help and pics. Yeah Im willing to sacrafice some comfort for looks in this case. I have always liked the look of slamed softail deluxes and I want my bike to be low. I think I will give it a try with 11's. Do you have to lower the front too or can I just do the back.
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,027
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From: Eastern NE
Thanks for all the help and pics. Yeah Im willing to sacrafice some comfort for looks in this case. I have always liked the look of slamed softail deluxes and I want my bike to be low. I think I will give it a try with 11's. Do you have to lower the front too or can I just do the back.
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Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2008
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Short shocks DO look really cool. However, they will affect the ride quality. Negatively. The Dyna has limited suspension travel at stock length (12.6 on an FXD), and yes, if you are already dragging it will be worse.
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I just got off the phone with Works, I ride in the twisties. They suggest 13 or 13 .25." shocks for this style of riding. I will probably try the 13.25 (will raise the bike aboiut an inch). For me, the ride quality and cornering ability are more important since I ride in the mountains mostly.
Kind of a bummer you can't get everything, but that's how the bike is engineered.
.I just got off the phone with Works, I ride in the twisties. They suggest 13 or 13 .25." shocks for this style of riding. I will probably try the 13.25 (will raise the bike aboiut an inch). For me, the ride quality and cornering ability are more important since I ride in the mountains mostly.
Kind of a bummer you can't get everything, but that's how the bike is engineered.
. I am already scraping in the twisties. Will this make it worse. I love my twisties!