I did search on this, but didn’t see much on what I’m concerned about……most of what I see is about lowering your bike with 11” shocks.

I’m trying to figure out what might be another good mod for my bike and I started thinking about some 12” black Progressive 412s. I actually love the ride of the stock shocks compared to my Nightster and I don’t think they look all that bad either. I put the 11” 412s on my Nightster and honestly – couldn’t tell any difference.

So, will the black 12” Progressive 412s provide anything to me besides a bit more of a blacked out look? Will they noticeably outperform the stockers? I’m weighing in at under 220lbs these days – so, I’m talking about the standard duty 412s here.

I know in my experience with my Nightster the Mustang Vintage Solo seat was a far better improvement to the comfort of it, but I just love the look of the stock ’09 Street Bob seat and I’d like to try to live with it if I can.

 

If you get any responses at all, they'll most likely be mixed.

But, for me, I noticed an improvement. But, that could be because I'm pretty close to the weight limit for the standard shocks and went with the HD 412 shocks. Perhaps the standards don't make much of a difference as long as you are within the weight recommendations but the HD's are noticeable to those of us that fit within that recommendation and were previously riding on stock shocks? I wasn't really looking for a better ride, I was okay with the stockers. I wanted to lower the rear slightly, so I went with the 12" 412 HD's over the 12.6" stocks. I set the preload on the new shocks to the middle level and noticed an improvement in the ride and handling. I also don't have to change the preload when my wife rides and still get a good ride.

 

I have the 412 HD, I'm 210Lb's, they felt better than stock but they do have better shocks on the market, you get what you pay for. I have no regrets going with the 412's.

 

Hmmmm, well, I appreciate you two responding about your HD shocks – I was curious if any standard 412 users felt like they got their money’s worth of an upgrade as far as ride was concerned.

I don’t know. Looking at my bike – it’s got those chrome top shock mount covers that look really nice on there (as do the stock shocks in general)….. I think you would have to ditch those top shock covers to go with black 412s and I’m not sure how that would look without them. If anyone has any up close pictures of black 412s I would love to see them.

I’m just really stumped for things to do to the bike to set it off any more….. I see some of you guys on here with some radical customization that looks really good, but I’m not in the market to spend HUGE money on it. Oh well, I guess I can save that money to take some trips with later this year.

 

If you're happy with the stock shocks, don't spend money on 412's. The bigger guys often have problems with the stock shocks being too soft so to them the stiffer progressives ride better. Your bike looks great.

 

Here's a couple of close-ups on my 11" 412's, please excuse the dirt, not exactly bike washing weather here.

 

I agree with Rounder. Don't buy them just for the ride (sounds strange I know). If you want a different look, ride height change, etc., then maybe they are worth it considering you may get a little better ride too. The black ones will look good on your bike.

I wouldn't strain to hard to think of mods for your bike. They will come to you in time. I've thought I was done many times only to decide later to do something else. Your bike looks nice but there's still plenty of room for changes and change, for the sake of change alone, isn't worth it sometimes. Several of the first mods I made to mine, I ended up backing off and going a different way with it. But when I first got it, I just started throwing money at it without putting a lot of thought into what I wanted it to be.

 

I also changed things out then went a different direction.(wasn't too big of a deal just a couple chrome parts) Have a plan and sit on it for a while. Once your sure of exactly what you want to do then go for it.
Surprisingly, if you can do your own wrenching, getting parts powdercoated to give the bike a more blacked out appearance is very inexpensive should you choose that route.

 

I didn't care for the chrome shocks and they were a little weak, I went with the HD spring + fork springs and I'm ok with my setup, we do have good roads around here and that helps alot.

 

Thanks guys… thanks Nickpisp and PaulS for the pics too!

Yeah, I guess there is no need to rush into making any mods to the bike. I’ve got my stage 1 and a few accent pieces to set it off just a little at least.