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Rear shock question

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Old Sep 15, 2009 | 11:29 PM
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Default Rear shock question
Here's a maybe stupid question.......Progressive sells replacement springs for their shocks (412, 418, 440 etc) could I just take my stock shocks apart and replace the spring with a set of those?....that should lower the shocks and upgrade the springs for about $80......would this work?
 
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Old Sep 16, 2009 | 07:55 AM
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Unlikely! The stock shocks are not Progressive brand so they are probably not interchangeable. I would be very surprised if they are!
 
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Old Sep 16, 2009 | 10:25 PM
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seriously - why wouldn't it work?...if the ID/OD of the spings are the same what would stop you from sliding off the stocker and replacing it with the shorter progressive one? if you can cut down the stock spring and lower your shocks you should be able to replace it with a shorter one to accomplish the same thing assuming they are the same diameter.....

any suspension experts want to weigh in?
 
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Old Sep 17, 2009 | 11:11 AM
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the internals of the shock will still be set for the stock length springs. Even if the progressive springs are the same ID/OD you still have a shock set too soft for the change in ride height. Your bike will ride like crap. Better to just use lowering blocks(close in price) than change to shorter springs.
 
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Old Sep 17, 2009 | 11:18 AM
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Originally Posted by rounder
the internals of the shock will still be set for the stock length springs. Even if the progressive springs are the same ID/OD you still have a shock set too soft for the change in ride height. Your bike will ride like crap. Better to just use lowering blocks(close in price) than change to shorter springs.
makes sense I suppose; thanks.....but wouldn't that hold true for the guys who have cut an inch off of their stock springs too? haven't heard any of them complaining about ride quality.........
 
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Old Sep 17, 2009 | 11:26 AM
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Originally Posted by CRF
makes sense I suppose; thanks.....but wouldn't that hold true for the guys who have cut an inch off of their stock springs too? haven't heard any of them complaining about ride quality.........
ever seen a lowered car bouncing down the street over the slight imperfection in the road... cut springs. They may not complain, but I guarantee the ride is worse than it was.
 
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Old Sep 17, 2009 | 11:42 AM
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Originally Posted by rounder
ever seen a lowered car bouncing down the street over the slight imperfection in the road... cut springs. They may not complain, but I guarantee the ride is worse than it was.

LOL - good point; thanks. Hey we are talking about suspension in another thread (drop in lowering kit)......could I trouble you to have a look at the discussion near the end about rear and front lowering amounts?....

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/dyna-...-fork-oil.html

thanks
 
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Old Sep 17, 2009 | 11:56 AM
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Originally Posted by CRF
LOL - good point; thanks. Hey we are talking about suspension in another thread (drop in lowering kit)......could I trouble you to have a look at the discussion near the end about rear and front lowering amounts?....

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/dyna-...-fork-oil.html

thanks
saw the discussion. I cannot say for sure exactly how low the rear is when dropping from a 12" shock to an 11" one. I think if you go to an 11" rear, go for 2" up front or thereabouts. It does look good and the frame will be real close to level. Hard to get an exact #.
 
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Old Sep 17, 2009 | 04:53 PM
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I had a set of lowering blocks on my 2003 wideglide went too a set of harley premium lowering shocks and the ride sucks now and cant ride 2 up blocks work better for me
 
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Old Sep 17, 2009 | 06:00 PM
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I'm pretty sure they're not the same diameter the Progressives look fatter to me. I wish I could measure them but I gave away my stock shocks.
 
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