Shock absorber question.
Shock absorber question.
I have a 2006 LowRider. Rear shocks are apparently stock. I measured bolt to bolt length of 11 inches with the bike on the ground. A friend has some Showa gas shocks. They measure 13.25 inches from hole to hole. Do you think this is a bit too tall?
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,382
Likes: 4
From: Kennewick, WA
For what it's worth my Superglide came with 12.5" long shocks and I went with 13.5" Ricor's. Better ride and better handling.
Maybe your friend will let you mount and test the shocks to see if you like them.
Novice
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Tolland CT
I have a 2011 Superglide Custom which as far as I can tell now has the same 12 in. rear shocks that the Lowriders had. Superglides used to have 4 in rear suspension travel and now have only 3 in. My shocks seem to be 12 in eye to eye unladen. Definately going to go to at least 12.6 in. from Progressive or 13 in. like they used to have. I am only 150 lbs and like the softest preload. BUT, do bottom out on certain bumps. Would really like to know what the stock spring rate is so can make a better decision on replacements. IMHO, the dyna models should have 13 in. shocks to give the ride and handling they were designed for. For the money, I am thinking of the Progressive 412-4038 B/C which are 12.6 in. long and have progressive rate springs. They have a total travel of 2.51 in. compared with Progressive 12 in shocks with only 1.89 in travel. That's a 33% improvement. The 13 in shocks have 2.85 in travel, a 51% improvement. Tradeoff is higher seat height and center of gravity - I guess that 13 in shocks will result in 1 in higher seat or more. Certainly understand why people like the low seat of the Lowrider and new Customs. Anybody have experience with the 12.6 in. Progressive 412s ?
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,396
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From: Connecticut :(
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 7,138
Likes: 26
From: Southern Oregon
I have a 2011 Superglide Custom which as far as I can tell now has the same 12 in. rear shocks that the Lowriders had. Superglides used to have 4 in rear suspension travel and now have only 3 in. My shocks seem to be 12 in eye to eye unladen. Definately going to go to at least 12.6 in. from Progressive or 13 in. like they used to have. I am only 150 lbs and like the softest preload. BUT, do bottom out on certain bumps. Would really like to know what the stock spring rate is so can make a better decision on replacements. IMHO, the dyna models should have 13 in. shocks to give the ride and handling they were designed for. For the money, I am thinking of the Progressive 412-4038 B/C which are 12.6 in. long and have progressive rate springs. They have a total travel of 2.51 in. compared with Progressive 12 in shocks with only 1.89 in travel. That's a 33% improvement. The 13 in shocks have 2.85 in travel, a 51% improvement. Tradeoff is higher seat height and center of gravity - I guess that 13 in shocks will result in 1 in higher seat or more. Certainly understand why people like the low seat of the Lowrider and new Customs. Anybody have experience with the 12.6 in. Progressive 412s ?
Progressives claims their springs initial rate is 60lbs/inch (requiring 60 lbs of force to compress 1") Then each subsequent inch of movement would require progressively more than 60lbs of force such as 75lbs more for the 2 inch, 100lbs more for the 3rd inch.
If affordable I'd look into the 440's that have the inertia active system. I've read on here that the 412's ride isn't much better than stock.
Im running 970's adjusted for comfort with the ol, when riding solo without readjusting sag (or compression dampening) they're still an awesome ride.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,870
Likes: 498
From: Alberta
I had 412's on my Sportster; I bought them for looks and a slight improvement in ride. Also put them on my brothers FXD 'cause we could get heavy springs; he's 325. Rebound control, either by inertia valving (440) or adjustment (418) is nice to have in aggresive twisties...but I found the 418's were too stiff even on lowest pre-load and no other spring options...the 412's, I believe, have a couple of spring options and springs are easy to change on them but NOT on the 418's.....